Editor’s note: This is another in a series of questions and answers with the Washington State legislative candidates whose districts include a part of Mountlake Terrace.

By Doug Petrowski

Republican Brian Travis is in a crowded field in the race for State Representative in District 1, Position 1. He is one of three challengers running against one-term Democratic incumbent Derek Stanford in the Aug. 7 primary election.

Q: Why are you running for legislative office?
A: I have a desire to serve others and help those less fortunate. I believe in a government?willing to help those who truly need it and willing to get out of the way of those who do not. I want to give something back to the community which has done so much for me and do my part to improve the beautiful State of Washington.

Q: What experiences do you bring that would benefit in the role of state representative?
A: As someone with a degree in business, and also over 15 years in customer service and problem solving, I am uniquely qualified to view the problems of our state from a new perspective and focus of getting things done.

Q: Is there anything that can be done to ease the partisanship politics that slows or stifles legislative work in Olympia?
A: I think it’s time people of both parties are reminded that we work for the people of the state of Washington, not for our political parties or major financial contributors. We need 10-12 year legislative term limits so that we have more public servants and fewer career politicians.

Q: Are you in favor of increasing the contribution that state union members pay for their health care benefits from the current 15 percent closer to the average of 25 percent that workers in the private sector pay?
A: 15 percent seems plenty for any worker to have to contribute to their health care benefits whether in the public or private sector. Whatever offsets need to be made we could find through lower annual pay raises or increased retirement contributions, but in the case of health care I don’t favor further burdening teachers, firefighters and police officers with yet another expense.

Q: Do you support Initiative 502, the legalization of small amounts of marijuana?
A: I personally oppose legalizing marijuana because once we legalize one drug what’s next? Cocaine? Heroine? However, the supporters of I-502 have lawfully gathered the required number of signatures to place their issue on the ballot and it will be decided by the people of the state of Washington, as it should be.

Q: Do you support the state’s recently passed same-sex marriage law or do you favor changing the law to defining marriage in Washington State to between “one man and one woman?”
A: This issue is going to be decided as it should be by the people of our great state. One of the things I value most about living in a state such as Washington; is that our state has an initiative process through which people can bring virtually any issue regardless of its popularity or lack of before the voters for a fair unbiased vote. As such I will respect whatever the voters of Washington decide this November.