My Story
Lewis County has been my home for over 30 years, where I have raised three children with my wife, Kristine, and now have four grandchildren. I am passionate about where we live and passionate about maintaining the small-town values that make Lewis County great!
I am a biologist, farmer, small business owner, and Senior Pastor of a church in Ethel called God’s Place. As your District 3 County Commissioner, I have worked hard to represent the people of my district with core values of honesty, integrity, and transparency.
I’m not a politician; I am your neighbor, and I believe our elected representatives must hold firm to our Constitution and the founding principles of our Nation. I will speak the truth, do what is right for the good of the people, and be held accountable for my decisions. My personal commitment is continue representing you with honesty and integrity, never backing away from doing what is right. As your representative in County Government, I will listen to and engage with every issue that affects our community. I will work hard to solve problems and keep Lewis County a great place to live and work.
Critical Issues Facing Our County:
Rising Costs and Tax Burden: As our property assessment values continue to climb, I will continue to take action to be efficient with your county portion of the tax dollars. Despite massive inflation in goods, services, and employment costs, we have kept county levy rates down, implementing only one small increase over the four budget cycles I have voted on. I will continue to keep county spending in check while seeking business growth that generates revenue rather than relying on increased property taxation.
Housing and Business Development: State-directed development regulations and mandates are excessive and costly. I will continue to advocate for local control on how we encourage affordable housing, reduce homelessness, and grow our local economy. I will continue to support business development, seek out innovative business technologies, and prioritize the implementation of the proposed Packwood sewer.
Flooding: We must act to reduce our risk of flooding and its impacts on our homes, businesses, farms, and transportation. I currently Chair both the Cowlitz and Chehalis Basin Flood Control Districts, and I am a board member of the Office of Chehalis Basin, where we are actively working to implement flood-reduction solutions. I will continue to fight for our community’s interests to make these projects a reality.
Safety: The security of our homes, our families, and our businesses is paramount. We must be tough on crime and stand for the rule of law. I have supported our Law Enforcement and Judicial Offices without reservation, giving them the tools they need to protect and serve our community. I will continue working hard to find solutions to rising costs and state mandates that erode our ability to provide the safety we rightfully deserve from our tax dollars.
Agriculture & Timber: Our County is rich with agriculture and timber resources, and I will continue to vote in support of reducing regulations while working collaboratively with our State and Federal partners to increase timber harvests that properly manage our forests. I will continue to be a voice and advocate for our farmers and timber owners, both small and large, so our local economy remains strong.