Indivisible Sequim – Election Task Force -  2026 Candidate Research

 

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U.S. Representative, Congressional District 6. 

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Emily Randall (D)

Incumbent [Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]

First woman, first person of color, and first queer Latina to represent the district.; previously WA State Senator (2019–2024). Platform: Climate/clean energy, middle-class cost relief, voting rights, ACA/Medicaid expansion, education access, abortion rights. Record: Secured funding for military families and Kitsap Transit; introduced bipartisan ANCHOR Act and an anti-fraud bill (advanced 38–2); introduced a War Powers Resolution on Iran; shifted from strong pro-Israel to "pro-Israel, pro-peace," backing Palestinian human rights measures.

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Teresa Fox (R)

Fox, a Bremerton-based occupational safety professional and emergency manager, frames herself as "not a career politician" prioritizing common-sense leadership. Her platform centers on fiscal restraint, naval readiness/worker funding, rural police staffing, Title IX protections, rural healthcare access, and term limits, with focus on maritime, timber, military, and small-business communities. However, her campaign social media reflects harder-edged national GOP messaging: labeling Democrats as "Communists" or "Socialists," calling Indivisible communist-run, posting anti-homeless content (including suggesting links to child sex trafficking), and attacking Emily Randall directly. 

 

Leon Lawson ("Trump Republican") 

Lawson appears to be running out of grievance rather than genuine desire to serve, with a long history of litigation and public agitation. His platform centers on "government overreach" and DCYF reform/restructuring . Citing "broad coherence of government" as his qualification, a high school-educated former used-car dealership executive, he's run unsuccessfully for Governor (2020, 2024) and U.S. Senate (2022). He was fired after ~5 weeks as a probationary DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation Officer, after posting MAGA content on his campaign page. Endorsed by Mason County Republicans and MAGA Washington.

 

Brian P. O'Gorman (I) 

O'Gorman,  16-year military veteran (disability discharge) has no corporate donations but appears genuinely motivated by issues he cares about. Platform: partisanship reform (building an independent congressional caucus), securing federal funding for county hospitals/universal healthcare access, opposing civil asset forfeiture and qualified immunity, and addressing wealth-based inequities in practical rights. He opposes a constitutional convention, distrusting how it might be used. His social media is low-key — mostly pro-gun/military posts alongside a Pride celebration post, suggesting a blended ideological profile. 

 

Macy Jones (No Party Preference) 

Jones represents the progressive-left, grassroots. Her platform includes universal healthcare, living wages, UBI, climate action, abolishing ICE, ADA modernization, housing for all, 3-day weekends, and ending the "genocide" in Gaza/Lebanon. A longtime community activist:Jewish Voice for Peace, Local Peace Economy, and Washington for Peace and Justice, she volunteers regularly at a food bank supporting housing, food, and healthcare needs. 

 

Washington State, Legislative District 24. Representative, Position 1. 

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Adam Bernbaum (D),

incumbent [Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]

Bernbaum, a first-term incumbent Democrat seeking reelection whose record shows him actively legislating rather than just voting present. Sponsored/ negotiated bipartisan bills on housing supply, mortgage escrow reform, wildfire insurance, childcare capacity, and permitting reform, several already been signed into law. Holds substantive committee post as Transportation Vice Chair. His endorsement base (labor unions, Planned Parenthood, environmental groups) reflect a conventional progressive coalition. 

 

Eric. W. Pratt (R)

Pratt, a first-time Republican candidate for 24th LD, Position 1, local, born-and-raised Quilcene/Port Townsend, blue-collar background — construction work, roughly 20 years managing national sports-field-installation teams. No prior public office experience. Actively testifying against Democrat-backed bills in Olympia. Former Republican;  platform rhetoric is more libertarian than typical GOP messaging: heavy emphasis on personal liberty, minimal government, property rights, with no mention of abortion, guns, or other standard culture-war planks — good in rural PNW districts. One notable donor, Jesse Proudman, Pres./CTO of the Seattle AI startup Venice.ai. 

