27th Legislative District ..................................... 63

Dhaval Patel

States No Party Preference

dhavalpatel.wa@outlook.com

Elected Experience First-time candidate

Other Professional Experience

Associate Director for Campus Life Operations at Pacific Lutheran University; Former Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge Community Regional Representative for NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

Education

B.S. Computer Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; M.S.E. Higher Education Administration, University of Kansas

Community Service

I have spent most of my time in Washington during the pandemic, and I have struggled to find ways to get out and serve our community. I hope this election process helps me learn how to serve and advocate for our community.

Statement

I have decided to run because I want to do good. I believe in a well-funded public school system and strong infrastructure. I believe we need to raise wages and lower the cost of living. I believe that healthcare and housing are human rights. I believe in strong unions protecting the working class from being exploited by millionaires. I believe in taking care of our veterans and their families. I believe in talking to and listening to what people need to make our communities better. I believe I will represent the people of this district and not a political party.

Mari Leavitt

Prefers Democratic Party

(253) 651-5583 electmarileavitt@gmail.com marileavitt.com

Elected Experience

Current State Representative; Vice Chair of House College and Workforce Development Committee; Member, Housing, Human Services and Veterans Committee; Joint Military and Veterans Affairs Committee; WA Task Force Against Trafficking of Persons.

Other Professional Experience

Family small business owner; longtime administrator at Pierce and Tacoma Community Colleges; former Deputy Director of Pierce County’s human service department.

Education

PhD, Oregon State University; M.Ed and BA, Western Washington University; AAS, Tacoma Community College.

Community Service

Former President, PTSA leader; Board Member, YMCA; Trustee, Accountable Communities of Health; Past Chair, Pierce County Ethics Commission; involved with church; married, mother of seven including two adopted from foster care.

Statement

I’m proud of my bipartisan record delivering for local families and businesses. Standing with law enforcement, I voted for improved training and benefits. Standing with parents and students, I won important classroom support, and behavioral health resources for struggling children. Committed to affordability, I supported housing for seniors, working people, and military families, without new taxes.

I’m a military mom and daughter recognized as a leader in protecting those who serve and sacrifice. A longtime champion for career pathways and workforce education, I’m focused on local jobs and opportunity. Let’s keep working together for the future we deserve.

Victor Hogan

Prefers Republican Party

(253) 325-1195 electvictorhogan@gmail.com www.victorhogan.com

Elected Experience

Steilacoom School District Board Director, Precinct Officer

Other Professional Experience

Retired Military Officer, former The UPS Store owner, Real Estate Investor

Education

Stillman College: BA Indiana University: MBA George Washington University: MPS Professional Certifications: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, Harvard University

Community Service

Board of Trustees Stillman College, Pack Committee Chairman St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church (Bethesda, Maryland), Animal Control Board Cumberland County (North Carolina), Fayetteville/Cumberland County Joint Appearance Board (North Carolina), Youth Football and Basketball Coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Military Order of World Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom, Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute

Statement

Elected officials’ mismanagement has disarmed government as an instrument to make our economy work and support the people’s most basic values, needs and hopes. Working families were given a false and fragile prosperity based on overspending and tax increases.

Our state echoes with a battle cry of frustration that emanates from Washington’s very soul—from the families in our bedrock neighborhoods, from the unsung, workaday heroes of the world’s greatest democracy and economy. Washington is on the wrong track. Families are hurting. Middle class families are working hard, playing by the rules, but still falling behind.

Dre Le Blanc

Prefers Republican Party

(360) 481-9761 aleblanclaw@yahoo.com Facebook Twitter Instagram

Elected Experience

None

Other Professional Experience

Dre is a retired United States Army JAG officer and combat veteran with multiple overseas tours in the Middle-East, Asia and Europe. He’s married to his wife of 20 years and has two teenage children. He holds B.A. and J.D. degrees and is a member of the Washington State Bar. His community activities include youth sports, the VFW, Red Cross, humane treatment of animals, and pro-bono legal work. He’s called the Pacific North West home since the mid-90’s. During this time, he’s been committed to helping make communities stronger, safer, and prosperous.

Education

B.A.; J.D.

Community Service

See above.

