Dear Committee Member,

 

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my 2006 Candidate Background Questionnaire and to schedule an interview so that I can answer any specific questions that you might have.  The Municipal League of King County provides voters with a valuable educational resource and I’m pleased to participate.

 

Holding an elected office is an honor that should never be taken for granted.  As a State Senator, I strive to be always mindful of my Oath of Office, constituents, and district.  Having the privilege to serve in the position of Majority Floor Leader has helped me to appreciate the importance of listening, leadership, compromise, and consensus.  Each is its own skill, but none can exist without the other.

 

I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish on behalf of the citizens of Washington.  This year for example, I learned that the Intermediate Drivers License legislation I passed has resulted in a 48% reduction in casualties for teen drivers.  What an amazing feeling to know that lives and heartbreak are being spared because of my work as a State Senator.

 

As a parent with two children who attended Federal Way Public Schools and an active member of the PTA, I first ran for office in 1992 to make a difference in education.  Twelve years later our schools are still a top priority, but I’m running for office because I know I have the experience, skills, and clout to make a difference not only for our kids, but also for all our citizens.  I welcome the opportunity and I’m eager for the challenge.

 

Again, thank you for the chance to be involved in this process.  Also, I thank each of you personally for your commitment of time and energy toward voter awareness and education.  I look forward to seeing you at the interview!

 

Sincerely,

Tracey Eide

State Senator

Majority Floor Leader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) In a page or less, why are you running for this office?  (Note: the interview committee will be given a copy of this statement before your interview; at the beginning of your interview you will have the opportunity to expand on this statement in any way you wish.)

 

I am running for reelection to continue providing effective and independent leadership for the people of the 30th District in the State Senate.  I have the experience, skills, and clout to make a difference for all of Washington and especially my constituents.  I take pride in setting aside partisan politics and focusing on getting things done.  I’m willing to look beyond individual differences, find common ground, and work on solving the serious problems facing this district and state.  Although my accomplishments are many, I also know there is much more to be done – stability in education funding, increasing capacity for moving people and freight on our roads and highways, health care, efficiency in government, and creating a sustainable and vibrant economy to name just a few.  Although these issues may seem daunting for some, I welcome the challenge and opportunity to make a difference.



2) Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.

 

There are several personal characteristics that I believe I have that have contributed to my success in the State Senate. 

 

Integrity is the first characteristic. Your word is everything in politics. If people cannot trust you, they will not let you lead them. The reason I was nominated and elected Majority Floor Leader is because I am trustworthy, and because of my integrity.

 

Secondly, I’m a go-getter!  I have the determination to see things through to the end.  The legislative process can be a rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs along the way and it’s easy for some to get discouraged and throw in the towel.  Personally, it’s the setbacks that make me even more determined to succeed.  It’s the knowledge of who I work for and the passion to make a difference that keeps me going.

 

Thirdly, I believe my sense of humor and willingness to laugh at myself helps to create camaraderie, build relationships, and keep me grounded.  It’s been my experience that the legislators who walk around with a chip on their shoulder and take themselves too seriously are the least successful and respected. 

 

The fourth trait that I think is important is that I have always tried to see the good in others.  Even though people come from a different party or different perspective on an issue, I always try to remember that they are participating in the process because they care just as much as I do.  That’s outlook has helped me to be a good listener and to be flexible and open in the legislative process. 

 

Finally, I am a very compassionate person.  I’ve found that the ability to have empathy for others and their concerns is an important part of being a legislator.  To truly listen and understand the plight of others gives me the conviction and knowledge to tackle a problem head-on and see it through to resolution.

 

 

3) Please describe in sufficient detail, one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud.  These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities you think apply to the office you are seeking.  These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life. 

 

Along with my accomplishments in my personal life, I am quite proud of the success I have had in my employment history.  My husband and I could not afford to both go to college, so I worked while he finished college and attended law school.  Every job I held during those years started at an entry level, in which I rose through the company ranks to a supervisory or a management position.  While I did not obtain any formal education until later in my life, I possess the skills and intelligence necessary for company owners to trust me with their business.

