🔵 Our Mission

Reigniting the American Dream for Southwest Washington

Too many politicians talk about protecting the American Dream — but few understand what built it in the first place: small business growth, safe neighborhoods, and the infrastructure that connects us.

Southwest Washington doesn’t need more slogans. We need action — and we need it now. Our district has doubled in size, our towns are struggling to grow, and our roads and bridges are dangerously behind.

Here’s how we fix it:

🟥 GROWTH

Rebuilding the Middle Class Starts with Small Business

Small businesses create nearly two-thirds of all new jobs in the U.S., yet they’re treated like second-class citizens in Washington, DC. From overregulation to limited access to capital, the very people who grow our local economies face the highest barriers.

In the 1980s, small businesses accounted for nearly 50% of U.S. employment. Today, it’s closer to 30%. As small businesses have declined, so has the middle class.

We must:

  • Cut red tape and regulatory costs that hit small businesses 36% harder per employee than large corporations (SBA).

  • Expand access to small business loans and capital programs.

  • Create tax incentives for startups and rural entrepreneurs.

  • Encourage trade education and apprenticeship programs to power next-generation job creation.

If we want economic opportunity in every corner of our district, we must make Washington a partner — not a barrier — to small business growth.

🟦 SAFETY

Support Law Enforcement. Restore Public Safety.

No community can thrive without safety — and no small business can succeed in a town where crime goes unchecked. Our police departments are underfunded, understaffed, and increasingly unsupported by state and federal leadership.

In Washington State:

  • Violent crime has risen by 12.3% over the past five years.

  • Police staffing is dead last per capita in the entire country (WA has 1.38 officers per 1,000 residents — compared to the national average of 2.4).

  • In 2023, WA saw the lowest number of police officers per capita in state history.

We must:

  • Fully fund local law enforcement and community policing.

  • Remove legal barriers that prevent officers from doing their jobs.

  • Increase federal grants for training, recruitment, and mental health support.

  • Crack down on organized retail theft and drug trafficking that hurt small business districts.

We can’t grow communities if families and business owners don’t feel safe.

🟨 TRANSPORTATION

Modern Infrastructure for a Growing District

Washington’s 3rd Congressional District has experienced significant growth, yet our transportation infrastructure has not kept pace. Spanning approximately 210 miles along the Columbia River, our district is served by only four bridge crossings:

  • Astoria–Megler Bridge (Astoria, OR to Megler, WA)

  • Lewis and Clark Bridge (Longview, WA to Rainier, OR)

  • Interstate Bridge (I-5) (Vancouver, WA to Portland, OR)

  • Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge (I-205) (Vancouver, WA to Portland, OR)

This limited number of crossings over such an extensive stretch of river hampers mobility, economic growth, and emergency response times. In contrast, other congressional districts with major rivers often have more frequent crossings to support their communities' needs.

Additionally, many of our district's roads are deteriorating and were not designed to handle the current volume of commercial traffic. This inadequacy places a stranglehold on local businesses, hindering their ability to transport goods efficiently and safely.

Since the construction of the I-205 bridge in 1982, the population of our district has grown substantially. As of 2023, the district's population stands at approximately 780,000, reflecting significant growth over the past four decades. Data USA

We must:

  • Invest in new bridge crossings to alleviate congestion and provide alternative routes for commuters and freight.

  • Upgrade existing infrastructure to ensure safety and accommodate increased traffic volumes.

  • Streamline permitting processes to expedite critical transportation projects.

  • Secure federal funding dedicated to infrastructure improvements in rapidly growing districts like ours.

Infrastructure isn’t just about roads and bridges — it’s about connecting people to opportunities, ensuring public safety, and laying the foundation for sustained economic growth.

🔔 Conclusion: A Mission That Matters

The American Dream doesn’t need to be reinvented. It needs to be reignited — by putting our focus back on what works: local businesses, safe neighborhoods, and the infrastructure that helps families and communities grow.

That’s the mission.
That’s what I’m fighting for.
And I hope you’ll fight for it with me.