Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton is a senior manager working in the defense industry. He was an F-16 pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 20 years. He earned a B.A. from the University of Washington and a master's of aerospace science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Keaton has volunteered in the district through the Edgerton Elementary Watchdogs program and as a legislative liaison for the district's PTA.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Michael grew up in Washington near SeaTac Airport where he developed a deep love for our state and airplanes. He also felt a calling to serve. Upon graduating from the University of Washington, Michael served as a combat fighter pilot, flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon for the United States Air Force. During Fighter Lead-in Training, when fighter pilots get their first call sign, “Batman” (starring a different Michael Keaton) was a top movie hit, and he has answered to that call sign ever since.

After returning home from 20 years of military service, he moved to Puyallup to live near family. The call to serve persisted and he ran for the Puyallup School Board in 2015 and was re-elected to the board in 2019 for 4 more years. He fought to keep politics out of the classroom and focused the district on expanding Career Technical Education to give our students more pathways to a successful future. He worked with other board members to pass a new strategic plan for the district that would put academics first, closely followed by parent and community engagement.

He pledges to take the leadership skills, problem solving ability, and experiences gained while serving our country and on the Puyallup School Board and apply them to finding innovative solutions to provide a better future for our families and our state. I truly understand the great responsibility of representing people, and I would be honored to be trusted to represent you.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My work in the legislature will be based upon lowering the cost of living, fighting crime, and removing ineffective laws and regulations that are currently wasting taxpayer dollars.We need to remove bad laws and reduce government taxation in food production and processing that drives up the cost of food. We need to reduce unnecessary regulation in building all types of homes to increase the supply of affordable housing.We need to smartly invest in solving the homeless crises, not just throw money at it. Every person has so much potential. We need a long-term plan to solve it. We need to reduce crime by working with law enforcement. Hold officers accountable when mistakes are made, but the vast majority are only motivated to

improve our community. We need to heal the divide.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, transportation and public safety

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honor, integrity, and service before self

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As an F-16 fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, I've been involved in some intense mission planning and execution and have developed skills in operational risk management that will allow me to find the unintended consequences of proposed legislation. A lot of bills sound good on the surface, but we need to dig deeper. Many laws benefit just a few, with negative impacts for the rest of us.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listen to constituents and fight to ensure their concerns are brought to Olympia and addressed.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Law enforcement, small business, medical, and construction organizations. Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier and outgoing incumbent for the position I'm seeking, Kelly Chambers, plus many more.

What committees interest you?

Education and Transportation

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Transparency and accountability are absolute musts. Washington State Administration can't account for $1.17 Billion in Covid Relief Aid. Think of the struggling families and falling behind students we could have helped.

Pierce County voters' guide

Keaton provided the following statement for the Pierce County voters' guide:

After returning home from 20 years of military service, I moved to Puyallup to live near family and put my first-grader (at the time) into an outstanding school district. I’m very proud to have been a fighter pilot and have served our nation, but the most important thing I have ever done is raise good-hearted, thoughtful children. I believe our children are capable of exceeding even their own expectations if we can provide them with the best teachers and empowered principals in a motivating and safe environment. Today, our district faces overcrowding, inefficient bus routes, and drop-out rates higher than we should accept. I pledge to take the leadership skills, problem solving ability, and experiences gained while building a highly successful Air Force formal training school, and apply them to finding innovative solutions for our district. I understand the great responsibility of being on the Puyallup School District Board, and I would be honored to be trusted to guide the education of your children.[5]

—Michael Keaton (2015)[1]

Campaign website

Keaton provided the following statements on his campaign website:

I believe our children are capable of exceeding even their own expectations if we can provide them with the best teachers and empowered principals in a motivating and safe environment. Today, our district faces overcrowding, inefficient bus routes, and drop-out rates higher than we should accept.

I pledge to take the leadership skills, problem solving ability, and experiences gained while building a highly successful Air Force formal training school, and apply them to finding innovative solutions for our district.[5]

—Michael Keaton (2015)[6]