
2 minute read
Local housing heroes
Legislative Update
by Jan Himebaugh | BIAW Government Affairs Director
Homes start here. Homes start with BIAW members. BIAW members literally put roofs over families’ heads. The homes that hold family dinners, bedtime stories and backyard barbecues: All of these start with a homebuilder.
Sadly and all too often, those who lead our state and local governing bodies have no experience in what it takes to provide homes for people. That’s a problem. We have the opportunity to change that.
More than a dozen of your fellow BIAW members have taken the plunge to run for state and local office to bring our voices into the heart of government decision-making. You can be one of these people, too. You, too, can run for office and become part of the solution.
Here are a few of your fellow industry members we know of who are running for or are already elected to office. Many of these are locally elected--and this list should not be considered an endorsement. Those decisions remain with each local homebuilders’ associations.
If you’re considering running for office, there are resources available for campaigning. Please contact me for assistance, janh@biaw. com. It is important to run for open seats or against currently elected officials who are anti-housing. Homes start here with elected officials who understand and who’ll fight for the American dream of owning a home.

Senator Lynda Wilson, LD 17, Building Industry Association of Clark County

Senator Jeff Wilson, LD 19, Lower Columbia Contractors Association

Representative Brandon Vick, LD 18, Building Industry Association of Clark County

Mayor Brian Holtzclaw, Mill Creek, MBA of King and Snohomish Counties

Commissioner Will McKay, Benton County, Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities

Commissioner Gary Anderson, Port of Bremerton, Kitsap Building Association

Councilmember Michael Cathcart, Spokane, former Spokane Home Builders Association staff

Councilmember Phil Folyer, Liberty Lake, Spokane Home Builders Association

Councilmember Bart Hansen, Vancouver, Building Industry Association of Clark County

Councilmember Keenan Harvey, Kelso, Lower Columbia Contractors Association

Councilmember Gary Petershagen, Lake Stevens, MBA of King and Snohomish Counties

Mayoral Candidate Bill Broughton, Bremerton, Kitsap Building Association

City Council Candidate Jonathan Bingle, Spokane, Spokane Home Builders Association

City Council Candidate Gretl Crawford, Kennewick, Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities

City Council Candidate Mark Fancher, Moses Lake, Spokane Home Builders Association

City Council Candidate Dustin Schwartz, Moses Lake, Spokane Home Builders Association

City Council Candidate Glen Yung, Vancouver, Building Industry Association of Clark County