 

Ted Bowen (I)

Bowen, a Port Angeles security professional (22 years in healthcare/corrections/tribal security, published in Security Magazine), he's driven by Christian faith and street ministry work — not a pastor role. His mother was a Lower Elwha tribal member. Platform: church-community partnerships for homelessness, addiction, and social services; harm-reduction oversight; school safety funding. His emphasis on reducing tax burdens, skepticism toward government-funded harm-reduction spending, and preference for faith/community solutions over expanded government programs suggest a general lean toward fiscally conservative positions. 

 

Aiden I.R. Hamilton (R)

Hamilton, a 18-year-old first-time Republican candidate, frames his candidacy on losing two years of in-person schooling during COVID, claiming it gives him a perspective no sitting legislator has. Platform: housing affordability, pandemic-related learning loss in schools, opposing tax increases. Closely tied to the Charlie Kirk/Turning Point USA youth movement (photographed in a Kirk tribute shirt), sits on the Youth Advisory Committee of Culture Crossroads USA, a conservative youth organization whose board includes two Turning Point USA alumni, one of whom founded TPUSA's chapter at CWU. Backed by the Clallam County Republican Party and retired local officials, including Jodi Wilke, former chair, Save Our Sequim, that fought the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's Healing Clinic. 

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Washington State, Legislative District 24. Representative, Position 2. 

[No CCD Endorsements or ETF Recommendations Until after August 4, 2026 Primary]

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Bradley Nemo Callaway (D / DSA)

A first-time candidate, Callaway is running an explicitly Democratic Socialist campaign. Age 30, nonbinary, a Port Angeles native who works as a soccer referee/assignor and part-time phlebotomist, and serves as chapter secretary for North Olympic DSA. Platform: universal childcare and healthcare (WA Health Trust), a state-operated housing developer, a proportional/unicameral legislature via Single Transferable Vote, a ban on private election funding, and a state constitutional convention. Endorsed by North Olympic DSA, Whole Washington, Fair Vote WA, No Hate in WA State, and state Rep. Shaun Scott plus four fellow LD candidates. Scores strongest of the five candidates against the local Key Issues Survey (6/7 primary concerns addressed).

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Patrick DePoe (D)

An enrolled Makah Tribe member with six years on Makah Tribal Council (vice-chairman) and current Executive Director of the Association of Washington Tribes; formerly Director of Tribal Relations at WA DNR. He previously ran statewide for Public Lands Commissioner in 2024, placing third (14.1%) as the highest-finishing Democrat. If elected, he'd be the only tribal member in the WA Legislature. Platform centers on rural healthcare access (concerned about Olympic Medical Center viability), education funding, natural resource management, and progressive tax reform (supports the millionaire's tax, opposes the 2026 estate tax cut). His WSLC endorsement is independently confirmed via NPI Cascadia Advocate reporting.

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Mark Hodgson (D)

A Navy veteran (Special Warfare Combat Crewman), 20-year law enforcement/corrections officer, and sitting Port Angeles City Councilmember. He most recently served in the WSP Executive Protection Unit protecting Governors Inslee and Ferguson, with an official Olympia workstation from October 2021 through January 2026. Platform emphasizes public safety, affordable housing, and rural economic development — but leaves several issues (LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, environmental protection, climate) unstated. Scores weakest of the field against the local Key Issues Survey (3/7 addressed). Endorsed by Gov. Bob Ferguson and WACOPS (the latter confirmed via an actual PDC contribution, not just an endorsement claim).

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Kaylee Kuehn (D)

[Endorsed by OCA] A Sequim native with four generations of family in the district, a former teacher across four school systems, and a former legislative session aide; she's currently a registered lobbyist for the Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers. Platform is a moderate-progressive mix: incremental housing affordability and permitting reform, education funding and smaller class sizes, pro-choice, and pro-law-enforcement-with-accountability — she does not call for defunding police, explicitly positioning herself against the more DSA-aligned Callaway. Her WSLC endorsement (given jointly with DePoe) is independently confirmed via NPI Cascadia Advocate's reporting on the union's COPE convention. Scores tied-strongest against the local Key Issues Survey (6/7 addressed).

