State House State House State House
3rd District, Position 1
The 3rd District covers the North Side of Spokane, downtown Spokane and the lower South Hill.
• David Stevens
Republican
Personal: 42, married with three children.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology with emphasis on racial and ethnic relations, University of Washington, 1991; law degree, University of Washington, 1999.
Professional: U.S. Navy, 1983-1989; civil rights investigator for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1991-1996; Spokane city prosecutor, 2000-2001; Whitman County deputy prosecutor, 2001-2002; Spokane County deputy prosecutor, drug unit, 2002-present.
Political: Spokane County Republican Central Committee, district committee leader, precinct committee officer.
Key issues: Law and justice are key issues. Supports drug court and drug treatment as well as diversions from prosecution. Supports felony drunken driving charge. Calling for more supervision of released felons. Other issues include creating more jobs; making state more responsive to business; opposes gay marriage.
• Alex Wood
Democrat
Personal: 58, single.
Education: Four years at Washington State University studying broadcast journalism, 1973-1977.
Professional: Broadcast journalist, 1977-1996, with KREM, KHQ and KXLY; radio talk show host, KXLY, 1990-1996.
Political: Eight years, four terms, in the House. Eight years on Transportation and Commerce and Labor committees. Vice chair of Commerce and Labor Committee.
Key issues: Wants to keeping money flowing for road projects, including North Side freeway, widening of Interstate 90 in Spokane Valley and widening of Bigelow Gulch Road. Supports job creation with an eye toward workers rights and safety. Health care is a critical issue higher insurance costs, job losses and labor disagreement.
First priority if elected: My real focus this time is going to be in the health care. That is bleeding over to everything, including pensions, labor and social services.
3rd District, Position 2
• Ryan Leonard
Personal: 34, single.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Whitworth College, 1993.
Professional: Cavanaugh’s Hospitality, Spokane, 1994-1995 and 1997-2001, restaurant host; Employment Screening Services, 1995-1997, verified resume information; Pitney Bowes, 2000-present, telephone service representative.
Political: Ran for state representative against Jeff Gombosky in 2002 and lost. Volunteered for U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt’s campaign in 2000. Precinct committee officer, Spokane County Republican Party, 2002-present.
Key issues: Bringing jobs back to the state. The Legislature needs to cut regulations and taxes. Minimum wage and unemployment insurance premiums are part of the issue. Businesses are being driven out of state. Classroom sizes need reducing. “It’s high time to put education dollars into the classroom” instead of spending money on state administration. The state transportation system is hurting. Funds should be redirected to transit and ferry system.
First priority if elected: Get appointment to Commerce Committee to start working on job recruitment.
• Timm Ormsby
Democrat
Personal: 45, married, three children.
Education: North Central High School, 1977.
Professional: Business representative since July 2000 and also now secretary-treasurer for Northeastern Washington – North Idaho Building and Construction Trades Council. President of the Spokane Regional Labor Council since December 2000.
Political: Appointed in 2003 to fill unexpired term of former Rep. Jeff Gombosky. Precinct committee officer intermittently since 1996. Campaign volunteer for various candidates. Treasurer of Save Our Streets city ballot measure in 2002.
Key issues: Getting people employed, especially in sustainable jobs. Part of what we need to focus on is training students to take on jobs. Post-high school education should include options for skills training as well as academics. Need to improve reimbursement rate for local health providers, which will help increase jobs in the area. The state and federal government both have a role to play in that. We have to get people to where they work, to the doctor. Getting goods and services delivered on a transportation system is a huge part of what the state does.
First priority if elected: “My first priority is elevating the importance of our community in the business of what gets carried out in Olympia.”
4th District, Position 1
The 4th District covers the Spokane Valley, from the Idaho state line to the Spokane city bondary and north to the Pend Oreille County line and some precincts in Hillyard.
• Larry Crouse
Republican
Personal: 59, married with twin daughters.
