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Thurston County Voter's Guide
THURSTON COUNTY
This year, we asked candidates running in contested races for Congress, area State House and Senate Voter’s legislative districts, and several Thurston County offices to answer three questions. We hope their short answers give you a better idea about their priorities, how they can help local businesses, and why voters should care about candidates' work when elected. Guide
Each of the positions on the ballot play an important role in shaping how and what government services are provided at the Federal, State, and County level. Each elected official can help shape the economic tone and reputation of our region. The Thurston County Chamber and its Public Policy Division encourage all voters to use this guide as a starting point to learn about the role and responsibilities of each office.
Public policy is determined by those that participate. The most straightforward and most crucial step to participate is to vote. Please remember to vote in this year's general election. QUESTIONS: 1. Why should voters care about the work of the [position you're running for]? 2. If elected, what will be your top priorities? 3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses?
U.S. Representative 10th Congressional District
Two-Year Term
Marilyn Strickland Keith Swank
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
The South Sound is one of our state’s fastest-growing regions. We need a representative who can deliver resources, and make our community more safe, more just, and more secure.
My top priorities remain supporting our South Sound economy, lowering costs for families and small businesses, and delivering federal transportation & infrastructure investments to alleviate our region’s challenges.
As a former Chamber of Commerce CEO, I know Congress can make the Small Business Administration more responsive, ensure that tax policy is more fair, and invest in workforce training. Our current one-party leadership has created a government that increasingly puts our citizens last. It’s important to have a dedicated representative fighting for your rights to reverse these problems. As a Police Captain and proud US Army veteran the safety and rights of our country and our communities will be paramount in every task and vote I undertake.
The incredible achievements of American workers and entrepreneurs have changed the world permanently for the better. We must fight to reverse the new tax increases on small and mid-sized businesses.
Legislative District 2 Representative Pos. 2
Two-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Ed Meer JT Wilcox
The 2nd District is a fast growing area with a growing population of mixed political standing, mixed business types, and need for upgrading of infrastructure.
1) Police/Critical State employee shortage; 2) Support Local Business; 3) Infrastructure; 4) Better Management of Green/Renewable Energy; 5) Hemp pulp products to Reduce the stress on wood pulp supplies
1) Change the tax from a gross to net income. 2) No one pays more than 30% in total taxes with the present tax codes. Washington needs political balance and that means the input of all citizens, rural, small town and big cities. It's critical that Western WA positions outside of Seattle have strong and effective representatives. I came to Olympia to stand for sustainable budgets that demand less taxes from the citizens and delivers more value. Our public schools are in a crisis that will get much worse. A priority is to stand for the Students and parents now. Local business gets lots of lipservice and near zero real consideration from the governing majority. As one of the few local businesspeople in the Legislature I never let them forget that perspective.
Legislative District 22 Representative Pos. 1
Two-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Beth Doglio Loretta Byrnes
Legislators work with businesses and constituents across the district to leverage state dollars for community priorities, roads and transit, education, and infrastructure strengthening our economy and improving quality of life. 1) Housing, including affordability, supply, and housing/services for our most vulnerable neighbors, 2) Equitably addressing climate change, 3) Workforce issues including increasing training opportunities and addressing worker shortages.
Investing in education and all post-secondary education/training to ensure our young people are prepared to enter the workforce and addressing the inequity of the flat B&O tax on gross income. Reduce the B&O tax and/or make it based on net profit. Address the root causes of homelessness and property crime. Ensure reliable and affordable energy. Create a motivated labor force.
The legislature creates and increases business, sales, income and property taxes; spends YOUR tax dollars; passed laws that increased crime, drug abuse, and homelessness; and created a failing education system.
Education, evidence based energy and environmental policies, public safety, drug abuse, mental health, and homelessness.
Legislative District 22 Representative Pos. 2
Two-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Jessica Bateman Kate Plager
As your state Representative, I value your input and work to advocate for state investments that enhance our region’s economic, social, and environmental priorities. Voters should care about the work of their State Representatives because they make laws that reflect the needs and values of the district.
Build a strong economy; Public Safety & Education: funding our first responders who keep our communities safe and schools, because education is key for the future of our society.
