Terrace Teacher Gaining Community Support for Legislative Bid

One big difference you’ll notice between Vince DeMiero and some of the other candidates running for Leg. District Pos. 1 is their lists of endorsements. While many candidates tout their list of supporting political organizations, DeMiero focuses on community leaders, educators, former students, parents of former students and various community member.

The list of supporters on DeMiero’s web site has many names that are familiar to the Mountlake Terrace community. Among them are Bob White, former Mountlake Terrace City Manager, Rev. Richard Gibson, Concern for Neighbors Food Bank and Vic Sood, first Executive Director of Community Transit and inductee of the American Public Transportation Association Hall of Fame.

While Vince DeMiero did not get the Democrats of the First Legislative District nomination for the position, DeMiero has received a couple of key endorsements such as the former Edmonds mayor and current Snohomish County Deputy Executive Gary Haakenson. Haakenson recently said this about DeMiero, “Vince DeMiero isn’t your typical candidate. He comes from a family of public servants and has three decades of real-world experience with teaching, coaching and raising children in our community. Vince is exactly the kind of representative we need in Olympia, and I’m proud to lend my support.”

If somebody is looking to vote for a career politician, I’m not their guy. If, on the other hand, they want to support somebody who has deep roots in the 1st LD and cares passionately about our communities, understands what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck, has his kids in public school and, well, is a lot like them, then I’m their guy.
Vince DeMiero

DeMiero, a teacher at Mountlake Terrace High School, has garnered the support of many current and former teachers and staff in the Edmonds School District and statewide. Recently, MLTnews recieved the endorsement letter below from former MTHS principal Elain C. Klein. In fact, Vince DeMiero is the only legislative candidate who we (MLTnews) have received personal letters of endorsement for. In addition to co-workers and colleagues, current and former students have also rallied around his campaign, largely organizing on Facebook. Recently many current and former students spent an evening making and putting out nearly over 1,000 yard sign in the 1st District in support of DeMiero.

Current and former students making signs in support of Vince DeMiero

DeMiero has stated that if he were to be elected, he would still be able to teach at least half-time at MTHS.

The primary is coming up on August 17 and you can find the The Snohomish County Local Voters’ Pamphlet here [pdf].

Below is the letter of endorsement received by MLTnews from former MTHS principal Elaine Klein.

I heartily endorse Vince DeMiero as the best candidate in the District 1 race for State Legislature Representative. As his former supervisor and colleague at Mountlake Terrace High School, I know him well. I consider him the finest teacher I have hired in my long career. He always exhibits the highest integrity; he is dedicated to his family and to the students whom he teaches and inspires. Vince possesses a keenly analytical mind, able to examine issues thoroughly and to understand varying points of view. More importantly, he is able to use his analysis to bring disparate groups to consensus, enabling them to work harmoniously to take action, a skill greatly needed in today’s antagonistic political environment. With Vince in the state legislature, progress will be made on the vital issues facing the state. Vince has lived his entire life in south Snohomish County. He has taught at Mountlake Terrace High School for 22 years, proving himself as a leader of change and an empowering force in the lives of his students. He is an active volunteer in many aspects of community life. He will be the true voice of all of the citizens of District 1. Vote for Vince DeMiero.

Elaine C. Klein
Retired Principal, Mountlake Terrace High School

  1. Great article. I want to serve the community as a public servant, too. I just don’t have the resources, experience, and support since I barely get to know the community or the community to get to know me. One thing for sure, I do have the drive to serve and help.nnI’m glad a person out of nowhere like him showed up. It is kind of showing me the ropes. I’m still young, late 20’s, and still have 9 years to be legally allowed to run for public office.nnPS: Not a big deal, but on Paragraph 3, there’s a misspelling, “Exewcutive”. 😉

  2. I do not know Mr. DiMiero. I have no comment on him one way or another, and certainly no basis whatever to disparage him or his candidacy. But I do know his opponent, Derek Stanford, and have for some time. Derek is an outstanding candidate and and outstanding person, highly knowledgeable on the issues and on the legislative process.nnI recommend Derek wholeheartedly. He will give the First District high-level, hands-on representation. If he is elected, he won’t disappoint you, not by a long shot.

