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Linda Haddon 360-929-0704

Haddon announces Run for 10th District State Senate

Oak Harbor community activist, Linda Haddon, announced today she's running as a Republican for the 10th District State Senate to protect taxpayers and improve ferry service.

"I believe we need to stop the state government from wasting our money," said Haddon. "Our tax dollars are squandered on bureaucratic overhead and studies while our real priorities: the ferries, the schools and roads are starving for funds."

Haddon was a member of the Save NAS Whidbey Task Force and helped lead efforts to keep Naval Air Station Whidbey from closing in 1991 and has been active in many civic groups.

Mary Margaret Haugen, a Democrat who chairs the Transportation Committee, now holds the Senate seat. The district includes all of Island County, along with Stanwood and La Conner and nearby rural areas.

"It's time for a change," said Haddon. "The same legislator has represented us for the past 25 years and during that time we've seen ferry service get worse and our taxes get higher. Elected officials are given a sacred trust by the voters; a trust that is not given lightly. The Government's role is to serve, not to dictate or assume a parental role with its citizens. The Government needs to work for the people - not the other way around."

Haddon said that Olympia takes more control away from local governments and citizens and delivers less in return. She citied both schools and public safety as problem areas.

"The schools used to be run by the local school boards, who are all locally elected. But now we have curriculum coming from the state and testing coming from the state, along with dozens of mandates that the state refuses to fund. It is a terrible situation and it is hurting our children," said Haddon.

"Our justice system is just criminal. During 2007 thousands of felons were released early and three felons - out on early release - killed police officers. Yet the Legislature just continues business as usual," Haddon said.

Haddon and her husband, Jim, who manages a funeral home in Oak Harbor, are keenly aware of what it means to serve. Linda, a widow herself, often officiates at services. "When you work with people in difficult times, when they're grieving, you know that you have to be honest, open and sincere, and positive about life. Those are the same traits needed when helping people with government."

"When the BRAC process threatened to close Whidbey, I worked 16 hour days for several weeks to get our base off the list. I worked with a coalition of business leaders and community groups to get our story to the Defense Department. I even went to the Secretary of Defense office in Washington DC myself to make sure they knew what was happening here," Haddon explained. "That's the kind of energy and determination our State Senator needs to tell our story."

According to Haddon, the 10th District is a Republican area where statewide Republican candidates and Republican State House members routinely win.

"Mary Margaret Haugen won the last race with less than fifty-one percent of the vote, so I'm convinced this race if very winnable." Haddon said.

Haddon has an aggressive campaign planned.

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