Reduce State spending & Reduce taxes; Support law enforcement to counter the current crime wave.
Housing, healthcare, and a green economy. Each industry generates family wage jobs, improves affordability across our region, and improves the health of our communities.
By prioritizing job and housing affordability, supporting thriving small businesses, and strong communities.
Legislative District 35 Representative Pos. 1
Two-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
No submission as of deadline.
No submission as of deadline.
No submission as of deadline.
Dan Griffey
It is important to understand everyone’s needs. People want their loved ones to be safe, affordable prices, no government gimmicks and honesty. My job is to fight for them all.
My top priorities are public safety, transparency and accessibility to your government, quality education and a stable and predictable business environment. I also work directly with constituent’s individual concerns.
Stability is critical for business. I work diligently to stop burdensome regulations, red tape and support streamlining permits and promoting consistency throughout our state. Stop crime is a top priority.
Legislative District 35 Representative Pos. 2
Two-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Sandy Kaiser Travis Couture
Much of Thurston County lies in the 35th! Folks who live here often commute into Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater to work and shop. When the 35th thrives, we all do.
Supporting local business and familywage job growth, fully funding our schools, protecting sustainable forestry and our shellfish industry, and defending reproductive rights. The work of your state Representative is crucially important, as they will vote on or change laws surrounding crime, education, taxes, and many other critical issues that directly affect you. My top priorities are restoring public safety and supporting our first responders, improving our kids’ education, reducing costs for families and making it easier for business to grow and operate.
By expanding support for affordable, quality childcare; making it easier to build affordable housing; strengthening local funding for workforce development; and ensuring we get our share of key infrastructure investment. Most state policy directly or indirectly effects business. I will tackle needed tax relief, review regulations that harm our economy, and fight to rein in state agencies from scope creep.
Legislative District 35 Senator
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Julianne Gale Drew MacEwen
The 35th LD Senator represents the voice of our community when making statewide laws. A good state senator makes sure that our district receives the resources it needs to thrive.
My priorities are supporting abundant local jobs, reducing reliance on long-distance supply chains, protecting our environment, and strengthening community relationships to leave a good legacy for our great grandchildren.
As your state senator, I will listen to the concerns of local small businesses. I will partner with you to support local growth and innovation to build a regenerative economy. We can have a direct impact on communities via policies involving taxes, regulations, education, transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. All of these impact our day to day lives. My priorities are quality K12 education, a strong economy that promotes growth, ensuring we give adequate funding to public safety, and enact sustainable budgets with adequate surpluses. By listening. As a small business owner I know first hand the consequences of legislation. But not all businesses are affected the same. I promise to listen to your concerns.
Thurston County Assessor
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
Households and businesses take on taxation in ownership of their property. They should receive fair and accurate evaluations to maintain stability in their plans.
Steven Drew
As Assessor I apply tax laws impartially and assure the integrity of our property valuation system, so each taxpayer contributes only its appropriate share of the property tax burden.
Under my leadership the office has been widely recognized as a state leader in maximizing transparency, efficient use of technology and consistently producing equitable values for all taxable properties.
Dept of Revenue will complete a full spectrum audit, the Board of Equalization (B.O.E.) will be allowed to do their job, and create a senior outreach to help seniors financially.
Listen to them and respond. Use least restrictive policies instead of most restrictive: fair and honest. Include the business community in policy changes. Support them for better business. Businesses rely upon the services funded through property tax. Public confidence assures stability in services like fire, criminal justice and education. We are always accessible when businesses have concerns.
Thurston County Auditor
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Mary Hall Sal Militello
The Auditor plays a vital role in County Government. I oversee elections, recording, vehicle licensing, passports, grants, and county finance. The Auditor is the gatekeeper of democracy and integrity matters.
Work to rebuild trust in elections & combat false rhetoric. Enhance security at our Ballot Processing Center. Strengthen grant policies and support to county offices. Expand our internal/external audit program.
Our office must be excellent at the business of government. Ethical. Fair. Transparent. Valueoriented. Customer-focused. Forward-looking. Efficient and effective. Through great service we support economic success for businesses and citizens. The county auditor is the most important financial officer in county government. Well beyond partisanship is the need for open, honest, and accurate accounting.
