By MARK BRIANT
mbriant@soundpublishing.com
BREMERTON — Voters will have a broad spectrum of political viewpoints to consider for the State Legislature’s 26th District House seats, representing Kitsap County, in the Aug. 2 primary.
Four candidates are vying for Seat 1 in the 26th. Just two have filed for Seat 2 in the 26th, so barring a late, successful write-in campaign by a stealth candidate, both will pass through to the Nov. 8 general elections.
Here is a look at the candidates for Seat 1, in alphabetical order:
Alec Matias (prefers Democratic Party): Matias is the owner of a local software company, which builds life-saving applications for animal-welfare organizations such as the Kitsap County Humane Society. He was elected a delegate for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
If elected, he said, his focus would be on representing the rights of individual citizens against the influence of moneyed special interests in Olympia. Matias has also worked as a state volunteer for WolfPAC, which works to overturn Citizens United. He studied political science and Digital Media at Valencia College in Orlando, FL.
Website: www.AlecMatias.com.
Bill Scheidler (prefers Republican Party): Scheidler believes that corruption is rampant at all levels of government and law, and if elected, would seek to root out the selfish. His commitment to rooting out corruption in government can be seen in a website he created and maintains, www.corruptwash.com. He is a chemist by profession, and served as a citizen member of the South Kitsap School District Budget Committee.
Website: www.CorruptWash.com.
Larry Seaquist (prefers Independent/Democratic Party): Seaquist is a 32-year veteran Naval officer who commanded the battleship Iowa. He says he is proud of the work he performs to help veterans succeed as they tranisition back to civilian life. In his community service, Seaquist supports the YMCA and several youth groups. As a legislator, he says, he delivered independent leadership and worked closely both with Republicans and Democrats while serving as chair of the House Higher Education Committee.
Website: www.LarrySeaquist.com.
Jesse L. Young (Incumbent; prefers Republican Party): As a software engineer and business owner, Young has advised corporate clients in the areas of finance, health care, aerospace and technology. These include Russell Investments, Boeing, Swedish Medical Center, Premera Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente and Peoplesoft. He calls himself a budget hawk and helped stop proposed toll increases. After a youth spent on the streets, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High as valedictorian, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame.
Website: www.VoteJesseYoung.com.
In the race for the second House Seat, only two candidates filed, which means both Michelle Caldier and Randy Spitzer will automatically advance to the general ballot in November. One additional possibility, though there is yet no sign of this happening, would be a strong write-in candidate who could theoretically finish second in the primary and move the third-finishing candidate off the November ballot.
Michelle Caldier (Incumbent; Prefers Republican Party): Caldier is the incumbent in the 26th District’s second House seat. Caldier developed a reputation for her willingness to work in a bi-partisan style in the effort to prevent increases in the Tacoma Narrow Bridge. A dentist by profession, she devoted her practice to caring for the nursing home population. She has donated more than $1 million in dental care to the Key Free Clinic, and to vulnerable seniors and children. In her personal life, she is a foster mom, and chaired the Access to Care Committee. She is a graduate of Central Kitsap High and holds a Bachelor of Science and DDS degrees from the University of Washington.
Website: www.MichelleCaldier.com.
Randy Spitzer (Prefers Independent Democratic Party): Founder and business advisor to Spitzer Consulting Group for the past 21 years. He was a public schoolteacher and served as an international business consultant for the Lebow Group. In addition, he is a Certified Financial Planner. In his community service endeavors, he has served as vice president for the Washington Music Education Association, and has been a board member for the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Rotoary Club of Gig Harbor, President of the East Bremerton Kiwanis; and served as executive director of the non-profit Cara Voice. He was council president of Agnes Dei Lutheran Church, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University.
Website: www.ElectSpitzer.com.
