Jack Miller
Party: Democrat
Age: 56
Personal: Miller and his wife, Ellen, have one son, 25, and live on a small ranch south of Medical Lake in Spokane County.
Education: Miller graduated from Everett High School in Everett, Wash., in 1965. He says he attended Everett Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Washington in 1969.
Professional: Worked his way through college as a grocery manager for Tradewell stores. Served 20 months in Army infantry, mostly in Europe, and was a sergeant when discharged. Then earned associate degree in air traffic and transportation from Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash., and became an air traffic controller about 1977. Fired by President Nixon in 1981 along with other union members on strike. Operated his own landscaping businesses then earned master's degree in computer science from Eastern Washington University in 1988. Since then, has worked at Whitworth College since for 16 years, mostly as director of information systems.
Political: Is a Democratic precinct committee officer.
Key issues: Jobs, health care, education -- which are "all tied together" -- and individual freedoms. Too many people don't have jobs, and rising health-care costs are "reaching crisis proportions" even for those who have jobs with medical insurance. With extra-large high school graduating classes on their way, the state state budget cuts are forcing public universities to cut enrollment. Sees gun and property rights as fudamental, with little room for compromise. On other issues, though, he would strive "to find workable solutions across political ideologies rather than just fighting among ourselves all the time. If a Republican has a great idea, that's fine with me. Solutions are the bottom line."
Money raised/spent: $275 raised/nothing reported spent as of 8/11/04.
Top contributors: Peggy Johnson, Spokane, $100; Karen A. Haakensen, Marysville, $50; Delbert and Eva-Marie Lusk, Spokane, $50; Regan Robinson, Chewelah, $50.
Quote: "When someone has the desire to go to school and has the ability but can't get into our schools, that's wrong. Education drives the economy and the quality of life."
Key influence: A professor of logic and anthropology who taught him that pure logic is unconvincing.
Favorite book: "Ender's Game," by Orson Scott Card.
First priority if elected: Health-care reform.
