I was born in Ketchikan, Alaska in 1953. Although my family�s Idaho�s roots go back to my great-grandparents� late 1800s homestead, I grew up mainly on the West Coast and in Hawaii due to my father�s military service. I also spent some time with family, and attended a year of school in Idaho. I graduated from the University of Idaho in 1975, held three positions in state government in Boise, and earned a law degree. My wife, Christy, and I have been married for 38 years, and have two children and three grandchildren.
My 27 year legal career included 16 years as the Managing Partner of a Boise law firm, and five years as a part-time adjunct professor of business law at BSU. I now have a part-time solo legal practice.
I have served as a Democratic Precinct Captain, Legislative District Chair, Ada County Chair, and as a member of the Democratic National Committee. I have also worked on many campaigns for Democratic candidates, including those of former Governor Cecil Andrus.
I represented District 16 in the Idaho House of Representatives for six years, serving as the Assistant Minority Leader for the last two of those years.
I was then elected to the Idaho Senate in the November 2014 election and became the Minority Caucus Chair this last legislative session.
