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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • MPA, Public Administration, Fort Hays State University, 2016
  • BA, Social Science, Washington State University, 2002
  • Certificate, Northwest Medical Training, 1998
  • ATA, Fire Administration/Fire Investigation, Edmonds Community College, 1996

Professional Experience

  • MPA, Public Administration, Fort Hays State University, 2016
  • BA, Social Science, Washington State University, 2002
  • Certificate, Northwest Medical Training, 1998
  • ATA, Fire Administration/Fire Investigation, Edmonds Community College, 1996
  • Lieutenant, Clallam County Fire District #3, 2001-present
  • Firefighter, Sunnyside Fire Department, 1999-2001
  • EMT, Shannon Ambulance, 1996-1999
  • Volunteer, Harborview Medical Center, 1995-1997

Political Experience

  • MPA, Public Administration, Fort Hays State University, 2016
  • BA, Social Science, Washington State University, 2002
  • Certificate, Northwest Medical Training, 1998
  • ATA, Fire Administration/Fire Investigation, Edmonds Community College, 1996
  • Lieutenant, Clallam County Fire District #3, 2001-present
  • Firefighter, Sunnyside Fire Department, 1999-2001
  • EMT, Shannon Ambulance, 1996-1999
  • Volunteer, Harborview Medical Center, 1995-1997
  • Senator, Washington State Senate, District 24, 2017-present
  • Former Deputy Majority Whip, Washington State House of Representatives
  • Candidate, Washington State Senate, District 24, 2020
  • Former Majority Whip, Washington State House of Representatives, 2011-2017
  • Former Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 2006-2016
  • Candidate, Washington State House of Representatives, District 24-1, 2004

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Member, Agriculture, Water, Trade & Economic Development Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Commerce and Gaming Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Member, General Government Appropriations and Oversight Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Member, Health Care and Wellness Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Minority Member, Natural Resources and Parks Committee, Washington State Senate

Former Member, Rules Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Member, Trade Policy, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, Washington State House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation Committee, Washington State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Chair, Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee

Member, Health and Long Term Care Committee

Member, Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Member, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy

Member, Joint Legislative Task Force on Water Resource Mitigation

Member, Ways and Means Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • MPA, Public Administration, Fort Hays State University, 2016
  • BA, Social Science, Washington State University, 2002
  • Certificate, Northwest Medical Training, 1998
  • ATA, Fire Administration/Fire Investigation, Edmonds Community College, 1996
  • Lieutenant, Clallam County Fire District #3, 2001-present
  • Firefighter, Sunnyside Fire Department, 1999-2001
  • EMT, Shannon Ambulance, 1996-1999
  • Volunteer, Harborview Medical Center, 1995-1997
  • Senator, Washington State Senate, District 24, 2017-present
  • Former Deputy Majority Whip, Washington State House of Representatives
  • Candidate, Washington State Senate, District 24, 2020
  • Former Majority Whip, Washington State House of Representatives, 2011-2017
  • Former Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 2006-2016
  • Candidate, Washington State House of Representatives, District 24-1, 2004
  • Member, Washington State Council of Firefighters, 1999-present
  • Member, Northwest Harvest, present
  • Member, Highway 101 Safety Corridor Committee
  • President, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2933, 2002-present
  • Chair, Political Action Committee, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3542, 1999-2001
  • Member, Sequim Elks Lodge # 2462, 2002-present
  • Member, International Association of Fire Fighters Political Training, 2002-2004
  • Lobbyist, Washington State Council of Firefighters, 1999-2004
  • Member, Institute for a Democratic Future, 2002
  • Coach, Little League, 1992-1994

Other Info

— Awards:

  • In 2009, he was presented with a "Sound Hero" award from People for Puget Sound for his work to help protect Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from oil spills.

Priority Issues:

"Keeping us safe and healthy

  • Ensuring quality public schools
  • Retaining our timber economy
  • Reducing toxins in our environment
  • Reducing regulation on our small businesses
  • Helping seniors"
  • Spouse's Occupation:

    Vice Principal at Roosevelt Elementary School

    Policy Positions

    Washington State Legislative Election 2004 National Political Awareness Test

    Abortion

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

    1. Abortions should always be illegal.
    - No Answer

    2. Abortions should always be legal.
    - X

    3. Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
    - No Answer

    4. Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
    - X

    5. Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
    - X

    6. Prohibit public funding of abortions and of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
    - No Answer

    7. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Budget, Spending, and Tax

    State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.

