Neal Kirby

biography

From his previous legislative experience, to his lobbying, his career in education, or his personal experiences, Kirby shows he is ready for the State Senate.

As the Centralia School District Homeless Liaison, he has seen first hand the impacts of the December floods which damaged 600 homes in Centralia. As a principal with a Master's Degree in Education Administration and 30 years experience in education, Kirby knows the nuts and bolts of our school system where over 40% of the state budget is spent.

Neal Kirby is passionate about fairness in taxation and education. He has written and lobbied extensively to lower local levy tax rates in rural areas and get comparable revenues for our rural schools. He has also contributed to community activities to address substance abuse, provide for the homeless, assist seniors, and help United Way distribute resources to local service agencies.

Neal has also been a guest columnist in newspapers around the state advocating for rural areas as well as a writer of his own email newsletter to keep others informed of legislative issues. He has a skill for communicating our concerns.

If you're looking for someone that wants to fight for the people who elected him and has the proven skills to win, then you want Neal Kirby as your senator.

Personal History

--Born April 19, 1952

--Raised in a career military family, moving often on the Pacific Coast and Hawaii

--Seven brothers and sister

--Graduate of Oak Harbor High School in 1970

--Graduate of University of Washington in 1976

--Masters degree, Education Administration, University of Washington 1987

--Principal in Centralia since 1991, eight years at Centralia Middle School and nine years at Edison Elementary

Political History

--State Representative, 1990, 7th Legislative District

--Numerous presentations and testimony before legislative committees and panels

--Guest political columnist in papers statewide for over 20 years

--Founded and chaired Committee for Levy Equalization, providing $3 million and $5 million yearly in tax breaks to Lewis and Thurston counties, respectively, and over $1.5 billion in tax breaks over 20 years state wide

Award / Honors

--Washington Conservative Union “Friend of the Taxpayer Award,” 1990, for votes they monitor, including firearms, taxes, and property rights

--“1990 Guardian of Small Business Award” from the National Federation of Independent Business for 100% rating on votes they monitor

--“Voices for Children” Advocacy Award nominee, Children’s Alliance, for work on tax issues for rural schools, 2007

Community involvement

--Lewis County Meth Summit

--Lewis County Meth Task Force

--Lewis County Reading Foundation

--Lewis County Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Board

--United Way Community Investment Committee

--Lewis County Emergency Shelter Grants program distribution committee

--Providence Hospital “Paint the Town” low-income seniors home painting event, Edison Elementary team co-captain