Elected Experience: State Senator.  Served as Chairman of the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee.  Served on following committees:  Transportation.  Higher Education.  Health Care.  Rules.   State Representative 6 terms.  Served as Floor Leader and Assistant Leader.  Served on following committees:  Transportation. Health Care.  Natural Resources. K-12 Education.  Legislative Ethics Board

Other Professional Experience: Communications Director for the Environmental Protection Agency Transition Team.  Energy and policy consultant.  Legislative policy analyst.  Cruise ship and tourism industry.  English Instructor

Education: Sehome High School  1987.   Cornell University BA  Government 1991. Western Washington University MA  Environmental Policy 1995

Community Service: Cruise Through Cancer Board of Directors. Trinity Lutheran Church.  Numerous other activities

Statement: For the past 8 years it has been an honor to serve the people of Whatcom County and the 42nd Legislative District in the State Senate.

Working together we have protected and created thousands of jobs in Whatcom County, made education the top priority in our state budget, and protected our natural environment for future generations.   As your State Senator I bring Whatcom County values and solutions to Olympia. I understand that farming is a business and a way of life. That is why I have worked so hard to protect our farms and our farmers from excessive regulations.

Cherry Point industries are important to our economy and our quality of life. I have been a champion of these great jobs against constant attacks in Olympia.   I made school funding a top priority and over the past 6 years 75% of government growth went to education.

In the future we need to require a 2/3s vote in the legislature to raise taxes, focus on property tax relief, and put government on a budget.  With your support and your vote we can protect our freedoms, our way of life, and create an even better Washington for all of us.