I remember exactly where I was on August 28, 2022, when I heard that someone had opened fire at our Safeway in Bend. Like you, I was shocked and concerned for our community. I immediately thought about my three daughters, my wife — who’s a doctor at our local hospital — and the people in our community who just had their whole world shattered. As mayor pro tem of the city of Bend, I rushed to the scene and worked to ensure our community was safe.

The days and weeks following hammered home for me why it’s so important that our government works well for our community. Just prior to this shooting, the city of Bend had funded active shooter training for our local law enforcement officers. I have heard from our community and peace officers that this training helped save lives on that day. As public servants, we can never forget that our actions have real-life consequences.

As I look at the problems our community faces, I know that the state must do more. That’s why I’m running to be an independent, common-sense voice for Central Oregon in the Oregon State Senate. As a small business owner, city councilor, tribal court judge, indigenous rights attorney, and — most importantly — a dad, I know how to get things done. And I know how important it is that we do. I’m committed to working with anyone to build more affordable homes, get people off the streets and into housing, make sure our kids have safe neighborhoods to play in, increase access to quality child care, and protect Oregonians’ right to access reproductive healthcare.

There’s so much Oregonians agree on, but in recent years, the extremism in national politics has infected our state. Instead of working for the people of Oregon, extremists are walking out on us and holding the business of our state hostage. In 2023, they put funding for our schools, public safety, plowing our roads, and wildfire resilience at risk — over safe, legal access to abortion. The people of Oregon have voted time and time again to uphold abortion rights. The progress and safety of our state should never be put at risk over these extreme, culture war issues.

As your state senator, I’ll never walk out on you. I’ll stay in Salem and fight for the issues that matter most. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in Bend. Last year, we built more homes per capita than any other city in the state. But I know more needs to be done. We need to keep investing in the infrastructure that our communities need to support more housing and businesses, and invest in the services and support that we know prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

Our state legislature must do more on childcare. I’ll prioritize increasing access to training and re-examining compensation. The people who protect and guide our children are responsible for our present and future. They deserve to be paid like it.

Finally, I’m going to stand up for safety. That means ensuring the changes made to recriminalize drugs and get more people into treatment are implemented correctly. I also want to make sure the Legislature follows up on its commitment to prevention, especially with our kids. I’ll fight to invest in the education and interventions we need to stop young people from overdosing on fentanyl and target the criminals who bring drugs into our communities.

I commit to the people of Central Oregon that I will always show up and work for you. I will put divisive, extremist politics aside because nothing is more important to me than building a brighter future for our community.