VOTE411 Voter Guide

I have dedicated my career to public service. As a U.S. Coast Guard Officer, I led environmental response and maritime safety missions, including the recovery of 1.5 million gallons of oil during the Deepwater Horizon spill. I oversaw multimillion dollar dry docks in Colombia and Mexico and supported safety operations across Puget Sound. As an Inspector with the International Transport Workers’ Federation, I fight for exploited seafarers, enforce international labor standards, and recover stolen wages. I have worked to combat human trafficking and labor exploitation through coordination with federal agencies, unions, and the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking. I am also a proud member of the ILWU Marine Division. My record reflects a lifelong commitment to protecting workers, strengthening our maritime system, and ensuring that public institutions serve the people they are meant to represent.

The Port must be a gateway to economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and community partnership. I am running to ensure the Port increases cargo volume, creates living-wage union jobs, and modernizes infrastructure to remain globally competitive while positioning to be premier hub for commerce and opportunity. I will work to strengthen coordination with labor and the Tribe, and ensure that polluters are held accountable for their impact. This is a pivotal moment. The Port faces global trade shifts, rising environmental expectations, and growing public demand for transparency. It calls for principled, experienced leadership that centers the public interest—not just corporate priorities. Pierce County voters deserve real choices and fresh leadership committed to making the Port work for everyone. My immigrant grandfather lost his life working on Tacoma’s docks. His sacrifice fuels my commitment to safe jobs, fair labor, and dignity for those who power our maritime economy.

GROWING CARGO VOLUME TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES: The Port must remain competitive in a rapidly shifting global trade environment. I will focus on bringing new tonnage through Tacoma by strengthening infrastructure, attracting sustainable business, and ensuring that growth translates into living-wage union jobs for local workers. INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY: Many of the Port’s road, rail, and terminal systems need upgrades to reduce congestion and pollution. I will prioritize investments in clean technology to ensure that industrial polluters are held responsible for cleanup costs, not taxpayers. PUBLIC TRUST THROUGH ETHICAL GOVERNANCE: The Port must serve the public, not private interests. I will work to ensure transparency in decision-making, and build stronger partnerships with labor, the Puyallup Tribe, and local governments. Voters deserve principled leadership that listens, leads, and delivers for all of Pierce County.

The Port must take an active role in advancing environmental health by supporting investments that reduce pollution, protect natural resources, and grow the clean energy economy. This includes expanding shore power so ships can shut down engines at berth, electrifying cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks, and holding industrial tenants accountable for emissions and waste. The Port’s road, rail, and terminal systems also need upgrades to reduce congestion and ultimately cut pollution. I will prioritize habitat restoration projects that support salmon recovery by improving water quality, reconnecting natural waterways, and restoring shoreline vegetation. Finally, I will advocate for the Port to adopt and expand clean energy infrastructure, including solar, battery storage, and sustainable building practices. A modern and competitive port must also be a responsible neighbor, one that values clean air, healthy waters, and long term partnerships with labor, tribes, and the community.

The changing climate will impact worker safety through extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding and threaten the economic engine of Pierce County. These risks are not theoretical. We are already seeing more weather-related disruptions, deteriorating infrastructure, and threats to health and safety across the integrity of the marine transportation system. Sea level rise could damage terminals, roads, and rail systems critical to the supply chain. The Port must invest in climate resilience by modernizing infrastructure, supporting clean energy transitions, and strengthening protections for workers exposed to dangerous conditions. It must also collaborate with labor, industry, the Puyallup Tribe, and local communities to plan for long term adaptation. Climate change is a direct threat to both the economy and the environment. The Port must take bold and proactive steps to protect jobs, safeguard public health, and remain a strong and responsible presence in the region.

I’ve built a strong public service foundation through education and organizing. At Pierce College, I led the rollout of Starfish to improve student success and equity. In prior roles at Saint Martin’s and UMaine-Farmington, I supported inclusive student housing and academic services. I’ve served as a PCO, Chair of the 29th LD Democrats, and Secretary of Pierce County Young Dems. I’ve canvassed and organized for labor- and climate-aligned campaigns. I bring transparency, equity, and stewardship to every role—values I’ll carry to the Port of Tacoma to strengthen our economy, environment, and community.

I’m running for Port Commissioner because I believe Tacoma’s future must be both economically strong and environmentally just. Growing up in Connecticut, I saw the long-term damage industrial pollution can inflict on communities—something I’m determined to prevent here. I’m running to bring transparency, accountability, and a new generation of leadership to the Port. Former Rep. JT Wilcox represents the kind of old-guard politics that too often sidelines working people and environmental concerns. I offer a different vision—one that centers clean industry, family-wage jobs, and meaningful public engagement. Our port can be a model for sustainable growth, but only if we lead with values and act with urgency.

The Port of Tacoma sits at the crossroads of urgent challenges and generational opportunities. First, climate change: sea-level rise, extreme weather, and carbon emissions threaten both port infrastructure and our shared future. The port must lead in decarbonization and climate adaptation. Second, labor: we must ensure that the growth of maritime and industrial sectors translates into stable, union-supported, family-wage jobs—not just profits for a few. Third, tribal sovereignty: the Puyallup Tribe's treaty rights and stewardship of this land and water must be honored through genuine government-to-government engagement, not tokenism. A just and resilient port must confront these challenges directly—with transparency, partnerships, and a long-term vision.

