Dear friend,

After seeking advice and input from literally hundreds of people, I have formally announced as a candidate for Congress from the 6th Congressional District.

Like many others, I've become increasingly concerned with a Congress that spends too much and taxes too often. I'm frustrated with a Congress that finds it easy to put our sons and daughters in harm's way around the world and then finds it difficult to provide funding for their missions. And I'm deeply disappointed with a Congress that won't deliver on the most pressing issues of our time. Partisan political bickering over minutia has become the Congressional standard while thoughtful debate of tough policy issues is as rare in our Capitol as a bill to cut federal spending.

Well, I'm no longer willing to just stand on the sidelines. I want to help change things.

A good start would be to change the resumes of people we send to Congress. That means sending more people with successful business experience and fewer lawyers and professional politicians climbing the political ladder. That also means electing more men and women who see congressional service as an opportunity to serve America rather than as a career move to a path to one of the best retirement plans in the country.

Both political parties have become corrupted by power. Federal spending is out of control, the federal government is bigger and more intrusive, and legislators seem to be disconnected from the real concerns of the people they represent.

Congress Needs More Citizen Legislators

The current job approval for Congress is just 15%. And that, my friends, is a clarion call for change - more citizen legislators and fewer professional politicians.

Let's send to Congress more people who understand that limited government, freedom, personal responsibility and lower taxes are more than just catchy slogans casually tossed around in campaigns. These are core principles that should guide the decisions of our leaders.

Over the past 17 years, I've been a small businessman and entrepreneur. I've owned and operated businesses that have met payrolls and achieved success. I've learned how to set high standards, work hard and solve real-world problems. More and more I realize that it's the kind of experience that could help get Congress back on track. My children, Elisabeth, an eighth grader, Kathryn, a fifth grader, and Jack, who's in second grade, will grow up in a world with great challenges and opportunities. If America remains strong, courageous and free, my kids and yours will have a bright future.

Fighting for a Stronger America

To remain strong, we need to ensure Americans are not overtaxed and overburdened by government. Let's make the Bush tax cuts permanent, repeal the death tax and hold the line against future increases on marginal and capital gains tax rates.

To remain strong, we must finally deal with the problem of illegal immigration, which is taking such a high moral and economic toll on our country. Let's start by finally securing our borders and then dealing appropriately with the challenges presented by the millions of illegal aliens already in this country. We must do this without amnesty or other reward for illegal activity.

To remain strong, we must defend our country from the ominous threat of international terrorism. That means we can't cut and run in Iraq, but we must remain there long enough to stabilize the situation, improve security in the region, and empower the people of Iraq to self-government. Then we can bring the last of our troops home.

To remain strong, we must have real solutions for better education for all our kids, affordable health care, long-term energy independence and a cleaner environment. We can press for innovative, creative, free market solutions to meet these challenges. These are just a few of the issues on my mind as I consider running for Congress. I hope you’ll let me know what's on your mind. Working together, we can start to turn these perennial problems into opportunities.

Grassroots and Conservative Leadership

The fact is, most of who’ve been politically involved have earned our spurs by working in the trenches – not by running for political office.

Through the years, my father and grandfather emphasized public service and participation in the political process as a core value in our family.

I was raised to respect the value of working in business, serving at church and helping with charitable causes. And yes, I was raised to respect and value the importance of active participation in our political process.

For more than 20 years, I’ve volunteered to help candidates run for office. I learned early on that the calling of those of us who volunteer to work for the party and for candidates is just as important as the calling of those who run for office. Both are important and necessary.

I've worked shoulder to shoulder with many of you at the grassroots level. I was campaign chairman for Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Doty and served as the Campaign Manager for State Senator John Andrews when he was first elected. I've been a precinct captain and have been a delegate to many Colorado county, district, and state assemblies.

Thank you, again, for stopping by our campaign website. I look forward to earning your vote.

With best regards,