Steven A. Christensen
Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. This board member is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates.
Steven A. Christensen is the Position 3 representative on the Pasco School District school board in Washington. First elected in 2013, Christensen won a new term in the by-district general election on November 7, 2017.
Biography
Christensen's professional experience including working as a mechanical engineer and owning a small business. He has volunteered with the local Boy Scouts troop as well as the Pasco Youth Football board. Christensen earned a B.S. in engineering from Brigham Young University. He graduated from Royal High School.[1]
Elections
2017
- See also: Pasco School District elections (2017)
Three of the five seats on the Pasco School District school board in Washington were up for by-district general election on November 7, 2017. All three incumbents filed for re-election, and all three won additional terms on the board. A primary election for Positions 3 and 5 was held on August 1, 2017, because more than two candidates filed for each seat.
In the primary, Position 3 board member Steven A. Christensen and challenger Brian Griffith defeated Debi Maxwell, and Position 5 member Amy L. Phillips and challenger Jeffrey Peterson defeated Marlando Sparks Sr. The two winners from each race faced each other in the general. Position 4 member Sherry Lancon vied for her seat with challenger Erin Lewis in the general.[2]
Results
| Pasco School District, Position 3 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Steven A. Christensen Incumbent |
55.60% | 5,088 |
| Brian Griffith | 44.40% | 4,063 |
| Total Votes | 9,151 | |
| Source: Franklin County, Washington, "November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed November 30, 2017 | ||
| Pasco School District, Position 3 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Steven A. Christensen Incumbent |
44.42% | 2,041 |
| Brian Griffith |
29.16% | 1,340 |
| Debi Maxwell | 26.42% | 1,214 |
| Total Votes | 4,595 | |
| Source: Franklin County, "August 1, 2017 Primary," accessed August 18, 2017 | ||
Funding
Christensen opted for mini reporting in this election, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.[3] Candidates who opted for this had to keep a record of their contributors and expenditures, but were not required to report them. If they raised and spent more than $5,000 in aggregate or received more than $500 from any one contributor, including themselves, they would have had to switch their filing status from mini to full reporting.[4]
Endorsements
Christensen received an official endorsement from the Tri-City Herald.[5]
2013
- See also: Pasco School District elections (2013)
Christensen ran for the Position 3 seat against incumbent William Leggett on November 5, 2013.
Results
| Pasco School District, Four-year term, Position 3, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Steven A. Christensen |
55.2% | 5,274 | |
| Nonpartisan | William Leggett Incumbent | 44.8% | 4,288 | |
| Total Votes | 9,562 | |||
| Source: Franklin County Auditor, "November 5, 2013 General Election," November 26, 2013 | ||||
Funding
Christensen reported $2,708.59 in contributions and $2,708.59 in expenditures to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, which left his campaign with no cash on hand as of December 17, 2013.[6]
Campaign themes
2017
Christensen provided the following statement to the 2017 Franklin County voters' pamphlet:[7]
| “ | Education is vital to our success both as a community and as a country. In the time I have served on the Pasco School Board we have made some important changes that will set our district up for success.
There are several areas of focus that I think need to be addressed as we move forward. The first is our growth. We are growing more rapidly than our current facilities are equipped to handle and there is need for a long term growth plan. With that plan comes the need to be fiscally responsible. We need to make sure that our district is wisely using our resources. Finally, more than anything, we need good people if we are to succeed as a district. Teachers that feel appreciated, parents that feel their concerns are heard, leadership that has the best interests of everyone at heart, a community that rallies around our future (our youth) and helps them to succeed. It is my goal to continue to work on needed improvements while highlighting and building on the many good things that are happening in our school district.[8] |
” |
| —Steven Christensen (2017)[7] | ||
2013
Christensen provided the following statement to the 2013 Franklin County voters' pamphlet:[1]
| “ | As a father of four Pasco school system graduates - and one current student - I believe we have an obligation to provide our children with the best education possible. I also believe we can meet this obligation in a highly effective, yet fiscally responsible manner.
We must begin the essential process of prioritizing how we spend our education dollars. We need to attract and retain the best teachers and give them the tools and support necessary to help our students excel. We need to inspire and motivate students to learn. We have many outstanding teachers, capable students and dedicated administrators in our district. We have a duty to hold our administrators, teachers and students accountable for making the most of the resources our community provides. We must ensure the values promoted in our schools reflect the values of our community. We must redirect money from school district administration back to classrooms where we get the most educational value from each dollar. My opponent has served the Pasco School District for many years. However, I believe the time is right for new ideas and fresh perspectives to help tackle persistent old problems.[8] |
” |
| —Steven Christensen (2013)[1] | ||
See also
- Pasco School District, Washington
- Pasco School District elections (2017)
- Pasco School District elections (2013)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Franklin County Auditor, "Local Voters' Pamphlet," accessed October 30, 2013
- ↑ Franklin County, "Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 25, 2017
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed October 16, 2017
- ↑ Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, "New Candidates," accessed June 22, 2017
- ↑ Tri-City Herald, "Tri-City Herald Editorial Board election recommendations," October 23, 2017
- ↑ Washington Public Disclosure Commission, "Local Candidates," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Franklin County, "Voters' Guide," accessed June 26, 2017
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Pasco School District elections in 2017 | |
| Franklin County, Washington | |
| Election date: | Primary: August 1, 2017 General: November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | Position 3: Incumbent, Steven A. Christensen • Brian Griffith • Debi Maxwell Position 4: Incumbent, Sherry Lancon • Erin Lewis |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
