What actions would you take as a state legislator to protect and strengthen Washington’s food security safety net, including both public nutrition programs and the food banks and food pantries serving communities across the state?

Food insecurity and the stability of our safety net are among the most pressing issues facing our state. I was horrified to see the federal government cut $190 billion for SNAP and restrict eligibility requirements through H.R. 1. According to the State Office of Financial Management, these changes will reduce benefits for over 130,000 Washingtonians while increasing our state’s administrative cost share by 25%. At a time when families are already struggling to make ends meet, our state must step up to protect our most vulnerable residents. As the Majority Leader in the Washington State Senate, I led the effort to pass the Millionaires Tax, which only 25,000 wealthy households will pay, but will provide tax reductions and fund essential services for 8 million of us. I am proud that this legislation fights poverty by expanding the Working Families Tax Credit while also fully funding school breakfast and lunch for all Washington students. By making the tax code more equitable, our state provides direct relief to working families while funding vital public programs like food security across Washington. I was also proud to support budget initiatives that protect and supplement food assistance programs while making $7.7 million in capital investments for food banks statewide.  This is critical work, but there is more to do. I look forward to building on this progress to strengthen food security, help food banks, and expand access to nutritious food for all Washingtonians.

What have you done to understand food insecurity in the communities you seek to represent—including engaging with people experiencing hunger or local hunger-relief organizations—and what policies would you prioritize to address the root causes of hunger and ensure Washington residents can afford and access the food they need?

I have spent extensive time understanding food insecurity and taking steps to help. I am proud to have established and secured tax-exempt status for the Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, which feeds hundreds of people per week. I have volunteered there for many years with my kids as well! I have also witnessed the difficulty of accessing food when grocery stores close. My son takes clarinet lessons near the Fred Meyer that shut down in Lake City, and I have heard directly from neighbors about the frustration they now experience with accessing affordable, healthy food.  In the most recent session, I supported legislation to increase food access through legislation such as HB 2294. This law prohibits restrictive agreements that block new grocery stores from opening in vacated locations. This supports independent grocers, strengthens local economies, and helps ensure no communities are cut off from the essentials that families rely on every day.  When closures do occur, our state needs to respond. I support increasing funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program to assist food banks and pantries. I also support policies that encourage grocery stores to stay by decreasing red tape and creating a more stable environment for them to operate.  Access to food further highlights the importance of reliable public transportation. People without cars or with mobility challenges still need to access food and other essentials. This is why I supported a $366 million investment to make it easier for people to walk and bike in communities, and a $20 million investment in local transit projects including better bus service.    Affordable and accessible food is a basic need. We must examine every option to ensure that communities can access the groceries they need to survive.

What policies or investments would you support to strengthen Washington’s food system, increase access to locally produced food, support Washington farmers and producers, and reduce food waste?

I support measures to strengthen Washington’s food system by helping our farmers, expanding access to locally produced food, and reducing food insecurity. Recent data from the Washington State Food Security Survey underscores the urgency of this work. In the survey, 90% of households reported price increases in the past month, 48% used some form of food assistance, and food insecurity affected households across income levels. As the father of four teenage boys, I know firsthand how rising prices can make it increasingly difficult for families to afford the healthy food they need. Our state must work to do better to help maintain our food system.  During the 2026 session, I was proud to vote for HB 2238 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senate floor before it passed into law. This legislation directs the Washington State Department of Agriculture to develop a coordinated statewide food security strategy that addresses the systemic drivers of hunger and identifies policy barriers affecting the food system. Establishing a shared vision and coordinated policy framework will help ensure that every community will benefit from a stronger, more resilient food system. I look forward to building on this work and examining additional measures such as expanding local food purchasing for public schools, strengthening regional agricultural infrastructure, and scaling the purchase and distribution of surplus agricultural products. By supporting Washington farmers while making nutritious, locally produced food more accessible, we can build a stronger food system and create a healthier future for every Washingtonian.