Joel Hussey, candidate for the State House of Representatives in the 45th Legislative District, raised more than $10,000 as he kicked off his campaign in front of more than 100 supporters at a breakfast in Woodinville.

“Olympia isn’t working for Washington’s families,” Hussey said. “From education to taxes and the budget, politicians have failed to get the job done and it’s time for a change.”

Hussey outlined his priorities — to reform education by holding districts accountable for student outcomes; balance the budget without new taxes, accounting gimmicks and endless special sessions; and to provide relief to help small businesses create new jobs.

Hussey was joined at the event by his family, friends and supporters including state Senators Andy Hill (45th)

and Michael Baumgartner (6th), King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, Redmond City Council members Dave

Carson and Hank Meyers and House GOP Caucus Leader Dan Kristiansen (39th), along with Representatives Cathy

Dahlquist (31st), JT Wilcox (2nd) and Hans Zeiger (25th) as well as former Senators Bill Finkbeiner and Dino Rossi.

Hussey grew up in Everett where his mother was a nurse and his father worked for the Mukilteo School District as a teacher, librarian and principal, and who taught him the importance of education and service to his community. Hussey is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University where he received a degree in accounting and followed that with an MBA from the University of Washington.

He has worked primarily in the aviation industry and now owns and operates Tailwind Capital, a specialized aircraft leasing and finance company in

Redmond. Hussey currently serves as Board President of Bellevue Christian School and is the former president of the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association where he was a leader in the reorganization of the association. During his term, LWYSA began work with King County that ultimately led to a public‐private partnership to develop additional sports fields on 60 Acres South and the return of Mueller Farm to organic farming.

Hussey and his wife Christi have been married for 27 years and have four children. They have lived in Redmond for the past 17 years.