Dave
with Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, former NASA astronaut during his
National Guard annual duty at the Yakima Training Center
Dave
was raised in Newberg, OR, a small community 25 miles
southwest of Portland. Dave graduated with honors from Newberg
High School, received a full college scholarship with U.S.
Bank and was voted the most likely to succeed by his
classmates.
Dave
received his B.A. from George Fox University. After
receiving his M.A. from Multnomah Seminary in Portland, OR. he
moved to Snohomish County where he has resided for over 26
years.
Starting
as Republican Precinct Committee Officer in 1986, Dave
volunteered on campaigns, worked his precinct, registered
voters and considered a run for office himself. In 1988 Dave
worked as the NW regional coordinator for the governor's race, a year later he was
a session staff member
for the Republican Caucus in the WA House of Representatives.
With seven years of service in the National Guard, Dave went
to work full time in personnel administration while preparing
for his first run for office.
In
1992 Dave’s campaign for the House of Representatives came
up short, losing by less than 1% of the vote. Having worked
too hard and come so close, Dave ran again in 1994 and won in
a deciding victory. Having served eight years in the State
House, Dave is now finishing his 4th year as a Senator.
While
in the House, Dave served on the Transportation, Trade and Economic
Development, State Government,
Community Security, and Education Committees. He also was the
vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee and Chairs of the
Government Administration and Special Elections Committees.
In the Senate Dave has served on the Economic Development,
Higher Education, Financial Institutions and Insurance
Committees and was Chair of the Technology and Communications
Committee. He is currently the Ranking Member on the
Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education Committee and
co-chairs the Select Committee on Military and Veterans
Affairs.
Dave
has received the "Guardian Award" from the National
Federation of Independent Businesses and the Cornerstone Award
from the Association of WA Businesses every term. He as
also received many other
endorsements and recognitions from local and state
organizations. He has received the prestigious
Henry Toll Fellow award from the Council of State Governments.
Approximately 20-25 state legislators across America receive
this award each year. Dave is only one of ten Washington
State legislators in the last 22 years to receive this
national recognition. He currently serves on the Executive
Committee, Western Region of the Council of State Governments.
See
Dave's Legislative
Page Biography for More Information |
