Republican candidate focusing on the state budget and crime in the final days leading up to Tuesday’s general election

Like most candidates, Vancouver resident Jeremy Baker is making one final push to Tuesday’s 8 p.m. voter deadline for the Nov. 8 general election.

The Iraq War veteran (Marine Corps) is facing incumbent Democrat Monica Stonier in the race for state representative, position 2 in the 49th Legislative District. 

“When I started this campaign I knew that the conditions in our state would deteriorate this year,’’ Baker said this week. “I knew our leadership was not prepared to deal with the issues they created, and I knew that we would need a viable alternative this November 8th.’’

Like Third Congressional District candidate Joe Kent told Clark County Today earlier this week, Baker sees inflation, specifically the state budget, and crime as two of the top issues in this election.

“Unfortunately our community is struggling with excessive crime, huge price increases, and our current representatives are forging ahead with no signs of course correction,’’ Baker said. “As your representative I will prioritize law and order. I will reverse the policies that have weakened the penalties on crime. I will strengthen our officers’ ability to keep us safe, and I will invest in the tools they need to do their job. We will give our community the support they need with mental health facilities, addiction treatment centers, and the appropriate infrastructure to house those that are commiting crime in our community.’’

Baker made a pledge to propose budget cuts in every state agency.

“How can we afford to reinstill law and order (my question is how can we not)?’’ Baker said. “Our state budget has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. I will push to cut 25% of every agency’s budget and reallocate that money to our law enforcement and cut taxes that are putting an undue burden on our state’s citizens. I will work to reduce our energy costs in order to dampen the raging inflation plaguing our families, as well as stimulate our economy by allowing our state’s industry to compete in the world’s market.

“Above all I will bring accountability back to our state legislature,’’ Baker said. “As your representative, I will hold myself to the highest of standards. Every decision, every vote, will have your needs, your best interests in mind. I will do my best to avoid the unintended consequences that seem to plague our current representative. When my decisions fail in that regard I will not run from them, but acknowledge where I could do better and work towards achieving our mutual goals of safety and prosperity for our community for generations to come.’’

Baker insists he hasn’t been, and won’t be, outworked in the campaign.

“We need change, that fact is undeniable,’’ Baker said. “Thankfully our efforts during this campaign have succeeded in letting our neighbors, our friends, and our families know that we have a great choice this election. I am hearing stories daily on how people have seen our signs, talked to our canvassers, and heard our ads and have decided to vote for Jeremy Baker this November 8th.’’

Baker believes the last days of the election will determine the outcome of his race.

“What we do this next week could affect our state for generations,’’ he said. “I will keep working hard for you in these final days of our campaign. Together we will make a difference and we will be able to say that we were part of something bigger than ourselves.’’