Democrat Peter Goldmark for Congress (from 2006)

Peter Goldmark, a rancher from eastern Washington, is the Democratic candidate for the 5^th Congressional seat.  He can ride a horse and rope a steer.  Most importantly, Goldmark knows exactly what is ailing the predominantly rural 5^th Congressional District. 

• “Washington, D.C. is not representing our values.”  
• “Opportunities for economic growth in Eastern Washington are being missed” 
• “The real problems our nation faces are not being addressed . . . gas prices and energy independence, healthcare costs, our retirement security, and government living within its means.”  

Democrat Peter Goldmark is “one smart cowboy”

How did Peter Goldmark did get so smart?  He grew up in Okanogan County on the east-side of the state of Washington on the family ranch where people “think for themselves and help their neighbors when they have a need.  They work hard, and they pay their bills on time.” 

Oh . . . did I forget to mention that he has a Ph.D?   

Peter Goldmark began his education in a one-room schoolhouse at Duley Lake near Okanogan, Washington. He graduated from Okanogan High School in Okanogan and in 1967 received a degree from Haverford College near Philadelphia. After receiving his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971, he traveled to Harvard University for a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiology. Following his marriage in 1972, he moved back to Okanogan with his wife, Georgia. Together, they raised their five children on the family ranch. Sadly, Georgia succumbed to cancer in 2003.

Agriculture and Education are two of areas most important industries and Peter Goldmark knows both of them very well. 

Goldmark has had a lifelong involvement with agriculture, science, education, and public service. Included among his public service positions are the following:

• Director of Agriculture for State of Washington, appointed by Governor Lowry in 1993
• Chairman of the Governor's Council on Agriculture and the Environment in 1994-1996
• Governor's Council for a Sustainable Washington in 2002-2003
• Governor's Council on Biodiversity in 2004-2005
• Founding board member and past Chairman of the Board of Farming and the Environment, a unique coalition of farmers, ranchers, and conservationists founded in 1999
• Board of Regents of Washington State University, 1996-2005; President of the Board in 1999-2000
• Board of the Washington State University-University of Washington Policy Consensus Center, 2003-2006
• Okanogan School Board, 1998-2005

Goldmark maintains a small scientific research facility at his ranch and has published scientific articles in national and international journals. He currently maintains a wheat-breeding program at his facility and has recently released new varieties for Washington wheat farmers. Goldmark left the Washington State University Board in 2005 to run for the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 5th District. He recently remarried and lives in Spokane with his wife, Wendy, splitting his time between campaigning from his Spokane office and managing operations on the family ranch near Okanogan.

If you have gotten this far in the diary, then you are probably interested in Goldmark’s candidacy.  So are a lot of people, and that interest is fueling his campaign. 

Goldmark has out paced his Republican opponent by 3 to 2.  In the second quarter, he raised $210,000 compared to Cathy McMorris-Rodgers’ $120,000. 

However, McMorris has more cash on hand. 

Chances of winning, well it is a tough race.  To quote, teacher Ken, this race can be made competive . . . and that is our goal. 

Don Hamilton, his media consultant, is doing an outstanding job with the campaign.  Goldmark and Hamilton have done and excellent job contrasting Goldmark’s populous message with the extreme rightwing votes of the McMorris.  It helps that Peter Goldmark is a natural fit for the 5^th Congressional District.