Primary Voter's Guide 2024

VOTERS GUIDE

WENATCHEE

EAST WENATCHEE

JULY 2024

CHELAN COUNTY DOUGLAS COUNTY WASHINGTON STATE

A New Landscape for State Representation As a business owner in the valley, it's essential to stay informed about changes in your legislative representation.

Recent legal challenges and decisions have reshaped the legislative districts at the state level, affecting our community significantly.

For the upcoming elections, Wenatchee and East Wenatchee have been divided into three legislative districts. Downtown Wenatchee and part of Old Station now fall under the 7th District, while Pangborn Memorial Airport is part of the 13th District.

We remain optimistic about these changes and are proactively engaging with our new representatives and candidates. Our efforts aim to enhance our visibility and strengthen our voice in Olympia. With six seats in the House of Representatives and three seats in the Senate, our representation has expanded.

Although we share these representatives with other areas, our chamber lobbyist, advocacy committee, and dedicated staff are committed to forging a coalition that will advance the interests of the business community.

To determine your specific representation, please reference the maps provided on this page or check your ballot for the listed candidates.

Map Key 12th Legislative District 7th Legislative District 13th Legislative District

12th Legislative District 12th District State Senator

Pgs. 6-8

Keith Goehner Jim Mayhew

12th District State Representative Pos. 1

Pgs. 9-12

Heather Koellen Brian Burnett Jennifer Bumpus

12th District State Representative Pos. 2

Pgs. 13-15

Mike Steele Daniel Scott

7th Legislative District 7th District State Representative Pos. 1

Pgs. 16-18

Teagan Levine Andrew Engell Soo-Ing Moody

7th District State Representative Pos. 2

Pgs. 19-25

Ronald L McCoy Hunter Abell Pat Bell Paul “Rocky” Dean

Chelan County Chelan County Commissioner Pos. 3 Brad Hawkins Brandt Cappell Flint Hartwig Chris Willoughby

Pgs. 26-32

Douglas County Douglas County Commissioner Pos. 2

Pgs. 33-39

Paula Lamanna Austin Flemens Jimmy Sherrell Randy Agnew Katie Shafer

Washington State Races Lieutenant Governor

Pgs. 40-45

Patrick Harman David Griffin Bob Hagglund Dan Mathews Denny Heck

Secretary Of State

Pgs. 46-48

Steve Hobbs Marquez Tiggs Dale Whitaker Damon Townsend

Attorney General

Pgs. 49-56

Nick Brown Manka Dhingra Pete Serrano

Commissioner of Public Lands Allen Lebovitz Jaime Herrera Beutler Sue Kuegl Pederson Patrick DePoe Kevin Van De Wege

Pgs. 57-68

12th Legislative District State Senator Candidates Keith Goehner What motivated you to run for State Senator?

My motivation for running is my desire to serve and improve the governmental structure of our society. After serving in the House of Representatives, I have gained a new perspective of how legislation is crafted and with the vacancy in the Senate, I felt it was critical for the 12th District to have experience in service and policy making. My desire is to create a social environment that rewards diligence and creativity while being mindful of those who truly need assistance. In establishing priorities of services, I hope to be a voice of moderation in ensuring the basic responsibilities of government are delivered.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

In my time in the legislature, I have been and will continue to work toward creating a business environment that ensures success. This would primarily relate to addressing tax issues, labor concerns, and environmental impacts. I am also very concerned about public safety and enforcement of laws. Energy issues, especially the continued use of natural gas, will be an area of focus.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Small businesses provide employment, tax revenue for their local communities, state and nation and investment in their communities fosters stability and character. It is imperative that businesses are acknowledged for their contributions in these areas. Businesses must be allowed more flexibility in operating their enterprises and I believe the government must recognize the significance of the role businesses play in the economy.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

My first objective would be to remove the B&O tax. I would also advocate for an adjustment in the minimum wage formula. The capital gains tax should be repealed. Although I don't believe we can tax our way to prosperity, we will need to take incremental steps in restructuring the state taxes. The makeup and personality of the new legislature will determine how the changes could materialize. Reducing certain taxes could provide an incentive for business growth and increased revenue.

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12th Legislative District Jim Mayhew What motivated you to run for State Senator?

I believe we can and must do better to ensure results, efficiency, and transparency from state government. I’ve spent my career in business and then in local government taking a data-driven approach – rooted in accountability and making every dollar count. In state government, we need this focus and I am excited to bring these skills to Olympia to maximize our investments in our state’s economy – uniting eastern and western Washington around shared values of good jobs in retail, agriculture, construction, care providers, the public sector and clean energy markets and communities that support good schools and housing for all who want to call this home. I’ve worked with some of the largest and most successful corporations in the world as they bring programs to scale, manage resources, and deliver results. I will work to address our economic challenges – including improving freight mobility and shipment of Washington agricultural and other products to port, improving workforce training for clean energy and emerging industries, and funding for aging roads and bridges.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Thriving Economy: In Olympia I will apply my business and accounting expertise to prioritize conditions for a thriving economy including infrastructure investments to move people and goods safely and efficiently, safe communities for workers and employers, a skilled workforce, and the conditions for businesses big and small to succeed.

Safe Communities: As a small city councilmember on the edge of King County, I have had a front row seat to recent policing challenges from adequate staffing amidst recruiting difficulties, officer uncertainty about community support and changing and sometimes impractical procedure expectations, and the need for trained resources to respond to people in crisis with mental health and substance abuse issues. I believe that nothing is more important than ensuring that we are safe from harm.

Education & Opportunity: I am a product of our public education system and so personally know that this is a path to individual success and a strong community. That is why I will advocate for equitable distribution of resources ensuring all schools have great facilities, teachers, equipment and materials. I will work to expand access to early childhood education programs, reduce class sizes, and ensure that all students have access to a well-rounded curriculum that includes arts, music, and physical education including universal access to participation in after-school sports and other activities. And I will support expanded mental health services for our student age population. Education is the cornerstone of democracy, and I will protect and improve it.

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12th Legislative District Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Our small cities and towns depend on our small businesses for nearby, local sources for most of what we want and need each day. Our restaurants and most of our retail are small businesses creating the magical atmosphere in each of our towns, our childcare is primarily provided by folks we trust in our communities, our cars and houses are maintained and repaired by reliable neighbors, and many of our jobs and most of what impacts our daily lives are provided by our small businesses. To thrive, our small businesses need predictable, fair, and straightforward regulations, reliable municipal services, safe and well-maintained roads, strong tourism attraction programs, and policing with effective crime-deterrence by officers with strong community support. And we must do much better at effectively solving our homeless challenges to keep our business areas inviting and reliably safe, including better mental health and substance abuse treatment. Continuing with the same leaders will likely give us the same results. We need better outcomes and more common sense leadership committed to making government work better – not a rigid ideological perspective. Let’s work together to build bridges– uniting around shared values to get the results we deserve.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Washington has one of the strongest economies in the country and leads in emerging technologies, contributing to a strong fiscal environment. I mentioned above my priorities of improving our homelessness outcomes and related impact on small businesses, strengthening our policing outcomes and public safety, streamlining regulations, supporting reliable municipal services, supporting safe and well-maintained roads, and promoting strong tourism attraction programs. We also need to do much better at protecting family farms from the squeeze on profitability that is driving many of them out. In addition, one of the disproportionate burdens on our small businesses is our state’s heavy reliance on sales, B&O, and property taxes, which drives costs to consumers up and thus lowers sales. While our state and local tax burden per person is below average at 10.7% of income (average is 11.2%), it is the second most regressive in the country. This disproportionately impacts middle and lower-income families (the vast majority of consumers) at a rate higher than almost all other states and much more than higher-income families. When voting on budgets, I focus on (1) outcomes for expenditures, seeking cost-effective and innovative spending, (2) whether our taxation supports economic growth and helps businesses and workers succeed, and (3) fairness, ensuring all income levels share proportionally in funding our expenditures without disproportionately taxing middle and lower-income families.

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12th Legislative District State Representative Pos. 1 Candidates Heather Koellen What motivated you to run for State Representative?

My motivation to run for State Representative stems from my deep commitment to serving our community and addressing the pressing issues that impact the lives of everyday residents. As an Intensive Care Unit Nurse and a North Bend City Councilmember, I have seen firsthand the challenges people face in accessing affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities. I am running to bring commonsense solutions to these problems and to ensure that our government is responsive and accountable to the needs of all its citizens. I believe that by working together, we can get results for our district and our state.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. Healthcare Access and Affordability: I will work to expand access to affordable healthcare for all residents. This includes supporting initiatives to reduce prescription drug costs and increasing funding for community health clinics.

2. Economic Development and Support for Small Businesses: I plan to introduce policies that support small businesses, such as tax incentives, grants, and streamlined regulations. I will also advocate for workforce development programs to equip our residents with the skills needed for high-demand jobs.

3. Education and Workforce Training: Ensuring every child has access to quality education is crucial. I will push for increased funding for public schools, support for early childhood education, and the development of vocational training programs to prepare students for the workforce

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I am committed to being a strong partner for them. I will work to reduce unnecessary regulations that burden small business owners and advocate for policies that provide financial support, such as grants and low-interest loans.

Additionally, I will create a small business advisory council to ensure that the voices of business owners are heard in the legislative process. By fostering a supportive environment for small businesses, we can stimulate local economic growth and create jobs for our community.

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12th Legislative District What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Tax Incentives and Financial Support: I will advocate for tax incentives and financial support programs that make it easier for businesses to start and grow. This includes proposing legislation for tax credits, grants, and loan programs specifically targeted at small businesses and startups.

Streamlining Regulations: I will work to streamline regulatory processes to make it easier for businesses to comply with state requirements. This includes simplifying permit processes and reducing bureaucratic red tape that can slow down business operations.

Workforce Development: Investing in workforce development is key to improving the business climate. I will support initiatives that provide training and education to workers, ensuring that businesses have access to a skilled and ready workforce. This includes partnerships with local colleges and vocational schools to align training programs with the needs of local industries.

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Brian Burnett

12th Legislative District What motivated you to run for State Representative?

I declared my candidacy for State Representative in the wake of State Representative Keith Goehner's move to seek a higher office, creating an opportunity for me to step up and lead in a new capacity. With a deeprooted commitment to the community and a proven track record of effective leadership, I believe I am poised to bring a fresh perspective to the legislative arena.

I reside in Wenatchee with my wife, April, of nearly 37 years. Together, they have raised a loving family, with seven children and eight grandchildren, and more on the way. This strong family connection fuels my passion for building a better future for all residents of District 12.

My career in law enforcement spans over 25 years, culminating in my retirement in January of 2023. I served 12 of those years as the elected Chelan County Sheriff. My tenure was marked by significant leadership roles, including: Past President of the Washington Association of Sheriff and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Past President of the Washington State Sheriffs Association (WSSA) Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commissioner (Appointed by Governor Inslee) Chair for the Chelan County Regional Drug Task Force Co-Chair for Sex Offender Registration Co-Chair for WASPC Officer Wellness / Resilience Committee I’m eager to continue my public service to the citizens of District 12 and plan to leverage my extensive experience to work collaboratively with other legislators to safeguard and enhance the quality of life for all residents and ensure a bright future for generations to come.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

PUBLIC SAFETY Addressing the aggressive growth in crime rates. Let’s empower our local Law Enforcement leaders and their agencies by: Advocating for laws and policies that empower our local law enforcement agencies to enhance our living standards through effective law enforcement and education.

Working collaboratively with local, state and federal partners to properly address the following issues: Dangerous Drugs Mental Health Homelessness Securing adequate funding for the recruitment, hiring and training of law enforcement.

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12th Legislative District LOWERING YOUR TAX BURDEN Washington State is amongst the frontrunners in the nation when it comes to taxation. The burden of taxation has a negative impact on the escalating costs and inflation that we are experiencing. I pledge to tackle these issues and only support legislation that supports vital and important tax based programs, departments, and projects.

