Raymond Bunk prides himself on being a blue-collar guy.

But like so many others in his shoes, Bunk has been affected personally with the downturn of the real estate market, and he's also felt what it's like to take a pay cut - all while feeling that the middle class in the state is getting squeezed tighter when it comes to paying taxes.

It's exactly the reason Bunk, a democrat and Air Force reservist, is running for state senate in the 31st Legislative District, which is spread between Pierce and King counties and includes Bonney Lake, Sumner, Auburn, Buckley, Enumclaw and Edgewood. Voting for the primaries is Tuesday, and general elections are held in November.

"There are very few working folks in Olympia - they don't understand the middle class folks," said Bunk, who also spent three years on active duty and is now reservist working as an individual mobilization augmentee with the 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron in the McChord Field Fire Department. "Our elected officials don't listen to the people they represent. We need a blue-collar voice."

The 38-year-old Bunk is managing his fledgling political career while also working 40 hours a week as a Federal Way police officer. He'll routinely come home from a day of work and pound the pavement, knocking on doors and introducing himself to voters in his district. Come the weekend, it's more door knocking and long hours behind the computer sending out e-mails trying to drum up support for his campaign.

"This campaign has enveloped my whole life," the Bonney Lake resident and father of an 18-year-old daughter said.

But Bunk has proven adept at juggling several different ventures at the same time. In addition to his Air Force commitment - which includes a deployment to Iraq in 2007 - and day job as a police officer, Bunk is an elected East Pierce Fire & Rescue commissioner, and also serves on the Bonney Lake Civil Service and Design Commission. He also heads up a local foundation that collects new and slightly used soccer balls to send to Iraqi children. Along with his military service, working each job has helped Bunk develop attributes and disciplines he feels make him a solid candidate.

"I've developed the ability to work with others and practice conflict resolution," said Bunk, who also has a master's of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University and a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University . "It's about bringing people together from different sides to solve problems."

And that can come in handy in Olympia when trying to find a common ground with constituents on issues affecting people in his district, Bunk said.

"I think military people also find me an interesting candidate because I have served and I know what servicemembers and their families go through on a daily basis," he said.

While toppling republican incumbent Sen. Pam Roach will likely be no easy task, a recent co-endorsement from The News Tribune and the feedback Bunk is getting from voters keeps him going.

"I've knocked on 6,000 doors and people are tired of (elected officials not listening to them)," Bunk said. "It drives a lot of people crazy. You just don't forget the people in your district."