    1. I agree 100% Ivan… I think Vince is qualified and an excellent choice for those wishing to vote for him. I however, prefer Derek because of his Democratic experience and diversification in taking in all of his district, as well as the assets you mention above.nnI’m hoping to nail down Derek for an article on MLTNews, as well as another candidate to balance the coverage of candidates here on MLTNews.nnJoin us Friday in the Tour de Terrace parade… meet at 56th Street Market @ 6:30PM

  3. I am a former student of Vince, and I’ve gotten to know him quite well over the past year or so. His dedication to teaching and to the individual students is very rare, and I would love nothing more than to see this kind of dedication put to great use in Olympia. nnThere are only a handful of teachers (I can count maybe 5) that have influenced my life in a unforgettable way, and Vince is definitely one of them. Through his leadership, teaching, personality, and guidance was I able to both graduate from high school and figure out what’s next. He fought for my class, as well as individual students like me, and I have full confidence that he will fight for the 1st District and for what’s right in Olympia.nnThis is truly a rare opportunity, and I am sincerely glad to be a part of it.

  4. Great article. I want to serve the community as a public servant, too. I just don't have the resources, experience, and support since I barely get to know the community or the community to get to know me. One thing for sure, I do have the drive to serve and help.I'm glad a person out of nowhere like him showed up. It is kind of showing me the ropes. I'm still young, late 20's, and still have 9 years to be legally allowed to run for public office.PS: Not a big deal, but on Paragraph 3, there's a misspelling, “Exewcutive”. 😉

  5. I do not know Mr. DiMiero. I have no comment on him one way or another, and certainly no basis whatever to disparage him or his candidacy. But I do know his opponent, Derek Stanford, and have for some time. Derek is an outstanding candidate and and outstanding person, highly knowledgeable on the issues and on the legislative process.I recommend Derek wholeheartedly. He will give the First District high-level, hands-on representation. If he is elected, he won't disappoint you, not by a long shot.

  6. I am a former student of Vince, and I've gotten to know him quite well over the past year or so. His dedication to teaching and to the individual students is very rare, and I would love nothing more than to see this kind of dedication put to great use in Olympia. There are only a handful of teachers (I can count maybe 5) that have influenced my life in a unforgettable way, and Vince is definitely one of them. Through his leadership, teaching, personality, and guidance was I able to both graduate from high school and figure out what's next. He fought for my class, as well as individual students like me, and I have full confidence that he will fight for the 1st District and for what's right in Olympia.This is truly a rare opportunity, and I am sincerely glad to be a part of it.

    1. Don't overlook candidate Sandy Guinn for this position. As a former deputy mayor and member of the Snohomish County Tomorrow and Snohomish County City and Towns Committees, Sandy has the experience necessary to fully represent the citizens of Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Bothell in the legislature. She has also served in areas of economic development, transportation, parks and recreation, finance, water quality and tourism. There would be no on-the-job training necessary if Sandy were elected to Position 1.

    2. I agree 100% Ivan… I think Vince is qualified and an excellent choice for those wishing to vote for him. I however, prefer Derek because of his Democratic experience and diversification in taking in all of his district, as well as the assets you mention above.I'm hoping to nail down Derek for an article on MLTNews, as well as another candidate to balance the coverage of candidates here on MLTNews.Join us Friday in the Tour de Terrace parade… meet at 56th Street Market @ 6:30PM

  7. Don’t overlook candidate Sandy Guinn for this position. As a former deputy mayor and member of the Snohomish County Tomorrow and Snohomish County City and Towns Committees, Sandy has the experience necessary to fully represent the citizens of Mountlake Terrace, Brier and Bothell in the legislature. She has also served in areas of economic development, transportation, parks and recreation, finance, water quality and tourism. There would be no on-the-job training necessary if Sandy were elected to Position 1.

  8. As a former student of Vince DeMiero i would have to say a lot of my success in high school came from him. I was never one to really like school until him. If Vince can touch the lives of students and get students into learning, he can do endless things for the community. It would be the offices honor to have a man such like Vince in office. We the people need to make sure it happens. Who better than a veteran teacher and a resident of the first district for the last 33 years?nnWhen ballot time comes around make sure the one you vote for is Vince DeMiero…it’s about time we get honest people into politics…

  9. As a former student of Vince DeMiero i would have to say a lot of my success in high school came from him. I was never one to really like school until him. If Vince can touch the lives of students and get students into learning, he can do endless things for the community. It would be the offices honor to have a man such like Vince in office. We the people need to make sure it happens. Who better than a veteran teacher and a resident of the first district for the last 33 years?When ballot time comes around make sure the one you vote for is Vince DeMiero…it's about time we get honest people into politics…