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Marcia Kelbon (Independent, formerly Republican)

A Quilcene Fire Commissioner since 2022 and a chemical engineer/patent attorney/former biopharma executive who ran unsuccessfully as the GOP nominee for State Senate in 2024, losing to Mike Chapman. She resigned her position as Vice Chair of the Jefferson County Republicans to run unaffiliated this cycle, telling a reporter the current partisan climate is “damaging and destructive” on both sides. Platform centers on loosening Growth Management Act restrictions to allow smaller/cheaper housing lots, a treatment-or-incarceration framing on homelessness, and accountability-focused state spending. Scores tied-weakest against the local Key Issues Survey (3/7 addressed) alongside Hodgson, with healthcare, water, and climate all essentially unaddressed in her platform.

 

Clallam County Commissioner, District 3.

 

Mike French (D)

[Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]

Indivisible Sequim Recommends Mike French for Clallam County Commissioner District 3

A lifelong resident of Clallam County, Mike French has a long history of giving back to the community – he has volunteered for public schools, the arts and nonprofit boards. He served on the Port Angeles City Council and ran a successful business for fifteen years in downtown Port Angeles. Mike has in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the pressing needs of our local communities and in his role as County Commissioner, has demonstrated his effectiveness at forging coalitions and public and private partnerships to address them.

 

Mike’s highest priority for Clallam County is economic development. He recognizes that residents need career pathways leading to well-paying jobs. Mike led a regional coalition that successfully acquired $35.6 million in federal funding for Recompete, a workforce and economic development program which provides training and creates new jobs and business opportunities for the North Olympic Region.

 

Mike cares about this community and works hard to make Clallam County a place where everybody can succeed and have a good life. As County Commissioner, Mike is helping to implement long-term, sustainable solutions to the pressing issues that affect all residents: 1) creating living-wage jobs, 2) expanding affordable housing, 3) ensuring public safety, 4) addressing the increase in unhoused people particularly in Port Angeles, 5) supporting necessary infrastructure development while protecting natural resources and the environment. 

 

Clallam County needs a County Commissioner with a broad base of local experience and a deep understanding of the economic and social challenges in our communities. We want and need someone who can overcome divisions and help us work together to address issues and implement sustainable solutions. We believe that Mike French is the right person for the job of County Commissioner. 

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• More details on Mike French’s policy positions are provided in his answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

• For more candidate information click this [LINK].

• Read A Word From Mike, a statement from the candidate about his campaign philosophy. [LINK]

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Jake Seegers (I)

Jake Seegers is running as an Independent, yet on July 13, 2026, his campaign signs were displayed in the window of the Clallam County Republican Party at 509 S. Lincoln St, Port Angeles. According to his website, he and his family moved to Port Angeles in 2019.

 Jake, wife Amy, and their three young children live in a home assessed at $967,000, which they do not own. Jake and Amy own a 36-acre, forested, waterfront parcel in Port Angeles (purchased in 2022). According to the Public Disclosure Commission’s (PDC’s) website, Jake earns less than $30,000 per year as a consultant, and his wife, an emergency room physician, earns $200,000 - $499,000 annually. Jake has no discoverable, gainful employment aside from working as a portfolio manager for his grandfather’s investment firm, Palomino Investments. His employment ended in approximately 2016.

 

He is 100% owner of Reve Operating LLC, a real estate holding company, which owns two adjacent parcels on the Olympic Hot Springs Road along the Elwha River, purchased in 2021. While this real estate is valued less than required by the PDC for disclosure, Jake has failed the test of transparency as he will realize financial gain with reconstruction of the washed-out roadway. In 2024, Reve Operating purchased a parcel in Grays Harbor County jointly with another LLC, although this investment was not disclosed until Spring 2026. In May 2026, Jake became 100% trustee of four adjoining Clallam Bay - Sekiu airport parcels totaling 49 acres with an assessed value of $349,000. Two of these parcels are waterfront. This real estate has not been disclosed.

