CANDIDATE USES PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO GET TOUGH ON CRIME

Ken Whitehall endured the agony of Spokane crime when his fiancee, Felicia Reese, was kidnapped and murdered in a burst of random violence.

Galvanized by his anger and sorrow, the 24-year-old Taco Bell manager hopes voters will send him to Olympia to crack down on chronic criminals.

Whitehall announced his candidacy Wednesday for a 3rd District House seat, vowing to "return the 3rd District to a time where people can feel safe to walk in the parks at night."

In a booming voice, the Republican also made calls to reform the welfare system, lock up repeat offenders and raise salaries for public school teachers.

"We need to make our schools more competitive," he said, suggesting juicier salaries would attract better teachers.

Whitehall was flanked by state Rep. Duane Sommers, R-Spokane, and Scott Carlon of the Washington Citizens for Justice campaign, as well as about 40 supporters at the Spokane County Courthouse.

Whitehall voiced support for the state's "endangered" small businesses and the need for Medicaid reforms, but his pet issue clearly is crime. "When it does touch you, you see the devastation in other people's lives."

Kevin Boot, 19, was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year for kidnapping and killing Whitehall's fiancee. Boot's cousin, Jerry, 17, also is charged with the Dec. 27, 1994, murder but has yet to stand trial.

Kevin Boot had 18 convictions and three parole violations on his record the night of the killing, Whitehall pointed out. "He should have been locked up. They should not have let it go on that long."

Whitehall also said he sympathizes with people struggling to survive in the poverty-pocked 3rd District. He said he supports welfare reforms that encourage people to get married and work.

Whitehall's opponents for the seat being vacated by Democrat Dennis Dellwo include Lonnie Sparks, Jeff Gombosky and Val Smith, all Democrats.

Copyright 1996 Cowles Publishing Company
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