But Herrera won the support of establishment Republicans, and moved to the top of the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Guns" list of promising conservative candidates.

The Economy

In 2010, Herrera told supporters that the public was justified in its anger over massive federal spending, including the Wall Street bailout and 2009 economic stimulus plan. "I didn't support it then; I don't support it now," she said of the stimulus, and blamed both parties for the "runaway spending."

Herrera supported letting the economy recover from the 2008-2009 mortgage crisis on its own. "She said the free market must be allowed to self-correct without new rules or requirements that add costs for businesses," a local newspaper reported.

Taxes

Herrera not only wants to extend the tax cuts passed by George W. Bush, she wants to make them permanent.

"Small business and entrepreneurs are the ones who can pull us out of this recession," she told a local paper, "but more than 50 percent of those who will have to pay more if the tax cuts expire are small business owners and investors."

Health Care

Herrera has praised Democratic President Obama on a single issue: making health care a legislative priority.

However, she disagreed with the way Obama went about doing it.

"Whatever we do, it is definitely time that we reboot the health care reform attempt," Herrera she told a crowd of more than 200 supporters in 2010. "It's time to completely start over.''

Herrera said instead of the Democrats' plan, she favored changing the health-care system using market principles; for example, letting people buy insurance across state lines to increase competition and reduce prices. She also supported limiting medical malpractice claims, which she said would drive down doctors' costs that are transferred to the consumer.

In the Washington Senate, Herrera sat on the Heath Care and Wellness Committee.

Immigration

Herrera said she understood "the frustration that led Arizona to act aggressively," and enact strict anti-immigration laws.

She said she is against amnesty for illegal immigrants and in favor of securing the southern border of the U.S.

"I don't believe we can seriously discuss what to do with the people already here illegally until we've stemmed the flow of people crossing into our country illegally every day," she wrote in a local newspaper. "Whatever it takes, whether it's a wall, a fence, or new technologies, we must secure our borders."

Social Security

Herrera said she does not support privatizing the Social Security program.

She came under fire when she held up a "yes" sign during the lightining-round of a debate when asked whether social security shoudl be privatized. Herrera said she misunderstood the question.

National Security

Herrera made national security one of the top issues in her 2010 race.

"We need to continue to defend ourselves, and nobody wants Iraq and Afghanistan to be endless occupations," she told a local newspaper. "We have already begun withdrawing forces from Iraq, and I want to see us out of Afghanistan as soon as we can do so while still keeping Americans safe."

Labor

Herrera opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to unionize. The proposal would give workers the option to unionize by checking a box on a card, which foes call "card check," but critics say ballots should be kept secret.

"I have continued to advocate for workers' right to vote in secrecy" for union representation, she said. "I am not against union members, but I will oppose card check."

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