Pat Hailey to run for House of Representatives

MESA, Wash. — Pat Hailey of Mesa announced she plans to run for election to the state House of Representatives for the Ninth Legislative District.

The seat is currently filled by Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, who was appointed to the seat when former Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, died in December from colon cancer.

Steve is Pat’s late husband.

“I am running because I want to serve the people of the Ninth District in the House of Representatives, not because I want to honor Steve’s memory,” she stated. “I will honor him every day of my life by being in service to others.”

Hailey stated several of her husband’s fellow lawmakers encouraged her to run for the seat.

“I have been encouraged to enter this race by so many people across the district and it had become harder and harder to turn them down,” she stated.

“They know I can do the job,” Hailey stated. “I have never been shy about telling (lawmakers) when people need their help, especially when it concerns our community schools and property rights.”

She traveled with her husband on the campaign trail when he was running for election and met many people who are involved with the Legislature.

“As a state representative I would see my job as listening to constituents and taking their message to Olympia,” Hailey stated. “We are an agricultural based legislative district. Our towns, counties and educational communities survive only when that message is carried west to let them know why we are important to the economy of this great state. I know how to do that.”

Hailey operates the Hailey Company Farm corporation and is involved with farming and ranching. She is a member of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, Washington State Farm Bureau, Wheat Growers Association, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, National Rifle Association and is a precinct committee officer for Franklin County.

The seat is up for election this year and citizens will vote in November during a special election to select a candidate to the House.