My father, a dump truck driver, helped raise me and my four younger brothers and sisters in Seattle from my birth in 1949. My mother took in foster babies and raised over 70 babies during nine years. My grandfather was a central part of my life while I was growing up because my father worked many late evenings and weekends. My parents helped raise me with a work ethic to never stop working, never stop caring, and never stop helping those who can't help themselves.

From the age of 11, I always had a job and was involved in a number of extracurricular activities. In high school I played varsity football and was on the school newspaper staff. I was the first member of my family to go to college. In order to pay for my education, I lived at home and worked a variety of jobs - a construction laborer, a janitor, and a custodian at a blood bank. I finished college in four years, earning extra money as the sports editor of the University of Washington DAILY. With a friend, I also founded the Seattle Sporting Gazette, Seattle's only sporting newspaper.

In college, I majored in journalism and got a minor in elementary education. Originally, I had hoped to develop a career in journalism, but there was something purposeful and meaningful in teaching that led m to choose my eventual career path. Teaching gave me work that didn’t seem like a job. Since 1971, when I graduated from college, I've been blessed to be a part of the lives of hundreds of educators and thousands of young people. It has been a rewarding life that I continue to look forward to everyday.

In 1974, a few years after finishing college, I entered the Educational Administrative Program at Seattle University. However, my world came crashing down in the spring of 1975 when I lost my teaching job because the Edmonds School District levy failed. A few weeks later I received my Masters Degree and Principal Certificate from Seattle University. I learned that "when one door closes, another opens up." Just three weeks later, I was hired to be Principal at a Catholic Elementary School in Seattle at the age of 26. Thus began a 30 year history of Catholic School administration, which eventually brought me to Oregon and to St. Mary of the Valley/Valley Catholic School in Beaverton in 1988.

In 1995, I helped open Blanchet Catholic School. Eleven years ago we started with 110 students at the Salem Christian Center. Since then, we have raised over 15 million dollars and in the upcoming school year we will enroll 350 students. Blanchet’s successes have been numerous. We purchased a 22-acre, 100,000 square foot facility and completed our first capital campaign, created a state of the art science facility, built a performing arts center, raised over one million dollars for financial aid, installed a new gym floor, and began 15 varsity level sports programs. Most importantly students have experienced tremendous academic success, among our five graduating classes we have had 15 Merit scholars and 95% of graduates have gone on to attend the college of their choice.

In 1983, I married Mary and took on her four kids. My family has been the most important part of my life. Without their support, I would not have been able to take on the exciting challenges I have faced over the past 23 years.

In 2000 and 2004, I was elected to serve on the Keizer City Council. As part of the Council, I have been involved with the budget committee, the Marion County Children and Families Commission, the No Meth/Not In My Neighborhood Task Force, and I have been a continual advocate for public safety and enhancing our economy without raising taxes. Additionally, I led the effort to keep the POWER (Promoting Outstanding Work, Education, and Recreation) program in Keizer schools so that our children have responsible and safe after school activities.

Thank you for supporting my candidacy for State Representative. It's time for real leadership, and time for our government to open up to its citizens once again.

Take care,

Chuck