Gas taxes are amongst the highest in the nation yet our roads, bridges, ferry systems and other critical infrastructure is failing.

Individuals with fixed, low, and medium incomes are experiencing unprecedented financial pressure due to the rising costs of fuel, groceries, housing, healthcare, and other necessities.

This is a reality I cannot ignore.

HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES THRIVE In our quest to stimulate small business growth, we must embrace innovative solutions that minimize over-regulation impacting these businesses, their employees, and their clientele.

I am committed to exploring new ways to support your businesses and reduce unwarranted regulation.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

(Did not respond to question)

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

We must minimize over regulation on local authority and small businesses and even identify current policy that is adversarial and make plans for the future on how to overcome many of the current obstacles currently in place. We can only achieve this by working together both within District 12 but across the state. Identifying things other states and regions are doing to support small businesses through legislation would also be key for future policy support.

Jennifer Bumpus Withdrawn from the race

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12th Legislative District State Representative Pos. 2 Candidates Mike Steele What motivated you to run for State Representative?

I was born and raised right here in Chelan County. I care about this place, love the people and want a prosperous future. When I ran for my first term in the Legislature it was and continues to be making a difference in the lives of the people I represent. I want to be a voice for the people of central Washington and the entire 12th district.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

I will name 4 Creating policy that expands opportunities for Career and Technical Education Advocating for policies that encourage small business growth and job creation in the 12th Legislative Distrcit Encouraging innovation in both environmental stewardship and effective land management Addressing the essential need for workforce housing in both the 12th Legislative District and the entire state.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I have served as the Executive Director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for the last 18 years. I have spent my entire professional career advocating for small businesses. I work with with small business owners everyday. These business owners work hard to employee people, give to their communities and provide economic stability to communities they operate in.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

It is imperative that the State does their part to ensure the economic successes of our district.

This is accomplished through balancing the state budget while promoting and protecting economic development opportunities and our state competitiveness rankings. We need to reduce regulatory red tape and paperwork burdens facing employers. We need to make sure the regulatory environment and tax policies in our state make running a business and employing people possible

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12th Legislative District Daniel Scott What motivated you to run for State Representative?

America is the land of freedom and prosperity. Everyperson should want to perform their civic duty to make this country stand out above all others.

Civic duty is everything from coaching your child's little league team to running for elected office. It is the responsibility of the government to provide an environment that fosters a safe and stable environment for people to pursue freedom and prosperity - the American dream. The state of Washington has been moving away from personal freedoms and reducing prosperity (through additional regulations and taxes) in recent years. The party with the supermajority has done nothing to increase freedoms but instead has stifled innovation and chased many businesses away from the state.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

I have three main focuses as a state legislator. First, the education of our children. From kindergarten through our state's universities there is a lot of room for improvement. Education is one of the largest categories of spending in our state so it should be a focus of every politician in Olympia. Our kids need more education and less politicization. Second, public safety. I use the definition of public safety broader than just law enforcement. I see it as everything from helping the rural fire district's that protect our homes, to safe roads. Have you seen the potholes this year?

It is the worst I can ever remember them in the 12 Legislative District. How is this happening when Washington has one of the highest gas taxes in the nation? Third, I will work to enact legislation that will foster a better environment for business to thrive in. This will start by overturning many pieces of business unfriendly legislation that has been enacted in recent years.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

One of the main functions of government should be to foster an environment for private business to be successful. Unfortunately, the Washington State government has not seen it that way in a long time. For example, Boeing has been slowly moving operations out of Washington for many years.

Ostensibly, Boeing is moving operations to locations with a friendlier business environment. The state legislature needs to turn its thinking around from the mentality of "businesses are a cash cow for government coffers" to "how can we make Washington the most attractive state in the nation for businesses".

Both my wife and I grew up with our families running small businesses. We know the daily struggles small business owners go through each and every day. My wife and I have several rental properties which gives us a personal glimpse of the struggles small business owners must deal with.

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12th Legislative District What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Washington State has enacted many new pieces of legislation in recent years that are burdensome to businesses. I will work to overturn many pieces of business unfriendly legislation that has been enacted in recent years. There are several ballot initiatives on the ballot that will give Washingtonians an opportunity themselves to overturn these burdensome programs. To improve the business environment in the state it will take a lot of negotiating across the aisle. The Democrats have a supermajority in the legislature, so a minority party legislature will need to work especially hard to negotiate better laws that will actually help small businesses.

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7th Legislative District

State Representative Pos. 1 Candidates Andrew Engell

What motivated you to run for State Representative?

Like most people, I want to live in a community where I and my family feel safe, where there are good jobs, opportunities to pursue dreams, where the community is supportive of neighbors in need, and where our children can get a good education. I’ve worked for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for the past 7 years where I’ve worked with thousands of people and these good things have been declining. I am running because I care about the people around me and believe that I have the experience to bring people together and find solutions to the issues we face.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Public Safety, burdensome taxes and regulations, and the housing crisis

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Having had a small business crushed by new regulations I understand the challenges businesses face as well as the importance they hold in our communities. I will work to simplify our tax and regulatory structure as I believe this is one of the biggest challenges. I will always be available to talk with small businesses and work with them and other legislators to find common ground and develop solutions.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

I will fight against new taxes and regulations that make our state less competitive while working to reduce or simplify existing regulations and cut taxes to help our small businesses thrive. I will work with businesses, chambers, and other advocacy groups to identify the highest priority issues.

I will then leverage my experience in building relationships and finding common ground to work with other legislators and build support for the changes we need.

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7th Legislative District Soo-Ing Moody What motivated you to run for State Representative?

We have two experienced District 7 Representatives retiring their seats at the end of the year, and I am running to make sure we have strong, experienced leaders to represent our communities. I will use my local government handson experience as former Twisp Mayor for the past 13 years, state-wide leadership (past President of the Association of Washington Cities), together with my education, skills, working knowledge of state agencies and programs, to leverage the many trusted relationships I’ve established to effectively navigate Olympia and be a strong voice at the policy table to benefit the people of District 7.

Over the past 13 years, I’m known to be a pragmatic leader who gets things done for my community.

I’ve built trusting relationships on both sides of the aisle and will continue to use these relationships and my unique perspective and experience to get results for the people here. I have a deep understanding of the current issues and needs of our communities through my job with a state agency, and have worked extensively with Wenatchee Valley businesses, organizations, and local governments to expand opportunities and support regional goals to strengthen communities and the local economy.

I am prepared to be a strong and experienced voice to leverage my skills, relationships, and knowhow to hit the ground running as a common-sense issues-based legislator to successfully advocate for things that matter to the residents and businesses of the district.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

There are many things we could immediately start working on, including: 1. Economic development opportunities for our small businesses, agricultural industry, to include considerations for protection of our energy sector in support of residents, businesses, and new emergent industries and sectors 2. Support for workforce development opportunities and services needed to support a strong and healthy workforce - including affordable workforce housing; childcare options, apprenticeship for skilled labor and critical public services.

3. The fair and sensible implementation of reliable high-speed telecommunications and broadband throughout the district to support our local economy, agriculture, healthcare, education, emergency preparedness and public safety – even for our more remote areas to ensure a vital future for generations to come.

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7th Legislative District 4. Mitigation and proactive approaches to support wildfire prevention, response, recovery (including air quality impacts) to our communities within the entire region as wildfire concerns are expected to increase in the future; we need to ensure our future health and economy are protected.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I will continue to listen and work with small business owners to hear their concerns and fight against policies that make it harder to be in business. Small business owners often lack the capacity to jump through hoops that should be there to protect them and support them. I would advocate for supports that would enable them to thrive as a business.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

I believe we need to invite more conversations with business owners to better understand their needs and address the policies that are harmful to them so we can work together to find common sense viable solutions. Additionally, I would advocate for opportunities that will support business development and vitality and work with all legislators, regardless of party, to guard against measures that would result in a hostile business climate.

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7th Legislative District State Representative Pos. 2 Candidates Ronald L McCoy What motivated you to run for State Representative?

I have always been interested in the Legislative side of politics. Ever since I was a young man, watching my father go through the rules, regulations and being taxed as a small business owner and knew I had to do something.

After returning home from the Navy in 1980, I thought of where the decisions get made to have the strongest impact for small businesses. I gradually started researching the city council meetings remembering back

to when my father had opened a small Business in Medical Lake Washington called Medical Lake Welding and Auto and slowly being forced out of business. I remember some of the struggles he went through with taxes and regulations. I realized where the problems for small Businesses lay and that was with the State Legislature and local government. Great politics start at the local level then move up. Working as Mayor and City council has motivated me to move to the next level, which is the Legislative Branch for the State, knowing firsthand there must be other small businesses going through the same obstacles.

In this year’s election the 7th District Legislature there became 2 vacant seats in the Legislative Branch. With my prior training in local government of being on both the legislative side and the Administration side I felt this would be my opportunity to give back to the business that built America “small businesses”

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

• Agriculture – Enhancing Legislative that Protecting our Farmers, ranchers, and Orchards through working with the Conservation District and our local Agricultural community • Small Business- Bringing more money back from the legislative branch to revitalize our Downtown communities. In touring throughout the 7th District, I noticed how many empty stores and dwindling local economies and spoke with several small businesses. There are several Dollar Tree and Dollar stores throughout the district, but it seems the thought of young Entrepreneurs make a run at creating some new enterprise’s businesses was slim.

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7th Legislative District Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

First- meet with local chambers and local leaders and make a unified decision that would encourage and plan out the type of small business that your community needs and wants.

Keeping in mind each community has their own type of business they would like to pursue and one that is reflective of their own community.

Second- Hold town hall meetings that are inclusive of the citizens of that community to get input from their perspective. Often, we get business that the citizens of that community does not want or need.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Bringing in manufacturing companies especially to our Rural Eastern Washington. We could achieve these goals by having our Chambers of Commerce, Local Bankers, and Real Estate communities meeting more regular and making a community plan. Bring the Education districts at the table to see if we have the right people with the right training or do we need to have our High Schools and Colleges offer more training with trade as well as the STEM system.

We need to start addressing the homeless society and work with other Legislators- one way to achieve less individuals on the street are meet with their spokes people and find out why the people are on the streets, is it lack jobs, tired of government interfering with their families, or drug addictions without the medical community? The problem will more than never go away but can be reduced greatly by communication Working with insurance and pharmacal companies to come together to reduce the cost and make plans more affordable and investigate more natural medicines. Waiting to be seen by a provider is most times the case that individuals don’t get the care they need.

Summary: when we communicate with each other we end up with a plan that works for most citizens. We can have more healthy and happy employees. If small businesses could afford the plans to take care of their employees and keep up with their taxes, we could see more small businesses back and strong. We need to create more ways to give tax breaks and utilities breaks for small businesses and support them. Less regulations and lower taxes

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Hunter Abell

7th Legislative District What motivated you to run for State Representative?

I love America, our state, and our remarkable “Fighting 7th” Legislative District. I was born here, raised here, went K-12 here in Inchelium (go Hornets!), and, after serving in the U.S. Navy, returned here to live and work. I am proud of my family’s four generations here in the District, and am excited to see my daughters grow up to be strong young women coming out of this area.

Despite our area’s great advantages, I am concerned that we are in danger of losing what makes our area prosperous and attractive for people to live here. A surging crime wave driven by fentanyl, increased Olympia regulations that make it difficult to engage in farming, ranching, and logging, and ongoing efforts to target the gun rights of law abiding citizens all endanger our way of life. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do business in Washington, and we need to attract as many professionals as possible to live in our rural and semi-rural areas.

I want our state to be safe, prosperous, healthy, and well-positioned to compete for business in the coming decades. I have the experience and leadership skills to help us get there

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

First, must get a handle on the scourge of fentanyl and bring a halt to the wave of crime and destruction that it has brought. It is the number one public safety challenge we have in our state.

