Register foR DAVID's Campaign Kickoff!

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Housing is getting more expensive because it’s getting harder, and slower, to build in Washington. Home builders, contractors, carpenters, electricians, welders, realtors, and small business owners don’t need more layers of rules and taxes.  They need predictable permitting, reasonable timelines, and cost discipline – so more homes get built and more people can afford to live here.

I’m running to represent the working communities of Pierce County and Kitsap County.  I’ve spent 12 years governing with tight budgets, measurable results, and projects delivered on time. Housing is the same discipline: clear rules, transparent costs, and accountability in the system so builders can produce. If we want affordability, we need supply - and that means getting Olympia out of the way of the people actually building. 

When Olympia adds costs and caps outcomes, supply shrinks and prices rise. I’ll oppose policies that:

· Discourage new rental construction (including rent-cap approaches like HB 1217) 

· Increase business taxes that get passed through into housing prices (major tax packages such as HB 2081) 

Groups like the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) and Master Builders Association (MBA) are clear about what’s hurting housing affordability: rising regulatory costs, extensive permitting delays, and layered fees that get passed straight to buyers and renters.

And proposals like statewide rent caps may sound good in a headline, but many builders argue they reduce housing supply by chilling new construction and investment - meaning fewer homes and higher prices long-term.  

Washington doesn’t have a “housing affordability” problem—we have a housing supply and cost-to-build problem. When Olympia piles on delays, mandates, and new taxes, the bill lands on working families, renters, and first-time buyers. 

Builders need certainty. I’ll back:

· Clear, objective standards that reduce arbitrary delays 

· Subdivision and zoning reforms that expand buildable land supply

One-stop, predictable permitting

· Standardize permit steps and timelines across jurisdictions (with local control preserved). 

· Require public-facing permit status tracking and “clock” transparency, so projects don’t disappear into a black hole. 

Fee and mandate transparency

· Put every major fee/charge on the table—impact fees, utility hookups, process fees—so families can see what’s driving final prices. 

· Push cost/benefit review before new mandates hit housing. 

Stop policies that reduce supply

· Oppose approaches that discourage building and reduce rental supply (including broad rent control frameworks). 

· Focus on increasing supply first—because supply is what brings prices down. 

Back the Trades and expand workforce pipelines

We need more carpenters, laborers, electricians, plumbers, welders now. I’ll push to:

· Expand apprenticeships and high school CTE-to-trades pathways

· Reduce barriers for veterans and mid-career workers entering the trades

· Support workforce housing options so tradespeople can live where they build

· Public-finance background: I know how budgets actually work and how hidden cost drivers show up in the real world.

· Proven governance: On the Peninsula School District board, I’ve focused on delivery, transparency, and results.

· Trades-first mindset: I’ve done the hard jobs. I respect the work and will fight for the people doing it.

I’ll be a loud, consistent advocate for the people who build in Pierce and Kitsap Counties, because affordable housing starts with lower costs, faster permits, and more skilled workers, not more bureaucracy. 

 "As someone who built a career as a Navy electrician, underwater welder, and Navy saturation diver, I’ve experienced firsthand the pride and purpose that come from mastering a skilled trade. It’s not just about earning a paycheck—it’s about building something tangible, something that lasts. That’s why I’m passionate about ensuring every student has the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career in the trades, without feeling pressured by the outdated notion that college is the only path to success."

Across the nation, we’re facing a critical shortage of skilled workers. Reports show that the U.S. has a shortfall of over 7 million skilled tradespeople, a gap that continues to grow as the current workforce ages and fewer young people enter these fields. This isn’t just a problem, it’s an opportunity. By promoting skilled trades as a respected and viable career path, we can equip students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to thrive in high-demand, well-paying careers, all while avoiding the burden of student loan debt.

Offering pathways into the skilled trades isn’t just about filling jobs; it’s about restoring the value of hard work, craftsmanship, and the critical role these professions play in building and sustaining our communities. My vision includes preparing students for a future where they can achieve economic independence, job security, and personal fulfillment through careers in the skilled trades.

By investing in vocational training and removing the stigma around these careers, we can close the skills gap and create a workforce that is not only prepared for the challenges of tomorrow but is also proud of the work they do. Addressing this shortage is essential not only for the health of our economy but for the strength and resilience of our communities.