 

I started in a data entry position in the Salem Police Department while my husband attended Willamette Law School.  Within less than two years of employment there, I was escorting women prisoners and assembling investigative files.

 

When we returned home to western Washington after law school, I began working at temporary jobs through Volt Temporary Services.  Within six months, I was hired in-house to Volt, eventually transferring to the Technical Services side where I opened and supervised a new Volt branch office in Bellevue.  There I obtained computer engineers for the Microsoft Startup in this area in the mid 80’s.

 

While I have been successful in my employment, I also feel that I have been very successful in my volunteerism as well.  I have volunteered in Federal Way Schools for almost 20 years.  My involvement included boundary reviews, Elementary School PTA President, participation in advisory committees on technology, curriculum and safety, mentor, and reading tutor, to name a few.  Involvement in education and the Federal Way School District has been a commitment of mine long before I was part of local and state politics, and I am thrilled to have my efforts over so many years result in helping children in our area and humbled in being twice awarded the Golden Acorn Award for my outstanding participation in PTA.

 

There is no way for me to talk about the accomplishments of my life without talking about my legislative career.  However, it is impossible for me to rank a single, most important legislative accomplishment of mine, as I have been so honored to have been a part of many wonderful programs and legislation over the years.  I will limit myself to two though, the first being the passage of my Intermediate Driver’s License legislation.  Over three years, despite fierce opposition, my effort to get an effective, workable bill that would protect the youth of Washington State from the number one killer of teenagers in our state – vehicular accidents – as well as all drivers on our roads was met with success in 2000.  I worked with a large group of stakeholders -- law enforcement agencies, parents, medical doctors, the PTA, AAA, insurance companies -- to craft a bill that would require new teen drivers to go through a series of intermediate steps before being granted full driving privileges.  I am proud to have championed this legislation that resulted in a 48% decrease in the number of fatal and serious injury accidents by young drivers since enacted into law in 2005.
 
The second is the Joey Levick bill.  Serving my constituents has always been my top priority.  Listening to people's problems and suggestions, then working to make policy changes to try improve our state and communities is the most rewarding part of my position.  Joey Levick was a teenager who was brutally beaten and left for dead by a group of thugs.  He would have lived if any of his attackers had called 9-1-1.  Instead he lay in a ditch and died nearly a day
later.
 
Melva Levick is Joey's mother and a constituent.  She tried unsuccessfully for years after her son's death to try and get a bill passed that would require people to summon assistance.  The Good Samaritan or Joey Levick bill while well intentioned met fierce resistance from some law makers who thought the legislation was unconstitutional -- they believed the state could not force a person to take action.  In exasperation, Melva contacted me and asked for help.
 
For nearly a year I worked with Melva, other crime victim advocates, Norm Maleng and the Snohomish County prosecutors' offices and legal experts to craft a bill.  This bill require people to summon assistance if they knew of a person who suffered serious injury due to criminal activity.  The bill would also pass constitutional muster.  The Joey Levick bill passed into law in 2005.  
 
Joey Levick is a tragic story.  Melva and I cried many times and I admire her immensely because she didn't want the same story to happen to another family.  I am proud of this accomplishment because it gives our prosecuting attorneys another tool and will hopefully prevent another Joey Levick story.

 

 

4) Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek.  Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved.  Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life.

 

I began public service as a PTA mom when my children were attending public schools, and have been tutoring in Federal Way schools since 1988.  For those students that needed extra help, I was a reading volunteer.  My involvement with the schools in the 30th Legislative District continues to this day, as I still speak to classes at least four to six times throughout the school year and have mentored students at Truman High School (our alternative high school) each year over the past six years.  I was awarded two Golden Acorn Awards for my PTA leadership, ability to accomplish goals, and advocacy on behalf of education.  I am excited about being a part of our children’s education, and plan to remain active in the schools for as long as I can. 

 

In 1992, I ran for, and was elected to, the House of Representative for the 30th Legislative District.  My peers elected me to a leadership position—Assistant Majority Whip.  I was honored to serve one two-year term.