Statement

Dre will seek real opportunities for young people through firstclass education and investment in youth programs, teachers and schools. The marketplace of any community is the engine that drives strong families, public resources and fosters a sense of contribution and belonging to a home we can make better. Big ideas for economic development will be essential to the District’s immediate and long-term strength. Dre will work hard to ensure our law enforcement has the tools necessary to keep our streets safe including top-notch training and supervision. Veterans, military, health care and homelessness will also be priorities.

Gabe Sachwitz

Prefers Republican Party

(253) 313-2929 info@gabeforwa.com www.gabeforwa.com

Elected Experience

Not a career politician, US Marine with two deployments to Iraq.

Other Professional Experience

Adjunct Professor; Substitute Teacher; Firefighter; Sheriff’s Deputy; United States Marine Corps; Cook; Masonry; Landscaper. Extensive experience in high stress situations & crisis management.

Education

Bachelor’s in Mathematics from UCR; Master’s in Human Behavior from NU; PADI Diving Certificate; CA POST; EVOC; EVIP; Marine Corps Martial Arts; Combat Lifesaver; CPR/AED; Crisis Intervention.

Community Service

Anderson Island Fire/Rescue Volunteer; American Legion Communications Officer & Color Guard; Watch Dog Dad; Volunteer Trumpet Player for The Harry Strobel Band; Veterans Affairs Events; Queen of Hearts Horses for Heroes.

Statement

As someone who served my country overseas and locally, I cannot sit back and watch what is happening in our neighborhoods. We are facing a rise in the cost of living and crime.

I understand the struggle of trying to support a family when the cost of groceries and essentials are unattainable. When I was honorably discharge from the Marines, it was the height of the recession and a humbling experience trying to find any job to feed my family. There is no reason Washington should get to that point, we must work together to get back on track. GabeforWa.com

Chris Nye

Prefers Republican Party

(253) 380-4078 chris@vote4nye.com Vote4nye.com

Elected Experience

University Place City Council, 2011-2019; Co-chair (appointed) U.S. Open Task Force, 2012-2015; Director of Fircrest Golf Club, 2009.

Other Professional Experience

Founder – MLS4owners.com; U.S. Congressman Adam Smith’s Technology Advisory Board; Past State Director – Washington REALTORS Association; Member – Northwest Multiple Listing Service Bylaws Committee; Former U.S. Army Special Forces Counter-terrorism Team Commander.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) Political Science and Criminal Justice – Niagara University; Intern for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan; U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course and Ranger School.

Community Service

University Place Economic Development Commission; Youth baseball/lacrosse coach and fundraiser for student activities.

Statement

Due to misguided past policies, crime has become one of our region’s biggest challenges, threatening our sense of safety and impacting the economic well-being of our families and businesses. To address this important issue, we need strong, proven leaders who can help us get back to basics in how we address crime, and guide and fund our criminal justice system.

As a business owner, recent City Council member, and former Special Forces officer, my leadership experience and training have prepared me well for the challenges we face. With your support, I look forward to representing you in Olympia.

Dan Bronoske

Prefers Democratic Party

(253) 561-7855 Dan@DanBronoske.com www.danbronoske.com

Elected Experience

State Representative (2021-present), Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore, 2nd Vice Chair Transportation Committee. Committee member of the Health Care & Wellness, Labor & Workplace Standards, Rules, and Joint Committee on Veterans’ & Military Affairs.

Other Professional Experience

Captain, West Pierce Fire & Rescue. Former Vice President, West Pierce Firefighters IAFF Local 1488. Former Armor Crewman for the Washington Army National Guard.

Education

Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Washington, Bachelor’s of Science from Eastern Oregon University, Fire Service Program at Bates Technical College.

Community Service

Pierce County Central Labor Council Delegate, Washington State Council of Firefighters.

Statement

As a 21-year Pierce County Firefighter, I’ve been on the frontlines of our public safety crisis. As State Representative, I’ve worked hard to find solutions to keep our families safe and ensure everyone in our community can thrive.

We’ve made progress by investing in local law enforcement, lowering prescription drug costs and funding education, but there’s more to do. I will work to rebuild our economy, support small businesses, and lower costs. Together, we can find common sense solutions that keep us safe and get our economy back on track. I would be honored to have your vote.