Furthermore, Jake has also failed to disclose that he's a Director of the Seegers Foundation, founded by his grandfather. The Seegers Foundation has not filed for the tax year 2025. 2016 and 2024, it donated approximately $3.5 million of $5 million to far right, evangelical Christian organizations. Donations were also made to the Heritage Foundation, Judicial Watch, and the Cato Institute for the purpose of “preserving American values” and “promoting liberty,” one hundred fifteen thousand dollars was donated to the First Liberty Institute also for “preserving American values.” The First Liberty Institute is a member of the advisory board of Project 2025, which is a collection of conservative policy proposals aimed at reshaping the U.S. federal government. Noteworthy is an undisclosed $40,000 donated to 4PA. Of $33,000 in campaign expenditures to date, Jake has spent $14,000 with an online, non-union company in Massachusetts. As of June 11, 2026, three campaign violations totaling $60,000 in requested penalties had been filed with the PDC: 1) improper campaign signage, 2) unreported in-kind advertising expenditures, 3) excessive campaign contributions. 

 

On June 24, 2026, a video recording dated October 27, 2024, was uploaded to the Internet archive https://archive.org/details/clallam-commissioner-jake-seegers-in-jesus-name where Jake delivers a 12-minute sermon at the Harbor of Hope Foursquare Church in Port Angeles. In this sermon, he likens Democrats at the national, state, and local levels as skunks. He further says that God gave us free will, shotguns and shells, and suggests killing the skunks – “metaphorically for YouTube.” He further likens Democrats to Hitler and impresses upon the congregation the urgency to vote straight down the Republican ticket, “to get rid of these skunks.” He stated that he votes against anything that has a tax associated with it and any department can figure out how to live with 25% less revenue. He ends the sermon by praying that Christians and conservatives will vote for policy that most aligns with the truth of God.

 

On July 2, Jeff Tozzer of the Clallam County Watchdog, Jake’s initial campaign manager and current treasurer, released a YouTube video short reel https://youtube.com/shorts/BpmerwKnF_s?si=dwlpSRS1nIbeSNVA of Jake assigning his youngest daughter to be his new campaign manager. As of July 12, 2026, the young minor child was still listed as an officer (campaign manager) of the campaign.

 

The Jake Seegers story continues to unfold but based upon these facts we do not find him suitable as a Commissioner for Clallam County. More details on Jake Seegers’ policy positions are provided in his answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

 

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Supreme Court Positions (Nonpartisan)

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Position 1

Colleen Melody

(incumbent) [Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]
Melody has served on the Washington Supreme Court since January 2026, appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson. Before that, she spent 11 years running the Civil Rights Division of the state Attorney General’s Office, where she co-led a multistate lawsuit protecting access to abortion medication and challenged the federal Muslim travel ban, transgender military ban, and efforts to end DACA and birthright citizenship. Leans: Progressive / Democrat-aligned.
 

Laura Christensen Colberg
Christensen Colberg has practiced family law for 30 years and served 18 years as a part-time court commissioner in Snohomish County. Her campaign argues no sitting justice has family-law experience, and she says she’s committed to the text of the constitution "not to an ideology," while also describing the current court as "generally liberal" and positioning herself as a different perspective on it. Leans: Right-of-center, though not formally aligned.

Scott Edwards
Edwards is a tax attorney and law professor who has litigated against both Washington’s capital gains tax and Seattle’s city income tax. He teaches state and local tax law at the University of Washington and is active in local community and faith organizations. Identifies as a Republican.

 

Position 3

David Stevens
Stevens is a Mason County Superior Court judge and former county prosecutor. He describes himself as a "textualist," admires U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and Samuel Alito, has criticized the state court’s capital gains tax ruling and its recent decisions on public defense and juvenile warrants as examples of "judicial overreach," and says the court lacks "diversity of thought." Recommended by WA State Republican Party.
 