Education: Crouse graduated from O’Dea High School in Seattle
Professional: He worked for Kaiser Aluminum for about 20 years, 13 years as a machinist and seven years as a manager.
Political: Elected to the state House in 1994, he’s the ranking Republican on the technology, telecommunications and energy committee. He serves on the commerce and labor committee and was appointed to the select committee on pension policy.
Key issues: Economy. “Our economy is in need. It’s slowly coming back. … We need to do things as a state that would do more to encourage job growth.” Efficiencies of government. “We have an awful lot of taxpayer money, and I don’t think we spend all of it responsibly.”
First priority if elected: The economy and making government run more efficiently, as well as helping people with disabilities and other needs. Crouse wants to make sure funds for social programs are being used properly and that people in need are getting help.
• Jim Peck
Democratic
Personal: 60, married.
Education: Bachelor of arts in chemistry and biology from the University of Indianapolis; Washington state teaching certification through Eastern Washington University.
Professional: Peck served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1967 through 1969. He was in the Army Reserve from 1969 to 1976 and worked during that time as a quality-control chemist in the flour milling industry. In 1976, he went back on active duty and served until 1995. Upon retirement, he earned his teaching certification and now is a substitute in Spokane area school districts.
Political: After retiring from the military, Peck served as a precinct committee officer for the Democratic Party. He ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in 2000.
Key issues: Education. Peck’s goals are to fund cost-of-living raises for teachers and reduce class size. Health care. “I think we need to increase funding for the basic health plan that takes care of the uninsured. The state should give some premium incentives to small businesses to encourage them to provide health care to employees.” Tax reform. “We need to take a good, serious look at the tax structure of the state. It’s been 60 to 70 years since we’ve had tax reform.” Citizen contact. If elected, Peck plans to operate an office in the Spokane Valley that would be open to the public five days a week. “The Washington state Legislature is not a full-time legislature. It’s intended that it be a citizen Legislature.”
First priority if elected: “To take a good look at how we fund education and how we support education and how we teach our kids,” said Peck, who intends to continue teaching if he’s elected. “I want us to have the best schools for our kids that we can have.”
4th District, Position 2
• Ed Foote
Democratic
Personal: 31, single.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in history from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Arts in teaching English as a Second Language.
Professional: Foote works as a program manager for the International Refugee Council, a nonprofit company that helps refugees transition to life in Spokane. He previously taught English as a second language and citizenship at the Community Colleges of Spokane, and he spent a year and a half teaching English in South Korea. Foote recently earned his Washington state teaching certificate and plans to substitute teach in Spokane area schools this year.
Political: Ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Spokane Valley’s City Council in 2002.
Key issues: Job growth. Foote wants to attract more professional jobs to the region to balance the large number of minimum- and low-wage service jobs. Improving the economy. Foote wants to attract more professional jobs to the region to balance the large number of minimum- and low-wage service jobs. Universal health care. Foote thinks that many societal problems would diminish if the federal and state governments provided citizens with health-care coverage. “Employers are starting to drop workers (from coverage). High medical costs are making products cost more. It’s killing us in so many ways.” Education. Foote doesn’t support the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL.
First priority if elected: The economy. “I want to try to fight to bring in living wage jobs to the area.”
• Lynn Schindler
Republican
Personal: 59, married with 10 children.
Education: She graduated from Holy Angels Academy in Milwaukee, earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Marquette University in 1967, and studied secondary education at Pacific Lutheran University.
Professional: Schindler manages commercial and personal investments with her husband, is a former partner in Schindler Electric Supply Co., and worked briefly as a television weather forecaster in Milwaukee.
Political: Schindler has served three terms as a District 4 representative. She serves on the House of Representatives transportation committee and is the ranking Republican on the local government committee.
