Candidates for elected office responded to a Leader questionnaire to help voters better understand their positions ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

State Representative, District 24, Position 1

• Adam Bernbaum

Age: 32

Occupation: Full-time candidate

What is your party affiliation? Democrat

Why do you want to be in public office?

Too many people are struggling in our community. We need pragmatic leadership with fresh ideas and energy, not divisive politicians beholden to special interests. I’ll fight to lower housing and childcare costs, advocate for common sense solutions to public safety and homelessness, invest in our roads and ferries, and always protect a woman’s right to choose.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I have experience working in the legislature fighting for progress on issues that are important to our community. I’ve helped constituents with unemployment benefits, housing and health insurance, and worked on policy to improve rural healthcare systems and address the housing crisis. As a result of that work, I’ve been endorsed by Derek Kilmer, Emily Randall, Mike Chapman, Kate Dean, the Washington State Labor Council, the Association of Washington Business, Washington Conservation Action, and elected officials across the Peninsula.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

I will focus on increasing affordable housing to make sure that everyone in our community has a safe, affordable place to live. I will promote solutions to public safety and homelessness, so we can feel safe in our communities and so those needing help can get the care they deserve. I will work to improve our rural healthcare system so that people don’t have to choose between high costs and partial coverage. I will advocate for policies that create well-paying jobs on the Peninsula and fight for state infrastructure dollars to repair roads, build bridges, and support our local economy.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

Constituents deserve accountability from their representatives. There are disagreements in the community, and I will stay open to new perspectives and be honest about my policies and priorities. I’ll always be responsive to community needs, and will seek to use the office of the state legislature to advocate for constituents.

Do you have any concerns about this election?

Our community is stronger together. During election cycles, it’s easy to cast people with whom we disagree as villains who act out of malice and spite. This is a mistake. I respect my competitor and believe that he wants what’s best for the community. On November 6th, we’ll all still have to live together. We will be better prepared to confront the very real challenges that we face if we approach this race, at the local level, as a conversation among community members about how we tackle these challenges, rather than as an opportunity to demonize our neighbors.

Bio shared by candidate:

I grew up in unincorporated Spokane County and graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Political Science. After graduating, I taught English abroad and then pursued a PhD from George Mason University before working for a nonprofit on behavioral health and criminal justice policy. I volunteered as a rural organizer on the Olympic Peninsula and later worked as a field organizer for Congressman Derek Kilmer. In Port Angeles, I served as Senator Kevin Van De Wege’s Legislative Assistant before stepping down to run for office. As a Legislative Assistant, I listened to people in our community about issues ranging from healthcare to housing and from forests to fisheries, and I helped constituents with unemployment benefits, housing, and health insurance. I serve on the boards of the Olympic View Community Foundation, the Nor’wester Rotary, and the Clallam County Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board.

• Matthew (Matt) Roberson

Age: 38

Occupation: Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Clallam County

What is your party affiliation? Republican

Why do you want to be in public office?

I want to ensure future generations, like my daughter’s, have the same or better opportunities than I did in this state. My vision is a safer and more affordable Washington with great schools and strong communities.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I think three major strengths are: (1) my experience as a deputy prosecutor; (2) my empathy and understanding from being a first-generation college graduate who grew up with poverty, drug abuse in the family, and homelessness; and (3) being a parent who shares the same struggle as other families dealing with the costs of living and lack of childcare and healthcare. 

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

We have a housing crisis in this state and in our district. Government spending cannot fix it alone. We need to make it cheaper and easier to build housing by reducing regulation, creating incentives, and adjusting planning and zoning. We also have to make community safety a priority through greater accountability in sentencing, more drug and behavioral health treatment, and going after high volume drug dealers. Finally, we need to encourage economic growth in our district by investing in trades education, making it easier to start and grow businesses, and expanding infrastructure.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

First, do constituents feel like they are being heard and represented regardless of party affiliation? Second, how did our District do in terms of receiving its share of investment? Third, did I advocate for policies and legislation that addresses key issues in our District?

Do you have any concerns about the election?

No, I am confident in our elections. I’d just like to encourage every voter to get out there and vote.

Bio shared by candidate:

I grew up in Pierce County before attending college and law school as a first-generation college student. In 2013, I married my best friend, Arielle, while finishing law school. Since 2016, we have lived in the Port Angeles area where I’ve served as a deputy prosecutor. In 2022, we were blessed by the birth of our daughter. Aside from work, I really feel like I’ve had the chance to live the American Dream, having grown up with adversity to raising a family of my own and serving my community for the past eight years. In my career, I’ve held violent offenders and sexual predators accountable, sent many non-violent offenders to drug or mental health treatment, and advocated for the most vulnerable of survivors. Now, I want to make sure that our communities are safer and opportunities are greater for future generations.

State Representative, District 24, Position 2

• Steve Tharinger

Age: 75

Occupation: State Legislator

What is your party affiliation? Democrat

Why do you want to be in public office?

