Join us on Tuesday, June 30, when Eastside Republican Club hosts an online “meet and greet” with candidates! The event will be live streamed on the ERC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EastsideCitizens4Democracy, beginning at 7:00PM. You don’t need to be a member of Facebook to watch! Let’s turn Washington red!

About the Candidates (in alphabetical order)

Doug Basler is a candidate for Congress in the 9th District which extends from Bellevue to Tacoma. He’s president and founder of EZTVSPots.com, an entrepreneur, business owner, national trainer and conference speaker, media producer, TV and radio personality, community volunteer, and currently president of Eastside Republican Club. He’s the past Senior Vice Chair of the King County GOP, and has run for Congress three times previously. He’s a pro-life, pro-Trump constitutional conservative who opposes the erosion of our civil rights during the coronavirus pandemic, supports President Trump and his America First policy, and supports strong borders and stopping the illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug related gang activity that porous borders create. He would seek to drastically reduce the disastrous H1B guest worker visa program. His web site is http://www.dougbasler.com. 

Tim J Hickey is a candidate for State Representative in the 48th Legislative District, which includes parts of Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, and the Points communities. He serves as chair of the 48th District Republicans, on the board of Eastside Republican Club, and as Vice Chair of the Kirkland Senior Council. Tim is a professional dancer and dance instructor, having founded Tim Hickey’s Dance Studio and the Kirkland Dance Center, and was a significant contributor to the founding of Kirkland Performance Center. He recently retired as an adjunct professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Tim studied Business Management at Boston University and Political Science and Sociology at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth. He supports Safer Schools, Safer Neighborhoods, Strong Businesses and Lower Taxes! His web site is http://timjhickey.com. 

Kyle Lyebyedyev is a candidate for State Representative in the 47th Legislative District, which includes parts of Kent, Covington, Auburn, and surrounding areas. Kyle was born in Ukraine while the territory was under the control of the USSR. Growing up in a military family under communism, Kyle developed a strong desire for freedom. He legally immigrated to the US in 2002 to pursue freedom and happiness, strongly believing in the American Dream. Kyle is a successful small business owner and family man. He and his wife Lily have been married for 16 years and have 3 children. He received the Veda Jellen Grassroots Activist Award from the King County GOP in 2019, and serves on the board of Eastside Republican Club. He is focusing his campaign on common sense and accountability, parental choice in education, immigration reform, cutting regulations and reducing taxes, and implementing proven methods of reducing criminal recidivism. His web site is https://www.peopleforkyle.org.

Marty McClendon is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Washington state. Marty is a pastor, real estate broker, and co-host (with Doug Basler) of the radio program “Eyes on Washington”. He volunteers with several organizations including Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Make A Wish Foundation, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and is a member of Gig Harbor Rotary. He currently serves as Vice President of Eastside Republican Club. He and his wife Lyn have three children, and live in Gig Harbor. He has previously run for Lieutenant Governor (2016), Congress (2014), and Washington State Senate (2010). He is focusing his campaign on government accountability and responsiveness to the public, restricting lobbying of the legislature by government agencies, reforming government budget practices and encouraging efficiency. His web site is http://electmarty.com. 

Don’t miss Eastside Republican Club on May 5! We’re hosting an Online Candidate Forum for six Republican candidates for Governor of Washington! Our own Marty McClendon will moderate. The forum will be live streamed on the ERC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EastsideCitizens4Democracy, beginning at 7:00PM. You don’t need to be a member of Facebook to watch! Let’s turn Washington red!

About the Candidates (in alphabetical order)

Loren Culp is Police Chief in Republic, Washington. As a U.S. Army Soldier, Loren honed his leadership skills in the Drill Sergeant School which he then used to help turn civilians into soldiers. He was the Honor Graduate for his class of Combat Engineers and an Honor Graduate of the Non Commissioned Officers Academy for Leadership. He was a Sergeant in the world famous 101st Airborne Division and the 2nd Infantry Division serving under President Ronald Reagan. After his military service, he was a small business owner for more than 20 years. In November of 2018, Loren was the first Police Executive to take a stand against the gun restriction initiative I-1639 which he believes is unconstitutional.

Tim Eyman is best known for sponsoring many conservative ballot initiatives in Washington, including I-695 (“$30 Car Tabs”), I-747 (1% limit on property tax levy increases), I-18 (reducing the King County Council from 13 members to 9), I-900 (government performance audits), I-960 (2/3rd legislative vote to raise taxes), and many others. In 2019, his initiative 976 to restore $30 car tabs and repeal the onerous Sound Transit tax was approved with 53% of the vote statewide, but is being challenged in court by Democrat politicians who resist the will of the people. He has stood strong in the face of legal persecution by the Washington State Attorney General, who is demanding he be permanently banned from political activity in Washington. He’s a frequent speaker at ERC, most recently on the topic of “Fearless Activism”.

Phil Fortunato is State Senator for the 31st Legislative District, and serves on the Senate Transportation Committee, Housing Committee, and Environmental Committee. He previously served as State Representative in the 31st and 47th Districts. Starting with a lawn-cutting business at age 18, Phil built a successful commercial landscaping and hydroseeding business. He currently owns and operates Eco-3, an erosion and stormwater management company. With over 30 years of experience, Phil provides environmental training and helps builders navigate environmental regulation. He was president and founding director of the Pacific Northwest chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. He and his wife Suzanne had been married 42 years, and have five children and four grandchildren.

Joshua Freed, a lifelong Washingtonian, was elected to the Bothell City Council in 2005 and later served as mayor. He oversaw revitalization of downtown, protected open space, and cleaned up long-ignored environmental issues, while giving tax relief to those who needed it. When King County announced plans to further imperil those with drug addiction by building heroin injection sites, Joshua persuaded local officials in nearly 20 cities and counties to ban injection sites in their communities and focus public resources on helping people break the cycle of addiction. He founded his real estate company with the vision of developing strong communities for families, and grew the business during the Great Recession into one of the premier locally-owned homebuilders in the Puget Sound region.

Anton Sakharov is a community activist and businessman who knows what it’s like to live under anti-capitalist regimes, something he fears could happen in this country and in the state as we tilt closer and closer towards socialism. He’s an immigrant who has lived through Soviet socialism and witnessed religious oppression and antisemitism; he knows from personal experience that our current path is a dangerous one. He pledges to use his more than 13 years experience in high-tech and in-depth management experience, to turn Washington away from its current socialist direction.

Martin Wheeler is a lifelong Washingtonian who was born in Tacoma, graduated from Bethel Senior High School and Tacoma Community College, and is an alumnus of the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland. He began in the fire service as a volunteer with Pierce County Fire District 17 at the age of 14. He was hired by Pierce County Fire District 7, and worked with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue until his retirement. He’s worked with county boards of health developing rules, regulations, policies and procedures. He’s demonstrated through his years in public service that he is dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. His dream of giving back and making a difference becomes reality.