I’d like to break free of the negative campaigning that has recently surfaced in the 1st Legislative District and explain in detail the reasons that I support the re-election of Senator Rosemary McAuliffe.

First, she has consistently supported the teachers and students in our public schools. She helped make the new four-tier teacher evaluation system possible. It provides procedures for teachers to improve their skills, rather than just getting a “pass” or “fail” grade with no feedback as to how to improve the quality of their teaching. She has championed innovation in the schools, so that all student learning styles can be accommodated within the public-school system.

She has worked for the improvement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) instruction in our schools up to and including colleges and universities. The goal is to provide in-state jobs for our graduates and employees for our technology companies, who say there are not enough qualified local applicants. Her efforts made the construction of the new science building at the UW Bothell and Cascadia Community College campus possible, thereby providing local construction jobs now and future educational opportunities for our students.

Sen. McAuliffe is also a strong advocate for early childhood learning and has been the chair of the Education Committee in the State Senate for many years. She has the valuable experience we need so that we can move to fully fund and vastly improve the quality of public education for all students in our state, from ages 3-23.

And, finally, another reason I am voting to re-elect Sen. McAuliffe is that she listens to her constituents. If you bring up an issue that she is not completely familiar with she will study it, consult with colleagues, and respond to your concerns. I personally have experienced her willingness to listen to my concerns and agree with my conclusions on two separate occasions.

Sen. McAuliffe has a proven track record of service to the 1st Legislative District, and we need to keep her on the job, for our benefit and the benefit of our children. Please join me in voting to return Sen. McAuliffe to Olympia for another four years.

Marcia Stedman, Bothell