Candidate filing update: Hailey Roemer, Pullman

Gazette intern reporter

Hailey Roemer declared her candidacy for the local Washington State Representative seat on May 19, three days after incumbent Rep. Mary Dye, Republican of Pomeroy and Jennifer Goulet, Pasco Democrat, filed for the seat. Roemer graduated this year from Washington State University.

Roemer said she is running to be an effective voice in the legislature and to defend the people and the interests of District 9.

“People of our district are often overlooked by the politicians in Olympia, and as a result, our schools and highways go unfunded,” said Roemer in a statement to the Gazette Friday. “I am running to fight for the people of the Ninth District and against overreaching regulations.”

Roemer graduated with two degrees, one in international business and one in political science.

The importance of agriculture is something she understands. Roemer has been involved in agriculture, from her membership with FFA to serving as National Vice President of International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences.

“I had an immense interest in agriculture from the moment I was born. Having also raised 13 lambs for FFA and being heavily involved in the organization throughout high school, I reaffirmed my interest in agriculture,” said Roemer. “I plan on putting this knowledge to use when representing District 9.”

She said her campaign revolves around three areas of concern: education, agriculture and infrastructure in the state of Washington.

“Eastern Washington schools are at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to funding in comparison to western Washington,” said Roemer, but “it is my plan to fight for making sure our taxpayer’s money is spent on our children’s schools.”

Roemer believes if the legislature approved a levy swap or devoted more funding to schools on the eastern side of the state, an improved level of funding would result.

In the Washington state constitution, it specifies that public schools must be adequately funded uniformly, and the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in the case of McCleary vs. State (2013) that the Washington State Legislature was in violation of this constitutional requirement, she pointed out.

Additionally, Roemer supports agriculture and wants to be the elected official who represents the district, who supports the district’s economy and understands what government policies can do to help, rather than hurt them.

She said she also wants to enact policies that ensure the district’s products are more competitive internationally, as well as protect programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program. Roemer said she also wants to advocate for the highways in District 9 by keeping tax dollars in this district and improving highways 26 and 195.

“This position allows me to remain in the district and continue to live here so I can keep in contact with the people,” said Roemer. “But is also gives me the opportunity to go to Olympia to create legislation that can help our district and fight against government waste and laws created by people who do not understand our way of life.”