Yvette Joseph
Party: Democratic
Age: 46
Personal: Joseph lives at Nespelem, Wash., and is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. She is divorced, with a daughter, 11, and a son, 10.
Education: Graduated from Lake Roosevelt High School in Coulee Dam, Wash., in 1975. Bachelor of science degree from Washington State University in 1980. Master's in social work from University of Denver in 1987.
Professional: Directed Colville Tribes alcoholism program for five years after graduating from WSU. Was a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Dan Evans, R-Wash., upon earning master's degree. Aide to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, for six years after Evans retired in 1988. Worked on health-care, budget and appropriations issues. Executive director of non-profit National Indian Health Board from mid-1995 through 2002, when position moved from Denver to Washington, D.C. Private consultant since then, handling several projects for Colville tribal government. Has written chapters in two books about health.
Political: Past treasurer of Arapahoe County, Colo., Democratic Party. Worked on President Clinton's health-care task force, and served on an Environmental Protection Agency committee on children's health. Serves on board of SEVA Foundation, which works to preserve and restore vision of indigenous and poor people around the world.
Key issues: Jobs and rural development. She thinks one possibility for creating jobs in the 7th District is to press Congress for more Canadian border security. Health care also is a priority, and she would promote "specialized vendor contracts" to cut prescription costs. Also wants to improve quality of education by providing more money for schools. Thinks her experience in writing grants and developing new programs would help. Hopes to bridge political parties, and wouldn't "vote a straight party line."
Money raised/spent: Nothing raised/nothing spent as of 8/11/04.
Quote: "My feeling is that the current (7th District) representatives have maintained such a strong partisan position that we have missed opportunities to bring new business to our communities. ... They feel that government shouldn't be involved in creating jobs."
Favorite book: "Love Medicine," by Louise Erdrich.
First priority if elected: "To find as many jobs as possible for those who want to work."
