Municipal/Other Questionnaire 2022
Candidate Info
Candidate Name: Paul Gilmartin
Position Sought: School District No. 343 – Director District No. 5
Are you an incumbent for this position? Non-incumbent
Home Legislative District: 31st
Are you a Democrat? Yes
Campaign Info
Campaign Manager or Point of Contact: Paul Gilmartin
Email: paul@votegilmartin.com
Website: https://votegilmartin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092197160256
Twitter:
Part I – Candidate Background
1. Please briefly describe your qualifications, education, employment, community and civic activity, union affiliation, prior political activity, and other relevant experience.
I am an attorney who worked with infrastructure development and business litigation. Presently, I collaborate with researchers to bring about advances in cancer care at Fred Hutch. I earned a B.S. in civil engineering and completed graduate studies in public administration at Cornell University; a Certificate in Biomedical Regulatory Affairs from University of Washington; and a J.D. from Georgetown University.
2. What prompted you to run for this office?
I am deeply committed to providing children with the best educational opportunities. As a Dieringer parent, this past year, I challenged top-down decisions and achieved the reversal of an administrative act to increase class sizes. The Board resolved to hire a new teacher and reduced class size by two students for every 4th and 5th grade class. Oversight and impact! This is why I am runing.
3. What steps are you taking to run a successful campaign?
I declared my candidacy, completed my C-1 and F-1 disclosure statements and submitted my Voter Pamphlet Information. I have a web site: http://votegilmartin.com, Facebook platform and physical and social media pland.
4. What are your campaign’s most important themes, issues, or priorities (three to five)?
1) Oversight and Accountability
2) Parent Voices
3) Listen to our Teachers
4) The kids come first!
Part II – Yes/No Questions, please qualify your answer if necessary
1. Do you support steps to build a fairer economy through tax reform and progressive taxes as wealth increases? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #1
2. Do you support robust investment in publicly owned housing/subsidized housing for elderly and low-income individuals/families, and zoning changes to support such housing? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #2
3. Developer impact fees are allowed under the Growth Management Act. Should they be increased to help pay for needed improvements to our roads, parks, and schools? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #3
4. Do you support building a municipally owned and operated broadband system in your city or jurisdiction? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #4
5. Do you support local investments to address climate change where applicable? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #5
6. Do you support women’s unrestricted access to reproductive healthcare? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #6
7. Do you support laws regulating the purchase, ownership, and carrying of firearms? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #7
8. Do you support the right of workers to unionize and bargain, including public employees? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #8
Part III – Free Response (Please answer at least four fully, and consider the additional three optional)
1. Why are you requesting Democratic endorsement? What aspects of the Democratic platform most resonate with you?
This is a non-partisan position for the School Board. I believe in a strong public education system. I believe in public investment in that education. I believe in the State’s duty to educate all children and serve the needs of all children.
2. What public policy reforms do you support to achieve greater equity and inclusion for BIPOC and LBQIA+ individuals in our communities?
I support greater protections for BIPOC and LBQIA+ individuals in our community, including with respect to schools. Schools should support personal decision making not impose external “values”.
3. What steps do you think need to be taken to improve voter turnout and increase voter trust in our election process?
We need election reform that makes it easier, not harder, for people to vote. Washington should be a model for mail in balloting. We need to restore trust in the election process.
4. What important local issues have you worked on (or taken an interest in) that you feel aren’t getting enough attention from elected leaders and the local media?
I have a lifelong interest in environmental issues. With so many seemingly immediately critical matters filling the media, serious engagement on environmental issues is overlooked. Leaders and media talk broadly about climate change but real discussion is light. Other environmental issues often do not garner attention.
5. Please list at least three specific, concrete actions you would support to ease the homelessness crisis.
6. What safety, law, or justice issues are currently facing your jurisdiction, and how will you address them?
7. What are the transportation/transit challenges which face your jurisdiction and how would you address them? What role does green energy play in your proposed solutions?
Washington, particularly the suburban Seattle area needs more reliable and comprehensive transportation planning. Money is spend on infrastructure but it does not appear effective.
By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.
Printed Name: Paul Gilmartin
Date (mm/dd/yy): 06/04/2023