Key issues: Tort reform. “I think tort reform is a way to help premiums be lowered and help businesses lower some of their costs.” She said businesses and government spend too much money “trying to guess everything someone might sue them for.” Growth Management. “There has to be some medium found between those who just want a pristine environment … and a person who’s using his land to pollute and contribute to problems that make it unsafe for the community.” Schindler would like to re-examine the powers of the Growth Management Hearings boards, which are comprised of appointed, not elected, members. Defense of Marriage Act. Schindler is against a King County Superior Court judge’s recent ruling allowing gay couples to marry. She wants the Legislature to quickly pass a Defense of Marriage Act that would allow marriage between men and women only. Education. Schindler doesn’t want to increase funding for education, but she wants to examine how the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is spending its money. “It seems to me not enough money is coming down into the classroom.”
First priority if elected: “Trying to figure out this Growth Management mess. A close second is the Defense of Marriage Act.”
6th District, Position 1
The 6th District stretches from Indian Trails and Whitworth areas of Spokane, swinging around the west side of downtown, to the upper South Hill and parts of Moran Prairie.
• Don Barlow
Democrat
Personal: 66, widowed, with three grown children.
Education: Associate of arts degree from Boise Junior College; bachelor of arts degree in education from the University of Idaho; master’s of education from University of Idaho; doctorate in education from Pennsylvania State University
Professional: Counselor at Community Colleges of Spokane, instructor for general equivalency diploma students and teaches classes in life skills for men. Previous jobs include coordinator of special programs and coordinator for Indian Education program at Spokane Public Schools.
Political: Ran unsuccessfully for the Spokane City Council in 1991 and the Spokane school board in 1993 before winning his school board race in 1997. He ran unopposed last year.
Key issues: Funding quality education at the necessary levels for both K-12 and higher education; improving health care coverage, including mental health and health care for seniors and people with low-income; finding more living-wage jobs in Washington state
First priority if elected: “To get my feet on the ground and find out what exactly goes on in the Legislature” and to work on education funding
• John Serben
Republican
Personal: 36, married with one daughter.
Education: Associate’s degree from Spokane Community College; bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, minor in economics from Eastern Washington University
Professional: Insurance agent for Fidelity Associates; served as a specialist in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas.
Political: Served as the co-chair of the finance committee on the 2003 Mead School District Levy, which passed.
Key issues: Health care, the economy, jobs and more efficient government spending.
First priority if elected: More affordable health care.
6th District, Position 2
• John Ahern
Republican
Personal: 69, married with three grown children
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, University of Denver; 1-1/2 years at Gonzaga University Law School
Professional: Owner of Janco Office Supplies Co. for 20 years; previously a sales manager at an office supply company
Political: Served as the 6th district’s representative in the House since 2000. Member of the finance, criminal justice and corrections, and local government committees
Key issues: Tort reform, eliminating the barriers that are forcing businesses to leave the state; more jail time and lifetime probation for sex offenders; crack down on the methamphetamine problem – “three strikes, you’re out” for meth manufacturers.
First priority if elected: Tort reform: “We need to put a crimp on how much attorneys can collect and how much in secondary damages can be awarded.”
• Douglas Dobbins
Democrat
Personal: 38, married.
Education: Attended Spokane Public Schools and graduated from North Central High School. Attended Gonzaga University for 2 1/2 years.
Professional: Stock photographer. Previously worked as a program manager for Microsoft.
Political: Democratic Party’s vice chairman of the 6th legislative district.
Key issues: Lifelong educational opportunities including job training for people out of work; “health care access for all of our citizens, especially children and seniors”; creating a healthy environment for small business growth.
First priority if elected: To work on getting legislators to listen to the people of Spokane and to work with all legislators, regardless of political affiliation, in order to promote the state’s best interests.
7th District, Position 1
The 7th District covers the parts of northwest Spokane County, plus Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, Lincoln and parts of Okanagon counties.
• Jack Miller
Democrat
Personal: 56, married with one adult son.
Education: Miller graduated from Everett High School in Everett, Wash., in 1965. He says he attended Everett Community College and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Washington in 1969.
