Ben and his family moved to Oregon when he was five, settling at the foot of Mt. Tabor in SE Portland. His family later moved to West Linn, where his father was director of a pre-school, and he graduated from West Linn High School in 1994. Ben attended Washington University in St. Louis. There, he was editor of the school's twice-weekly newspaper and an honors graduate in history. After a year-long stint as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, Ben received a Rhodes Scholarship in recognition of his service, scholarship, and leadership. At Oxford University, England, he received two degrees: one in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE); the other in Comparative and International Education.

Classroom Teacher

Forgoing opportunities in finance and consulting, Ben returned to Portland to be a teacher. While Liz, his wife, earned her teacher training and certification, Ben took a position teaching Humanities to 6-8 graders at the Arbor School of Arts and Sciences, an elementary school in Tualatin, where he continues to work today.

Involved in the Community

Ben also quickly re-immersed himself in the community. As a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors of the Oregon Bus Project, Ben has traveled to swing districts around the state, educating voters about state government and asking them to support progressive candidates for the Legislature. As Chair of the Bus Project 's Education Policy Council, Ben helped develop and lobby for a package of legislation to address the state's school funding crisis. He also served on a research committee of the City Club of Portland on early childhood education, which published recommendations to policymakers and to the community.

In Spring 2006, Ben was nominated for the Oregon House of Representatives in a competitive primary election. He won the seat in November with over 76 percent of the vote. During his first term in Salem, Ben served as vice-chair of the House Committee on Energy and the Environment and a member of the House Committee on Health Care and the subcommittee on Education Innovation. Ben worked to expand the Bottle Bill, create an electronic waste recycling program, and commit the state to renewable energy. He also helped write Senate Bill 329, which created a blueprint for universal health care in Oregon, and he helped pass a robust education budget that began our reinvestment in Head Start, K-12, and higher education.

Ben and Liz are the parents of Evelyn (born in June during the hectic final days of the 2007 Legislative Session!). Avid outdoors enthusiasts, Ben and Liz love to hike, camp, and travel. Ben is a runner and cyclist who has competed in various events, including the Hood to Coast relay and the Rose Festival Duathalon. Besides a newly-crawling baby, their home includes two cats and lots of good books!