Dear Readers,
This writer sent an invitation to the two announced candidates for State Representative, District 2, Position 1, which includes this area to present their stands to all of you in depth, since the September 19 Primary is closing fast:
The incumbant Rep. Jim McCune (R)
Photo from Rep. McCune's website
The challenger Jean Marie Christenson (D)
Photo courtesy of Stephany Ray, Professional Photographer and Webmaster of MastersConnection.com
To date, only Ms. Christenson has responded to the request. Her statement to the Yelm Community Blog is below, unabridged in any way and in its entirety. This writer hopes Rep. McCune will share his vision with all of you, as well.
Dear Steve Klein and Voters,
Thank you for your invitation to be a guest on your Blog, and congratulations on the great reviews your Blog has been receiving!
As a resident and voter in District 2, I would like to thank you for your willingness to put yourself out there. As a Candidate for State Representative for District 2, I thank you for your participation in the political process, and for always encouraging others to do the same.
Additionally, I would feel remiss if I did not say, “Bravo, Mr. Klein” for your direct influence in the passing of Senate Bill 6323 which requires all candidates raising more than $5,000 file a public disclosure report …regardless of the city's population.
I have personally felt this sort of legislation has been way over-do, and now because of your direct influence the citizens in our State will be protected from a loophole that had allowed candidates in smaller jurisdictions to raise and spend unreported money. “Bravo, Mr. Klein. Bravo!”
With the upcoming very important September 19th Primary, the Campaign to elect Jean Marie Christenson is going full speed ahead. Campaign press releases will be going to all our District’s newspapers the first week in August.
We have a wonderful crew of volunteers and welcome everyone to participate. The Campaign to Elect Jean Marie Christenson’s wonderful Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Braun and I invite anyone who would like to support this incredible campaign to come aboard. You can contact Jennifer at quantummonad@hotmail.com
or phone her at: (360) 446-5623.
Out on the Campaign trail I am often asked to share something about my own life.
Well, I am a lifelong Washington resident, born in Spokane, and grew up in Wenatchee. I am the mother of a grown son, and my home is in Rainier, Washington.
Growing up in a rural community meant that I went to work in local orchards at a young age. Picking fruit in orchards, and packing fruit in the local packing sheds, along with income from my parent’s farm and cattle ranch, I was able to earn enough money for a good education, and I subsequently pursued a career as a counselor, both in private practice, and as a teacher of motivational seminars.
I have always held the belief that we should give back to our communities, and with that belief I made sure to find time to donate my services as a counselor to youth-at-risk, as a foster mother, and in the psychiatric department of the hospital at Washington State Reformatory. My experiences at the Reformatory led to my published book, The Keepers and the Caged.
My background has given me the life experiences that allow me to understand how to get something of value accomplished. In order for District 2 to have the sort of considerations it deserves, we must elect someone who is not afraid to stand up, challenge the status-quo, and be heard.
District 2 is known as the “abandoned child” of the State, and it is about time someone has the courage to say so, and declare, “We deserve considerably more attention, respect, and funding!”
If the current popular consensus is that District 2, a rural district, is not that important, I would say, “Where do you think the food you are going to eat for your dinner came from? I will tell you, ‘It came from a farm or a ranch!’”
I am committed to success for District 2, and hold a strong focus for the creation of jobs, protecting the environment, pursuing alternative energy resources, encouraging economic vitality for our farmers, supporting our educators and schools, and requiring accountability for our taxpayers’ dollars.
I ask you to please vote in the upcoming Primary Election on September 19th. Many political races are won or lost in the Primary Election!
You do not have to register by Party, but in order to vote you must be registered by August 19th.
September 19th ... Primary Election:
You will receive 2 Ballots for the Primary Election. One will be Democrat ... and the other Republican. You must choose which Ballot you wish to vote on, and may only vote on one-or-the other! This is the case only for the Primary Election. No one will know which you choose. (In the General Election you will be able to cross Party lines.)
Please remember to vote for your Candidate in the Primary Election!
Thank you again, Mr. Klein, for this opportunity to address the voters of District 2.
And I would remind all the voters that even if you think you may not be interested in politics, that does not mean politics is not interested in you!
It’s about the future, now.
Jean Marie Christenson, Candidate for State Representative, District 2, Position 1