Jaime Hawk

[Endorsed by CCD; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]
Jaime Hawk serves on the King County Superior Court and previously spent seven years as a federal public defender before becoming the ACLU of Washington’s Legal Strategy Director for Smart Justice, where she worked on sentencing reform and voting rights for incarcerated people. Identifies as a Democrat. Endorsed by Gov. Ferguson, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, State Sen. Mike Chapman, and many more.

 

Mike Diaz

[Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]
Diaz is a Washington Court of Appeals judge, appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2022, and spent a decade as a federal prosecutor where he helped found the Seattle DOJ’s Civil Rights Program. He has authored over 200 appellate opinions. Identifies as a Democrat but generally viewed as more "moderate" than "progressive" among legal observers.

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Position 5

Theo Angelis

(incumbent) [Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]
Angelis has served on the Washington Supreme Court since April 2026, appointed by Gov. Ferguson. Before that, he spent 26 years in private practice at K&L Gates, doing appellate and IP litigation while also representing children denied legal counsel, wrongfully detained veterans, refugees, and people experiencing homelessness on a pro bono basis. He identifies as a Democrat; endorsed by Gov. Ferguson, former Gov. Gregoire, and several sitting justices.

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Dave Larson
Larson is a Federal Way Municipal Court judge who was asked to take the bench in 2008 to help fix a troubled local court system, after previously serving as Federal Way School Board president. He describes his judicial philosophy as protecting individual rights and upholding the state and federal constitutions "as written." He carries the Washington GOP’s official recommendation, alongside David Stevens in Position 3. Leans: Conservative

Sharonda Amamilo
Amamilo is a Thurston County Superior Court judge with 12 years as a public defender and over 25 years in U.S. Army military intelligence. Her caseload includes child welfare, felony criminal cases, and complex civil litigation. Endorsed by Snohomish County Democrats, the Washington State Democratic Latino Caucus, the state Labor Council,  sitting/former justices Helen Whitener and Mary Yu. She identifies as a Democrat.

 
Greg Miller
Miller is an appellate attorney at a Seattle firm who represents physicians and physician groups, and has also served as a part-time judge in Seattle Municipal Court. Public information is limited so far. Identifies as a Republican supporter. 

 

Position 7

Debra Stephens

(incumbent, Chief Justice) [Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)]

Stephens has served on the Washington Supreme Court since 2008, appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire, and became Chief Justice in 2025. A Gonzaga-educated attorney, she previously served on the Washington Court of Appeals. She joined the 2018 ruling striking down the death penalty and wrote separately in State v. Blake (2021), favoring narrower statutory grounds. Ballotpedia rated her a "Mild Democrat." Leans: Progressive / Democrat-aligned

 

Todd Bloom
Bloom is a tax attorney and former Navy officer with two decades of experience in financial planning and "Big Four" accounting (Deloitte, PwC). He sits on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors.
He has previously run for Congress twice as a Republican (2016 and 2022) and ran for this same Supreme Court seat once before, in 2024. Leans: Conservative / Republican

Karim Merchant
Merchant is a King County criminal defense attorney with nearly two decades of experience and 300+ trials, running his own practice focused on serious felony cases and constitutional rights defense. His website emphasizes fighting "government overreach" and protecting clients’ rights in the criminal justice system.
Leans: Unclear

David Shelvey
Shelvey is a solo-practice family law, estate planning, and tax attorney who also works seasonally as a tax preparer. This is his second run for this seat (2024). No endorsements, no reported campaign fundraising
Leans: Unclear — insufficient information
 

For more insight into the Supreme Court races, see Indivisible Sequim article, Nine Seats, Five Up - Why the 2026 Washington Supreme Court Races are Worth Your Attention

 

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Public Utility District No. 1, District No. 2 (Nonpartisan)

District #2 Commissioner 

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Randy Brackett 

Indivisible Sequim is pleased to announce its recommendation of Randy Brackett for the position of PUD Commissioner for District 2. 

Endorsed by CCD, OCA; Recommended by IS Election Task Force (ETF)

Randy Brackett is a long-time resident of Clallam County whose personal and professional experiences, elsewhere and locally, have given him the qualifications to serve in the capacity of PUD Commissioner. He states that public service has been a central motivator throughout his career and he is committed to excellence. 

