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Benson Would Emphasize Thrift, School Reform If Sent To Olympia

By Kim Barker kimb@spokesman.com

Brad Benson remembers that his mother couldn’t afford a quarter for him to see “The Dirty Dozen” as a boy.

The 37-year-old Republican, who attended survival school at Fairchild Air Force Base, grew up poor. He said that’s the reason he thinks it’s so important to give back to others in the community.

“It’s just my fundamental belief.”

Since then, he’s worn many hats, from Air Force officer to bank officer to ice cream store owner. He now runs Hansen’s Creamery on the North Side with his wife, Jill, and aims to fill the 6th Legislative District spot left empty by Rep. Jean Silver. He’s unopposed in the primary.

Benson said he wants the government to treat its money like people treat their own - with care, not waste. He advocates local control of schools and school vouchers.

The candidate would try to cut the budget of the superintendent of public instruction in order to boost funding for school districts.

This is Benson’s first run for public office but not his first dip in Spokane politics. He was a nominee in November to replace state Rep. Todd Mielke.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: BRAD BENSON (R) Resume: 37, transferred to Spokane in 1986 by Air Force, after joining in 1982 … Hired by Seafirst in 1988 as banking officer; left in January to help wife run Hansen’s Creamery … Associate degree, Grossmont College in San Diego; undergraduate degree, business administration, Sacramento State University; MBA from Gonzaga … Volunteers at area schools, Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Baptist Church; counseled families to help avoid bankruptcy; teaches Sunday school … Member, Rotary Club, Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce … Married, three children. Finances: Raised $11,225 as of Wednesday, including $1,000 from a Chattaroy couple and $550 each from Safeco, Candidates PAC of Washington, Trucking Action Committee, Washington Affordable Housing Council and Physicians Insurance Exchange. Why he’s running: “I think I can make a difference. I don’t think government is efficient or effective.” Top priority: “Restore local control to education.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: BRAD BENSON (R) Resume: 37, transferred to Spokane in 1986 by Air Force, after joining in 1982 … Hired by Seafirst in 1988 as banking officer; left in January to help wife run Hansen’s Creamery … Associate degree, Grossmont College in San Diego; undergraduate degree, business administration, Sacramento State University; MBA from Gonzaga … Volunteers at area schools, Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Baptist Church; counseled families to help avoid bankruptcy; teaches Sunday school … Member, Rotary Club, Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce … Married, three children. Finances: Raised $11,225 as of Wednesday, including $1,000 from a Chattaroy couple and $550 each from Safeco, Candidates PAC of Washington, Trucking Action Committee, Washington Affordable Housing Council and Physicians Insurance Exchange. Why he’s running: “I think I can make a difference. I don’t think government is efficient or effective.” Top priority: “Restore local control to education.”