Former aide joins legislator's ranks

JD Rossetti, who was recently appointed to fill Dean Takko's position as Washington State Representative for District 19, took some time this week to talk to this reporter, who is a political neophyte, and who began by asking how he got into politics.

"I started paying attention to issues on a state and federal level that I hadn't paid attention to before, because I was being directly affected by government policies," Rossetti began.

Rossetti said it began when there were medical complications after he and his former wife had a child. He was working two jobs, and she was at home taking care of the child and no longer able to work. They were barely making it when the medical bills started coming.

"That was when the real debate started about the Affordable Care Act and providing health insurance for everyone," Rossetti said. "I jumped on that. There were a couple other issues that were important to me but that was kind of the focus point, because it was about me and my family."

When the recession hit, he found himself out of work and in need of assistance.

"It was always instilled in me to give back to the community," Rossetti said, "but I didn't realize what giving back really meant until I was at my very lowest point and I needed somebody to help me out. When people helped me out, that's taxpayer dollars, that's community support in other ways as well, but that whole giving to me made me aware that I now had a responsibility to give back to other people.

"That's what has really driven me since then. I understood there are programs there for a reason but I never understood the importance of that and how people really need that help."

When the marriage ended, Rossetti went back to school, first at Lower Columbia College and then WSU in Vancouver. He got involved in student government and was elected president of Associated Students of LCC. He continued to be involved with student government at WSU Vancouver and then got an internship with Brian Hatfield's office.

"That was awesome," Rossetti said. "I got to be there first semester, driving up to Olympia every day. I learned everything about the process and fell in love with everything that was going on. I realized that this was what I wanted to do, to help other people. It's not just about the policies and the legislation, it's about what your office can do to help people."

He got involved with the School Directors Association, where he spent time representing school board members around the state of Washington.

"It taught me all about education," Rossetti said. "I got involved with the school board. I've found my niche in the education world and that's where I think I have the most passion. If we are really going to give everybody a fair shot and an equal shot at life, we need to give them a fair shot at an education first."

"It's been a long road, but it was well worth every piece of the process to develop and refine who I am today," Rossetti said. "It wasn't one thing, but an accumulation of things."

His work as a legislative aide for Representative Brian Blake taught him a lot as well, especially about the technical aspects of the work in Olympia.

The technical aspect, according to Rossetti, is to understand what is in play and consider the incremental work that has already been done in order to build upon it to make a larger impact.

He already has two bills sponsored.

"My experience as a legislative aide has given me those insights as to what has been done," Rossetti said, "how they technically work and what the technicalities are to continue those works in some of those areas. Education and funding are specific areas I think I have a lot more technical experience than other people, especially when it comes to the legislative process. That's why I think getting into this next session, I'm going to be able to hit the ground running and really be able to do more and have more of an effect than someone else would."

Rossetti, a Longview resident, small business owner and little league coach owes this political neophyte a cup of coffee. There will be more conversations, so send your questions to diana@waheagle.com.