John – I often say that I was lucky to grow up in a union household. My parents' union contracts meant that while we weren't wealthy, our family was comfortable and we never had to worry about where our next meal was coming from. (Dad was a truck driver and Mom was a telephone operator.)

As I grew up, I watched big changes in the economy, changes that weakened unions and left people like my mom and dad working just as hard, but struggling to make ends meet.

That didn't seem fair. It still doesn't.

As I made plans for my own career, I wondered who was standing up for families like mine, and looking out for working people. Something needed to change, and I wanted to help make it happen.

I knew education was a key piece of the fight. My dad, who was forced to leave school in the 8th grade because the Great Depression had arrived, always told us "They can take everything away from you but your education – so get one!" So, I focused my efforts on making sure everyone had access to good public schools, taking a job as an Assistant to the Superintendent of the Evergreen School District.

When I was elected to the Washington House of Representatives, I was honored to chair the Subcommittee on Basic Education and co-author the historic Basic Education Act. Our work codified Washington students' right to a full, complete, comprehensive education by qualified staff in a fully funded public school system for generations to come.

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I wish I could say this is the world’s most mismatched hi-five.

It’s actually me being sworn in in the State House.

After seeing how legislation can come together and make a real, tangible impact for our community, I was hooked. I got big lessons in leadership, compromise, and negotiation when I was elected by my peers to be Majority Leader. I learned a lot.

These skills proved helpful beyond the statehouse. I became a better listener (and I am still working on that), eager to understand opposing viewpoints, and a strong negotiator. Negotiation proved especially important outside of work; with two energetic growing boys at home, I found myself in an endless haggling session over bedtimes, desserts, allowances, and curfews.

As helpful as the work lessons proved to be at home, my home life affected my career significantly more. With every vote I took or bill I wrote, I knew that families – including Paula and the boys – would feel the effects. I knew I'd come home, and I'd want to be able to tell them I did everything I could to help other families. That was all the motivation – and guidance – I needed.

After taking some time in the private sector and pursuing every idea that seemed just wild enough to work, I made my way back into public service representing Washington's 10th District in the U.S. House.

I went to D.C. determined as ever to advocate for working families like the one I'd grown up in. With our community still reeling from the global financial crisis and foreclosures spreading, I led the fight to reform the reverse mortgage process to make sure elderly homeowners don't lose their homes.

I fought for reforms on the Financial Services Committee to protect consumers and to ensure working families kept more money in their pockets.

And I was one of the first members of Congress to co-sponsor the carbon fee and dividend bill, that would finally hold big polluters accountable for poisoning our communities.

Four years ago, I brought the work back to Olympia. As Lieutenant Governor, I've continued our commitment to build more affordable housing and help Washingtonians stay in their homes, overseeing the passage of more housing bills in this year's session than ever before.

I still picture my family's faces when I need to remember the stakes.

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The boys aren’t as cute – or as cuddly – as they once were, but they’ve thoughtfully provided grandchildren to take their place.

John, I'm running for re-election, because there's still so much more that needs to be done and I'm eager to continue making progress. I'm confident that together, we can continue to collaborate across party lines – despite the heated political atmosphere – to solve problems for Washingtonians.

Please chip in what you can to help finish what we've started in Olympia. [[link removed]]

More soon,

Denny

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