Meet Paul R. McDaniel | Federal Way WA
Husband. Marine Corps Veteran.
Small Business Owner. Community Leader.
For more than three decades, I've called the Puget Sound home. Like many Washington families, I've experienced the challenges of building a career, operating a business, serving my community, and planning for the future in an increasingly expensive state.
Those experiences shaped who I am and why I'm running for the Washington State House of Representatives.
I believe public service begins with listening, leadership is earned through action, and government should create opportunities—not obstacles—for the people it serves.
A Life Built on Service
Service has been the common thread throughout my life.
Whether serving in the United States Marine Corps, volunteering in our community, mentoring young people, operating a small business, or serving on the Federal Way City Council, I have always believed leadership means standing up when your community needs you.
Each chapter of my life has taught me lessons that continue to shape how I approach public service today.
Husband, Family, and Community
Family has always been my cornerstone.
I was born in Tacoma and have lived in the Puget Sound region for more than thirty years. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with parents who modeled commitment, responsibility, and perseverance.
Over the years, my family has grown far beyond blood relatives. Friends, fellow Marines, neighbors, and the many children I've had the privilege of mentoring have all become part of my extended family.
Those relationships have reinforced a simple belief:
Strong communities begin with strong families.
Every policy considered in Olympia should be evaluated by one simple question:
Will this make life better for Washington families?
If the answer is no, we should reconsider it.
Building a Business from the Ground Up
Before serving in elected office, I spent decades building businesses.
My entrepreneurial journey began as a kid with a paper route and my first business loan. That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship.
In 2000, I founded 7th Power, Inc., a technology consulting company serving businesses throughout Washington.
Over the years, I've worked alongside medical professionals, contractors, manufacturers, nonprofits, and small business owners—helping organizations adapt to changing technology while navigating economic uncertainty.
I've experienced:
- The dot-com crash of the 1990’s.
- The Great Recession of 2008.
- The COVID shutdowns of 2020.
- Ever-increasing inflation and rising STATE taxes.
I've learned what it means to make payroll, balance budgets, solve problems, and adapt when circumstances change.
Those experiences taught me that government policies have real consequences for the families and businesses that keep our communities strong.
Serving Our Nation
At twenty years old, I joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Military service fundamentally changed my life.
The Marines taught me discipline, accountability, and teamwork.
During my deployment to Iraq, I witnessed firsthand the value of preparation, responsibility, and decisive leadership under pressure.
Those lessons remain with me every day. Leadership is not about titles. It is about earning trust, making difficult decisions, and accepting responsibility for the outcome.
Those principles continue to guide my work in public service.
Investing in the Next Generation
Some of my most meaningful experiences have happened outside politics.
For nearly a decade, I volunteered more than one thousand hours at St. Francis Hospital, serving patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals throughout our community.
I later had the opportunity to coach youth wrestling and teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to children and teenagers.
Watching young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience, and respect has been one of the greatest rewards of my life.
I believe every child deserves adults who believe in them. Every young person deserves opportunities to succeed. And every community benefits when we invest in the next generation.
Washington Families Deserve Better
Everywhere I go, I hear the same concerns.
These challenges aren't unique to one city or one political party. They affect all of us.
I'm running because I believe government should focus on practical solutions, responsible leadership, and creating opportunities for every Washington family to succeed.
Our state doesn't need more division.
It needs leaders willing to listen, learn, and make thoughtful decisions based on facts, accountability, and common sense.
Families are worried about the rising cost of living.
Neighborhoods want safer bus stops and streets.
Young adults & families wonder if they'll ever be able to afford a home.
Parents are concerned about their children's future.
Business owners are struggling with ever-increasing taxes and regulations.
Building a Stronger Washington
Every generation has an opportunity to leave something better for the next.
I believe ours can leave Washington more affordable, more prosperous, safer, and better prepared for the future.
That work won't be accomplished by one elected official alone. It will require citizens who are willing to engage, ask questions, volunteer, vote, and hold their government accountable.
I invite you to join me in this effort.
Together, we can build a stronger Washington.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN