No shortage of contenders as Jim Smith vacates seat
Several of his constituents have wasted no time jumping into the race to succeed him.
While Smith's chair was probably still warm, Dr.
Public relations executive and
Meanwhile, a Democratic schoolteacher turned small-business owner,
Stretching from
But whatever happens, it appears voters will at least have a choice when they head to the polls later this year.
Allen, who lives in
"A lot of the priorities I have, both sides of the aisle are going to have," she said.
The difference, Allen added, will be how to address those issues.
"Voters are tired of gridlock and backbiting and refusal to cooperate. I think the Legislature really heard the voters this time," she said, referring to the relative political peace of the recent session.
The daughter of former House member
Allen said her priorities will be tax reform, infrastructure in rural areas and education.
Though he's a political novice, Schmedes was a familiar sight around the Roundhouse during hearings on a bill that would have allowed medically assisted suicide, which he opposed.
The doctor said he has a more conservative platform than Smith.
And if elected, Schmedes said, "I would have a health care focus."
Indeed, he might be the only physician in the Legislature. No medical doctors are currently serving in the House or
Schmedes lives in
Before moving to
Velasquez is also a political newcomer.
She is a native of
Her family moved to the
Velasquez, who lives in
"I realized that unless more of us get involved, we end up with divisiveness," she said.
Running as a Democrat, she said her own politics are relatively progressive. But she describes her husband as a moderate Republican. And Velasquez said she has focused her campaign on listening to and advocating for the district's rural communities on issues ranging from education to water and public safety.
"When you peel back the political rhetoric," she said, "people want the same things."
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