Manweller announces run for state legislature

Dr. Mathew Manweller, professor of political science at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, formally announced that he will be seeking the 13th District House seat being vacated by Rep. Bill Hinkle (CleElum-R). Manweller, a 42 year old Republican, said in a prepared statement, “I am running because we need to shrink government, grow jobs, and unleash the potential of Washington.” Manweller continues, “I believe the people of Eastern Washington are hard-working, innovative, and entrepreneurial people, they are simply overburdened by taxes, regulations, property restrictions and a run-away unelected bureaucracy. If we simply get out of their way, the people of Washington will create all the jobs we need.”

With the recent changes adopted by the Washington State Redistricting Commission, Lincoln County now resides in the 13th Legislative District which includes Kittitas and Grant Counties. Manweller announced his run a few months ago but is now adapting his campaign to include Lincoln County. “We made our first trip to Lincoln County this week” said Manweller in a prepared release. “We met with supporters in Edwall and Odessa, stopped in Sprague and plan to return for several upcoming community events.”

Manweller has served as the Chair of the Kittitas County Republican Party for the past eight years as well as the President of the CWU Faculty Senate and currently serves as the President of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association. A member of numerous statewide boards, Manweller serves as a trustee for the Freedom Foundation and on the Research Advisory Board of the Washington Policy Center. “I have enjoyed volunteering for community organizations over the past decade and now I would like to be a passionate and knowledgeable advocate for the people of Lincoln, Grant, Kittitas and Yakima Counties in our State Legislature” Manweller says.

Manweller has already been endorsed by outgoing Representative Bill Hinkle. “Obviously, our entire campaign staff is incredibly honored to have Rep. Hinkle’s endorsement right out of the blocks. I sincerely appreciate the trust he has put in me.”

Prior to jumping in the race, Manweller spent three months meeting with various government, community, agricultural, business and educational leaders from all over Eastern Washington. “I have been very encouraged by the support I have received from all the people we have met and talked to this summer. Their support made the decision to run much easier. It’s clear from talking to people there are serious issues in such a regulatory reform, economic development, and education that will continue to be on the radar in Olympia.”

Before being hired at CWU, Manweller worked as a high school math and economics teacher and as a book editor for the International Society for Technology in Education, an educational non-profit. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. and then a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Montana in Missoula, Mont. He completed his education by earning his doctorate from the University of Oregon. Manweller jokingly notes, “All I can do is apologize to all the Cougar and Husky fans out there for being a one-time Duck.”

Manweller and his wife Shelley have two children, Lincoln and Grayson.

For more information about Manweller’s candidacy, you can visit his campaign website at: http://www.manwellerforstaterep.com