Fentanyl continues to kill the weakest among us, and, as a former prosecutor and a former Ferry County District Court Judge, I know what works and does not work in fighting against drugs and violent crime.

Second, we must support and defend our unique 7th District way of life. That entails supporting traditional agricultural practices such as orcharding, logging, ranching, and farming. We must make it easier for private timber owners to secure the necessary Forest Practices Application approval from the Department of Natural Resources to harvest their own timber. We also need to ensure that we have the kinds of jobs in our District that allow individuals to take care of their families and save for the future. People live here because they want to live here, and we need to ensure the business environment allows them to do so. As a business owner, I recognize the challenges that come with doing business in Washington, and want to improve our business climate.

Third, we must defend our 2nd Amendment rights. For too long, law abiding citizens have had their right to keep and bear arms targeted by the majority party in Olympia. As a veteran and concealed carry license holder, I will be vigilant in defending our firearm rights.

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7th Legislative District Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

As a business owner, I struggle with all of the same issues that other business owners deal with: taxes, regulations, overhead, employee turnover, inflation, and other challenges. The Legislature has a role in encouraging a strong business environment in Washington, particularly by lowering taxes, reducing burdensome administrative regulations, and fostering license transferability that will allow professionals to live and work in rural areas. The last is particularly important given our large District, dispersed population, and the long-term trend of professionals leaving the rural areas of our country.

With this background, I look forward to partnering with small businesses to ensure pro-growth policies are advocated in Olympia. I hope to do so by working with business allies, both in the Wenatchee Valley and throughout the 7th District. We should also seek to partner with other allies, including local media, civic organizations, and local government to ensure that the vital role of small business is understood in the Legislature.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

We should repeal the anti-growth long-term capital gains excise tax. As a constitutionallyconservative attorney, I have grave concerns regarding its constitutionality. Nevertheless, as the Washington Supreme Court upheld it, I believe we need to work through the initiative process and, if unsuccessful through the initiative process this fall, through the legislative process to repeal the tax.

We also need to encourage entrepreneurship. All too often, small business owners are discouraged by the length of time it takes to get a permit issued by local government to begin business operations. Some states have laws that automatically approve permits to begin business operations if the government takes an unreasonable amount of time to process the permit request. Washington should adopt such a law and streamline the process for small business owners to get off the ground. I hope to pursue this goal by working with pro-growth legislators in both parties to end unreasonable delay in permit issuance.

Finally, we also need to recognize the vital role that our port districts and ferry system play in Washington’s business climate. As someone who has represented port districts, I recognize the value that the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority brings to the area. I also recognize the vital role that our eastern Washington ferries play in connecting our rural communities separated by the Columbia. I hope to pursue this goal by working with allies in the Legislature and community to ensure the financial health and vitality of our port districts and ferry system.

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Pat Bell

7th Legislative District What motivated you to run for State Representative?

As a devoted husband and father of two, I'm motivated to run for state legislature to defend faith, family, and freedom. I want to ensure a better future for our children, where our values are upheld and our rights are protected. As a family rancher, I also want to protect the Agriculture and Natural Resource industry and the jobs they provide for our community.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Supporting Law & Order Returning to Responsible Budgeting Getting Back to Basics on Education

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

If you want to send one of us, a small business owner, to the Legislature, then send me! In addition to my 20 years of experience in communications and public policy, and lifelong involvement in family farming, I also have several micro-enterprises including scrap metal recycling and firewood processing. I will show and listen, learn about your concerns, and get to work to identify solutions.

My friends and family know I am not afraid to stand up, and will never give up. I will be a friend of small business, because I am one of you!

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Reducing the tax burden by simplifying the tax code, and voting against any tax or fee increases.

I firmly believe Olympia doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending addiction. We have been taxed to no end, and small business in particular needs meaningful tax relief.

Streamlining permitting and approval processes, so small business can spend more time doing what they do best, and less time on paperwork.

Cutting burdensome red tape and battling State overreach in the free market. I will propose legislation that seeks to repeal 2 regulations for any new ones a state agency wants to promulgate.

Harsher penalties for retail theft, vandalism, and repeat offenders. Our small businesses often have to raise prices due to unsustainable losses, and lack of officers to respond and enforce the law.

I would also like to see public nuisance laws rigorously enforced, including ordinances that ban camping on public property.

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7th Legislative District Paul “Rocky” Dean What motivated you to run for State Representative?

My decision to run for State Representative was driven by a deep commitment to serving my community and addressing the pressing issues we face. As a member of the Springdale Town Council, I've seen firsthand the challenges that small towns and rural areas encounter, from infrastructure deficits to limited access to essential services. My nearly 25 years of service in the Army have instilled in me a sense of duty and a drive to advocate for those who often feel unheard.

Living and raising a family in Northeast Washington, I understand the importance of education, housing, as well as support for veterans. I believe that by fostering bipartisan cooperation, we can develop effective solutions that benefit everyone in our district. My campaign focuses on practical, community-centered policies that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Moreover, as a moderate Democrat, I aim to bridge the political divide, working with colleagues across the aisle to ensure that our district receives the attention and resources it needs. My goal is to bring a balanced, inclusive approach to the legislature, prioritizing the needs of our community over partisan politics.

Running for State Representative is a natural extension of my lifelong dedication to public service.

I am motivated by the potential to make a tangible difference and to advocate for policies that promote growth, opportunity, and a better future for all constituents in the 7th Legislative District.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. Infrastructure Improvement: I will focus on upgrading infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and broadband. Improving infrastructure is crucial for businesses to operate efficiently and will also enhance connectivity and logistics in the district. By investing in infrastructure, I aim to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the community.

2. Education and Workforce Development: I am committed to investing in education and vocational training to ensure a skilled workforce that meets the needs of businesses in the district.

By providing quality education and training opportunities, I intend to attract new industries, foster innovation, and improve overall economic development in the district.

3. Healthcare Access: I will work to improve access to healthcare services in the district. This includes advocating for policies that make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all residents but especially veterans. I understand that access to healthcare is essential for a thriving community and will prioritize initiatives that improve healthcare outcomes for residents in the district.

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Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I intend to be a strong partner for small businesses by implementing policies that support their growth and success. Here's how: 1. Access to Resources: I will work to ensure that small businesses have access to the resources they need to thrive. This includes access to capital through loans and grants, as well as access to technical assistance and mentorship programs.

2. Reducing Regulatory Burden: I will advocate for streamlining regulations that burden small businesses. By simplifying the regulatory process, we can make it easier for small businesses to start and operate in our community.

3. Promoting Local Procurement: I will encourage local governments and organizations to prioritize procurement from small businesses. This will not only support small businesses but also strengthen our local economy.

4. Tax Incentives: I will support tax incentives for small businesses, such as tax credits for hiring local residents or investing in renewable energy. These incentives can help small businesses grow while also benefiting the community.

5. Networking Opportunities: I will work to create networking opportunities for small businesses to connect with each other and with larger companies. Building these connections can help small businesses access new markets and grow their customer base.

By focusing on these priorities, I believe we can create a thriving environment for small businesses in our community, leading to economic growth and prosperity for all.

What are your top three priorities for improving the state’s business climate, and how do you plan to achieve them?

As a candidate for State Legislature, my top priorities for improving our state's business climate are clear: 1. We need to invest in our infrastructure. That means improving our roads, bridges, and broadband to make it easier for businesses to operate and grow.

2. We must focus on workforce development. By investing in education and vocational training, we can ensure we have a skilled workforce that meets the needs of our businesses, attracts new industries, and fosters innovation.

3. We need fair tax policies. We must implement tax reforms that support our small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship, while ensuring that larger corporations pay their fair share.

4. We must streamline regulations. Reducing bureaucratic hurdles will make it easier for businesses to start and operate in our state.

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Chelan County Commissioner

Chelan County

Brad Hawkins

What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

My family has been through a lot in recent weeks due to the drastic changes in legislative district maps. With our reconfigured district now extending far away from home, I realized that I should refocus on my family and local service.

My father, Buell Hawkins, served two terms as Chelan County Commissioner for District 3, from 2000 to 2008. He retired early to care for my mom who has suffered from early Parkinson’s and Dementia. The more I thought about the county commissioner opportunity, the more I realized what a good fit it would be because of my dedication to Chelan County, interest in working exclusively for us, and the opportunity to fulfill my father’s legacy.

I pride myself in being a good listener, sharing facts, working effectively, and getting results. I’ve worked closely with local, state, and federal officials, including Chelan County elected leaders, citizen groups, and nonprofits. I look forward to continuing to partner with them as we work together to better our region.

Serving as Chelan County Commissioner is a complex job, and we should elect an experienced and proven leader. If elected, I could serve for many years, bringing stability to this position.

People can learn more about me at bradhawkins.org.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

It is difficult to isolate priorities into a “top three” because so many issues at the county level are interconnected. My top priorities as county commissioner – if I were to choose three – include growing our county economy, maintaining a balanced budget, and mitigating rising property taxes.

If we can continue to grow and diversify our economy, the county can maintain its operations and quality of life without drawing upon reserve funds and increasing our tax burden.

Reducing wildfire risks, promoting local tourism, encouraging our growing tech sector, and ensuring adequate public safety will help us accomplish these goals. My priorities also include supporting our agricultural base, delivering housing solutions, and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities.

We also need to promote strong partnerships with city governments, maintain key infrastructure, and work together with state and federal partners to fund our transportation needs.

These are all priorities that I would bring to the county commission.

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Chelan County Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I’ve worked closely with our small business community throughout my years as a state legislator.

The Association of Washington Business and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) have both recognized me with awards based on my strong record of support of our business community.

I’m very proud of this work and will continue to make supporting our small businesses a priority because they are the foundational element to growing and expanding our county economy, which ties right back to my top priorities as commissioner.

In addition to my support for small businesses over past years, I’m proud of how I have served. I’ve prided myself in being a good listener, sharing facts, working together, and getting results.

Despite the divisiveness of politics in Olympia, I have always treated people with respect and kindness and will do the same at the county level.

This approach helps me be a strong partner to everyone in Chelan County.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

Businesses are feeling increased burdens at all levels of government. There is a cumulative effect of the various policies and regulations from the local, state, and federal levels.

These multiple and cascading impacts reduce or eliminate the already thin margins of our small businesses. The mandates, costs, and regulatory burdens continue to increase but consumers cannot absorb higher prices, especially with recent inflation.

Collectively, these create a very challenging set of circumstances for our small businesses, including our restaurants, hotels, retail businesses, and orchardists.

As a county commissioner, I will do everything I can to reduce or minimize regulatory and tax burdens on our job creators while advocating for relief from our state and federal officials. I would bring extensive experience and relationships to the County Commissioner role, which could greatly help Chelan County on this issue and others.

I’d be honored to have people’s support and votes.

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Chelan County Brandt Cappell What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

We need new leadership in Chelan County. We need a voice that represents the next generation of Chelan County residents. I saw that those in leadership around me were older and had no kids at home, shaping how they make decisions. Meanwhile, younger generations are in a much different position and struggle to find how we live, work, and raise families here in Chelan County. I have 13 years of experience working in the state legislature and six years working with a former Chelan County Commissioner, which provides me with a fantastic foundation to lead our county into the future.

Your voice is crucial in county government matters. I will dedicate my total effort to representing you, not a legacy or special interests. This is a full-time job and should be treated as such. I will be your voice in county government and advocate for Chelan County in Olympia.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

As I meet with community members, I identify issues that are important to them. The top three issues today might look different come November. Here are the ones I hear about most often: We can’t continue to ignore homelessness and open public drug use. Homelessness is largely a drug and mental health problem. The state has provided $20 million for a drug rehab center to replace our aging facility. We need to site and build this facility NOW to give those in the throes of addiction a choice. Either go to treatment or jail.

