FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jaime Herrera for Congress

Today, 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."

Quotes from around the 3rd Congressional District

Marc Boldt
Clark County Commissioner
"Jaime has a record of success when it comes to helping Washingtonians with their problems. She grew up in this area and she understands the issues facing the people in our community. I'm glad she's running for Congress."

Larry Hoff:
President, Fibre Federal Credit Union
"Jaime is the right person at the right time to fill the 3rd District seat. My vote and complete support will be behind Jaime.

News Coverage

The Chronicle: Not your typical candidate
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

"We need to change direction," [Herrera] told The Chronicle during a visit to Centralia on Monday. "Whether you're Republican or Democrat, something's got to change. When you look at the stimulus, we still have high unemployment, and Lewis County is still around 14 percent. That's what's telling me what's going on over in D.C. is not working over here on Main Street."

The 31-year-old Ridgefield native was one of the first big names to announce her candidacy following Democratic U.S. Rep. Brian Baird's decision not to seek re-election in 2010. Herrera has been billed as the frontrunner among the Republican candidates by some, though she doesn't see herself that way.
read more

The Weekly Standard: Women and the GOP - No problem.
Monday, December 21, 2009

...we could talk about Meg Whitman running for governor in California, Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee warning Congress about the costs and results of her state's TennCare health care program, or Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington prominently pushing the Republicans' no-cost job-creation plan in Congress. Within two hours of Rep. Brian Baird's retirement announcement last week, a former aide to McMorris Rodgers turned state [representative] had announced she'd enter the race to replace him. Despite her youth, 31-year-old Jaime Herrera's experience and growing political base have Democrats worried.
read more