Brett Vlahovich - 104

My name is Brett Vlahovich, a life long Washingtonian, originally from Spokane Valley, and have lived in the 7th Congressional District for the last 12 years since I graduated from CWU in 2012!

I am a high school social studies teacher, advocate for civic participation and making our country live up the founding ideals we have been promised.  I am interested in the intersection of politics and the lived experiences of urban, rural, and suburban Americans and how to best meet the needs in a pluralistic/diverse nation and ensuring the continuation of our democratic norms and traditions.

As a social studies teacher, I hope to be an example to my students that we have power, autonomy, and a say in the democratic process. I hope to demonstrate that with effort and understanding of our political system, the average citizen can make an impact. I hope to inspire them to care more about local and national politics and to hopefully be engaged citizens that become agents of change in their own communities. This opportunity would allow to make politics more tangible and less theoretical. I often see students, teenagers, think that things are hopeless and therefore not plan to engage in the system, and I want to prove to them that there are avenues to have their voices heard.

I am also hoping to be a voice and advocate not only for my district, but also the region, but the great state of Washington. As someone who has lived here his entire life and in a variety of settings, I want to bring that experience and perspective to the party, the delegates, and other members of our community. I wish to be a bridge and an example of how the Democratic party is a party of inclusion and tries to meet the needs of a majority of Americans, even if we disagree on some aspects of policy or life.

My father is a Vietnam Veteran and showed me the importance of giving back and instilled values of service, charity, inclusivity, and kindness. My whole life I have been involved in my communities in some way, whether it was leadership through school, the city of Spokane Valley, working in the residence halls of CWU, and now as a social studies teacher. I hope to continue this tradition, live into my values, and move our country forward in the right direction in order to continue try and attempt to live up to the founding ideals of this nation like equality, liberty, opportunity, and democracy.