Senator Don Benton works hard for our community to create jobs, improve our schools, hold the line on taxes and spending, reduce congestion and keep us safe. We can trust Don Benton for another four years to represent our community in the State Senate.

Don's top priority in Olympia is to get our economy moving again. He is working in a bi-partisan fashion to find solutions that help small businesses grow jobs. Don worked with Republicans and Democrats alike to pass much-needed reforms to our unemployment insurance and worker's compensation programs. He believes there is much more work to be done, such as reforming the costly B&O tax, providing incentives for out of state companies to move here and providing regulatory certainty for the private sector.

Don also believes state government needs serious reform. That's why he co-sponsored Initiative 1053 to return the voter-approved 2/3rds requirement to raise taxes. Just like our families, he believes government must learn to do more with less during these tough times.

First elected to the Senate in 1996, Don has received numerous awards for his strong leadership on job creation and community safety. The National Federation of Independent Business frequently awards Sen. Benton with their "Guardian of Small Business" distinction.

Outside of the legislature, Don is CEO of The Benton Group, a sales and business consulting company. Don previously owned a temporary employment agency and worked as an insurance agent.

Don lives in Vancouver with his wife Mary. They have four children.