Housing affordability isn’t a unique issue in our area. We see it across the state and in much of the country. While we can do little to change interest rates and the cost of building homes, we can ensure our policies and regulations aren’t part of the problem. We need clear rules that property owners and builders can rely on to plan and budget around.

Chelan and Douglas counties continue to see population growth. Our communities must work together to ensure that what makes our valley unique isn’t lost. I have great relationships with local electeds on both sides of the river and look forward to working with our local businesses and developers to make this happen.

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Chelan County Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I can continue to listen to our business community and learn what is and isn't working for them. I am committed to representing Chelan County's constituents, which means being open and available to all. Some of the best legislation from our legislative office has come from our constituents. I am a problem solver and look forward to working with our job creators to ensure Chelan County is business-friendly.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

It shouldn't be a guess what it takes to build a home or pull a permit in Chelan County. Working with business leaders, I am open to hearing and addressing what barriers they see. If we grow our economy, we will see more tax revenue. It's a benefit to all.

Like your household budget, the county’s cost of doing business continues to climb. We must prioritize how and where we spend your tax dollars. Multiple proposals for increasing taxes are floating around. It is not the time to ask for more from you. We must live within our means, just like your budget.

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Chelan County Flint Hartwig What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

I want to put my 20 years of business experience to work for the citizens of Chelan county. I will be retired in October so it's time to give back. Small business is drowning in bureaucracy and I don't see it getting any better. I want to return common sense to the county.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

A. Fixing the broken Community development department. It's time to stop

attacking business and start helping business. We need housing and we need it fast.

B. Cut wasteful spending , no more bread and circus. We need to fund essential roles of government like law enforcement and roads. All departments need to learn to do more with less just like the rest of us are now.

C. Protecting small business from Olympia bureaucrats.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I have been in construction, development, excavation, restaurant, trucking, gymnasium, retail, automotive and tourist businesses. I understand small business because I have lived in my entire adult life. Believe me, you won't find a better friend to small business.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

Small business is where the county's money comes from! So I can support the county's essential roles by helping small business succeed. The county has plenty of money for essential roles...... It just wastes money like crazy on silly stuff! If we cut out all the silly spending then the essential roles would have plenty of cash. I would make department heads ask for things as they need them and not just put in revolving accounts with a "spend it or lose it" clause attached to them. We need to reward "results" not "intentions."

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Chelan County Chris Willoughby What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

My run for Chelan County Commissioner was based on a few factors. First, was my commitment to serve people. Giving to my community by serving where I am able has been in my blood since my tern years. Starting at age 16, I joined as a Jr. Firefighter, and continue to serve as a Firefighter/EMT today. After returning home from a short period of work and school, I continued my service by becoming a member of the Chelan County Marine Patrol and the Manson Community Council. Most recently, I volunteered to be part of the Chelan County Code Task Force addressing code issues that were hurting our county and communities. This further enticed me into running. All of these are volunteer positions. The next reason is my devotion to community and family. I manage a family orchards in the Manson area with my Dad and help from my family. As a working manager, I know how change has affected communities and farming, some not for the better. The last reason was my family. Knowing where my ambition was, they knew the next step naturally was to serve not just our Chelan Valley communities, but the whole County! The knowledge gained in all of the positions I have been part of, gave me the knowledge of community issues, Chelan County Codes, fire and crime impacts and housing issues that are making life hard for the long term residents of the county.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Although there are many issues that impact our county and it's communities, these are the ones that I feel have impacted us the most. First is housing and the supporting infrastructure. Not just affordable housing, but housing stocks, building and permit costs and the home and rental insurance cancelations that have been impacting not just Chelan County, but the whole state.

Second would be finding ways to build up one of the most important economic drivers that built our County, farming. With oppressive regulations and increases in wages, products and services, many farmers are on the losing end of the battle to maintain farming. We need to look at other opportunities for farmers to take their product to market. I want to find that niche. Crime and drug issues are increasing in our county and our law enforcement is doing the best they can with the restrictions that have been placed on them. Although some of these restrictions have been lightened, it is still not enough. I would like to work with our law enforcement and see what we can do to help alleviate these issues. We need to work with Olympia to get concessions to properly deal with crime and drugs.

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Chelan County Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Infrastructure and beautification. Our Chambers of Commerce have done a great job of bringing tourism into their communities that support businesses. The problem in many of our communities is infrastructure to support the tourism influx. Many need more places for guests to stay. Keeping the tourists in the communities is what helps these communities economically. Day visitors may help economically, but people who stay in these communities spend more in these communities. Do we look at code changes to allow for more cost effective building of this infrastructure? It is something to look at. Many of our county codes are outdated, create loopholes, and are somewhat convoluted and confusing. This needs to be fixed.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

Much of our tax burdens that affect residents of Chelan County are put in place by Olympia. As a Commissioner, I feel that we need to Olympia and work on ways to correct this heavy and unlivable burden on people of our county and the state. Regulations drive up costs and fees making it difficult to impossible for people to get ahead. Olympia may tell people that the regulations on businesses, companies and services have little impact on our citizens, but the truth is it hurts all of us. It is like many in Olympia do not know basic economics and the trickle-down effect of costs due to heavy regulations. Several regulations are in place as revenue generators, not for public safety. We need to show Olympia how hard it is impacting our people and forcing many to move out of state, which hurts not only the communities, but the state also, and this is not OK. All elected officials, by design, work for the people. This has been lost by professional politicians all over our nation. I believe that the people need to have that voice back. I want to hear what affects the people, and be the one that carries the burden of trying to fix these issues.

To me, special interests do not have any more power than the people and should not be treated as 'special' with power to change law or regulations. It is not a money issue, it is a people's issue.

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Douglas County Commissioner

Douglas County

Paula Lamanna What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

I have always loved our community. I know we need change and to include new and out of the box ideas to help address the housing, infrastructure, and homeless issues. The position itself is mainly a project management position. I have a business degree and I am currently working on my project management certification. There are very defined ways and making things run smoothly while keeping tabs on its financial feasibility, socially, economically, structurally and culturally. That also includes the voice of the people, sometimes that is where the best ideas come from. Our community is where life happens, we can make it better together.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

I would choose to tackle homelessness, infrastructure, and housing that includes development and planning. I do have a real estate background I believe that will be helpful in these areas.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

As a business owner myself, I work with Parkinson’s, strokes and other neurological disorders. For small business owners, the locations in which they can plant their business isn’t always in a high traffic location in Douglas county. I’d like to find a way we can gain higher traffic for our local businesses , and help provide an area in which they have high foot traffic, easy accessibility, and have the ability to grow as a business.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

Oneway is to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses, while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services; would be by doing review and analysis of current regulations and tax policies. This can identify areas of duplication, inefficiency, or unnecessary burden on businesses. Once these areas are identified, we can work to streamline regulations and update if necessary tax policies to make them more business-friendly. We will need to ensure that the county is able to generate sufficient revenue to fund essential services. This may involve working to simplify tax codes, reducing or eliminating unnecessary regulations, and exploring alternative revenue sources such as public-private partnerships or grants. I am a big proponent of grants and building/expanding discounts and tax deductions. It takes time to research and find some of these but definitely will benefit the community!

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Douglas County Austin Flemens What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

I'm running for County Commissioner because I believe local government has the power to make real, positive changes in our community. I've seen the challenges our residents face every day, and I'm dedicated to finding practical solutions to these issues. My drive comes from a commitment to boosting economic growth, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life for everyone. I want to make sure our county is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1.) Economic Development and Job Creation: I want to attract new businesses and support existing ones to create more job opportunities. This means cutting through unnecessary red tape and providing incentives for businesses to set up shop and grow here. 2.) Public Safety: Keeping our community safe is a top priority. I'll work closely with our law enforcement agencies to ensure they have the resources and support they need. This includes improving response times, community policing initiatives, and supporting our first responders. 3.) Infrastructure Improvement: Our roads, bridges, and public facilities need attention. I will prioritize infrastructure projects that create jobs and enhance the quality of life for our residents.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Small businesses are the heart of our community, and as County Commissioner, I am committed to being a strong partner for them. I plan to keep an open line of communication and ensure their needs are met. I will simplify the permitting process to make it easier for small businesses to start and expand. Furthermore, I will push for county policies that favor local businesses when awarding contracts, providing them with the support they need to flourish.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

We need a balanced approach to regulations and taxes. I'll review existing regulations to get rid of those that are outdated or unnecessarily burdensome. For taxes, I propose targeted incentives for businesses that invest in our community and create jobs. At the same time, I’ll work on making county spending more efficient, ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is used wisely. By fostering economic growth and broadening our tax base, we can generate the revenue needed for essential services without overburdening our businesses.

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Douglas County Jimmy Sherrell What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

I decided to run for Douglas County Commissioner District #2 to support the people, small businesses, and public safety in our valley. I believe in fostering a thriving community where everyone can prosper and feel safe. I plan to focus on policies that empower local businesses from a small minded business owners perspective. I plan to strengthen community bonds through connection, support, and biblical understandings. Lastly, I plan to ensure public safety measures are in place and support for our law enforcement and first responders are enforced.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Public Safety- I want to give strong support for our first responders, advocating for increased resources and recognition to ensure their vital roles in community safety and well-being are fully supported. I plan to prioritize enhancing conditions and resources for those who bravely serve our communities every day.

Community Involvement- I want to focus on fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration in our community. By actively engaging with residents, listening to their concerns, and incorporating their feedback into policies, we can ensure that our community's needs and aspirations are addressed and prioritized. I want to support public parks, community outreach programs and interdistrict collaboration on larger issues that arise in our growing community.

These are the top two issues I am focused on, if and when these are accomplished I will address the next issue that the public has with the same tenacity and dedication.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I have owned a small business in the Wenatchee Valley for over 30 years, so I know a thing or two about being a little fish trying to swim around in a big pond. Not only have I run a small business in the valley but I also have had the privilege to be a farmer in our valley for those 30 years, farming the pears and cherries that you see on your kitchen table. I know first hand the trials and tribulations that the small businesses in our community face. I plan to support those small businesses the way I would have wanted to be treated in my own business, to be a voice to those who may need a helping hand, and put policies in place to protect and help small businesses flourish.

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Douglas County How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

The first step is reducing unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic hurdles that businesses have to jump through. Having businesses in our valley that thrive, in turn creates more jobs for our community members. I believe in keeping taxes low and implementing responsible spending to ensure that county revenue supports essential services like community outreach programs, public safety, and education without burdening taxpayers unnecessarily. This balanced approach aims for economic growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility for the benefit of our community.

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Douglas County Randy Agnew What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

1. Kyle Steinburg decided he wasn’t going to run again.

2. I’ve been working with Marc Straub and Dan Sutton for several years now. We get along great and we share a common vision for Douglas County.

3. After over 8 successful years as Mayor of Rock Island, I’m ready to bring my experience and leadership to the rest of Douglas County.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Continue to attract new businesses to Douglas County that provide good paying jobs Continue providing new housing. As we all know, housing in the Wenatchee Valley isn’t keeping up with demand. Several organizations have lost potential new employees due the lack of, or cost of, housing.

As Mayor of Rock Island, over the last year I spearheaded and organized meetings with the County Commissioners, Sheriff, and the small town Mayors to find an acceptable compromise to the proposed new law enforcement contracts. Those meetings resulted in the Sheriff and County adjusting the contracts to make them affordable for the next couple of years. In addition, I got commitments from the County Commissioners to work together with the small cities to come up with a long term sustainable plan to pay for law enforcement and related judicial costs. One big issue is the costs for jail. The jail costs for the County increased by over $600,000 from just last year. That’s not sustainable. We need to find a permanent solution that gives the County control of their jail costs.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

First, I am a small business owner. I’m on their side. I’ll be a partner by keeping fees, costs and regulations to a minimum. For example: 1. After the state took over business licensing for cities a few years ago (with total disregard to whether the cities wanted them to or not) I suggested, and got the city council to approve, lowering our business license fee to $2.00 and making it permanent… i.e. they don’t have to renew it each year.

