2006 Senate Candidates

Chris Marr (D-Spokane), 6th LD

Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor), 26th LD

Dave Schmidt (R-Mill Creek), 44th LD

Eric Oemig (D-Kirkland), 45th LD

Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent), 47th LD

Rodney Tom (D-Medina), 48th LD

Chris Marr (D-Spokane)

Running for State Senate in the 6th LD

www.votechrismarr.com  | District map

Chris Marr believes Spokane needs a different kind of leader to prosper and grow. He has demonstrated a commitment to improving the community through his service as past chairs of the Greater Spokane Chamber of Commerce, State Transportation Commission, and Deaconess and Valley Hospital Boards. As a Washington State University Regent, he helped bring a new nursing school to Spokane and worked to keep college accessible and affordable.

From his earliest years, Chris Marr was taught the meaning of hard work and perseverance. Raised by a single working mom, Chris Marr set out to achieve the American dream. He worked his way through college to earn a bachelor and master’s degree and later founded a successful 160-person auto dealership. Last year, he finished 14 marathons.

The only auto dealer to support a stronger clean car initiative, Chris Marr demonstrated he is unafraid to stand up for what he believes. He will bring this same tenacity to Olympia as an advocate for education.

Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor)

Running for State Senate in the 26th LD

www.derekkilmer.com  | District map

Two years ago, Rep. Derek Kilmer was elected by his community to get results in Olympia. He delivered by advocating for small business assistance, a fair share of transportation dollars for his community, and access to affordable health care for Washington’s families.

With degrees from Princeton University and Oxford University, Rep. Derek Kilmer knows the value of a world-class education. He believes a strong education system is fundamental to the success of Washington State. Rep. Derek Kilmer championed funding for voter-approved initiatives 728 to reduce class size and 732 to increase pay for educators. He called for additional learning assistance programs to help our students meet high academic standards and fought to add new enrollments to make room for our high school graduates at local colleges and universities.

Rep. Derek Kilmer will bring this results-oriented approach to the State Senate. His unique perspective as a new father, a member of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, and a trustee for Tacoma Community College is what we need to build an education system for today’s highly competitive economy.

Sen. Dave Schmidt (R-Mill Creek)

Running for re-election in the 44th LD

www.daveschmidt.org  | District map

Sen. Dave Schmidt is poised to help shape the future of education in our state as a member of the Washington Learns Steering Committee and as the ranking minority member on the Senate Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education Committee.

Sen. Dave Schmidt understands the value of investing in early education.  He is also a leading advocate for a new four-year university to give students in Snohomish County more access to higher education.

A record of public service, Sen. Dave Schmidt has served more than a decade in the State Legislature and in the Washington Army National Guard since 1990.

Eric Oemig (D-Kirkland)

Running for State Senate in the 45th LD

www.voteeric.com  | District map

Eric Oemig is a pragmatist and a problem solver. At Microsoft, he had a successful career as a software engineer. In 1999, he started a research firm to develop foods for people with food allergies. Over the past eight months, Eric Oemig has knocked on 10,000 doors to listen to the concerns of his neighbors and bring them to Olympia.

The League of Education Voters has endorsed Eric Oemig because he understands our schools need more resources to help our students meet higher standards. As a new father, he is especially committed to investing in high quality early learning.

Education is Eric Oemig’s top priority. His opponent has neither been a leader nor a reliable vote for education. Our children need an energetic and articulate voice to fight for them in Olympia. Eric Oemig’s skills as a problem solver means we will have a leader who can get results for public education.

Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent)

Running for State Senate in the 47th LD

www.claudiaforsenate.com  | District map

Claudia Kauffman has made education a special focus in her life. A trustee of the Evergreen State College and chair of the Kent School District’s Indian Education Parent Committee, Claudia Kauffman has embarked on a mission to help all children succeed in school.

Claudia Kauffman understands reaching out to at-risk children is mission critical in Washington State. With an alarmingly high and unacceptable dropout rate for Native American, African American and Hispanic children, too many of our children face tough prospects to being productive participants in our communities. To turn the tide, Claudia Kauffman co-founded the Native Action Network promoting leadership development, civic participation and community development.

Our state’s increasingly diverse populations need an advocate like Claudia Kauffman in the State Senate. Her first-hand experience solving the tough challenges facing our schools would be invaluable, and if elected, she would serve as the first Native American woman in the State Legislature.

Rodney Tom (D-Medina)

Running for State Senate in the 48th LD

www.rodneytom.org  | District map

Rep. Rodney Tom will not settle for the status quo when it comes to our children’s education. In the State House, he earned a reputation as a moderate and pragmatic problem solver. Two years ago, he supported our efforts to pass the education initiative.

A father of two children, Rep. Rodney Tom is concerned about the future of our younger generation. Having worked his way through college at the University of Washington, he worries that the cost of higher education is quickly moving out of reach for many families and students in our state. He recognizes the stakes are too high if we cannot ensure affordable and high quality education for all in an ever-changing world.

To move forward on the issues our community and state cares about, Rep. Rodney Tom has chosen to run against an incumbent state senator who has stood in the way of progress. Success means the education community will have a new ally in the State Senate and someone who understands the tremendous opportunity before us with Washington Learns.