Professional: Worked his way through college as a grocery manager for Tradewell stores. Served 20 months in Army infantry, mostly in Europe, and was a sergeant when discharged. Then earned associate degree in air traffic and transportation from Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash., and became an air traffic controller about 1977. Fired by President Nixon in 1981 along with other union members on strike. Operated his own landscaping businesses then earned master’s degree in computer science from Eastern Washington University in 1988. Since then, has worked at Whitworth College since for 16 years, mostly as director of information systems.
Political: Is a Democratic precinct committee officer.
Key issues: Jobs, health care, education – which are “all tied together” – and individual freedoms. Too many people don’t have jobs, and rising health-care costs are “reaching crisis proportions” even for those who have jobs with medical insurance. With extra-large high school graduating classes on their way, the state state budget cuts are forcing public universities to cut enrollment. Sees gun and property rights as fundamental, with little room for compromise. On other issues, though, he would strive “to find workable solutions across political ideologies rather than just fighting among ourselves all the time. If a Republican has a great idea, that’s fine with me. Solutions are the bottom line.”
First priority if elected: Health-care reform.
• Bob Sump
Republican
Personal: 63, married with three adult children.
Education: Graduated from Mary Brantley High School in Houston.
Professional: He has lived in Washington since the mid-1960s, working mostly as a heavy-equipment mechanic in the mining industry. Sump also has operated service stations and auto repair shops in the Olympia area. He worked 13 years for Washington Irrigation and Development Co.’s coal mine in Centralia. From 1988 until his retirement in 1999, he worked for Echo Bay (now Kinross Gold) in Ferry County.
Political: Has been a 7th District state representative almost eight years, since his first bid for public office in 1996.
Key issues: Wants to reduce regulations on businesses, including the insurance industry, which he believes are driving up prices. Regulation of the insurance industry has stifled competition and driven up rates to the point that premium increases wipe out employees’ raises and many businesses can’t afford to offer medical benefits, Sump said. He thinks tort reform is needed to keep medical malpractice lawsuits from driving doctors out of the state. Sump also wants to rein in bureaucrats and judges he believes are substituting their own views for state laws.
First priority if elected: To reduce regulations on business.
7th District, Position 2
• Joel Kretz
Republican
Personal: 47, married with one son.
Education: Graduated from Mercer Island High School. Attended Green River Community College in Auburn and Olympic Community College in Bremerton.
Professional: Self-employed since 1981, operating his own logging company. Kretz now raises horses, cattle and timber, and still does a little logging.
Political: Is a Republican precinct committee officer. Serves on the Okanogan County Water Resource Inventory Analysis Committee and the Okanogan County Wildlife Services Committee, which monitors cougar issues for public safety. Is past president of the Okanogan County Farm Bureau and has served on Washington Farm Bureau committees.
Key issues: “I think we need to be changing the regulatory climate in the state, reducing the barriers to a strong economy.” He wants to eliminate “an adversarial relationship with business” and “too many layers of regulation stifling business.” Kretz also wants to improve funding for core government services: “Our rural hospitals are really struggling and we’re having a hard time finding money for schools and to keep our roads up to standard.” He considers tort reform essential in medical malpractice cases to control health costs. To improve local government finances, he wants to eliminate “unfunded state and federal mandates.” Kretz also wants to rein in bureaucrats who, he says, often ignore the Legislature’s instructions when making rules. For example, he said bureaucrats proposed ideas for legislation on private road standards, and restored those ideas when writing regulations – even though the Legislature rejected those ideas.
First priority if elected: Improving the economy, creating jobs.
• Yvette Joseph
Democratic
Personal: 46, divorced with two children.
Education: Bachelor of science degree from Washington State University in 1980. Master’s in social work from University of Denver in 1987.
Professional: Directed Colville Tribes alcoholism program for five years after graduating from WSU. Was a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Dan Evans, R-Wash., upon earning master’s degree. Aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, for six years after Evans retired in 1988. Worked on health care, budget and appropriations issues. Executive director of non-profit National Indian Health Board from mid-1995 through 2002, when position moved from Denver to Washington, D.C. Private consultant since then, handling several projects for Colville tribal government. Has written chapters in two books about health.
