Dingethal to challenge Herrera Beutler

Businessman and non-profit leader, Bob Dingethal, announced his candidacy today for Congress in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

“The people of Southwest Washington deserve representation in Congress, leadership that works together and actively seeks solutions to our common problems,” said Dingethal. “Our Congress is dysfunctional. It’s time to put aside the partisan in-fighting that has caused the problems of struggling families to be ignored. The people need someone who will listen and work as hard as they do.”

Dingethal, who has announced as a Democrat, is currently the Executive Director of the Gifford Pinchot Task Force, a nonprofit organization that protects and restores the national forest around Mount St. Helens and Mt. Adams. A former Outreach Director for Senator Maria Cantwell in Southwest Washington, Dingethal was also an executive in the telecommunications industry for 20 years and has owned several small businesses in the region.

“I’m looking forward to meeting thousands of people face to face across the district in the coming months. I want to hear their concerns and ideas. We need to open the conversation to everyone. There are currently a lot of people who feel their voices are not being heard over the power of special interests in D.C,” said Dingethal. He added that if elected he would immediately re-open public town hall meetings throughout the district. “People have a right to voice their opinions even if they are angry with the state of politics in America. I won’t always agree with everyone, but I pledge to always listen, try to find answers, and work together with all of the people of the 3rd District,” said Dingethal.

Dingethal said economic innovation would be a key issue in the campaign.

“In my business career I was part of a leadership team that took a small telecom company to over 700 employees, Dingethal said. “We can foster innovation in the hi-tech and other industries here in Southwest Washington, and create economic and job training opportunities. I think my 35 years of experience in business, non-profit and public policy gives me a unique insight into solving problems that our current representation does not have.”

Dingethal has been actively involved in community service, working with the Vancouver Police Activities League, the Chkalov Society, the Joy Team and Dream Big Community Center. He has also served as chair of the Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and on the board of the Clark County Historical Society and Museum. He lives in Ridgefield with his wife Dona and his two grown sons, Max and Sam.

“It is time for career politicians in Washington DC to put our country and the people before politics; it’s time to get to work.” said Dingethal.

Those looking to get involved with the campaign can do so at facebook.com/bobforcongress and on twitter @bobforcongress.

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