October 13, 2005
SEATTLE — KVI talk show host, Kirby Wilbur has listed Astrid Gielen as his pick for Seattle School Board Position 4. Ms. Gielen is a 19 year-old student of evolutionary biology at the University of Washington. She was also a founding member of Libertarians at the UW, of which she is now Vice President of Business.
A life-long student and recent graduate of Seattle Public Schools, she believes she can bring a fresh perspective to the board. In a recent interview with a reporter from IndyMedia, she states “I think that amidst the PTA members and the soccer moms and the professional politicians, a recent Seattle schools student would help bring diversity to the board and help highlight the concerns of students, as opposed to the concerns of teachers and parents”
Mr. Wilbur apparently agrees. He decided to endorse Astrid after meeting her last Wednesday at a monthly dinner event for King County Libertarians called the Liberty Forum. Mr. Wilbur was invited to address the Liberty Forum about Initiative 912 which seeks to repeal the recent gas tax hike. Afterwards, he was introduced to Astrid and was impressed by her enthusiasm.
Although he is a Republican, Kirby Wilbur has been sympathetic to the Libertarian Party on many issues. Through his radio show, he has been a champion of limited government and personal responsibility. He has even attended and addressed a few Libetarian Party of Washington State conventions.