People not politics
Southwest Washington has lost its voice!
Our district has much to offer but for 8 years we have been largely ignored in Olympia due to a lack of true representation.
meet mike
Working for the people of Southwest Washington
There is so much beauty and opportunity in our district but partisan politics has silenced our voices in Olympia. I have spent my life in service. First for our country and then in the community where I live. Our needs differ in many ways from people who live in urban areas and urban representatives have little understanding of the impacts legislation can have on our lives and livelihoods. We need someone in office who can communicate those differences in a respectful and collaborative way. I have spent 30 years helping people with differing goals reach agreements. I love living & working in SW Washington and would be honored to represent the people of the 19th District.
Life in Southwest Washington
Our district is a natural paradise and our resource based history and economy is a rich one but currently we have no representation on the Natural Resource Committee in Olympia! Regulations have both crippled our economy and failed to improve conditions that will insure sustainable resources and protect the environment.
For eight years we have had a "representative" that has cared more about his personal promotion and his party than he has the people of our communities. Where Jim Walsh excels at talking, I excel at listening and I would like to hear from you and to be your voice in Olympia. Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Serving The Community
Beginning with Scouting, then as an officer in the U.S. Army I have served my community and my country. Since moving home in 1991 I have devoted time to help the community on the Westport Planning Committee, President of the Westport Grayland Chamber of Commerce, Fire District 3 Board and am currently the chair of the Grays Harbor Board of Adjustments.
In addition to that I headed the Kiwanis Scholarship Program, Volunteered with the Boat Basin Salmon Rearing program and sponsored and ran various events and festivals. I moved home to raise my family around my parents and grandparents. I understand the advantages and disadvantages of rural education programs. For over 30 years I have run a small business and understand the challenges and rewards of living and working in our district.
I want to turn my attention to representing ALL of the 19th District to make our voices heard in Olympia and would appreciate your support.
Challenges & Opportunities
Healthcare
Rural Economy
Healthcare
The health of people in our communities is key to so many things and yet, our district has the lowest life expectancy in the state! The “for profit” model of health care coupled with the lack of investment and support from the state makes our rural areas subject to limited and expensive care. Our hospitals are overburdened & access to preventative care is only decreasing.
Our current “representative” has voted no on most legislation that would benefit our district to include voting NO to capping the cost of insulin at $35! We need a voice for the people in Olympia not partisan games. I will be that voice!
Education
Rural Economy
Healthcare
Our schools have suffered over the years with the burden of funding falling on our rural populations with limited help from Olympia. Efforts are underway to correct the funding imbalance between urban and rural school districts but our current “representative” has not been at the table for those discussions.
Jim Walsh has submitted a “voucher program” that had little public input that would gut our public school funding. I will work to increase state participation in funding and protect the rights and benefits of the educators and staff who work so hard for our children and at the same time work to bring alternative education options to our communities.
Rural Economy
Rural Economy
Natural Resources
Our district has the highest level of unemployment in the state despite the diverse natural resource based opportunities and despite the fact that there are 7 port districts within our borders. Many opportunities for infrastructure investment and job creation have been lost because as a district we lack actual representation.
Partisan politics has put a wall between us and the rest of the legislators in Olympia which has cost us dearly. I will work to repair the relationships that have been destroyed over the past 8 years and bring investment back to our rural communities.
Natural Resources
Money out of Politics
Natural Resources
Our district has bountiful resources which have been the economic base of our communities for many generations. Farming, fishing & timber management decisions impact our communities directly.
Over the past 8 years the state has funded research and development into Mass Timber production and construction. Cross Laminate Timber has the potential to revitalize our forest industry while reducing carbon emissions. Nothing has been done by Walsh to bring that investment to our forests or our ports!
For the past 8 years there has been little effort from the person elected to speak for us but It is time to take a stand in Olympia! I will strive to communicate our unique challenges, opportunities and solutions in a way that other representatives can understand and respect.
Affordable Housing
Money out of Politics
Money out of Politics
As a real estate broker I fully understand the issues related to housing availability and affordability. Not surprisingly, some of the challenges we face differ from those in King county so it becomes even more important that we have have a seat at the table in Olympia.
Innovative concepts need to be developed. For example, the state owns land throughout our district, some of which is located ideally for residential development. A public/private partnership to create housing where needed would be a boon to local communities.
Partisan politics from our current “representative” has removed us from the conversation about this and many other issues. Real solutions are needed & it will take communication & collaboration not insults and threats to finally gain ground on this and other crucial issues.
