I grew up on a ranch 8 miles outside Kamiah, attended kindergarten through 12th grade there, graduating in 1984. I went on to the University of Idaho and there joined the Idaho Army National Guard in 1986. In 1987 I became a full time active duty guard member, and was transferred to Mountain Home in 1990, where I’ve lived ever since. I retired from the Guard in 2007 after serving in Iraq with the 116th Brigade in 2004-2005.

After retirement, I was elected to two terms to the Mountain Home city council, in 2007 and 2013. In 2012 I finished the degree I started in 1986, earning a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Boise State University. As part of my degree, I interned with a law firm serving local governments, assisting them with comprehensive plan rewrites, drafting ordinances, assisting with legal research, and testifying in legislative committees on issues affecting local government and schools. After graduation, I continued working for the firm in a consulting role. Finding the work rewarding and enjoyable, I decided to attend law school, and graduated from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2018 and was admitted to the bar that same year, and am now an associate attorney at the same firm, where I’ve worked for the past 10 years.

I currently serve as attorney for 16 cities and a countywide library district, located in 12 counties across 10 legislative districts. The cities I represent range in population from 14,000 to less than 100, in counties ranging from Idaho’s smallest to its fourth largest in population. Each day I deal with issues facing those cities, and how best to legally address those issues. I attend multiple city council meetings each month and I am continually impressed by the sense of duty and commitment these officials have in serving their citizens.

I am also a prosecutor or deputy prosecutor for 5 cities, prosecuting misdemeanor and infraction crimes. I’m in a courtroom nearly every week dealing with judges, defense attorneys, defendants, victims, police officers, and court staff.