This piece sets the record straight about decisions I made years before the political fractures we see today became obvious. I explain why I stepped back from party leadership in 2016, why I voted the way I did in 2018, and why I supported vaccination in 2021 — not out of disloyalty, but out of conservative realism, long-term strategy, and responsibility to the people who depend on me. I also lay out how the Pacific County GOP’s collapse in 2022 and 2023 proved those early calls correct. At its core, this blog shows what my leadership has always been: identifying problems early, choosing battles wisely, and making decisions that strengthen our community and our party for the long haul.

Just wrapped up a rewarding few months volunteering with the local high school shop class. We built a sabot — an 8-foot dinghy — from plywood using the stitch-and-glue method. Watching these students learn hands-on craftsmanship and launch something they built with pride reminded me why I believe in leading by doing.

This isn’t just about boats — it’s about building confidence, community, and a future worth paddling toward.

Frustrated with how government fails small businesses, I decided to do more than complain—I decided to run. In this post, I share why I’m stepping into the race, the values that drive me, and why rebuilding the middle class through small business is at the heart of it all.