My top priorities are : End “no bid” contracts. Make financial information easily accessible through the website. Accurate, thorough, and meticulous audits made public. Rebuild the trust that has been eroded. When the county books are accurately kept and waste is minimized, less taxation is needed, leading to prosperity for businesses and individuals.
Thurston County Clerk
Four-Year Term
Ellipses indicates submission was longer than 30 words.
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Tonya Moore Linda Enlow
The clerk’s office is tasked with maintaining orderly courtrooms by processing legal paperwork and communicating with them about scheduling appearances in court. When members of the public call into the clerk’s office, they are often looking for courtroom resources... Create community hubs where court users can get necessary forms and information without having to come to the courthouse; Develop and implement a language access plan; Provide trauma-informed training to all staff. Increase the retention rate for clerk’s office staff.
While the Clerk’s office doesn’t provide any unique support directly to local businesses, by providing accessible, easy-to-understand services, everyone who interacts with the court will hopefully feel supported... a culture of quality and transparency... It is important that all laws are followed by the clerk and that the Superior Court record is preserved forever for the public.
Continue working collaboratively with the judges and other agencies to improve services; Expand services to victims of domestic violence/abuse; Expand electronic documents in courtroom with automatic distribution to users. By providing access and case information that potentially impacts a business that is involved in a Superior Court case.
Thurston County Commissioner District No. 3
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
In addition to our direct responsibilities, County government is relied upon to take state and federal resources and policy changes and integrate them across the various jurisdictions within the County.
Continuing to attack the housing crisis, building strong, alternative pathways to incarceration in the justice system, and continuing to make sure we adequately protect our environment as the County grows.
The regional economy is evolving, and we need to focus on policies and strategies that promote innovation, working hand in hand with our Economic Development Council. Collaboration is key.
Vivian Eason
District 3 Commissioner is on Board and represents all the people of Thurston County. Commissioners represents the community on Boards such as Planning, Board of Health, Medic One, LOTT, etc.
Support and fund law enforcement to create a healthier and safer community. Develop permanent solutions to the drug and mental health crisis. Reduce excess regulation to enhance property rights.
Provide a business-friendly environment with less regulations and excessive fees. Support activities to attract tourists. Create a safer businesses environment to lessen the hardship from theft and violence.
Thurston County Sheriff
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
The Sheriff is the Chief Executive Officer and conservator of the peace. The Sheriff has the influence to shape the culture of law enforcement county wide.
A. Public safety; curb the crime wave B. Run a transparent office that is accountable to the people C. Improve morale by redirecting resources to rank and file employees
The sheriff can best support business by suppressing crime, building partnerships, and educating the public.
John Snaza
Public safety matters to all voters and citizens of Thurston County. In order to have a vibrant and safe community, the elected Sheriff must lead this collaborative effort.
1) Public Safety: Innovative Technology, Collaboration, and Narcotics Task Force. 2) Employee Health and Wellness: Peer Support, Increased Staffing, Retention Bonus. 3) Partnerships: Law Enforcement, Fire, Mental Health, Businesses, Tribes, and Community. I will listen to the needs and concerns of businesses countywide. Deputies will continue the practice of routine business checks to build relationships and trust to address issues timely.
Thurston County Treasurer
Four-Year Term
2. If elected, what will be your top priorities?
3. How can [your desired position] best support local businesses? Jeff Curry Jeff Gadman
The work of the Treasurer directly impacts their pocketbooks. In addition to its function of accounting for tax collection, the Treasurer makes decisions regarding paying down debt and investing county funds. This position serves as the banking and investment officer for the county and over 40 tax districts, and requires a thorough knowledge of financial, banking, and investment laws and functions.
I will continue to advocate for legislation that favors taxpayers and continue to implement products that make it easier for people to do business with my office.
By continuing to be a resource helping businesses understand our tax laws and by continuing to advocate for tax laws that make the most sense for business.
If elected, my top priority will be improving the fiscal strength of the county. In recent years, voter approved and non-voter approved debt has ballooned, making that goal more challenging.
Small business is the backbone of any community in terms of jobs, and services offered. If elected, I will advocate for local business in any capacity available to the Treasurer.