I have been in public service for over 25 years. I find it is a good way to build community and hopefully make improvements in people’s lives.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I am finishing my 7th term in the House of Representatives and as chair of the Capital Budget, as well as being on the Health & Wellness and Appropriations Committees, I am in a strong position to help the people of the 24 Legislative District address some of the needs and challenges we face.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

Access to affordable housing is a major issue in Jefferson County and across the state. K-12 school funding, both for operations and facility needs, is another issue that needs to be addressed.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

As Capital Budget chair,I have a strong voice in addressing both housing and school funding. I hope to show success in both areas.

Do you have any concerns about this election?

Olympia is much different from Washington, D.C., and the national political scene. So I am less concerned about our state politics but very concerned about our national politics. Trump is trying to spread fear to create enemies instead of nurturing neighborliness.

Bio shared by candidate:

I have lived on the Olympic Peninsula for over 45 years. I was a partner in a small woodworking business, I served on the Clallam County Planning Commission for eight years and was a Clallam County Commissioner from 2000-2012. I am finishing up my 14th year in the Legislature, having served on numerous committees from Environment to Finance, currently chair of the Capital Budget Committee. I co-chair a joint Legislative Executive Committee on aging and disabilities. I have served and chaired numerous work groups and task forces from water resources, salmon recovery to behavioral health.

• Terry Roberts

Age: 64

Occupation: Project Manager, Discover Financial Services

What is your party affiliation? Republican

Why do you want to be in public office?

I chose to run for office after speaking with thousands of great people in LD 24 that need help just meeting their basic needs.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

Lifelong Washingtonian, 45-year professional, trainer/consultant to Washington State Public Schools, 22 years in Information Technology and Banking/Finance.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

Affordable housing both rental and purchase, Inflation, Criminal Justice and Education are all critical issues that overlap and intertwine. It will take an individual with fresh ideas, energy, the professional background and a sincere desire to serve to affect change. The worn-out ideas of the past and motives to self-serve have created the environment we currently occupy, it’s time for real change. I can make this solemn promise to those in LD 24, my door will always be open, I will devote all my energy to helping all those in the district regardless of ideology or party affiliation.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

Housing becomes more affordable, the cost of living comes down in Washington State, Police are fully funded, and Education is more impactful. Working across the aisle with my colleagues during my first term I will tackle these issues head-on and not let up until we see real change. 

Do you have any concerns about this election?

I would really like to see more of our citizens in LD 24 vote. Our Democracy only survives if people participate, so, I encourage everyone in LD 24 to reach out to their neighbor and encourage them to register and complete their ballot.

Bio shared by candidate:

Professional: As a project manager at DFS Terry works regularly with Fortune 500 & 1,000 companies on complex projects involving technology, finance and systems integration. His understanding of national and international markets has aided him in producing favorable corporate outcomes. Terry’s early career in social services working with Service Alternatives as an administrator & Catholic Community Services as operations director, provided him the opportunity to consult/train public school teachers including those at Pt. Townsend High School and early contracting work at both Bangor and Bremerton shipyards have given him a unique perspective about private and public sector interaction.

Personal: Terry and his wife Karen have owned property on the Olympic Peninsula for 20 + years and enjoy craft farming, raising heirloom cider apples and Cheviot sheep. Terry serves on the elder board of their local church and has served on multiple community boards including Selective Service Board No. 21.

State Senator, District 24

• Marcia Kelbon

Age: 65

Occupation: Attorney, Chemical Engineer, retired business executive, and elected Fire Commissioner

What is your party affiliation? Centrist Republican

Why do you want to be in public office?

I want to ensure that our children and grandchildren can successfully build homes, families, businesses, and lives here, all of which have become more difficult in recent years.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I have the technical expertise as an engineer, legal expertise as a patent attorney, and business experience from growing a company to tackle Washington’s issues, am a 43-year Peninsula resident motivated by having children and a grandchild living here, and am independent and not beholden to special interests or anyone other than our community.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

The local economic conditions make it difficult for young people to live and raise families here, including a lack of sufficient living-wage jobs, the shortage and cost of housing, and taxes that unnecessarily raise fuel, grocery, and utility costs. The same cost factors render some retirees on fixed incomes financially insecure. Our schools need to be refocused and our teachers unfettered to ensure our children receive quality education and our school facilities and special education need better funding. We must partner with law enforcement and provide better treatment for mental health and addiction to help our homeless neighbors.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

Have I effectively contributed to reducing the cost of living on the Peninsula, to making it easier and less costly to build housing here, and to improving the business climate for the creation of true living-wage jobs so that local families can build lives here?

Do you have any concerns about this election?

Only the reasons that compel me to run; if we do not change the status quo we will continue to evolve into a community populated only by well-to-do retirees and tourists, without the richness and self-supporting stability of an economically- and age-diverse community.