Money out of Politics
Money out of Politics
Money out of Politics
If someone asked me 10 years ago if bribery was legal I would have said no. It is now clear that the influx of seemingly unlimited money to influence legislation & legislators has polluted our ability to represent the people. No clearer example of that influence is the 7 million dollars contributed by one person to get 6 initiatives on the ballot.
Jim Walsh has lead the effort to repeal multiple laws that if overturned would financially hurt the people of district he is supposed to represent. For example, the capital gains tax on the ultra-wealthy funds education, early childhood development & supports day care programs.
That is not what our initiative process was meant to be. I pledge to not accept corporate and/or superpac donations.
Why 4 Terms of jim walsh is more than enough
Initiatives and Big Money in Politics
This year, the people of Washington are being asked to vote on a number of "people backed" Initiatives that if passed will repeal laws negotiated and agreed to by the majority of legislators in Olympia. It is important to understand that our initiative process is a huge benefit for the people. It allows us to have a way to change laws that a majority of "we the people" do not agree with.
That said, these initiatives are far from being the result of the huge public outcry that is normally needed to get the 400,000+ signatures required to get on the ballot in November. ONE PERSON contributed nearly 7 Million Dollars to hire enough signature gatherers to meet the threshold. Money in politics is something that has poisoned our system of government and there is no better example of how money can change laws than for one person to fund overturning numerous laws that representatives from all over the state voted to approve.
The fact that Jim Walsh is spearheading these initiatives and using a process meant to be a tool of the people to overturn laws he was unable to stop in his position as "Representative" for the 19th District should alarm everyone. The laws Walsh is attempting to reverse have significant financial benefits for our district and it would make it even tougher here in rural Washington.
This LINK gives additional information on how Jim Walsh went to court to stop voters from understanding the financial impacts of these initiatives because he knows that if you understood the cost there is no way you would vote to repeal them!
This LINK explains the impact of the initiatives and why they need to be voted down.
Carbon Tax Law & Initiative 2117
I-2117 would repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which works to cap and reduce pollution while creating revenue for investments that address climate change. It raised $1.8 billion in 2023 through quarterly auctions in which emission allowances are sold to businesses covered under the act.
I attended a "break out" session at this year's Republican Roanoke Conference titled "Carbon Tax - Fix It or Kill It". The panel largely stated there were many important aspects in the law and that killing it would fracture the state budget. It was almost unanimously agreed that the law should be amended not repealed however Jim Walsh and his 6 Million Dollar Man continue to press to kill it using our frustration with the high cost of gas to spur voters. Re-Election and Party Power are Jim's focus not what the people of his district are experiencing. Learn More Why 450 Organization say VOTE NO on 2117 LINK
Capital Gains on Tax on the Wealthy & Initiative 2109
I- 2109 would repeal the tax imposed on the sale or exchange of stocks, bonds and other high-end assets, with exemptions for the first $262,000. Only the wealthy pay this. In District 19 it is estimated that fewer than 70 people MAY be impacted by this tax levied on people who typically earn over two million dollars per year!
The funds from this tax are allocated to pay for education, early childhood learning and day care support. Our rural communities lack resources in all three of those areas. If Jim succeeds the negative impact on his own constituents will be felt from Longview to Aberdeen and from Rochester to Long Beach.
The generous 6 million dollar donor wants you to believe that he is funding these initiatives not to save himself from paying future taxes but for the good of "democracy". It is clear that the extremely wealthy have attorneys and accountants to avoid paying as much tax as possible. The state has finally passed a law that claws back just some of the avoided taxes and Jim Walsh is trying to overturn that. Jim wants you to believe that if they can do this to the wealthy... they are coming for you next! Don't believe it.
Long Term Care & Initiative 2124
I - 2124 would repeal the tax that builds the WA Cares Fund. The costly health insurance we currently have does not cover long term care needs. A majority of legislators from around the state recognize this and have been addressing the needs of "we the people" and the WA Cares Fund is an important and much needed program for our aging population.
If Jim Walsh's initiative passes it will remove over 8 billion dollars from the long term care benefits program. It will harm people with pre-existing conditions, like cancer and diabetes and leave us with the broken "for profit" long term care market where premiums can be massively increased. More Washingtonians will be forced to deplete retirement savings or go into poverty to pay for care.
The people of the 19th District have been paying Jim Walsh to represent them for 8 years and there is little to show for it! No benefit for the families working in fishing, farming or timber industries. No improvement in health care, education or housing affordability.
The only successes Jim Walsh has had over 4 terms in office is that he has risen to top of the State Republican party and now he is trying to overturn laws that actually help the people he is supposed to represent! What could he possibly do in the next two years that deserves your vote?