2. In spite of a lot of pressure from state agencies, our contract city planners and engineers, and even my own staff, I was able to keep an increase of our water and sewer hookup fees down to the minimum reasonable amount. Which was about half of what those pressuring me wanted.

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Douglas County The council agreed with me when I explained that all those fee increases do is drive up the cost of new homes and businesses. Housing costs are already unaffordable for the majority of people in the Wenatchee area. Let’s not make them worse.

3. A few years ago I added a City Ordinance that states, as part of the purchase of a home in Rock Island, the buyers are to be notified that they are moving into a historically agricultural\farming community and that the City would not consider nor take any action whatsoever in regards to complaints about normal agriculture or farming activities.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

The best solution is to keep adding new businesses and housing. Growth creates revenue. In Rock Island our Operating budget has doubled, and our Cash Reserves have quadrupled during my time as Mayor. The city’s population has grown by 68%. In 2020 we were the 6th fastest growing City in WA state. In a recent OVOF document listing the population growth since 2020 for Chelan and Douglas Counties and Cities, Rock Island topped the list at 25.1%. To put that in perspective, the second largest increase was Entiat (a similar sized city) which grew at 5.2%. It’s the growth in Rock Island, combined with keeping a tight rein on costs, that has put us in an enviable financial position compared to most small cities. While I can’t take all the credit (I didn’t actually build the houses), I can take credit for making Rock Island the easiest, quickest, friendliest and least expensive place for new housing development. Which is one reason I’m being endorsed for County Commissioner by every housing developer that has built in Rock Island in the last 10 years. I fully intend to implement the same policies and customer service attitudes at the County.

Unlike any other city in Douglas County, Rock Island does not have a Utility Tax. I’ve kept water utility rate increases to no more than the rate of annual inflation. Due to the forced adoption and high cost of sewer service implemented by the previous administration, in combination with our high growth rate, I’ve been able to not increase the sewer rate at all. The City Property Tax Rate per Thousand Dollars of Assessed Value has DECREASED by 26% during my time as Mayor. For over 8 years, I believe I have a great track record keeping regulatory and tax burdens to a minimum and, at the same time, increasing revenue.

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Douglas County Katie Shafer What motivated you to run for County Commissioner?

I see my motivation for running as County Commissioner as an extension of the service I already provide within the County as a Douglas County Hospital District Commissioner. This position would allow me the availability to be of more service to our Douglas County residents.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

I would like to explore the possibility of a County Correctional Facility, focus on balanced growth whether that means the budget, affordable housing, infrastructure of roads and bridges, etc, and exploring the possibilities of additional energy for the valley while protecting our natural resources.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

As a banker within our community, I fully support small business, and I am a huge advocate of fostering relationships with them to support growth and new opportunity. Growing businesses is a large focus of mine while being able to recommend and aid each unique business with resources that they may not be aware are available.

How do you plan to address regulatory and tax burdens on businesses while ensuring adequate county revenue for essential services?

Small businesses are the backbone of any thriving community. They add value in the form of services, jobs, and revenue. I do not believe in over taxation or a system of over regulation as long as consumers are still protected. I will do everything in my power, if elected to keep a balance of responsibility to our local businesses and our local government entities.

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Lieutenant Governor

Washington State Races

Bob Hagglund What motivated you to run for Lieutenant Governor?

I am a fourth-generation citizen of Washington and have spent decades working in the private sector, both for commercial and government clients, helping people work together to solve problems. Having spent the past seven years working in the Data Science field, working with others to bring down the costs of health care for everyone and improve people's lives, I see that major changes are needed in Washington to re-focus government upon serving the people, making their lives better, and restoring hope & opportunity for all of our people.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Together, we need to find ways to bridge the divides that have been building for decades among our people and tackle the big challenges we face as a civilization. That means Democrats and Republicans need to learn to work together, putting partisanship aside for the benefit of our people. If we can set our state government back on the right track, a track of putting people first again, we can and will solve the looming problems of public safety, education, parent's rights, homelessness, drug addiction, and health care.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Our state government needs to break its addiction to finding new and innovative ways to tax and regulate our people's lives and reduce the overhead of government services. By creating an economic environment more friendly to building businesses, agriculture, trade, and wealth, we will have more resources available to fund the public services and big ideas that have made Washington a great place to live. All of this must be done for the purpose of helping all of our people, not just the wealthy and well-connected, and must be done with urgency because wages are not keeping up with the cost of living.

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Washington State Races How do you plan to use your role as Lieutenant Governor to promote economic development and job creation in our state?

My work in a consulting role for decades, successfully helping people work better together to solve problems, gives me the needed outside perspective to get government back on track serving the people of Washington. I also have demonstrated my ability to get elected and lead inside the political party system, putting the people first rather than established party leaders.

I have a track record of successfully bringing people together to solve problems, have the necessary people skills and technical abilities to get the job done, and am dedicated to restoring government's role as a servant of all of the people of Washington. Let's all come together and make our state a beacon of hope not only for all of our people, but also for people across the country and around the world. We can do this together. Change starts with each of us choosing to elect new public leadership, people who with put your life, your liberty, and your pursuit of happiness first and make life better for you and your family. I respectfully ask for your vote and promise to serve you well.

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Washington State Races Dan Mathews What motivated you to run for Lieutenant Governor?

I am a married (51 years), lifelong Washingtonian, holding a Bachelors in Political Science, and Master’s in Public Administration.

A retired USAF Pilot and Lt. Colonel, with 22 years of service, I flew in Vietnam and SE Asia, and Desert Storm.

After 31-years at Northwest Airlines as a 747 Captain, Instructor Pilot, and Examiner, I served 8 years as a Boeing consultant in Pilot Instruction and Leadership. I have served on various Boards and Commissions, including as a STEM Educator, and Church Board leader. I also served 4-years on a local School Board.

I have stepped forward to help fix a broken system. Foolish and failed policies originate from politicians who have forgotten the people. Career politicians fail us by delivering dictates, division, and dependency rather than statesmanship, diplomacy and respect.

One political party has controlled our State for decades, representing powerful, big-money interests, growing more imbalanced, even radically extreme.

As Lt Governor, I see my role as a Bridge-Builder and unifier; a communicator, team-builder, statesman and peacemaker.

Professionally, my role has been to safely navigate to every destination, knowing people’s lives depended on: me; my skills, judgment, and professionalism, and the crew I led. As our Lieutenant Governor, my focus will remain: People working together.

From presiding over the State Senate to building bridges throughout government, I will seek to establish a climate of trust, cooperation, and constructive leadership, restoring real civility, confidence, and trust in our State government.

This is my solemn commitment to every citizen of Washington.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

DEFENDING OUR FAMILIES – Parental & Children’s Rights, especially Education PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS – Reminding Government that it works for us –We don’t work for it! Cutting Taxes & Spending and Government excesses … Government must be the solution – Not the problem!

SAFEGUARDING OUR FUTURE – especially Law Enforcement, Public Safety –Drugs and Mental Health – Recapturing our humanity and direction with purpose and compassion!

To address every issue, let us acknowledge that we are a divided people – a State and Nation – frequently polarized: at odds with one another, often abandoning genuine human understanding.

The Division, Discord, and Rancor of Politics is never constructive. It is time to change: to find

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Washington State Races common ground for the common good with common sense. Our political leaders must recognize: It’s time to Focus on that which Unites, rather than that which Divides us – remembering that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” – serving people with Humility and Honor, and respecting everyone. And we must stop bowing to agendas that destroy the fabric of our society for political advantage.

We are reminded and challenged that Statesmanship: · Pursues Unity · Builds Bridges · Works Together · Creates Dialogue · Practices Civility · Encourages Respect · Fosters Teamwork Let us commit then to address the overriding issues and challenges before us with a new and productive mindset that selflessly bonds us as stewards of the public trust, dedicated to excellence rather than agendas; of government that doesn’t divide, but unites us; and public servants who model Service Above Self.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

As Lieutenant Governor – I will be there for the farmer – plowing through increasing regulations and burdensome government at every turn.

I will be there for the fisherman and the small businessman – wondering if intrusive government must always be the cost of doing business.

I will be there for the entrepreneur – the small business owner – who struggles for long hours to make his or her dream a reality – only to discover that government isn’t the solution to their problems, increasingly, it IS the problem!

I will be there for the working Mom and Dad – dumbfounded in disbelief by Schools that regard them as threats, and even terrorists, when their understanding was that they were entrusting their precious children to the schools to teach, and not indoctrinate.

I will be there to urge government to listen to the people and remember we are here to serve them!

In my flying profession we developed and operate under a team-building paradigm called CRM: Crew Resource Management – which is designed to build an intentional team structure, fostering

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Washington State Races communication and constructive interaction between all members of the flight crew, enhancing and facilitating the safe and efficient conduct of every flight. It works. Such a tool would be a constructive approach to relationship-building in government.

The public is tired of politics as usual, of the eternal, and internal struggles of "the game." They want, even demand, honorable action and faithful representation, without rancor and all the manipulation, division, and discord. Less partisanship, Please! We must listen!

How do you plan to use your role as Lieutenant Governor to promote economic development and job creation in our state?

The Lieutenant Governor, by law, chairs the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR). This 13-member panel is comprised of an evenly split membership of House and the Senate members, appointed by the Chair. Committee meetings are typically held two or three times a year at the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor, who also determines which topics are presented. In addition to the committee work, the Lieutenant Governor continually meets with leaders in government, business, industry and education on economic development issues. Throughout the year, the Lieutenant Governor represents the State of Washington to visiting foreign officials.

The Lieutenant Governor also reaches out to Washington State’s diverse ethnic groups by participating in significant cultural events, dedicating staff work to year-round community outreach, and by building relationships with cultural, tribal, ethnic, and religious leaders around the state.

The Lieutenant Governor and his staff are active members of the Washington State Consular Association, an honor organization whose members serve as ambassadors of trade and goodwill to foreign nations through a variety of initiatives, and which is composed of dignitaries who formally represent 41 foreign nations in the state of Washington. By statute, the Lieutenant Governor serves as one of the statewide board directors of the organization, in addition to the Governor, and the Secretary of State. As with any elected official, there is flexibility within the position for the incumbent to establish his or her own initiatives in matters of policy, governance or overall objectives of the office holder.

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Washington State Races Patrick Harman What motivated you to run for Lieutenant Governor?

It is my way of contributing to our state and promoting my strong belief in our democratic values

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Require grip safeties on semi-automatic pistols. This would prevent the accidental discharge of the weapon.

If the ban on abortion does not include funding for pre-natal care, then the real issue is about making women second class citizens.

I favor free medical care for all. We cannot have a vibrant society and not have a healthy work force. We are the only major country that does not have free health care.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

(Did not submit a response)

How do you plan to use your role as Lieutenant Governor to promote economic development and job creation in our state?

I can only speak to the issues of economic development and job creation. Reasonable taxes on small businesses and we need to reexamine minimum wages.

Denny Heck

(Did not respond)

David Griffin

(Did not respond)

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Secretary of State

Washington State Races

Steve Hobbs What motivated you to run for Secretary of State?

From a young age, I have strived to serve my community and country. At the age of 17, I enlisted as a Private in the Army, and for more than 30 years have served our country in uniform. In 2006, I was elected to the Washington state Senate serving the 44th legislative district, and for nearly 15 years served friends and neighbors in Lake Stevens, Snohomish, and Mill Creek. In 2021, I accepted Governor Inslee’s appointment as Washington’s 16th Secretary of State, and was elected by Washington state voters in 2022. It has been the honor of my life serving the past three years. I am running to protect this office from extremists and people who seek to end our accessible and secure vote-by-mail process, because the sacred right to vote is an integral part of our democracy. No one will fight harder to protect this right.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. Defending our election systems from malicious cyber attacks, both foreign and domestic 2. Fighting dangerous election mis/disinformation that leads to violence, similar to the January 6 insurrection at our nation's capital.