The Port of Tacoma must be a leader—not a laggard—on environmental health. As one of the region’s largest industrial players, the port has both a responsibility and an opportunity to reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and push for a just transition to clean energy. That means accelerating the shift to electric cargo-handling equipment and trucks, investing in green infrastructure, and holding polluters accountable on port property. It also means recognizing that communities near the port, especially in the Tideflats and East Tacoma, bear disproportionate environmental burdens. The port should prioritize environmental justice, collaborate with local governments and the Puyallup Tribe, and commit to transparency in reporting progress. Clean air, safe water, and a livable climate are not negotiable—they’re the baseline for a healthy economy and community.

Climate change is already affecting the Port of Tacoma—and the risks are escalating. Rising sea levels threaten port infrastructure, while more frequent extreme weather events can disrupt global supply chains and damage equipment. Warmer temperatures and air stagnation worsen local air quality, particularly for frontline communities. The port’s proximity to sensitive waterways and industrial facilities also heightens the risk of toxic runoff and flooding. If we fail to act, we risk not only environmental degradation but economic instability. The Port must invest in climate resilience—raising infrastructure, electrifying operations, reducing emissions, and collaborating with the Puyallup Tribe and local agencies to adapt responsibly. Climate change isn’t a future threat—it’s a current mandate for smarter, cleaner, and more equitable port planning.

I was the founding Vice President of the Nisqually River Land Trust in the late 1980's. I served as Co-Chair of the successful Yelm High School Levy Campaign in the early '90's. I was elected a WA State Representative in 2010 and served for 14 years, with most of my time as Minority Floor Leader and Minority Leader. My policy interests have been split between concerns for Jobs and the Economy and Salmon Recovery. I tried to be as impactful as I could in promoting the rural economy and promoting the value of our rural and farming culture for all people. As a Caucus Leader I led efforts to reach out to Washington Tribes and Labor organizations. Tired of partisan environments, I served my final session in 2024 and declined to run again. I accepted a position on the WA Salmon Recovery Council and have been active in salmon recovery efforts in our State, Olympia and in WA DC. I hope to have a chance to pursue my zeal for good jobs, careers and habitat as a Tacoma Port Commissioner.

The Port of Tacoma is the most impactful public organization in our county in the two areas that I care about the most. Good jobs that allow hard-working people to experience a fulfilling family and community life and the means and mission to clean up and restore some of our most damaged, but important habitat for salmon and other marine life. As a child on our farm I experienced the value of a culture that blended hard work, community and camaraderie with other hard-working people. I lived in a place that is extremely close to the natural world and later, because of my Dad's friendship with Billie Frank Jr., a look at a Tribal culture that is even closer to the natural world and the fragile nature of our salmon runs. 14 years in the Partisan atmosphere of Olympia told me I was done with that kind of service. The non-partisan, collaborative and working nature of this commission means it's a place where we can accomplish good things together.

Continued recruitment of Port users- Our Port is a small fish in a big pond and it's critical we maintain our competitiveness vs other ports and we must constantly recruit new customers to replace fading volumes. This is the challenge I have faced for years in my family business, Wilcox Farms, and we must apply the same sense of urgency for our Port. Maintaining high-value Industrial & Commercial space-The Port is an important landlord & the jobs that it supports around our county are among the best careers available in the private sector. It's critical that Commissioners defend the working nature of our Port, blend it with the vibrant boating community and be the best possible neighbor to those who live in the area. Continue our aggressive approach to restoring polluted land and habitat.-As a former Legislator, respected by both parties, I will take the lead in seeking the funded needed from Olympia and WA DC.

I have represented East and South Pierce County for many years and have been involved in efforts to mitigate the air pollution caused by the very large sources of particulate pollution that the shipping concentration in the Port causes. Those pollutants affect the quality of life in my district because so much of the pollutants flow up the Puyallup Valley. I've got a multi-decade history of supporting electrification in the Port to mitigate these problems and will continue this effort as a Commissioner. I also have seen first-hand how every person and activity up-stream in a river system impacts their neighbors downstream and the salmon and other creatures that depend on the Nisqually and the Puyallup rivers. There can be no good outcomes at the mouth of the river without care upriver. I will enjoy sharing that message with my neighbors and my new constituents on the upstream end of Pierce County, which would be my new district.

Since the first log gangplank was pushed out to the first raft in prehistoric times, ports and related infrastructure have been at the forefront of the impacts of weather and climate change. Our Port is no different. As saltwater levels rise, storm patterns change and as we experience hotter or colder climate, our Port will need to mitigate the impacts so that we can maintain our competitive status vs other ports. We can also take advantage of our unique status for our competitive advantage. We are a deepwater port that will likely experience less challenges than some other competitive West Coast Ports. We are well protected from storms vs other ports, we experience few problems with silting and need little dredging, we have a highly motived and large workforce in a city that values work and our working port heritage.