Elected Experience: None

Other Professional Experience: 30 years in the corporate world including executive experience at Microsoft, Dell, and Sprint.  Small business owner and winemaker, William Grassie Wine Estates in Fall City.

Education: Masters of Business Administration, University of Kansas; Bachelor of Science-Business Administration (Econ), Pittsburg State University

Community Service: Executive Board Member, Volunteer Center - Johnson County KS; Planning and Utilization Board, Blue Valley School District; Honored with the Outstanding Contribution Award by the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Jackson County, MO for work with troubled youth; Honored by Jackson Co. Pathmakers for work with the Juvenile Court; 42 gallon+ blood donor; Extension Master Gardener.

Statement: I entered this race as an Independent Centrist because our democracy is at risk. We must find ways to hold our public servants accountable for positive outcomes rather than tolerating abuses of political power. Today, campaigns are won by dividing us. The only way to end this norm is to upend the broken two-party system.

For the second year in a row, the U.S. has been ranked as a flawed democracy. This should give us pause, as should the fact that Congress has an approval rating near 20%. The fault lies in the nature of the two-party system, even when we elect good people.

Changing the system will require pressure from outside the two major parties to overcome the dysfunction and hypocrisy on which Congress thrives. We must minimize partisanship and special interest influence to effect positive change.

We need a credible nonpartisan voice. My professional and corporate background, agricultural roots, and small business experience make me uniquely qualified to best represent this district and our nation. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you on both sides of the partisan divide. We agree on the goals and outcomes we want for this country, but we need civil and thoughtful debate to achieve them.

I am socially and environmentally progressive and fiscally responsible. Details of my centrist platform can be found on my website at www.Grassie4Congress.com.

While others running in this race under a major party banner may be qualified to serve, it will be impossible for them to rise above the hyper-partisan divide. Today the divide is so wide and the power struggle so intense it has permeated our daily lives. As an Independent, I will lead the conversation with civility to unite us toward our common goals.