3. Expanding voter outreach, education, and accessibility to our most vulnerable communities.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

The Secretary of State is Washington’s chief corporations' officer and provides essential information about businesses and charities in Washington to promote public trust.

To improve these important services, I am leading expansion of in-person resources in Olympia to more locations across the state. This includes opening a satellite office in Spokane County this summer and mobile, pop-up services where they are most frequently needed, such as universities, community colleges, community-led events, and in Seattle at our Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. These expanded resources will allow teams to meet customers where they are and partner with local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations to encourage and support business.

Recognizing the need to modernize our state services, I am overseeing a reorganization of the Corporations & Charities Division that increases the technical ability of the team, and adds an Education and Engagement Team that will reach underserved communities and help them gain access to the full range of services provided by this office. That team can also help connect those business owners with other state agencies they will need to interface with.

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Washington State Races How do you plan to use your role as Lieutenant Governor to promote economic development and job creation in our state?

When I assumed office, the Corporations & Charities Division of the Office of the Secretary of State was filing nonprofit corporation annual reports or other correspondence on paper, by hand.

It took a little time, but we updated systems to allow electronic filing that met the Legislature's requirements of the public information. We are continuing to advance the technology AND security of our systems across the Office of the Secretary of State and recognize these must happen concurrently. That includes election cybersecurity, corporate and nonprofit corporation filings, documents accessible through the digital archives, and we are piloting an e-apostille system that will help eliminate the need for those who need an apostille or other services to travel to Olympia.

It may not be "high-tech," but I believe being present in communities with resources to start and grow businesses is critical to success for new business and nonprofit leaders, so I am building teams to travel the state and provide those resources in-person where they are needed most.

Marquez Tiggs (Did not respond)

Dale Whitaker (Did not respond)

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Washington State Races Damon Townsend What motivated you to run for Secretary of State?

My motivation to run for Secretary of State stems from my extensive experience in election administration and my commitment to fair, transparent, and efficient elections. I believe our state deserves a Secretary of State who understands the intricacies of the election process and is dedicated to serving all citizens, not just those aligned with a particular party. My nonpartisan approach and desire to enhance the integrity of our electoral system drive my candidacy.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Election Security and Transparency: I aim to strengthen the security measures of our electoral system, ensuring every vote is accurately counted and the process is transparent.

Modernization of Voting Systems: Implementing modern, reliable technology to streamline voter registration and ballot counting will improve efficiency and trust in our elections.

Voter Access and Education: Increasing accessibility to voting and providing comprehensive voter education will ensure that all eligible citizens can participate in our democracy.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I intend to support small businesses by simplifying the registration and compliance processes. By reducing bureaucratic red tape and providing clear, accessible resources, we can foster an environment where small businesses thrive. Additionally, I will advocate for policies that support entrepreneurial growth and provide necessary assistance to help businesses navigate regulatory requirements.

How do you plan to use your role as Lieutenant Governor to promote economic development and job creation in our state?

Leveraging technology, I plan to create an online portal that consolidates all services provided by the Secretary of State's office. This portal will offer streamlined business registration, real-time status updates, and digital document submissions. By adopting cutting-edge technology, we can enhance efficiency, reduce processing times, and provide better support to businesses across the state.

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Attorney General

Washington State Races

Nick Brown What motivated you to run for Attorney General?

I was raised in Pierce County and taught by my dad, an Army veteran, and my mom, a nurse and healthcare administrator, the importance of being involved, pursuing justice, and making a difference. I’ve spent my life and career trying to live up to that – as a prosecutor, as General Counsel to Governor Inslee, and most recently as U.S. Attorney for Western Washington.

I joined ROTC to help pay for college, graduated from Morehouse College and got a law degree from Harvard. I began my service in the Army where I served as a Judge Advocate General, protecting soldiers from fraud. I then worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and was subsequently appointed as General Counsel for Governor Inslee. In my years with Gov. Inslee, we stood up to Donald Trump and his hateful Muslim ban and sought to create a more just system by ending the death penalty in Washington. In 2021, I became the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, where I focused on fighting drug cartels and sex trafficking, addressing the fentanyl crisis, and partnering with communities to reduce violent crime.

I’m running for Attorney General because I believe every Washingtonian has a right to be safe, no matter their age, race, gender, who they love, or where they live. Safe from crime. Safe from gun violence. Safe from discrimination. My career to date shows my commitment to standing up for the people of Washington, and as Attorney General that is what I’ll keep doing.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

My top priority is to keep Washingtonians safe. As Attorney General, I’ll crack down on gun violence and crime, reject hate and fight discrimination, work to address the growing housing crisis, and protect our democracy and always stand up for abortion access.

I’ve spent most of my career working in criminal justice trying to keep people and communities safe. There are no easy answers about how to address crime. We need leaders who are willing to talk honestly and tackle the challenges, and the Attorney General has an important role to play.

We need to both hold people accountable and address the root causes of what drives people to crime in the first place – by investing in housing, enacting smart gun control policy, and ensuring a strong social safety net.

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Washington State Races Most recently, as U.S. Attorney of Western Washington, to help address discrimination, I was proud to chair a national committee on civil rights, where I led a group of U.S. Attorneys from across the county to improve training and best practices to protect civil rights across the country. Perhaps my proudest accomplishments in that office were working to keep every Washingtonian safe by preventing and prosecuting hate crimes, and protecting the most vulnerable and members of marginalized communities.

And finally, I’ve never shied away from a fight, and if national politics or anything else threaten Washington’s core values, including democracy or our right to choose, I will do everything within the power of my office to defend our rights.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Small businesses are the backbones of our communities, providing goods and services to community members, as well as jobs and economic opportunity, and often drawing people to live in or visit an area. They’re also on the frontlines of many of the challenges many of our communities are facing, and supporting our small businesses is a key part of keeping all Washingtonians safe.

Drugs and violent crime impact small businesses and their patron directly, affordable housing impacts their patrons and ability to attract and retain employees, and some small businesses, especially those connected to tourism, are still recovering from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. My priorities as Attorney General – to keep people and communities safe – is directly in line with the needs of small businesses. And while the Attorney General does not have as direct a role in ensuring we have excellent transportation infrastructure, which is key to supporting our economy across the state, I will be an advocate for transportation investments.

As Attorney General, I hope to have a direct relationship with the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce and an open door to hear the needs of small businesses across the state. I know that our success is connected – communities will only be as strong as their economy - and as I work to keep all Washingtonians safe, I understand that supporting small business is a key part of that work.

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Washington State Races What measures will you take to protect businesses from cybercrime, ensure data privacy and security, and safeguard them from physical threats and theft?

Consumer protection is a core part of the work of the Attorney General’s Office, and that includes keeping individuals and businesses safe from cybercrime, data theft and physical crimes.

As U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, my team was recognized for our work successfully prosecuting cybercrimes. This type of crime is uniquely challenging to prosecute – with offenders behind keyboards, often overseas, attacking companies and people across the country. With diligence and focus, we were able to successfully break up an international hacking organization and hold individuals accountable. As U.S. Attorney, I also prosecuted instances of data theft, wire fraud, and more – all of which impacted both individuals and businesses.

I will bring unique experience in how to tackle these sorts of crimes to the Attorney General’s Office, and I will partner with both local and federal agencies to ensure we keep businesses and individuals safe from this type of crime.

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Washington State Races Manka Dhingra What motivated you to run for Attorney General?

I was born in Bhopal, India, where my father worked at the Union Carbide plant, infamous for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He frequently raised environmental and safety concerns, but was ignored, leading to his resignation. He died of colon cancer at 40. My mother, a young widow, moved to the US with me and my brother. My life experiences as an immigrant and a woman of color have driven my commitment to justice. I have dedicated my career to fighting for the people of Washington, in the courtroom and in the state senate, advocating for survivors of violence, immigrants, women, and LGBTQIA individuals. Over the past seven years, I’ve been instrumental in passing significant legislation including protecting voting rights, expanding access to reproductive care, enacting strong data privacy laws, safeguarding the environment, enhancing worker safety, and improving mental health access through legislation that has become a national model for the 988 crisis system. I have also championed the nation’s strongest protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

This fight for justice, for standing up for people, delivering real change to improve people’s lives, is what motivates me to be the next AG. I’m running to protect all Washingtonians, no matter what you look like, how you identify or where you come from.

As AG, I’ll build on my record of fighting for victims, improving public safety and partnering with law enforcement. My proven leadership has earned me awards from the NAACP and Washington Police Chiefs and Sheriffs.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Our next AG must be a good litigator and a proven fighter. I have a long track record of working on tough issues and delivering results. Consumer protection is a huge priority for me. We need laws to keep up with technology and the sophisticated manner in which all of us are targeted, especially our elderly. We need education and outreach into communities so they know what their rights are and the role the AG can play in protecting them. I will be leading the State’s work on cybersecurity, fraud and privacy. Access to affordable healthcare is critical. As AG I will be looking at transparency in pricing, including parity between mental and physical health as well as mergers and acquisitions all across the healthcare industry. I have an extensive background in healthcare, having spent the last seven years on the Senate Health committee, advocating for mental health, substance use disorder, reproductive rights, expanding Apple Care and so much

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Washington State Races more. There is a lot we have to do to fix our healthcare system and given my partnership with the legislature and stakeholders I will continue to be a leader in this area. I have been honored by awards from Washington Psychiatric Association, NAMI Washington, King County Medical Society, Washington Association of Community Health, Mental Health America and American Psychiatric Association. I’ve seen first-hand the human and environmental toll that pollution can extract. As AG, I’ll redouble enforcement efforts and proactive engagement to safeguard the environment and hold bad actors accountable.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Washington should have an economic environment where small and minority owned businesses have opportunities to thrive, but our regressive tax structure regarding sales tax, B&O tax, and property taxes creates affordability challenges for employers and employees alike. We have to ensure that our rules and regulations are bifurcated so that they regulate the large businesses that need that regulation and do not impose unnecessary barriers for small businesses. As a State Senator over the last 7 years, I have been proud to host numerous roundtables with our local small businesses and entrepreneurs to listen to the barriers they face and connect them with resources and advocate for them in the legislature. I’ve proudly supported legislation to improve access to capital through microloans and development centers, streamline regulations to reduce operational burdens, foster workforce development initiatives to ensure we have a skilled workforce. I’ve worked with the Washington State Department of Commerce to review the manner in which they make state dollars available to businesses and nonprofits to ensure there is equitable distribution of funds to minority-owned businesses. I worked with our local businesses during COVID-19 to ensure they could access state and federal relief dollars. I was honored to be a member of the bi-partisan committee on economic recovery so that our state could have one of the best economic recovery plans after Covid. As AG, it is imperative to enforce rules and regulation in a just and equitable manner.

What measures will you take to protect businesses from cybercrime, ensure data privacy and security, and safeguard them from physical threats and theft?

I sponsored and passed the strongest and only data privacy bill in WA and have been leading in this area in the Senate. As someone who represents some of the most technologically sophisticated individuals in Washington, I’ll lead efforts to strengthen laws and regulations that protect businesses from cyber threats and fraud. This includes advocating for legislation that

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Washington State Races enhances cybersecurity standards and promotes information sharing between businesses and law enforcement agencies to swiftly respond to cyber incidents. AI is here to stay, so we must take urgent action to ensure we have appropriate parameters to use this technology in a responsible manner. The impacts are still being understood and are still evolving.

We need electeds who are comfortable and knowledgeable about technology to lead in this arena. As someone whose husband builds and races robots, my household is at the cutting edge of technology. I will ensure WA is following the lead of the European Union that is ahead in this issue and that as AG, WA is leading the nation in addressing cybercrime, data privacy and security.

We must regulate the on-line marketplace to ensure there is 2 factor authentication for all sales so that we can shut down the selling of stolen goods. I updated our laws on cyber harassment and cyber stalking to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep people safe in the virtual world.

