Ninth district candidates make stop at forum

The two Republicans running for the 9th District Legislative seat laid out their platforms and answered questions at a forum in Pullman City Hall Monday night.

Susan Fagan of Pullman, the former public affairs director for Schweitzer Engineering, said she would work for a better business climate in Washington.

Pat Hailey of Mesa, a farmer and the widow of the late Rep. Steve Hailey, said she would work to promote the needs of the agricultural community at the state level.

Both answered questions from the packed city council chambers.

With no possibility of having a Democrat holding the position, someone asked what each candidate would do to represent Democrats.

Fagan said she has a record of representing Democrats on some issues, but reminded the audience she would clearly stick to a Republican agenda.

Hailey said she was running to let all voices be heard.

Someone wanted to know about the financing each candidate had received, asking why Fagan has seen donations from many larger corporations while Hailey’s financing had come mainly from donations by individuals.

Fagan explained she had made many contacts from her years working at Schweitzer. She stressed, though, that her work would still be to represent the people, not those corporations. She added that she too had received donations from individuals.

Hailey said most of her donations came from farming families, with 80 percent of it local.

“I didn’t go to Olympia for money,” Hailey said, pointing out she did not solicit lobbyists or corporations.

As far as larger endorsements are concerned, Fagan is endorsed by Dino Rossi, state attorney general Rob McKenna and the Spokesman-Review.

Hailey has been endorsed by the Washington Cattlemen’s Association.