Tom Pasma visits San Juan Island April 24 as part of a weeklong series of events to promote his candidacy to succeed Dave Quall in the state House of Representatives.
“It’s important for such a geographically diverse district for people to know that you won’t just represent where you are from, that you will represent the entire district,” said Pasma, a Bow rancher and former chairman of the 40th Legislative District Democrats.
“Please stop by one of my events and we can have some good food, conversation and get to know each other.”
April 24, 2-5 p.m., Pasma will be at Guard Sundstrom’s farm, 3106 San Juan Valley Road.
Other appearances during the week:
— April 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Blanchard Community Hall, 3066 Legg Road, Bow.
— April 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Blue Horse Gallery, 301 W. Holly St., Bellingham.
— April 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Croatian Cultural Center, Fifth Street and R Avenue, Anacortes.
—April 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Skagit Transportation Center, 105 E. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon.
—April 25, 1-3 p.m., Gail Nicholls’ House, 7802 W. Shore Drive, Guemes Island.
Pasma worked with state Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, on the farm internship bill which allows small farms to offer unpaid internships to future farmers in exchange for training. Only two legislators voted against the bill.
“The average age of farmers in the state of Washington is 57. If we want to see agriculture continue in our state into the 21st century, we need to have programs that encourage, train and support continued farming,” Pasma said.
Last year, Pasma campaigned for SHB 1733, which prevented bankruptcy for hundreds of farmers across the state.
“We have to move beyond the win-and-lose political games in Olympia, and govern in a way that helps the people we were elected to serve. We can’t be afraid to work with a good idea no matter which party it comes from.”
Quall is retiring after 18 years of service in the Legislature. He is a retired teacher, counselor and coach. He is chairman of the House Education Committee, and has also been devoted to clean air and water, economic development, farmland preservation, and transportation.
Other candidates for Quall’s position:
— Democrat Thomas Boucher, a member of Congressman Rick Larsen’s district staff.
— Democrat Kris Lytton, president of the Anacortes School Board.
— Republican Mike Newman, a real estate agent and Skagit County Republican Party precinct committee officer.
Under Washington law, the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 17 primary — regardless of party — advance to the Nov. 2 general election.