    1. Education (higher)
    - Greatly Increase

    2. Education (K-12)
    - Slightly Increase

    3. Environment
    - Maintain Status

    4. Health care
    - Slightly Increase

    5. Law enforcement
    - Maintain Status

    6. Transportation and highway infrastructure
    - Slightly Increase

    7. Welfare
    - Maintain Status

    8. Other or expanded categories
    - No Answer

    State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

    1. Alcohol taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    2. Capital gains taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    3. Cigarette taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    4. Corporate taxes
    - Maintain Status

    5. Estate taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    6. Gasoline taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    7. Property taxes
    - Maintain Status

    8. Sales taxes
    - Maintain Status

    9. Vehicle taxes
    - Slightly Increase

    10. Other or expanded categories
    - No Answer

    11. Should Internet sales be taxed?
    - Yes

    12. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Campaign Finance and Government Reform

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

    1. Do you support limiting the number of terms for Washington governors?
    - No

    2. Do you support limiting the number of terms for Washington state senators and representatives?
    - No

    Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

    1. Individual
    - No

    2. PAC
    - Yes

    3. Corporate
    - Yes

    4. Political Parties
    - Yes

    5. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
    - Yes

    6. Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
    - Yes

    7. Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying, and ensuring accuracy of votes?
    - Yes

    8. Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Washington are closed?
    - Yes

    9. Do you support a separate party primary system?
    - Undecided

    10. Do you support a Top Two primary stystem?
    - Undecided

    11. Do you support a ban on indoor smoking in public places?
    - Undecided

    12. Do you support a ban on indoor smoking in areas with children (e.g. family restaurants)?
    - Yes

    13. Should Washington recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
    - Yes

    14. Should Washington restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
    - No

    15. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Crime

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

    1. Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
    - No Answer

    2. Support the death penalty in Washington.
    - X

    3. Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
    - X

    4. End parole for repeat violent offenders.
    - X

    5. Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
    - X

    6. Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
    - No Answer

    7. Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
    - No Answer

    8. Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
    - X

    9. Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
    - No Answer

    10. Increase funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent and to respond to terrorist attacks.
    - No Answer

    11. Other or expanded principles
    - X

    Education

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

    1. Support national standards and testing of public school students.
    - No Answer

    2. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
    - No Answer

    3. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
    - No Answer

    4. Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
    - No Answer

    5. Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
    - X

    6. Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
    - No Answer

    7. Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
    - No Answer

    8. Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
    - No Answer

    9. Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
    - X

    10. Increase funding for Head Start programs.
    - X

    11. Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
    - X

    12. Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
    - X

    13. Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
    - No Answer

    14. Support a one-cent increase in the state sales tax to increase aid to education.
    - No Answer

    15. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Employment and Affirmative Action

    Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.

    1. Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today's job market.
    - X

    2. Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
    - X

    3. Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
    - X

    4. Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
    - No Answer

    5. Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
    - X

    6. Include sexual orientation in Washington's anti-discrimination laws.
    - X

    7. Increase the state minimum wage.
    - X

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

    1. Public employment
    - No

    2. State college and university admissions
    - Yes

    3. State contracting
    - Undecided

    4. Other or expanded principles
    - Yes

    Environment and Energy

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

    1. Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
    - X

    2. Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
    - No Answer

    3. Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
    - No Answer

    4. Support funding for open space preservation.
    - No Answer

    5. Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
    - X

    6. Loosen Washington's "use-it-or-lose-it" (relinquishment) water laws.
    - No Answer

    7. Support deadlines for setting and achieving stream flow targets needed to sustain fish runs.
    - No Answer

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Gun

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

    1. Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
    - No Answer

    2. Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
    - X

    3. Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
    - No Answer

    4. Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
    - No Answer

    5. Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
    - X

    6. Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
    - X

    7. Require a license for gun possession.
    - No Answer

    8. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Health

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.

    1. Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
    - X

    2. Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
    - No Answer

    3. Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
    - No Answer

    4. Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
    - No Answer

    5. Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
    - No Answer

    6. Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
    - No Answer

    7. Legalize physician assisted suicide in Washington.
    - No Answer

    8. Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
    - X

    9. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Welfare and Poverty

    Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare and poverty.

    1. Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
    - X

    2. Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
    - X

    3. Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
    - X

    4. Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
    - No Answer

    5. Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
    - No Answer

    6. Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
    - X

    7. Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
    - No Answer

    8. Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
    - No Answer

    9. Other or expanded principles
    - No Answer

    Legislative Priorities

    Please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
    - No Answer