Most people would agree that partisanship in state and federal government has slowed or halted progress. Many of those people talk about wanting to change that aspect of our system but never do anything.

One Kirkland resident wants to do something about it from the inside.

Republican Bill Finkbeiner served the people of Washington State as a representative and senator for 14 years and says he can bridge the divide if elected Lieutenant Governor.

“When I was Senate Majority Leader we did not pass a single bill along party lines,” said Finkbeiner of one of his greatest accomplishments. “The political process has gotten so entrenched that people only talk with people who agree with their point of view. They don’t stop to understand where other people are coming from … When people start demonizing the other side it breaks down the ability to get things done.”

The first thing that Finkbeiner would do as president of the Washington State Senate would be to get rid of the aisle and make politicians of the different parties sit together.

Finkbeiner, 42, said that current Lt. Governor Brad Owen does not do enough to bridge the ideological gap.

“The lieutenant governor should be involved in bringing things together,” said Finkbeiner, who is joined by fellow Republican Rep. Glenn Anderson of Fall City, in challenging Owen.v”Some people think of (being the president of the Senate) just as a title. I want to make it an active job.”

Finkbeiner points to the fact that more than 4,000 bills were introduced in the last two years.

“There is a lack of an agenda and not enough thought is going into it,” said Finkbeiner, who has raised nearly $70,000 already.

Some of the root of Finkbeiner’s agenda begins with his personal life and growing up in Kirkland. Finkbeiner’s wife, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, is a Democrat.

“We’re both just very engaged,” said Finkbeiner. “When I met her she worked for an environmental group.”

Rowe-Finkbeiner is the executive director and CEO of MomsRising.org, an early childhood education advocacy group.

The candidate has lived in Kirkland since he was 6. He says that being around independent people in Kirkland who vote based on the person and not the party has helped to shape his political views.

Finkbeiner began his political career when most people are still figuring out what to do with their life. He was elected to the state legislature from the 45th District as a Democrat in 1992 at the age of 23. Two years later he won the Senatorial seat from the 45th District as a Republican.

He eventually became the youngest Senate majority leader in Washington State history.

But Finkbeiner’s public service came to an end following a very controversial vote. Finkbeiner bucked his own party to become the deciding vote for gay rights legislation in 2006.

“I have always felt good about that vote,” said Finkbeiner, adding that recent same-sex marriage legislation has cemented that view point in his mind.

Since then, he has earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Washington and started a company that operated online high schools. He also worked as a Microsoft contractor from 1995-2000.

He is currently working in real estate investment and property management.

For more information, visit billfinkbeiner.com/, email Bill@BillFinkbeiner.com or call 206-229-0412.