7th District Representative Lyons Vs. Mcmorris: One Candidate Cites Her Legislative Experience; Other Cites His Life Experience

Democratic candidates for two 7th District state representative positions want better education in the future while two Republicans want less government.

All of the candidates - Democrats Brad Lyons and Kurt Matter and Republicans Cathy McMorris and Bob Sump - consider themselves penny pinchers.

Lyons believes the biggest difference between him and McMorris is experience. He is 42, a father and a farmer. He and his wife, Arlene, have two sons, ages 7 and 21. McMorris is 27, single and supported mainly by her legislative pay.

A lifelong resident of the Odessa, Wash., area, Lyons graduated from Odessa High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Washington State University.

McMorris cites her six years of legislative experience. She was administrative assistant to former state Rep. Bob Morton, and was appointed to replace him in January 1994 when he became a state senator.

She grew up on orchards and has lived in Stevens County since 1984. McMorris earned a high school diploma from Columbia River Christian Academy in Kettle Falls and a bachelor’s degree in pre-law from Pensacola (Fla.) Christian College.

She lives in Colville and is trying to establish a travel agency in her home.

McMorris said she wants to continue fighting burdensome and frivolous regulations.

Lyons believes education is the key to the district’s economic well-being.

Fellow Democrat Kurt Matter agrees. He was on the Kettle Falls School Board from 1988 until last year.

Matter vs. Sump

Matter, 45, and Republican Bob Sump, 55, are seeking the position being vacated by Steve Fuhrman.

Sump, who has the support of some of the district’s leading mining and timber companies, champions property rights and the district’s resource industries.

A heavy equipment mechanic for Echo Bay Minerals, Sump moved to Republic, Wash., eight years ago from Centralia, Wash. He graduated from high school in Houston. Sump and his wife, Brenda, have three adult children.

A heavy equipment operator who was an orchardist most of his life, Matter has lived near Kettle Falls for 21 years.

He graduated from high school in Longview, Wash., and studied math and political science at the University of Washington.

Matter and his wife, Joanie, have two teenage daughters.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map: 7th Legislative District

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