Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen announced that he would be seeking reelection
to his fifth term in office. He was elected as Washington State’s
15thlieutenant governor in 1996 and re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Prior to
his election as lieutenant governor, Mr. Owen served as Shelton finance
commissioner from 1976 – 1979, as a member of the Washington State House of
Representatives from 1976 – 1983, and in the Washington State Senate from
1983 – 1996.

In making his announcement, Lieutenant Governor Owen stated “ I am running
for reelection because there is a lot of work that needs to be done to get
our state moving again. We need to stimulate our economy and help create
family wage jobs. I’ve traveled the world building economic alliances with
friendly nations and I plan to continue my work to help Washington State
businesses increase their share in the world market.”

Lieutenant Owen stated that “My other passion is to make Washington a state
for healthy kids and communities. I’ve made substance abuse prevention and
child welfare as a priority of my office. Over the last decade, I traveled
throughout the state visiting schools with a multiple media musical program
that delivered a positive message to help kids avoid substance abuse and
also to raise their awareness about the dangers of bullying”.

In responding to a criticism of one of his opponents regarding
partisanship; “One of the things I am most proud of is the relationships
that I have developed on both sides of the aisle. As the President of the
Senate, I have made sure that all sides get a fair shake on the Senate
floor. I’ve tried to be the most bipartisan Lieutenant Governor in the
history of our state. It’s ironic that the only criticism that my opponent
has is the one thing I am best known for.”