Candidate Profile: Kim Schrier For 8th Congressional District

SEATTLE — The 2020 election is heating up in Washington and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the occupants of several state representative and senate seats.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Kim Schrier, a Sammamish resident is running for U.S. House of Representatives District 8.

Age: 52
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Family: I live in Sammamish with my husband David and our son, Sam, who is 12 years old.
Occupation: US Representative, Washington's 8th Congressional District (2 years); Pediatrician (17 years at Virginia Mason Clinic in Issaquah)
Previous elected experience: US Representative, Washington's 8th Congressional District
Family members in government: No
Campaign website: https://drkimschrier.com/

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our state is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Congress I've responded and been a voice for the 8th district, both through public health measures, and economic relief. I've worked to make testing and treatment affordable, support our rural health centers, and make telehealth options more accessible. I've also helped pass legislation to provide relief to small businesses and farmers, workers who are unemployed, and children and families who don't have access to adequate nutrition. There is still so much more work to be done, and as a doctor I have the expertise needed to address each of these issues and help guide our district through this crisis.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I've served our families for over 20 years, first as a pediatrician and now as your member of Congress. I stepped up to find common-sense, evidence-based solutions to our biggest challenges. We've made progress, but there's a lot more to do-- particularly on affordable healthcare and economic recovery. I will always stand up for our families.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my first 2 years in Congress I've hosted 62 town halls, driven more than 10,000 miles across the district to meet with constituents, and six bills I've led on have been signed into law by the President. As the only female doctor in Congress, I've found partners in both parties to bring down health care costs, support children's health, and make a real difference in the 8th district. During the COVID-19 pandemic I've helped secure more than $3 million in state unemployment insurance money for 8th district residents, and helped pass the bill that's now been signed into law to ensure COVID-19 tests are offered at no cost to the patient.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?

In Congress, I voted for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), to keep employees on the payroll during the coronavirus pandemic. When the pandemic began, we acted quickly so small businesses could keep workers on payroll, and it would be easier for them to get back to work, and for small businesses to reopen when they were able to do so. I also worked to help small business owners in the 8th access the program and answer questions. In the 8th district, more than 11,000 small businesses benefitted from PPP loans, and this helped retain more than 108,000 jobs in the district. In Congress I've also advocated for increased funding for state and local governments, to help fund our hospitals, schools, and public response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?

In Congress I voted for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which addresses excessive use of force and the targeting of Black people by law enforcement. This bill includes reforms to increase both transparency and accountability, and end racial profiling. It also requires additional training for officers, limits the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement, and creates a nationwide police misconduct registry. This is just a first step in addressing longstanding unequal justice for Black people and people of color. There is still so much work to do to address inequities in income, healthcare, housing, and education.

How do you think Washington should address the threat posed by climate change?

Climate change is real and we need to take immediate action. As a pediatrician who understands the negative impacts of polluted water and air on the health of our children, I will continue to fight any effort to reduce or eliminate clean air and clean water protections. I will continue to protect access to our public lands, champion responsible action to reduce carbon emissions, and work to transition us to a clean energy economy that will create new, sustainable jobs to grow our local economy. I'm also committed to working with both parties to get the relief our communities need to recover from the devastating wildfires we've experienced this year. I've hosted fire town halls to help our communities prepare, and helped pass bipartisan bills to ensure first responders have the supplies and training they need to combat wildfires.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

There is so much at stake in this election. When I meet with constituents across the 8th district, I hear that we need to rebuild an economy that works better for everyone, and bring down the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs. We need to reform our democracy so it works better for the people, and take care of our veterans and their families. These are the issues I've been working on for the 8th district in Congress. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I've worked to protect child nutrition programs and provide relief for workers during the pandemic. As the only member on the House Agriculture Committee from the Northwest, I've gone to bat for our farmers, and worked with members of both parties to create a path to citizenship for farm workers and support farmers during the pandemic by connecting them with food banks to help families most in need.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, which first inspired me to become a pediatrician and serve families in my community. Healthcare is my passion and I understand firsthand the concerns over health insurance, prescription drugs, and rising costs. As the only female doctor in Congress and first pediatrician in Congress, I've been a voice for children and families in the other Washington. I look forward to continuing to serve the families of our district in the years to come.