Washington political activists with decent memories may  have recognized the name Shahram Hadian when they read staff writer Scott Maben's profile in this morning's paper about the Spokane-area pastor who has played a role in the Idaho Legislature's dispute over a child support law.

Hadian was a Republican candidate for Washington governor in 2012.

At the time, he was living in Everett and serving as a pastor of a Mill Creek church. He was active in the GOP, and filed for office even though the state party was putting all its efforts behind the candidacy of then-Attorney General Rob McKenna. He ran on a strong Christian conservative, pro-business, pro-state's rights agenda.

He finished third, with less than 4 percent of the vote in the primary statewide, but did a bit better in Spokane County, where he had some financial support including $1,600 each from Cindy Zapotocky, former county GOP chairwoman, and her husband John.

Here's his candidate statement from the state's Primary Voter's Pamphlet:

Hadian’s campaign is centered on the need for “courageous leadership” to tackle the root issues of our moral, economic, and national security crisis, place principles before party politics, stand up and fight against political correctness, and clean house in our government and demand Constitutional integrity.

Shahram experienced a transformational life change 13 years ago when he committed his life to Jesus Christ. He immediately faced persecution and disapproval from his family. According to Islam, his conversion means he is an “apostate” and deserves death as a former muslim. In spite of this opposition, Shahram persevered and has been a Christian pastor for 10 years.

Hadian boldly addresses root issues such as: tackling the power of public sector unions and working to become a right-to-work state, deregulating our job creators- small businesses, gutting the Department of Ecology and its strangling regulations, confronting the $1.5 billion/year impact of illegal immigration, and becoming energy independent by supporting renewable hydroelectricity.

Hadian proudly stands for the sanctity of life and marriage (one man, one woman). He believes we must restore control of education to the local level, protect parental rights, and say “No” to federal “Race to the Top” education standards. To protect our state’s 10th Amendment rights, Hadian will fight against unconstitutional UN Agenda 21 and its devastating effects on property rights, oppose Obamacare and work to solve healthcare at the state level through common sense competitive solutions. 

“We are One Nation Under God. We say ‘God Bless America’, but it is time that America blesses God and welcomes Him back into our nation. I am committed to lead Washington as a statesman, not a politician. Together, we can bring Courageous Leadership to Washington State!" 

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