David Larsen
Party: Democrat
Age: 64
Personal: Married to Roberta Larsen. Three grown children: Ward,41; Christine, 34; Ross, 32.
Education: Graduated from West Valley High School (Yakima) in 1957. Attended Washington State University for two years before enilisting in the U.S. Army. Finished bachelor's in math education at Central Washington University (Ellensberg). Master's in educational administration from University of Washington.
Professional: Currently is a North Idaho College adjunct math instructor. Started teaching high school mathmatics in 1966. Spent 30 years teaching in Mercer Island schools, retiring in 1996.
Political: No previous political experience except volunteer work for the Democrat Party in both Idaho and Washington.
Key issues: Top priorities are educational funding, living wage jobs, affordable health care and fixing Idaho's tax system. Wants Legislature to restore funding it has promised to local school districts but has never delivered. Thinks Legislature should give tax incentives to businesses that move to Idaho and provide living wage jobs. Idaho should have a more fair and equitable taxing system, which means lawmakers must revise certain areas from sales tax exemptions to reviewing property tax and income tax collection. Doesn't think corporations are paying their fair share.
Money raised/spent: As of Oct. 26: raised $22,291 and spent $14,152
Top contributors: Seven donations of $100 from individuals including former U.S. Rep. Larry Larocco, D-ID. $575 from Mary Lou and Scott Reed of Coeur d'Alene. $1,000 from PAC for Education. $500 from Restore Representative Government, Boise. $2,000 personal loan.
Quote: "We need to try to get the state to restore the funding promised to local (school) districts but that they failed to deliver."
Key influence: Parents and a math professor at Central Washington,
Favorite book: Riddley Peirce mysteries, a southern Idaho author.
First priority if elected: To tackle the number one issue voters have presented to him: educational funding.
Website: www.davidblarsen.com
Email: elect@davidblarsen.com
