We need to ensure the port works for everyone. Rural communities and working-class residents deserve a stronger voice in decisions that often reflect the interests of developers.


FOR ALL OF US

For all of us means that public resources, like the Port of Olympia, should benefit everyone in Thurston County, not just those with power, money, or proximity. It’s about fairness, equal return on public investment, and making sure decisions reflect the needs of the entire community.

What does this mean?

Right now, the Port mostly benefits developers and those near the waterfront, while the rest of us pay in and get little back.

Environmental Protection

  • As Port Commissioner, I will fight to protect our natural resources and make sure the Port is a partner in environmental stewardship. We need to hold polluters accountable, preserve marine life, and keep our air and water clean. Our community deserves a Port that acts with care and long-term responsibility.

  • Too many contaminated sites have been ignored for decades while nearby neighborhoods are left with the consequences. I will make cleanup a top priority and ensure those responsible are held accountable. We can restore our shorelines, protect ecosystems, and make these areas safe and accessible to the public again.

  • The climate crisis is already affecting our region. I will push the Port to invest in renewable energy, reduce emissions, and build climate-smart infrastructure. Our future depends on bold leadership and a commitment to sustainability. We need to plan ahead, not just react later.

  • I will support projects that create long-term economic growth without harming our environment. That means investing in clean industries, supporting local green businesses, and ensuring that new jobs at the Port are living-wage, union jobs tied to sustainable practices.

  • Our marine ecosystems and shorelines are vital to the health of our region. I will work to protect critical habitats, prevent erosion, and support restoration efforts that protect native species and water quality.

  • Communities most affected by pollution and neglect must be prioritized in cleanup and investment. I will advocate for policies that center equity and ensure that no neighborhood bears an unfair environmental burden.

No New Airport

I will not support a new commercial airport in Thurston County. The overwhelming majority of citizens do not want it. It would bring unnecessary noise, pollution, and traffic to our communities while primarily serving the interests of developers, not residents. I will always stand with the people.

Olympia Airport Expansion

The Olympia Airport expansion is advancing without a complete and transparent review. Environmental impacts are being broken into smaller parts to avoid a full study, limiting public understanding and input. We need a real, comprehensive review that includes the environmental effects, the full budget, federal grants, and long-term costs. This project carries serious financial risks for the public, including unknown maintenance expenses, cost overruns, and future obligations tied to federal funding. Taxpayers deserve to know exactly what they’re being asked to support and how it could affect our community for decades to come.


Environmental Studies

Every major development must be guided by strong environmental protection. Many studies are already underway, but they must be held to a higher standard. They need to be science based, transparent, and fully accessible to the public. These studies should cover air and water quality, shoreline health, traffic, noise, and long term impacts on neighborhoods and climate goals.

These reviews should not just check a box. They must shape decisions in a meaningful way. Community voices must be part of the process from the start. If a project cannot meet strong environmental standards, it should not be approved.

Economic development can benefit all of us.

Economic development should strengthen our communities, support working families, and protect what makes Thurston County special. With public ownership, union jobs, and open spaces for all, the Port can lead growth that truly serves the public good.

Responsible Economic
Growth

  • Responsible development means protecting the natural beauty and accessibility of our shoreline and Port lands. Every project should preserve open space for public use, including trails, parks, and gathering places where families and residents can relax, play, and connect. Land use decisions must balance economic growth with long-term environmental health and community well-being. The Port should never become closed off to the people who pay for it. Our land must remain public, accessible, and inviting.

  • The Port must lead by example in supporting industries that provide real economic opportunity. That means attracting employers who offer living wages, benefits, and respect for organized labor. Any major contract or project should include commitments to union labor, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development that lifts up local workers. Unions are critical to ensuring job quality, safety, and equity in our economy, and they should be central to the Port’s economic strategy.

  • Development should never happen without clear, enforceable commitments to public benefit. That includes affordable commercial space for local businesses, community programming, and infrastructure improvements that serve everyone, not just developers. Projects must include amenities like public restrooms, family spaces, childcare access, and improved transportation connections. When public land is used for private gain, the community must get something real in return - measurable, visible, and lasting.

  • Port property belongs to the people of Thurston County and should remain in public hands. Long-term leases that effectively hand over ownership to private developers for 75 years or more are unacceptable. These arrangements remove public control and benefit private interests at the community’s expense. Instead, we must keep the land under Port control and ensure that any lease provides a fair, market-rate return that goes back into public use, services, and improvements.

  • Our economic future must be sustainable. The Port should invest in industries that reduce pollution, promote clean energy, and build long-term resilience to climate change. That means supporting businesses that recycle, conserve resources, and operate with a low environmental impact. We can grow jobs and grow responsibly at the same time, becoming a model for green economic development that puts people and the planet first.

  • Residents deserve to know how and why decisions are made. Every step of the development process, from initial proposal to final vote, should be public, accessible, and easy to understand. Documents must be posted online, meetings must be streamed and open to participation, and decisions must be guided by community input. We cannot allow a small group of insiders to shape the Port’s future behind closed doors.

Donate to the campaign

I’m running a grassroots campaign powered by community support. I may be outspent, but I won’t be outworked. My opponent has the ability to invest personal resources into their campaign, but I believe our strength comes from the people we bring together and the values we share. With your support, we can reach voters and build something meaningful for Thurston County.