Daniel and Jan Himebaugh: Public Policy in the Evergreen State
Written by Monica VanDerWeide, ’95
There’s a well-known adage that “all politics is local.” Daniel and Jan Mensonides Himebaugh, ’04, ’06, live that out through their careers in and around Washington state government, firmly believing that working in politics at the state level offers incredible opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
The Himebaughs both had an interest in politics from an early age. “I’ve always been fascinated by government, elections, and the law,” Daniel says. A native of Mason, Michigan, about an hour north of Hillsdale, Daniel was thrilled to discover that nearby Hillsdale College could offer him a thorough study of politics in preparation for law school. Jan, a native of Tacoma, Washington, developed an interest in politics through family conversations at the dinner table. “My parents owned a dairy farm, and we had frequent conversations about property rights and other topics related to government that spurred my interest in politics,” she recalls.
At Hillsdale, Daniel and Jan pursued majors in politics and political economy, respectively. They met while working with the College Republicans on George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign. After graduation, Daniel worked briefly at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy before enrolling at Pepperdine University, where he earned his J.D. as well as a Master’s in Public Policy degree in 2009. He and Jan married in 2006. Jan managed the box office at Pepperdine University’s Center for the Arts while Daniel completed his degrees.
In his role as Leadership Counsel for the Republican Caucus of the Washington State Senate, a position he has held since 2014, Daniel enjoys using his Hillsdale education every day. “Politics is about human relationships,” he says. “You have to know how people think and act, and studying politics at Hillsdale helped me to understand human nature.” Although he admits there are challenges in his work because of the divisive nature of the current political climate, he does see “good moments” of cooperation between the parties. “I serve elected officials the best that I can so that they can govern the best that they can,” he says.
Jan is Government Affairs Director for the Building Industry Association of Washington, an 8,000-member organization, and she runs all lobbying and political efforts. “Building is a highly regulated industry,” she says. “I enjoy taking complex issues and breaking them down to be understandable.” She finds her work rewarding when lobbying efforts lead to legislation that ultimately promotes home ownership. Jan echoes her husband’s thoughts on the human aspect of politics. “You have to remember that politics is a relationship game,” she says. “People deserve respect, even if you disagree with them, because they are created in the image of God.”
The Himebaughs encourage Hillsdale students to consider careers in government or public policy at the state level. “State government is often overlooked because there’s so much focus on Washington, D.C.,” Daniel says. “But there are many opportunities to make a difference at the state and local levels. I would love to see more Hillsdale grads working in state government.” “State governments need Hillsdale graduates who believe in freedom,” Jan adds. “We lose freedom when states become weak.” For those students thinking about careers in public policy, Jan says, “You don’t have to go to law school to have a career in public policy. Hillsdale teaches you how to think. I learned how small policy points are connected to broader philosophical ideas, which has been invaluable to my career.”
Both Daniel and Jan help the College in whatever ways they can—by talking about careers with current students, by volunteering at Hillsdale receptions and Admissions fairs, and by supporting the College as President’s Club members. It’s a connection they’re proud to maintain. “My connection to Hillsdale has opened more doors professionally than anything else,” Daniel says. “The College’s reach is remarkable, even on the West Coast. I’m so blessed to have attended Hillsdale and still be a part of it.”
Monica VanDerWeide is Director of Marketing Content for Hillsdale College. She graduated from Hillsdale in 1995 with a degree in English and German.
Published in January 2022