Meet the candidates

Brad Benson

Party: Republican

Age: 45

Personal: married with four children.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in business administration and marketing from California State University-Sacramento; MBA from the University of Southern California

Professional: Previous owner of a small business, Hansen’s Creamery, 1992-1997 and assistant vice president of Seafirst National Bank, 1988-1996. Military service includes captain in the U.S. Air Force. Since 1999, he has been a major in the Washington Air National Guard.

Political: Finished fourth term in the Washington state House of Representatives.

Key issues: State budget, affordable health care, continue to offer expertise in financial institutions, securities and insurance issues

Laurie Dolan

Party: Democrat

Age: 52

Personal: married with two adult children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree with a major in English and a minor in elementary education from the University of Washington; master’s degree in special education from Gonzaga University; doctorate in educational leadership from Gonzaga University; superintendent’s credentials from Gonzaga University

Professional: Educator for three decades. Began in 1973 as a first-grade teacher and retired in June from her post as Spokane Public Schools’ executive director for special services.

Political: Ran unsuccessfully against Jim West for the state Senate in 2002.

Key issues: Education, health care and economic development