I believe that the best government is the one closest to the people. My years as a business owner in the automotive and restaurant industries have taught me that prosperity is created by hardworking citizens, not increasing the size of government.

My Commitments to Limited Government:

• Local Solutions over State Mandates: I believe Rio Blanco County knows how to manage its land, water, and resources better than any distant agency. I will fight against "one-size-fits-all" policies and unfunded mandates that threaten our way of life.

• Fiscal Discipline: As a business owner, I’ve managed personnel and balanced budgets through uncertain economic times. I believe every tax dollar is an investment in our county's future, not a blank check for government growth. I am committed to a small, effective government that prioritizes necessary services and respects the taxpayer by keeping more of your hard-earned money in your own pocket.

• Freedom to Innovate: Whether it’s starting a daycare to help working parents or feeding thousands of meals during a wildfire, I’ve seen that the private sector and community volunteers can often solve problems faster and more effectively than a government program.

• A Servant’s Heart, Not a Ruler’s Hand: Leadership isn't about holding power over others; it’s about shouldering the burdens of the community. A leader doesn't stand above the people; they stand with them, listening first and acting second. As we face the challenges coming from the State, I am committed to leading not for my own sake, but as a steward of our shared values and a servant to every citizen in this county.

“Because our belief is simple: smaller government equals better government. Not because it does less, but because it does what matters.”

~Gov. Mike Kehoe

The American Dream has never been a complicated formula; it’s always been anchored in a simple, sacred promise. It’s the idea that if you are willing to get your hands dirty and work a full day, you should be able to do more than just survive—you should thrive. You should be able to own your home, keep the tank full in your truck, and put high-quality food on the table for your family.

Here in Rio Blanco County, we know that the American Dream doesn’t just appear out of thin air—often it is irrigated, it is mined, and it is drilled. In the Piceance Basin, that dream is fueled by the energy we produce for the rest of the country. It is grown in the soil by our ranchers who feed a nation. When we protect our energy and agriculture, we aren't just protecting industries—we are protecting the very foundation of the American Dream for future generations.

The Republican Party was founded in 1854 with a singular, courageous mission: to halt the expansion of slavery and ultimately abolish it. That foundational commitment—to the idea that every individual has a God-given right to their own life, their own labor, and their own future—is what drew me to this party decades ago.

As a pastor and a father, I take that heritage seriously. It reminds us that:

• Stewards of Freedom: Our founders stood against the tide of their time to defend the oppressed. Today, I carry that same conviction—standing firm for the families, ranchers, and workers of Rio Blanco County against any overreach that threatens our God-given independence.

• The Power of Principle: The GOP was built by leaders who refused to compromise on what was right, regardless of the political cost. In Rio Blanco, we need that same unwavering resolve to protect our families, local industries and our rural way of life from outside pressures.

• A Party of Progress through Freedom: From the abolition of slavery to the protection of the homestead, the Republican heritage is one of empowering people to build their own lives without the heavy hand of government holding them back.

When I look at the challenges we face, I draw strength from this history. We aren't just a party of "no"—we are the party of freedom, opportunity, and the protection of the vulnerable.