Ninth district candidates differences tough to find

Fagan and Hailey share similar views on issues, differ on background, campaigning and I-1033

By JOHN McCALLUM

Editor

Since their primary victories in August, state representative candidates Susan Fagan and Pat Hailey have put thousands of miles on their vehicles, crisscrossing the vast 9th District they seek to represent.

They've spoken at so many meetings, forums and debates they're eligible to charge a speakers fee, and they've rung so many doorbells that the phrase “ding-dong” likely elicits a Pavlovian response to extend a handshake.

But with all this public exposure, neither candidate said recently that the priorities they first campaigned on have changed. In fact, they say, they've been strengthened. Both believe getting Washington's economic house in order is priority one, and say the best way to do that is through limited government and fiscal responsibility.

Hailey also lists protecting and strengthening agriculture and education as two other priorities, especially agriculture. Hailey, from Mesa in Franklin County, said $22 billion of Washington's revenue is agriculture-related, with the 9th accounting for $1.2 billion of that, as well as $200 million in property taxes paid by farmers.

Hailey believes farmers face too many regulations, especially regarding water and property rights, and says she would work to relax some of those while promoting conservation and protection of resources.

“We need to remember how much agriculture means to this state,” she said.

Fagan, from Pullman, agrees, saying Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the country, exporting $16 billion in 2008. If elected, she would work to strengthen export markets while protecting property and water rights for rural and urban users.

Regarding education, Fagan would like to see more emphasis placed on the role community colleges can play in higher education, especially for students from rural communities, while Hailey has talked about improving training programs and vocational education as well. Both firmly believe levy equalization is vital to district schools.

“We're very rural,” Fagan said. “We're dependent on levy equalization and it's important for us to protect it.”

With both agreeing on many issues, it may be difficult for voters to make a selection come Nov. 3. What may separate the candidates, both Republicans, may lie in the background details.

Fagan is the former Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories director of public affairs. She resigned after 10 years to focus on her campaign, and has 15 years of experience working for former Idaho U.S. Senators Steve Symms and Jim McClure, and current senator Larry Craig.

Fagan has experience in natural resources through production agriculture and managing family-owned timberlands. She has served on numerous chambers of commerce and other organizations, including her current position as chair of the Association of Washington Businesses Healthcare Committee.

Hailey is owner of Hailey Company, the fourth-generation family farm/ranch near Mesa. She has served on the Franklin County School Board since election in 2005 as well as a past PTA president and sat on numerous boards and associations, including current positions with the Washington Cattleman's Association and the Washington State Farm Bureau. Her late husband, Steve Hailey, previously held the position she is campaigning for.

According to the state's Public Disclosure Commission, when it comes to campaign financing, Fagan has raised the most, $98,014. Of that, $24,650 has come from businesses or organizations, including Avista, Premera, Wal-Mart and Idaho Beverage, Inc. She has received endorsements from Attorney General Rob McKenna, former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi, as well as organizations such as the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.

Hailey has raised $65,224 in campaign contributions, $4,900 of which has come from some businesses but mainly organizations such as Public School Employees of Washington, the Washington Cattle Feeders Association and the Washington Education Association. She is endorsed by former 9th District candidate Art Swannack, 13th District Rep. Judy Warnick (Moses Lake), and the WEA, something that surprises Hailey since she is a Republican and the state teacher's organization typically leans Democrat.

“There's areas we're going to disagree on and they know that, but they feel I'm a stronger education candidate,” she said.

Hailey points to her focus on individual campaign funding as something that separates her from Fagan. Fagan defends her funding, noting that many organizations, like the Northwest Food Processors, represent people in the district and their concerns.

“Those are people who process food grown in Washington,” she said.

Another area where there may be some separation is the issue of Initiative 1033. The initiative would limit growth of certain state, county and city revenues to annual inflation and population growth, and require excess revenue be repaid through lower property taxes.

Hailey opposes the initiative, saying it cuts too deeply into local areas and smaller taxing districts, and could hurt public safety. But, it's the state government's fault it's on the ballot, she said, noting Washington had a $1.6 billion surplus in 2007 – now all gone.

“We know if the legislature had behaved itself, not gone on a spending spree, roller coaster ride, we wouldn't have this initiative process,” she said. “Quite frankly, they blew it. For way too many years.”

Fagan agrees, but said she is struggling with her decision on 1033. On one hand there's the opportunity to reduce property taxes, while on the other its passage will hurt small towns and taxing districts, and likely result in a loss of services people depend on.

“It's unfortunate that this decision gets thrown to the people,” she said. “(They) don't get to see all the budgets. Everybody is just scraping by.”

Whatever the outcome in the 9th race, one thing is certain and that is the district will have its first female representative in history. Both candidates feel highly qualified.

“I hope voters look at my record,” Fagan said. “They should feel confident that I will work hard on their behalf. I'm confident in my skills and the ability to hit the ground running.”

“The only reason I'm doing this is I want to be in service to people,” Hailey said. “I have the education and experience. I will use it somewhere, but I really think I can use it best in Olympia.”

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com