Joe grew up in a working-class household in Washington. His parents opened a small mechanical contracting company out of their garage when he was five years old, instilling in him the value of hard work at a young age. He is a product of Washington state public schools, including graduating from Western Washington University in Bellingham, and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Joe grew up working at restaurants, a cafeteria, a car wash, and retail. Joe later returned to WWU to serve as the Assistant Director of Government Relations, advocating in Olympia for the University and its students.

Joe currently serves as state representative in the 42nd Legislative District and is running for re-election to this position. During his first term in Olympia, Joe introduced and passed legislation that supports students and educators, strengthens our state’s emergency preparedness and response, increases affordability for seniors, and improves Whatcom County’s court system. Joe has also successfully advocated for funding in the state budget for Whatcom County, including for projects that support housing, behavioral health, and childcare in our community.

Before running for office Joe gained more than a decade of experience working at the local, state, and federal levels of government, including most recently in Governor Jay Inslee’s office as the regional outreach representative for Whatcom County and neighboring counties. He previously served on boards with the City of Bellingham and the board of the Bellingham Food Bank.

Joe and his wife Heather live in Bellingham with their son, Malcolm, close to where Heather grew up.