 

Randy would bring to the job a professional engineering background, a broad scope of proven experience, and the ability to successfully work with others. He believes in community building, transparent communication, open collaboration, and productive relationships to reach workable solutions. 

 

Randy is committed to keeping Clallam County PUD fiscally responsible by maintaining strong operational oversight, rigorous policy reviews and transparent financial auditing. He is a strong supporter of routine system maintenance. He believes that our publicly owned PUD’s success “depends on transparent management that aligns with the needs of our ratepayer-owners”. 

 

Randy believes that the magnificence of our area is worth protecting. He is thoughtfully considering the challenges that our community faces in this time of difficult environmental and economic conditions. He believes in both sound energy policy and environmental stewardship. He advocates for exploring viable localized power generation and he is committed to protecting and upgrading our county’s water infrastructure, believing that water is life. With forward-thinking and innovative measures, he is focused on long-term needs and will work toward improving upon our preparedness and creating an infrastructure for the future.

 

We believe that Randy Brackett will carefully and broadly consider the public utility challenges we are and will be facing, as well as responsible solutions to those challenges.

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• We encourage you to read the thorough and thoughtful responses Randy provided to the candidate questionnaire.

• For more candidate information click this [LINK].

 

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Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton is running for the open Public Utility District Position 2 Commissioner being vacated by Jim Purvis. Tim is a native Washingtonian who has lived most of his life in Eastern Washington. 

 

Timothy received an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Columbia Basin College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Management from Washington State University. 

 

He worked for over 25 years in Community Development and his experience includes:

• Clallam County Housing and Grant Resource Director (2023-present)

• DTM Consulting (a consulting firm specializing in downtown redevelopment organizational management and board development)

• Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership 

 

Timothy is a Marine Corps veteran with an honorable discharge. 

 

Timothy’s platform includes: 

• Developing strategies to ensure reliable and affordable energy

• Expanding broadband access throughout our communities

• Supporting infrastructure that promotes economic development and creates housing opportunities

• Striking a balance environmental stewardship and safe, dependable and affordable power

 

He believes that water will potentially be the biggest issue facing the PUD in the future and that the PUD staff need to be looking for alternative energy sources and make recommendations to the commission. 

 

Timothy feels his work on public/private partnerships would serve him well as PUD Commissioner. 

 

Timothy listed no website for further information.

Other details are explained in his answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

 

Missi Baker

Missi Baker is running for the open Public Utility District (PUD) Position 2 Commissioner vacated by John Purvis. Missi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with a minor in Economics and holds both an English Teacher Certification and a Social Studies Teacher Certification. 

 

Missi’s professional experience includes:

School teacher:  English, Economics, History

Journalism:  Reporter, Editor, Photographer

Public Relations: Client Communications

Missi’s policy statements are listed below:

Missi states, “Every day, thousands of families in Clallam County flip a light switch, turn on the water, or start their business day without giving it a second thought. And that's exactly how it should be. It's the Public Utility District's job to make sure it stays that way.”

Missi is committed to:

• Ensuring rates remain reasonable while maintaining the quality services you depend on within this economic environment

• Keeping you informed about district decisions and budget priorities through open communication

• Supporting upgrades that protect our water and electric systems and prepare for the future

 

Community Service

• East Bonner County Library Board of Trustees, Idaho

• Church Meeting Recorder of Minutes, Idaho

• Church Deacon, Sequim, WA

• “Beautiful Day” Volunteer, Sequim

 

Excerpt from Candidate Statement:

I believe in responsible stewardship, not only for today's customers, but for future generations. Clallam County PUD really belongs to the people it serves. I plan to listen first, study the facts, and work collaboratively to help PUD continue to provide effective power and water services in our county. Good decisions come from asking thoughtful questions, considering different perspectives, and keeping the public's long-term interests at the center of every resolution.

I want our children and grandchildren to inherit a utility system that is financially sound, resilient, and prepared for the future.