 

I also served on the Federal Way Human Services Commission for three years and was the Chair the final years.  I believe government has a responsibility to help those, who through no fault of their own, need living assistance.

 

Still wanting to serve my community, I was appointed a Board Member on the King County Disability and Retirement Board for Police and Firefighters.  I had seen first-hand the courage and sacrifice these brave men and women make for their communities during my time working at a police department, and I wanted to give back to these people who help make our society safe. 

 

I have always taken an active role in my community, including committees in the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce in addition to being a partner in a small office building in Federal Way.

 

Wanting to use my skills to help a greater number of people, I decided to run for the state Senate and was elected in 1998.  I am honored to have been promoted as the Senate Majority Floor Leader.

 

I always remember that public office is a privilege.  Helping my constituents and people across Washington is the greatest reward I’ve received throughout all of my experiences, all the way from being a PTA mom to being a State Senator.

 

 

5) Please describe the duties of the office you seek.  Which are the most important duties and why?

 

The Oath of Office requires a Senator to follow the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Washington.  Some of the duties of a Senator are straightforward: attending committee hearings, voting on legislation, and confirming gubernatorial appointments.  It is the less obvious duties that are perhaps most important.  Knowledge – taking the time to understand both sides of an issue and how different outcomes may affect the people of your district.  Listening – hearing the needs of constituents and advocating on their behalf.  Communication – being able to inform constituents, articulate your position, and make your case to an often-skeptical legislative body. Integrity – being trusted to act as an honest-broker between different sides of an issue. And finally, the most important is leadership – having the ability to convince, collaborate, compromise, and make sure that I can effectively fulfill the goals of my constituents.

 

Official Senate Biography

Elective Office: Washington State Senate, 1998-present; Majority Floor Leader, 2005-present; Minority Whip, 2003-04; Majority Whip, 2001-02; Washington State House of Representatives, 1993-94; Assistant Majority Whip, 1993-94.

Leadership: Majority Floor Leader, 2005-present.

Other Legislative Committees:

·         Federal Way Advancing Leadership Youth Advisory Board, current

·         Joint Select Committee on Health Disparities, current

·         Member of the Washington State School Safety Advisory Committee, current

·         Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board, current

·         Joint Select Committee on Secondary Education, current

·         Member, Title and Registration Advisory Committee (TRAC), current

·         Joint Select Committee on Education Restructuring

·         Chair, National Telematics Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures

·         Member, Legislative Transportation Committee, current

·         Member, Washington State Recycling Task Force

·         Co-Chair, Commute Trip Reduction Task Force

·         Alternate Member, Council State Government, Western Water Policy Committee

·         PTA and dedicated school volunteer for over a decade

·         Former Board Member, King County Disability and Retirement Board for Police and Firefighters

·         Federal Way Human Services Commission, 1993-98; Chair 1997-98

Education: Graduate of the Harvard JFK School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Awards & Recognitions:

·         2006 Education Champion, League of Education Voters

·         Domestic Abuse Women’s Network,  "2006 Making A Difference Award"

·         2005 Association of Career and Technical Education Directors "Legislator of the Year"

·         2004 Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation Community Achievement Award

·         District and Municipal Court Judges Association 2002 "Legislator of the Year" Award

·         2002 Pierce County DUI/Traffic Safety Legislative Leadership Award

·         2002 Federal Way Youth Hall of Fame Honorary Board Member;

·         19th Annual Traffic Safety Achievement Award for outstanding efforts in legislative leadership, Washington Traffic Safety Commission;

·         YMCA "Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities" Award, 2001

·         Who's Who in the West for the Year, 2001

·         Washington Traffic Safety Association's "Distinguished Service Award," 2000

·         Emerging Leader, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2000

·         "Rising Star," Washington Law & Politics, February-March, 2000

·         AmeriCorps Volunteer: Truman High School mentor

·         Federal Way School District Service Award for distinguished leadership in education

·         Recipient of two PTA Golden Acorn Awards

·         Federal Way Lions Club member

·         Federal Way Kiwanis Club member

Personal: Small business owner; Lifelong resident of South King County with her husband, Mark, and two children Joanna and Matthew.