Political: Past treasurer of Arapahoe County, Colo., Democratic Party. Worked on President Clinton’s health-care task force, and served on an Environmental Protection Agency committee on children’s health. Serves on board of SEVA Foundation, which works to preserve and restore vision of indigenous and poor people around the world.
Key issues: Jobs and rural development. She thinks one possibility for creating jobs in the 7th District is to press Congress for more Canadian border security. Health care also is a priority, and she would promote “specialized vendor contracts” to cut prescription costs. Also wants to improve quality of education by providing more money for schools. Thinks her experience in writing grants and developing new programs would help. Hopes to bridge political parties, and wouldn’t “vote a straight party line.”
First priority if elected: “To find as many jobs as possible for those who want to work.”
9th District, Position 1
The Ninth District covers the southern quarter of Spokane County, plus Whitman, Garfield, Adams, Asotin and Franklin counties.
• Don Cox
Republican
Personal: Married with two grown children and five grandchildren.
Education: Whitworth College, BA; Washington State University, Ed.M. Counseling; Washington State University, Ed. D. Educational Leadership; additional graduate studies at University of Washington and University of Idaho.
Professional: Director of the Rural Education Center at WSU. Prior Associate Professor in educational administration/leadership at WSU Spokane; Superintendent Colfax School District, 1990-98; teacher, counselor and administrator at various Washington State public schools, 1963-1990.
Political: State representative, District 9, elected Nov. 1999; currently the ranking Republican on the Higher Education Committee. Also on the Appropriations and Education committees.
Key issues: Higher education, K-12 education.
• Sean Gallegos
Democrat
Personal: 29, married.
Education: Pullman High School, 1993 Walla Walla Community College, Clarkston associates and transfer degree. Eastern Washington University, BA computer science 2002
Professional: Self-employed owns computer consulting company, founded in Oct. 2003. Pullman Grange cashier/worker.
Political: Member of Whitman County Democrats
Key issues: Education – family background in education, nursing and military. Increase pay for educators and funding for schools. Decrease administration staff numbers and the amount of government hassling teachers. WASL has been a calamity and waste of money. “It’s just how they did on a test.” Public Transportation and Public transportation. Strengthen retirement for military, support active services, fulfill economic promise, “I’m willing to look around until we find it.” “I think we’re doing a lot to let them down.” Nursing shortage. “A terrible, terrible crisis.”
First priority if elected: Dismantle the education reform effort in the state of Washington. It has done nothing.
9th District, Position 2
• Eileen Macoll
Democrat
Personal: 49, married.
Education: West Seattle High School 1973; Washington State University year graduated 1982 degree in communications.
Professional: Sales associate for Summit Realty in Pullman since 2000. Research assistant for the UDSA working at WSU in Pullman and at an off-campus research station in the Palouse. Has also been self-employed as a horse trainer.
Political: Chairwoman of the Whitman County Democrats from February 2000 to July 2004.
Key issues: Funding for Washington State University, better health care for everybody, making college more affordable for middle class people.
First priority if elected: “Do more listening and less talking.” And seeking funding for WSU and identifying funding sources state and otherwise for higher education.
• Jeff Phelps
Republican
Personal: 43, married with two children.
Education: Pullman High School Class of 1978; WSU, BA in Business Administration 1984
Professional: Currently the finance director for University Relations at WSU. Has worked in the private sector as a CPA, as credit manager for Tree Top and as a controller.
Political: Albion Planning Commission; Albion Town Council; WSU Staff Senate Efficiency Committee; WSU Strategic Planning team member
Key issues: Bring fiscal responsibility and efficiency to government. Advocate for agriculture and agribusiness Champion the needs of small business Education: increase enrollment, improve efficiency and quality, strive to get every possible dollar out of bureaucracy and into K-12 classrooms. Protect viabilities of rural communities
First priority if elected: To work toward passing a balanced budget for the state – that’s Job One.