 

The candidate did not provide a website.

More details on Missi’s policy positions are provided in her answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

Rick Paschall

Rick Paschall is running for the open Public Utility District (PUD) Position 2 Commissioner vacated by Jim Purvis. Rick has more than thirty years’ experience working in the electric utility industry in the Pacific Northwest. He was previously elected to the position of PUD Commissioner in 2020 and resigned after two years for health and personal reasons. Both issues are resolved.

Rick earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Oregon. During his career he worked closely with the northwest’s public power utilities and organizations, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers.  

 

His work experience includes:

• Analyst IV, FERC Compliance, Portland General Electric 

• Senior Manager of Compliance, Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative 

• Independent Contractor, Northwest Power Planning Council

• Senior Power System Analyst, Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference       

•                 Committee 

• Mathematician, Bonneville Power Administration

 

A summary of Rick’s policy positions is listed below. Rick states that his main focus will be on keeping rates as low as possible while continuing to provide reliable service. 

• Local Renewable Energy – Rick supports local power generation provided the cost to rate payers is at or lower than that of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). He also suggests a voluntary program whereby rate payers can choose to participate or not in local renewable generation.

• Rising Power Costs and Rate Pressure – Rick suggests building a coalition of local and regional utilities to work toward the goal of not expanding the federal system and keeping rates low for communities. 

• Data Centers – In general, Rick opposes data centers because they do not provide local jobs, they deplete the federal system and use a great deal of water. 

• West End Transmission Reliability – Rick believes an additional transmission line is not possible currently. He suggests building a coalition with Jefferson County PUD and the City of Port Angeles to influence BPA to negotiate ways to shorten the duration of power outages. 

• Drought Response – Rick supports the PUD’s water strategy plan as one that addresses all constituents, from farmers to developers. He would prioritize lower cost strategies and hold costly water source development projects in reserve as funding and grant money become available.

More details on Rick’s policy positions are provided in his answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

 

Excerpt from Candidate Statement:

Rick served in the United States Navy and earned an Honorable Discharge. With more than thirty years of experience working in the electric utility industry in the Pacific Northwest, Rick states that he knows the industry, the players, the politics, and how things get done. If elected, Rick will work directly with the General Manager and senior staff while formulating positions and most importantly, will pledge to do his best to keep rates as low as possible while ensuring the PUD continues to provide reliable service.

 

John “Jack” Smith

John “Jack” Smith is running for the open Public Utility District Position 2 Commissioner being vacated by Jim Purvis. He has lived in Clallam County for the past 12 years. 

Jack received a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is a Licensed Professional Engineer. He worked several management positions across rural Northwest Washington and Alaska for 34 years. 

 

Jack received an AA in Professional Management from Edmonds Community College and he is a BPA Certified Energy Auditor and Inspector.

 

His 34 years of work experience include:

• Snohomish County PUD, Snohomish Area Manager

• Avista Utilities, Demand-Side Management Engineer

• City of Seattle, Office of Housing, Weatherization Operations Administrator

• 2020 Census, Clallam County census Field Supervisor

 

Jack states in the Clallam County Official Voters’ Pamphlet that, “The majority of my career has been focused on conservation, customer service, utility operations, and helping people use energy and water more efficiently”. 

 

 Jack’s platform includes the following priorities:

• Energy Efficiency

• Community Engagement

• Environmental Sustainability

• Affordable Utility Services

• Economic Development

Jack also states that he would continue to follow the PUD’s water response plan and that he would promote an active water conservation program. He would also support “an increase in the Conservation Department”.

 

Jack’s Community  Service includes:

• Snohomish County PUD Emergency Management Coordinator

• Kiwanis Club past President

• Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce

• Snohomish Chamber of Commerce

• Catholic Charity Services of Stevens County

• Catholic Volunteer Services of Clallam County

• Clallam County Vietnam Veterans Association

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More details on Jack Smith’s policy positions are provided in his answers to the Indivisible Sequim Questionnaire.

See details of this platform at votejacksmith4pud.com

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