Republican Allen McPheeters and Democrat Strom Peterson will meet in the November election for the position that Democratic State Rep. Mary Helen Roberts now holds.
The district includes most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood and northwest of Lynnwood, all of Mukilteo, and part of south Everett.
Both candidates recently sent statements on the issues that they think are most important in the election. Here are their statements:
Allen McPheeters (Prefers Republican Party)
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to people who are passionate about helping the hungry, the homeless, and the poor. What I learned about them was fascinating.
I asked how many in the room had contributed their time or their money to organizations that help those in need. Many raised their hands – more even than I expected. Then I asked how many had written a check to the state Department of Revenue, giving extra money to the legislature to spend as they see fit. Not one person raised their hand. Even those most concerned about helping the needy don’t voluntarily give more money to the state.
Here in Washington, everyone pays taxes, rich and poor alike we all pay sales taxes and we all pay property taxes, either directly or through rent. When we raise taxes, we take more money out of the pockets of people who can least afford to pay, telling them that the legislature knows better how to spend their money than they do. If you’re comfortable with that, you should vote for my opponent. If not, I’m asking for your vote. Learn more at http://allenmcpheeters.com.
Strom Peterson (Prefers Democratic Party)
As a small business owner in Edmonds, I understand the role smart and responsive government plays in improving our communities. I’ve served as an Edmonds City Councilmember for six years and have a record of uniting people to get results – a stronger local economy, a cleaner environment, and more efficient public services. In Olympia, a top priority is to advocate for fully funding our public schools. Let’s end outdated corporate tax loopholes and use that revenue to invest in education. Next session, we also need to pass a transportation package to update our aging infrastructure. Investing in new roads and public transit reduces gridlock and makes our communities a better place to live and work. I will also continue my advocacy for cleaning up Puget Sound and keeping our cities safe from coal and oil trains that put our environmental health at risk. To accomplish these goals, we must reach across the aisle and find bipartisan solutions for the good of this state.
I’m proudly endorsed by Senator Maria Cantwell, State Senator Marko Liias, State Representatives Mary Helen Roberts and State Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self, and County Councilmembers Wright and Sullivan, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Lynnwood Mayors, and local firefighters &police.
Correction, Sept. 25, 2014: Allen McPheeters’ name was misspelled in the headline on an earlier version of this article.
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