In response to an attack letter by Marijane Milton (published in last week’s Reporter/Patriot), I say politics should not be about petty personal attacks but about the substantive issues which will affect our lives as a result of this election. No baseless personal attack ever provided one critical dollar of support to the 21,000 developmentally disabled languishing without care on our state rolls or the pressing mental-health and education-funding crises we face.

I am running for the 23rd Legislative District Representative for the reasons I have addressed at countless public forums/debates, in 50 organizational questionnaires completed and published, and through door belling, parades and public gatherings. My three main issues are:

First-order-of-business: fully-fund K-12 education ($5 billion) to meet Washington State Supreme Court contempt of court finding for the legislature’s egregious failure to fully fund K-12 education. The Democrats have controlled our legislature for 30 years and have systematically underfunded education while overspending on non-educations programs. K-12 education must be funded first, fully, and without  excuses. I also support education reform improving our spotty educational performance gap.

I will work tirelessly to pass a transportation plan to improve traffic flow and mobility that currently paralyze major transportation routes such as our highways 305, 3 and the Agate Pass Bridge. We must maintain and replace aging transportation infrastructure or face catastrophic failures and lawsuits.

I am a Reform Conservative who knows that the major agencies in Olympia are overdue for a stem-to-stern streamlining analysis of performance, cost, vision and focus. As a 30-year citizen-sailor, I served honorably with distinction in  key leadership positions such as oil-spill response, port safety/security, international relations and governmental reform.

I know how to navigate complex multi-agency problems and solutions. I know leadership and how to lead and how to follow.

I also have private-sector business experience so I know the trials and tribulations our business/worker community faces in the 23rd Legislative District.

I ask for your vote based on these critical issues and my faith in the greatness of Washington state.

James M. Olsen

Bainbridge Island