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Washington State Races Pete Serrano What motivated you to run for Attorney General?

I grew up on the west coast but didn’t move to Washington until I had the opportunity to work for the Department of Energy in their effort to clean up the Hanford Nuclear Waste site. From the day my wife and I moved here, we fell in love with this state, and we’ve been very involved in our community, including my six years on Pasco’s city council and my current stint as Mayor.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the government violating our rights and regulating small businesses much more stringently than it did big businesses. As a Pasco City Councilman, I advocated to keep all businesses open, and when my colleagues made it clear they weren’t supportive of such an approach, I started a non-profit to defend all Washingtonians. From that perch, I have had the opportunity to stand for mom and pop businesses and individual rights by fighting government regulation. That fight for justice sprung me to run for Attorney General.

Our current Attorney General has used his office to pursue his own political agenda and interests, including several instances where he’s used the Consumer Protection Act to regulate small businesses for political purposes. I will never put my own ambitions above the duty of the Attorney General to protect and defend Washington families from abuse, fraud and government overreach.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Public Safety. Government Accountability/Transparency. Consumer Protection.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I agree with this questions premise. Small businesses are the backbone of our state. Sure, our state has been the launching pad for behemoths like Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon, but it’s the mom and pop stores and businesses across this state which make Washington prosperous.

The Attorney General’s job is not to pick winners and losers, but rather to enforce constitutional laws and protect consumers. Small businesses thrive when their product is not being ripped off and there is a fair playing field for everyone. I will work with business owners, both small and large, to help sharpen laws to protect their businesses.

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Washington State Races What measures will you take to protect businesses from cybercrime, ensure data privacy and security, and safeguard them from physical threats and theft?

As Attorney General I will use every tool available to protect consumers. The Attorney General’s Office is the largest consumer protector in Washington state, and I will ensure that my staff works every day to ensure we have the best consumer protection in the country.

Cybercrime is significant concern, and Washington needs to ensure our laws are up to date to combat the latest trends criminals are employing to deceive our families. For example, the State of Washington has been victim of several scams that have cost billions of taxpayer dollars; the Attorney General needs to ensure that these scams are investigated and that perpetrators of these crimes are prosecuted. I’ll work with my team to investigate and prosecute these crimes, but I’ll also ensure that that our team has the adequate resources allocated to protecting Washingtonians and our businesses from such crimes.

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Washington State Races

Commissioner of Public Lands Allen Lebovitz

What motivated you to run for Commissioner of Public Lands?

What’s motivated me to run to serve as Commissioner of Public Lands is over 3 decades of work and experience as an ecologist, forester, and wildland firefighter that has convinced me we can manage state forests, sagelands, rivers and estuaries better, and I’m committed to helping to achieve this vision.

Many candidates describe a similar sounding vision involving protecting mature forests, managing younger ones to provide habitat, and managing forests to reduce the threat of wildfire. Where my vision is fundamentally different is that I believe we need to focus on restoring naturally productive and resilient forests and sagelands. This is a perspective developed from my first-hand experience and a lifetime of studying and learning about the environment.

Another difference is that I believe it’s a priority to address not only our forests, but the 10 million acres of sagelands that comprise the better half of the state east of the Cascades.

I’m running because we need a Commissioner that has a deep understanding of the issues so they know where they should be leading the state to protect our lands and waters while meeting the needs of all Washingtonians. It’s critical the Commissioner has the focus and commitment that can only come from having the direct knowledge needed to push back against special interests that are continuously pressuring them to lead in different directions. I would bring the knowledge, experience and commitment to this office that's needed to maintain the right direction for stewarding Washington’s lands and waters.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. My top priority will be to address the root cause of the wildfire crisis by restoring our forest’s and sageland’s natural resilience to fire and climate change. With over 20 million acres of forests and 10 million acres of sagelands that are at risk, we have to recognize we can’t perpetually protect all of it, we need to re-establish these landscape’s natural abilities to resist catastrophic wildfire and the effects of climate change. We can do this with science and practical experience based approaches to restore native forest forests with larger, diverse, fire resistant stands of trees, and in our sagelands, removing invasive grasses and restoring native plant communities.

2. We need to develop new goals for the management of our state forests and agricultural lands that establish targets for creating value, not just volume of products produced from them. By focusing on using the trees we harvest and agricultural lands we farm to produce the highest value products, we can increase revenues while managing our lands better.

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Washington State Races 3. I will direct that we manage state lands in ways that build our economies, particularly in rural communities. This will include ensuring a steady and predictable supply of natural resources from to support development of local infrastructure to manufacture products from them. I will also support developing new manufacturing capacity in these communities. Finally, I’ll direct that DNR prioritizes using local workforces to do the work needed on state lands from communities with them in their back yards.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

One of my top priorities is supporting small, local, natural resource based businesses. As the owner and manager of a small timber and logging company in the past myself, I understand the challenges and opportunities in achieving this. I believe DNR can support small businesses by ensuring a steady and predictable supply of natural resources from state lands, supporting innovation for adding value to natural resources through manufacturing, and prioritizing local work forces for doing work on state lands.

What measures will you take to ensure that state-managed lands are maintained in a way that minimizes fire risk while also supporting economic activities such as logging, recreation, and tourism?

Ensuring state-managed lands are managed to minimize fire risk and support economic activities will be my top priority as Commissioner. This can be achieved by focusing on land management that restores the natural productivity and resilience of forests and sagelands. We need to move beyond the belief that we can only either protect or manage our forests and sagelands, and adopt management goals that focus on managing lands better to achieve the restoration of the naturally productive and resilient forests and sagelands that naturally existed in Washington. The science, experience, and legal authority exist for accomplishing this, we just need the leadership to direct the management that implements it.

In addition, we must continue to build the best wildland firefighting force in the US, something we’ve made great progress on during my time at DNR as the Wildland Fire Liaison and Chair of the Wildland Fire Advisory Committee. And, we need to increase our investment in supporting communities in becoming better prepared and safer from wildfire.

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Washington State Races Jaime Herrera Beutler What motivated you to run for Commissioner of Public Lands?

My husband Dan and I are raising our family in the path of the Yacolt Burn, which killed dozens of people and stood for over a century as the largest forest fire in Washington state history. In just the past decade that terrible record has already been surpassed three times.

Too many of our forests have been undermanaged or outright neglected, and they’ve turned into crowded, diseased tinderboxes. Just waiting for a spark.

Fires now run rampant. They scorch our forests and choke our communities every summer. They fill our lungs with smoke, destroy old growth and critical habitat, emit tons of carbon, drive up the cost of home insurance and make housing even more unfordable. And if you’re unfortunate enough to live in the path of one of those fires, it can cause devastating heartache. These catastrophic fires hurt us all.

I won’t leave our kids a legacy of burning forests and choking smoke.

We are seeing our forests burn and fall into disrepair. We are seeing less opportunity to recreate, hunt and fish on our public land. We are not seeing money go back into rural communities, costing jobs and tax money for schools, fire and other community services.

I spent over a decade in Congress advancing laws to improve wildland firefighting, increase proactive forest management and protect wildlife habitat. I’ll bring the same priorities to state forests as Lands Commissioner.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. Reducing catastrophic wildfires before they start by cleaning up our forests. We should be hitting the sustainable harvest calculations. Active forest management will make our forests healthy; more fire resilient, abundant with a diverse array of animals and habitat. Additionally, it’s good for the endangered American wage earner, using Washington grown renewable timber in Washington mills for building products.

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Washington State Races 2. I’ll lead our state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to withstand political pressures and overcome bureaucratic obstacles so that the brilliant foresters and environmental scientists who work there can do their jobs. My department will sustainably manage our state trust lands for all the values and benefit they provide for Washington’s environment and economy. We’ll manage DNR tidelands and ag lands so growers can succeed. And we’ll make the DNR self-sustaining, ensuring the state trusts support family wage jobs and provide critical funding for public schools and other community services.

3. I will make sure the owners of public land – the people of Washington – always have recreational access.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I know the uncertainty small businesses face, especially when dealing with unresponsive government bureaucracy. During my time in Congress, I was honored to receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber, be named Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation, Guardian of Small Business by NFIB and others for my commitment to our small businesses. As the Commissioner of Public Lands, I will make sure small business has a seat at the table when it comes to our natural resources.

I will give local producers certainty regarding their state leases, so they can plan for the longterm. This will make their business successful and those other local businesses that depend on their operations.

And I will provide stability for the tourism industry by working to end the cycle of wildfire and smoke that plague us every summer.

What measures will you take to ensure that state-managed lands are maintained in a way that minimizes fire risk while also supporting economic activities such as logging, recreation, and tourism?

Our environment and economy do not need to be mutually exclusive. Science shows that a responsibly managed forest creates an ecosystem for all to thrive. If we are actively managing our state trust lands, we will have healthier forests, increased wildlife habitat, enhanced recreational opportunities, cleaner air and water, and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

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Washington State Races Sue Kuegl Pederson What motivated you to run for Commissioner of Public Lands?

Caleb Heimlich, former Chair of the Washington State Republican Party, asked me about my background in 2020. I explained I had grown up at a salmon hatchery in southern WA, next to the 1.3-million-acre Gifford Pinchot national forest. My love of nature led to a degree in Biology from WWU, followed by a 30-year career in natural resources that included earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the UW while also working full time. I had opportunities to work in fisheries research at our large dams, salmon harvest management, forest and habitat restoration, hydropower project construction permitting, power resource and transmission contracting, and ultimately retired as Power Manager at Grays Harbor PUD. My professional experience includes jobs with federal, state, county and city governments as well as the private sector. [Please see my “Resume” button on my website, Citizens4Sue.com.]

In 2020, Caleb told me I should run for Commissioner of Public Lands, and I took his advice.

Although I lost to incumbent Hilary Franz, I received a humbling 1.68 million votes! I am running again in this next cycle (2024) to honor those 2020 voters, and I’m optimistic the incumbent’s departure will improve my chances. I will face 6 other candidates this time, most of whom are politicians. I am a unique candidate with my solid science background and a fresh perspective resulting from 30 years of working across multiple natural resource management fields.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

The Commissioner of Public Lands oversees the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with approximately 1700 full-time employees plus around 400 seasonal firefighters, as DNR coordinates wildfire response throughout the state during fire season. I will conduct an overview and evaluation of agency organization and regulations at DNR, as compared with other state and federal agencies. I’ll make recommendations aimed at reducing duplication or competing efforts regarding environmental regulations among various agencies, and streamline permit processes for applicants.

I’m planning a statewide education and information-sharing campaign to increase public awareness and activities aimed at reducing fire risks in rural (forested, scrub & grassland), urban and suburban areas. Massive, diverse communication methods are needed to help build community focus and cooperation regarding wildfire prevention actions all over the state and not just on state lands which comprise 12% of Washington. I’ll work with the Insurance Commissioner

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Washington State Races to inform insurance companies about these wildfire prevention efforts and request them to continue offering property owner insurance in Washington.

I will encourage community colleges and labor unions to rebuild Washington’s private sector forestry workforce, in anticipation of a major effort to thin out (selectively harvest) crowded, overgrown trees that pose significant fire danger (see next section). I will offer incentives to create new or renovated sawmills for producing lumber and other wood products for construction and energy needs in WA.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

I am a Republican because I prefer limited government. Instead of hindering small businesses with burgeoning governmental oversight and regulations, my philosophy is to trust people to do the right things, and if they make mistakes that harm others, educate them. Repeated harmful behaviors could warrant penalties. Otherwise, I have faith in We, the People, and especially the enterprising people who create and run small businesses. They are major contributors to a healthy economy, and they provide about half of the jobs in our state.

WA is blessed with amazing natural resources, including renewables like forests and agricultural lands, and water. Water is critical for supporting life on earth. I believe farmers are the foundation of human survival, and I will emphasize the importance of water supply (including dams) to agriculture in our state. I also believe there has been a trend for government to take control of water resources, which I generally oppose.