  10. If the drive and enthusiasm that Vince DeMiero has put into his classrooms is any representation of what he would do in the Legislative position, there is no doubt in my mind that the dedication, intelligence, and will of this individual will surpass that of any other mortal being. A man that virtually stretches the limits of time, getting done in 24 hours what would take an average individual twice as many, yet always to an even higher quality and standard than expected. nnVince DeMiero is not just showing up out of nowhere, he has been influencing the lives of generations of youths, helping to organize events for those in need and making astounding waves in the face of student rights for years through his actions and his association with organizations that make a difference! If that impact were brought to a higher level, one with the state, there is no foreseeing what positive impact will be made, just that I will be pleased to be able to watch it unfold.nnFormer Studentnn

  11. If the drive and enthusiasm that Vince DeMiero has put into his classrooms is any representation of what he would do in the Legislative position, there is no doubt in my mind that the dedication, intelligence, and will of this individual will surpass that of any other mortal being. A man that virtually stretches the limits of time, getting done in 24 hours what would take an average individual twice as many, yet always to an even higher quality and standard than expected. Vince DeMiero is not just showing up out of nowhere, he has been influencing the lives of generations of youths, helping to organize events for those in need and making astounding waves in the face of student rights for years through his actions and his association with organizations that make a difference! If that impact were brought to a higher level, one with the state, there is no foreseeing what positive impact will be made, just that I will be pleased to be able to watch it unfold.Former Student

  12. Thanks for the great article about a local. As this is MLT News I come here for information on local interests. I read this as a human interest story regarding a man who taught my children in high school and has been a part of my community for a very long time. Thanks again for keeping it about Mountlake Terrace.nMrs. O’Hara

  13. Thanks for the great article about a local. As this is MLT News I come here for information on local interests. I read this as a human interest story regarding a man who taught my children in high school and has been a part of my community for a very long time. Thanks again for keeping it about Mountlake Terrace.Mrs. O'Hara

  14. Thanks for the great article about a local. As this is MLT News I come here for information on local interests. I read this as a human interest story regarding a man who taught my children in high school and has been a part of my community for a very long time. Thanks again for keeping it about Mountlake Terrace.Mrs. O'Hara

  15. I wholeheartedly endorse Vince’s candidacy. He is the kind of person we need in Olympia. Just as he has been a leader in the classroom and someone who has had a profound impact on the lives of his students during his years as an educator, Vince will bring the same passion and dedication to the Legislature. He is intelligent, a very deep thinker and someone who will make a positive impact and represent the voice of our cummunity and Education in the state.

    1. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for a principal to endorse a political office. It’s bad enough we send our kids to these indoctrination factories to be brain washed into socialistic sheep.rnrnfor examples see the blind endorsement for this teacher, just because some kid had him as a teacher. baaahhh..

  16. The people of the 1LD district are funny. We all complain things aren’t getting done, or not getting done right, yet we continue to vote the same people into office continuously. MLT has had a reputation for and really kind of has been a hole for 40 years or more.rnrnI attended MTHS at a time Mr. Demiero was teaching there, though I can’t say for sure if I ever had the pleasure of having him as a teacher. I unfortunately cannot in good conscience vote for the same party that has become stagnat with over 40 years of rule in this district. and much worse on a national level.rnrnLooking at this article with what Mr. Demiero says about not being a career politician and caring about the little guy, I wonder if his values would fit in with a certain other pary. to bad it’s a dirty word in Snohomish County.

  17. I wholeheartedly endorse Vince's candidacy. He is the kind of person we need in Olympia. Just as he has been a leader in the classroom and someone who has had a profound impact on the lives of his students during his years as an educator, Vince will bring the same passion and dedication to the Legislature. He is intelligent, a very deep thinker and someone who will make a positive impact and represent the voice of our cummunity and Education in the state.

  18. The people of the 1LD district are funny. We all complain things aren't getting done, or not getting done right, yet we continue to vote the same people into office continuously. MLT has had a reputation for and really kind of has been a hole for 40 years or more.I attended MTHS at a time Mr. Demiero was teaching there, though I can't say for sure if I ever had the pleasure of having him as a teacher. I unfortunately cannot in good conscience vote for the same party that has become stagnat with over 40 years of rule in this district. and much worse on a national level.Looking at this article with what Mr. Demiero says about not being a career politician and caring about the little guy, I wonder if his values would fit in with a certain other pary. to bad it's a dirty word in Snohomish County.

  19. I'm not sure it's appropriate for a principal to endorse a political office. It's bad enough we send our kids to these indoctrination factories to be brain washed into socialistic sheep.for examples see the blind endorsement for this teacher, just because some kid had him as a teacher. baaahhh..

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