Candidate Profiles: 9th District State Representative

Patrick Miller

Age: 46

Hometown: Cheney, WA

Experience: Firefighter, Computer Security

Family: Laurie, wife of 14 years and 7 year old daughter Fiona.

Candidates have been given a 100 words to answer each question and answers have not been edited.

Question 1:

In recent years, state agencies have used purported habitat and wildlife concerns as a reason to implement new regulations on farmers and ranchers. Those regulations have impacted the livelihoods or rural residents. What would you do in the Legislature to protect farmers and ranchers while also preserving habitat and wildlife?

Answer:

As State Representative, my job is to listen to the local concerns of all residents and push through solutions in Olympia. Too often large business interests or outside voices end up dictating what is right for Eastern Washington. My opponent has received over 95% of her donations from corporate and political interests groups that expect her to represent them, not you. Whereas my funding comes primarily from individual donors like you, from both parties. I will work with you and with our legislature to make Eastern Washington the strong, resilient, and prosperous region we all know it can be.

Question 2:

In 2019, the Legislature passed the law that would become the Washington Cares Act. Since then, state residents have overwhelmingly called for it to be repealed and any related collected taxes refunded. Voters even gathered enough signatures to get its repeal on the Nov. 5 ballot as Initiative 2124. If elected, how would you address the long-term care tax and benefit issues?

Answer:

I grew up with parents and grandparents that worked hard, and were made promises about how their contributions to society and the economy would be rewarded: through pensions and social security programs. I have watched as these promises were eroded. I approve of Washington State’s proactive approach to provide for long term care when all these other promises have failed. We should work to fix the underlying problems. Until then though, I am proud to do my part to ensure the dignity of those that have given so much.

Question 3:

The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Legislature have redefined Title IX rules to allow gender-dysphoric boys in female locker rooms and sports, and vice versa. As a lawmaker, what would you like to see done to simultaneously safeguard gender-dysphoric residents as well as Title IX protections for girls/women?

Answer:

From https://app.leg.wa.gov/ Title IX includes, but is not limited to, the following prohibited student conduct: Domestic violence, gender-based harassment, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual intimidation... I think that it is important to understand that there are people without the typical XX or XY chromosomes that do not neatly fall into a gender-binary system. Regardless of a genetic, physiologic, or other causes of not fitting into a classic male or female role we need to support all students to have an educational environment without discrimination and with equal opportunities and protections.

Mary Dye

Age: 63

Experience: Appointed to the Legislature in 2015 and has served four and a half terms. Currently serves as Ranking Member on the House Environment and Energy Committee and as a member of the Appropriations and Capital Budget Committee.

Family: Husband Roger Dye, three children.

Did not respond to questions by press time.