An adequate supply of reliable energy is critical for our businesses and residents of WA. Northwest power resources were exquisitely designed for long-term, economical performance.

Our dams are a national treasure and they exponentially outperform wind and solar power resources at a fraction of the cost. I am against dam removal to benefit salmon, and I believe we have not exhausted viable possibilities for helping salmon at dams during their migration periods.

What measures will you take to ensure that state-managed lands are maintained in a way that minimizes fire risk while also supporting economic activities such as logging, recreation, and tourism?

I ran for this office in 2020 against the now-departing incumbent. House Bill 1168 was passed unanimously in early 2021, and includes many of my ideas for wildfire prevention, shared in 2020 during my eight Zoom debates with the incumbent. The bill provides measures for active land management. For example, “forest treatment” is described as selectively harvesting trees in

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Washington State Races overcrowded areas where trees, planted for harvest 60-80 years later, were instead left to grow about 35 years longer. Thinning these crowded, unhealthy trees and clearing combustible dead underbrush (perhaps using grazing goats and sheep) will reduce fire fuels. Having fewer trees will allow sunlight to reach the forest floor and promote live, green undergrowth which also will reduce fire risk and benefit wildlife food supplies. Fewer large trees in an area will allow more water to infiltrate the ground and aquifers, supplying more water to streams. Healthier forests will be more accessible and safer for recreational users, and people using the forest will be able to notice wildfires earlier, while smaller and easier to extinguish.

H.B.1168 focuses on reducing wildfire risk on state lands. I plan to promote the same type of “forest treatment” on federal lands (28.5% of the state) as well as private timberlands, encouraging a timber industry revival in the private sector. This will provide jobs in our forests, and produce lumber at a time when we are experiencing a housing shortage. I envision the creation of possibly thousands of private sector jobs resulting from these efforts.

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Washington State Races Patrick DePoe What motivated you to run for Commissioner of Public Lands?

I’m running for commissioner of lands to protect everything that is great about our state, the lands and the people they sustain. The stakes in this election are high. Our next Commissioner of Public Lands will determine if salmon survive in the PNW. My people, the Makah, and so many other indigenous people, depend on salmon. The next CPL will help determine what lands are protected and what lands are worked. I’ve seen, first-hand, how public policy impacts our environment and our livelihoods. I got into this race to ensure rural communities have a real voice on the issues that most affect us.

For the last year, I've served on the executive team in the Department of Natural Resources. As the only candidate in this race currently doing the work, I'm uniquely qualified to understand what is possible in this role and effectively deliver for the people of Washington. I'm the best-positioned candidate to ensure the fundamental job of this office is done well: managing our public lands and waters, protecting them from malicious and reckless corporate action, planting more trees, and fighting and preventing wildfires.

At the same time, being so close to this work, I can see the unexpected ways our office can impact incredibly important issues like affordable housing and reducing the cost of childcare, to couple our environmental interests with opportunities to economically lift up and support communities, especially in rural areas of our state. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it's our best chance to expand and diversify the coalition to combat climate change and really live up to the possibility of this office.

Finally, so much of our work is deeply interconnected and relies upon collaboration with tribal communities. As a Tribal Treaty commercial fisherman, first responder, and a former elected member of Tribal Council these issues are not theoretical to me, I have lived them and will bring that experience to bear. I would be the first and only native elected official statewide anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. Frankly, my community has been doing this work long before the state or federal government found it politically expedient to address, and we will continue to do it long after as well.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

Wildfires: Smoke-filled summers and wildfires raging across hundreds of thousands of acres did not used to be normal in Washington. However, increasing temperatures and more extreme weather events from climate change combined with declining forest health has increased the risk.

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Washington State Races The impact on our communities is real. While Vice-chair of the Makah Tribe of Indians I helped lead our emergency preparedness and response to wildfires, I have two decades experience in first response both cleaning up oil spills and fighting fires, and I’ve been deeply embedded in the work of our current Commissioner to address fires. The next Commissioner of Public Lands must build on the work we’ve done in my time at DNR to secure historic $100 million funding to fight fires, implement our 20-year forest health plan, utilize AI and other technologies for early fire detection and quicker response, and expanding Washington State’s firefighting vehicle fleet in both Eastern and Western Washington. It is also passed time to ensure our firefighters at DNR are unionized and receive the same benefits and wages as other professionals putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Sustainably Managing our Forests: The next Commissioner must choose what lands are worked and which are protected. Successful forest management is the result of a strong collaboration with other state agencies, federal regulators, local and regional governments, our excellent forest-management professionals from interdisciplinary backgrounds and Tribal Nations. We must fully implement our 20-year forest health plan, manage sustainable timber harvesting levels, and strengthen critical revenue sources for local communities, schools, and more. Sustainable timber harvesting plays a critical role in how we confront Climate Change by maximizing the carbon sequestration benefit of forests, provide economic benefit to rural communities, and fund many critical investments for all Washingtonians. We need an experienced land management professional at the helm, not more politicians with no background in this work.

Confronting Climate Change: Addressing the increasing threat of Climate Change is the most pressing challenge facing all levels of government. Rural communities like mine must be engaged to reduce carbon emissions but also strengthen resilience to the impacts we are already feeling.

I’m proud to have been appointed by Governor Inslee to the Environmental Justice Council where I served as co-chair and to the Clean Energy Siting Advisory Board. Because of funding from the Climate Commitment Act, federal partners, and Tribal Nations we have an unprecedented opportunity to thoughtfully utilize public lands for clean energy projects, carbons sequestration, and other efforts to combat climate change. I am committed to bringing that urgency, because it is communities like mine that are currently paying the price of inaction.

Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Growing up and living on the Makah Reservation in Neah Bay, I know how meaningful it is when a small business provides a dozen or more jobs in a community. When people can support their families and keep roofs over their heads because of our local neighborhood businesses that makes our community stronger and helps us sustain our culture.

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Washington State Races Supporting and collaborating with small businesses is an essential component of this work. In my community, we look up to and follow the example of our past Tribal leaders. It was because of their advocacy to create the Timber, Fish, and Wildlife Agreement that we were able to bring together business leaders, unions, Tribal Nations, environmental organizations, state and local agencies, and federal regulators together to create a strong framework for sustainability in our public lands. That is the kind of legacy I want to build on as Commissioner of Public Lands.

I share this because it is an example of the kind of the kind of transformational change that is possible when leaders invest in and build strong relationships with small business partners and across the political spectrum.

What measures will you take to ensure that state-managed lands are maintained in a way that minimizes fire risk while also supporting economic activities such as logging, recreation, and tourism?

From the beginning of this campaign, I’ve been talking about balance and sustainability in our approach to public land management. Sustainable timber harvesting has provided hundreds of millions of dollars a year for local schools, communities, counties, and our economy. At its best, it also help to strengthen the health and resilience of our forests to prevent the risk of wildfires or disease. As a Tribal leader, my people have lived on and been sustained by this land for generations. The practices passed down to manage these lands through prescribed burnings, thinning, and forest health strategies are critical for DNR to utilize.

Further, we have excellent interdisciplinary professionals that need support and empowerment to help guide this work and determine what lands are worked, which are conserved, and what levels are sustainable for industry. Increasingly it is also true that DNR must consider and act urgently to emphasize the carbon sequestration and climate change impacts of our forests as well. Utilizing more land for this purpose, when appropriate, is one of our best tools to address the climate crisis.

Finally, recreation and tourism incredibly important. Just a few weeks ago, through my role at DNR I hosted a summit for Tribal Nation leaders, government agencies, and DNR staff to work together on a plan for recreation and tourism on public lands. This summit was designed to help deepen our collaboration with partners to break down barriers for access to public lands while supporting the cultural needs of Tribes and meet our legal obligations. Frankly, no one else in the race has any experience with this kind of work and would have to learn from scratch the complexities of issues that are far more nuanced than political bumper stickers allow.

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Washington State Races Kevin Van De Wege What motivated you to run for Commissioner of Public Lands?

Summers have changed in Washington State. It is still a time to spend with our families, but now our summers have been cut short by wildfires and stifling smoke. Wildfire continues to decimate our forests, wildlife, and emit carbon all throughout our atmosphere. They have destroyed 8.5 million acres of forests, and ⅕ of the entire land area of Washington state in the past 20 years.

I don't believe this has to happen. I've been a firefighter for 30 years, and a legislator for 18 years.

I live with my family out on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Our public lands are the lifeblood and so of our community. I believe we have work to do to manage and protect our forests. We can manage our public lands in a balanced way that reduces the likelihood of fires, gives our first responders the tools they need to do their jobs, and make sure the communities on the frontlines facing these wildfires know they are protected. I am looking forward to managing the Department of Natural Resources, which is the state’s largest wildfire fighting agency, to achieve these goals.

What are your top three issues to address in your first year in office?

1. Wildfire: The DNR is Washington’s leading wildfire-fighting agency. Wildfires are the greatest threat to natural resources in the state, and they are only becoming more frequent and increasingly devastating. I’ve been a state legislator for years, but a firefighter my entire professional life. I’ve fought all kinds of fires, including wildfires – and I know it takes more than firefighters on the ground and helicopters in the air. We need to better selectively manage forestland, restore healthy forests, reduce the presence of ground fuels, hire more professional firefighting staff, and advance the Department’s first response and tools to prevent wildfire.

There’s also a lot we can do to prepare local communities on what to do during the critical initial hours of a fire.

2. Climate Change: Centuries of industrialization have filled our skies with CO2. I will help address the urgency of climate change to leave public lands healthy for the next generation of WA residents. I will bring coordination between DNR and Ecology, working with the state’s top scientists, and by driving legislative action in an arena I’ve guided bills into law for two decades.

3. Environmental justice and labor: For generations, our state’s natural resources have provided a wealth of recreational and employment opportunities for state employees and rural communities.

These groups and minority communities are most impacted by pollution, degradation, and wildfire.

I commit to continuing work with these communities to address their concerns, and invest in their economies by creating good well paying jobs.

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Washington State Races Small businesses are the core of a successful community. How do you intend to be a strong partner for them in your position?

Natural resource dependent businesses are spread throughout the state and are typically on the smaller side. They are vital to rural economies like those in Eastern Washington. It will be my priority to keep those jobs and expand them as much as possible. I will be a strong advocate for prioritizing DNR’s economic opportunities for small businesses. I plan to identify opportunities for DNR to contract to small businesses for the procurement of goods and services, and will expand DNR’s assistance and assessments to small businesses and communities to provide fire suppression equipment, provide land appraisals, remove sunken vessels, assist in tree planting and thinning, and generate revenue for local economies.

What measures will you take to ensure that state-managed lands are maintained in a way that minimizes fire risk while also supporting economic activities such as logging, recreation, and tourism?

As a firefighter, we say the best way to stop a fire is by preventing one from happening. In order to reduce wildfires, we need to manage our public lands better and identify at-risk lands proactively, so that we can selectively thin certain forests and construct buffers around important areas of forests. Restoring healthy forests is one of the best ways to minimize fire risk in this state.

We also need to equip our communities with the tools they need to be protected. This encompasses everything from making sure new building construction is done with fire resistant materials and incorporates proper buffer zones, and giving first responders the tools they need to protect our most impacted communities.

For revenue creation, our state lands generate hundreds of millions of dollars for schools and public services, like libraries and hospitals. I will make sure to continue to support sustainable harvests to reduce the risk of wildfire and safeguard our timber and local economies. We also need to identify more opportunities to lease land for activities including agriculture, grazing, recreation, energy development, and commercial purposes. We need to collaborate with private companies, non-profit organizations, and other government agencies to develop joint ventures, revenue-sharing agreements, and other partnerships that leverage complementary expertise and resources to generate revenue from trust lands. Public lands are for everyone, so it will be important to protect all types of recreational activities on public lands from hunting, to camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more.

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