As our country faces paralyzing partisan division, unprecedented challenges, and unparalleled opportunities we need leaders who are committed to putting people first and working toward solutions for everyone in our community.
I am dedicated to building on the progress we’ve made on the issues that matter most to us:
I WILL STAND STRONG FOR AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.
With skyrocketing costs, stagnant wages and a local economy still recovering from the pandemic, it’s clear that our community needs a voice in Olympia that will stand up for us.
That’s why, as State Senator, I worked with both parties to lower the tolls on the Tacoma Narrows bridge, pass Paid Family and Medical Leave, and lower taxes for local small businesses. I will continue our work to ensure students are prepared for the jobs needed most in today’s economy, invest in infrastructure to cut down commute times and fight to give home-grown small businesses a fair shot.
I WILL STAND STRONG FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES.
I believe that everyone in our community has a right to feel safe and that no family – regardless of their income or financial situation — should go bankrupt or lose their home because they have been in an accident or have medical needs
That’s why, as State Senator, I fought to keep our communities safe by investing in public safety, including funding to address catalytic converter thefts and implementing 988, the crisis care line. And I’ve worked to build healthy communities by lowering prescription drug costs, expanding affordable health care, and funding for behavioral health programs.
I WILL STAND STRONG SO EVERY CHILD HAS THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.
Our classrooms are overcrowded and our schools are underfunded. When I attended South Kitsap High school, there weren’t enough desks for every student in my English class. But I was incredibly fortunate: I had many dedicated teachers, and a supportive family, who encouraged and helped me to set and achieve my goals. In spite of many obstacles and resource limitations, I was given the opportunity to pursue the education and professional life that I wanted.
But years later, we continue to see portable classrooms crowding the lawns of schools across the district.
Teachers and paraeducators, like my mom, are overworked and undervalued. Students are not getting the resources and attention they need to be ready to graduate, much less for what comes next — college, apprenticeship programs, family-wage jobs.
In order to build a future that works for all of us, we need to strengthen our schools, value our teachers, and invest in our children. I believe opportunities for a good education – be that in college, a trade school, or an apprenticeship – should be available to every child in the 26th district, and I will stand strong for that in Olympia.
That’s why, as State Senator, I worked to make higher education more affordable and accessible, invested in school-based health centers, and added more nurses and counselors to help catch students up after the pandemic.