Compassionate Leadership
The political class has lost its touch with everyday Oregonians who have been struggling and ultimately living with the consequences of that disconnection.
High taxes, eroding rights, and divisive politicians have only produced a loss of trust from the very people they are supposed to be serving and working for.
It requires a compassionate and empathetic heart of someone who has been a small business owner and a family that has been directly impacted by the disconnection and divisive environment our politicians have created. It is through compassion and a steadfast resolve I plan to be a part of bridging the connection of my community to their government built back on trust.
Working Families First
Springfield faces big challenges. Drug use and addiction have exploded, it’s becoming harder and harder for working families to afford living here, and there is a crisis of homelessness throughout the area.
I know what it is to live paycheck to paycheck and raise a family while doing it. Unfortunately, too many in Springfield are struggling to get by because of the stress of inflation, utility bills, grocery prices, and more. We need to stop adding fuel to the fire when it comes to driving up the cost of living.
Policies in Salem have a real impact on us in Springfield. Green energy mandates are driving up the cost of utility bills, and I have seen firsthand in the construction industry how taxes and regulations are driving up the cost of housing.
We can do better, but it's going to require a change in leadership.
Education
Oregon's education system is amid a frightening paradox: As graduation rates are inching upwards, academic achievements are dropping dramatically. That's partly because we have stopped holding our students to a high standard, and giving them the support to meet that standard.
My wife, Julie, and I raised kids through COVID school closures. It was extremely damaging to their mental health and their learning. Oregon students were already behind, and COVID made it worse.
I believe we need a seismic shift in how we approach education. The status quo won't turn the tide against the massive challenges our students face. We should empower parents and students by allowing them to direct their tax dollars to the best education environment for them.
Public Safety
As a pastor, I've walked through homelessness and addiction with those in the church. Every day someone is out on the streets or in their homes using drugs, wrecking their lives and the lives of those closest to them and it is tragic.
We cannot help by enabling. Our goal must be to get people the help and assistance they need to get healthy so they can get back to controlling their own lives and contributing to our communities wellbeing. Unfortunately, Oregon doesn't track how many people are getting healthy through our treatment programs. That's because Oregon state law is more about helping people do drugs safely than getting them clean and healthy.
I believe we won't make progress on our drug crisis unless we get our goals straight. As your representative in Salem, I will introduce legislation to make sobriety the goal of drug treatment.
We must also empower our law enforcement with the tools, funding, and training to clean up our streets. Lawmakers have neglected our state police for decades and instead voted to release violent criminals from prison early. As State Representative I will put crime victims and law enforcement before criminals!
