Meet Bill Hilton, Candidate for the 25th District State Representative

This is part of a series of candidate profiles Patch will be bringing you for the 2012 elections. Bill Hilton is running against Hans Zeiger for Position No. 2 in the 25th Legislative District.

NAME: Bill Hilton

OFFICE SOUGHT: 25th Legislative District State Representative, Position 2

PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat

TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Puyallup

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Retired

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Retired in 2010 after serving 30 years with the Washington State Patrol

WEBSITE: http://www.electbillhilton.com

WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT: I have knocked over 18,000 doors this campaign, and there are a lot of issues that are currently concerning voters. I have found that one of the primary concerns for families is education. People are watching our public schools struggle. We need to provide more funding for our public schools, and help teachers give their students the resources they need to succeed. Another main issue at the doors is our economy. We need to help folks get back to work by creating a business friendly environment, which attracts business to our area.

IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I think we need to have a balanced approach to budgeting in Washington State, which means working across the aisle to focus on the basics: cutting discretionary spending, creating jobs, and maintaining public safety. We need to elect more leaders that are wiling to compromise and listen. By having more open leadership, we can reach across party lines and create legislation that benefits our community as a whole – like appropriately funding education. Immediately upon election, I bring a willingness and strong ability to work with others to solve the challenges we face with a new approach. I intend to work to find common ground in Olympia to provide results to the people in the 25 district.

DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE REFERENDUM 74: SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL IN WASHINGTON? BRIEFLY, WHY? Yes, I support Referendum 74. I believe people should have the right to marry whomever they choose. I wish for everyone to have an opportunity to have a long and successful marriage as my wife and I have.

DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE, INITIATIVE 502 TO MAKE SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA LEGAL TO PEOPLE 21 AND OLDER? BRIEFLY, WHY? I, personally, do not support Initiative 502. I do support medical use of marijuana. However, if the voters choose to approve I-502, I will look to ensure the law is enacted properly and that it is regulated and taxed properly.