18th Legislative District State Representative Jaime Herrera announced her candidacy to succeed Brian Baird in Congress from Washington’s Third District.

Herrera, 31, Camas, was appointed to the legislature by local Democrat and Republican county commissioners to fill a vacant seat in the legislature in 2007.  Last year she was elected with 60% of the vote from her district which includes parts of Clark and Cowlitz Counties.  Her legislative committees include Health Care, Transportation and Technology.  A University of Washington graduate, Herrera grew up in Clark County and is a 1996 graduate of Prairie High School. She served from 2005-07 as a Senior Legislative Assistant to Cong. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from Washington’s 5th Congressional District.  

“America’s future is at risk.  Washington DC has been overspending America’s credit card for too long.  Both parties are responsible.  Our future is being sold to China and Saudi Arabia in the form of Government debt.  Our jobs, our small businesses and the opportunity for families to have the freedom to work and prosper are at stake.  I’m running because we badly need new leaders in Washington DC who will stop digging us deeper into the hole of credit card debt”, said Herrera.  “Look at Congress today.  They’re debating health care bills that will raise the cost of care for average families and increase the debt by trillions.”

“We need a whole new approach,” Herrera continued, “my pledge is simple – I will place more value on saving your money than spending your money.” 

“I’m not “more of the same”.  I’m a woman who believes deeply that America is on the wrong track and that my generation is being called to stand up and change direction in Washington DC. In the legislature I’ve worked with both Democrats and Republicans on important issues.  I’m not there to just go with the flow and follow the direction of party leaders.  In Congress I will be an independent voice to control spending, create jobs, and lower the cost of health care.  My only test will be what’s in the best interest of Southwest Washington, our families and our country.”