Candidate Forum: 46th District Position 2 candidates introduce themselves

(Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We’ll follow this with introductory questions for candidates for 46th District State Representative Position 1 and for the two state representative positions in the 32nd Legislative District; then we’ll have issue questions for all of candidates, with future questions coming from readers. Send questions to schsmith@frontier.com)

By Evan Smith

Democratic 46th District incumbent State Rep. Javier Valdez will face Republican Beth Daranciang in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election. With only two candidates running in the primary, both Valdez and Daranciang will qualify for November from the top-two primary.

The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

Both Valdez and Daranciang recently introduced themselves with answers to this question: “What is your background for this position?” Here are their 75-word responses, presented in the order their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet.

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2

                                     What is your background for this position?

Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party)

I currently serve as a 46th State Representative and have worked for the City of Seattle for over twenty years, where I've led programs to expand opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses.

As the son and grandson of farmworkers and laborers, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s degree in Public Administration. I have served on the board of the Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the first president of AFSCME 21C.

Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party)

Background: Master’s degree in public health and bachelor’s degree in biology. Professional experience includes research coordinator at the UW, Program manager at Public Health – Seattle and King County, and my husband and I are small-business owners in Seattle. Served as volunteer treasurer for the PTSA and parent group at 2 Seattle high schools

Advocate for the protection of children, including serving on the volunteer leadership team that successfully gathered over 266,000 signatures for Referendum 90.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.