Bio shared by candidate:

Marcia has been a proud Peninsula resident since 1981, and found Washington State a place where all it took was hard work to succeed. Marcia put herself through college and graduate school, earning her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Penn State and her Masters in Chemical Engineering at the UW. She then worked as a civilian engineer for the US Navy before attending law school at the UW. During law school she handled child abuse and neglect cases for the WA Attorney General’s office, and then began practicing law as a patent attorney working with businesses large and small to protect their innovations. Marcia then became an executive and general counsel for a biotech company, which she helped guide from start-up through commercialization. In that post she handled grants, regulatory compliance, financing, human resources, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution. Litigating when necessary, Marcia more often resolved disputes through mediation to solve even highly polarized disputes. She currently serves as an elected Fire Commissioner in Quilcene. Marcia has always been active in her community. She currently volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, runs a WSDOT Adopt-A-Highway program, has provided pro bono legal services to the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, Emerald Towns Alliance, and Jefferson County Fair Board, and has been a foster volunteer for NW Boxer Rescue. In prior years she volunteered on a Board of Catholic Community Services, as a Girl Scout troop leader, and for North Kitsap Babe Ruth Baseball. Professionally, she provided pro bono legal services for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and facilitated the supply of free medicine for medical missions worldwide and for compassionate use by gravely ill patients when no approved medication was available.

• Mike Chapman

Age: 61

Occupation: State Representative, 24th Legislative District

What is your party affiliation? Democratic

Why do you want to be in public office?

I have been a public servant for 34 years and I believe public service is a worthy career and it would be an honor to serve as your next State Senator to improve our quality of life!

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek? 

I have the experience, passion and dedication to be an effective advocate for you in the WA State Senate. With a career in public service I am ready to tackle the toughest challenges we face and I already have the relationships and experience from serving in Olympia as your State Representative. 

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

As State Senator I will continue my work to support the resources, legislation and funding needed for affordable housing projects in our community. I will work to secure additional funding for our educational partners. I will support job skills training so we have the workforce available to meet the housing demand, as well as addressing the healthcare and educational worker shortages. Finally, I have supported significant State investment in the Jefferson Healthcare expansion and I have and will always vote to protect women’s reproductive healthcare rights in state law.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

I promise that over the next four years I will work to strengthen women’s reproductive health care rights.  I will support legislation to make our tax code more progressive and less regressive. I will work to strengthen our actions on combating climate change. I will support our democracy from any attacks!

Do you have any concerns about this election? 

Not In Washington State. We have enacted voter reforms to include same-day registration, secure mail in ballots, and support for the Secretary of State and County Auditor’s so they have the tools necessary to conduct an election that is accurate and above reproach. There is no such thing as a stolen election. And I pledge to accept the results when they are certified by our local canvassing boards and Secretary of State.

Bio shared by candidate:

I have an AAS from Shoreline College, a BA in Organizational Management from Northwest College and a Master’s Degree from Duquesne University. I served for 10 years as a local and federal law enforcement officer (1991-2000) and was awarded the US Customs highest award for capturing the Millennium Bomber in Port Angeles. I then served 16 years as Clallam County Commissioner (2001-2016) and for the last 8 years as your State Representative in the 24th LD. (2017-2024). Additionally, I have served as the President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula; President North Olympic Junior. Babe Ruth; Director North Olympic Baseball and Softball & Port Angeles Youth Baseball; I was the Chair of Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization; Chair of Clallam Transit; Chair Clallam County Board of Health; Founding Director & two term President of the Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles. As your State Representative I have served as Chair of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee since 2020 and as a member of the Transportation and Consumer Protection & Business Committee. I am a former member: House Labor Committee (2019-2020), House Finance Committee (2019-2020) and House Public Safety Committee (2017-2020).

Jefferson County Commissioner, District 1

• Heather Dudley-Nollette

Age: 53

Occupation: Deputy Executive Director, Bayside Housing and Services

What is your party affiliation? Democrat

Why do you want to be in public office?

I’ve been honored to serve the public in almost every professional and volunteer role I’ve held throughout my career, whether I was working in government or in the private or nonprofit sectors. As the daughter of a Coast Guard officer, and the great-great-great granddaughter of one of Jefferson County’s first County Commissioners, I was raised with an ethic and a calling for public service. I have the capacity to bring together smart people and balanced information to find solutions that serve our community and I want to put those skills to work for you.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I bring over 25 years of experience working in and with government staff, elected officials and community partners to achieve critical outcomes for Jefferson County individuals, families and businesses - especially in the areas of economic development, housing, permitting and land use, project management, community health and historic preservation. Yet, I’m still young enough to use and grow that expertise to serve in this role with a high level of energy.

I bring many years of experience managing large staffs, writing and implementing policy, and planning and completing complex projects with multi-million dollar budgets. I studied forestry and resource conservation and am interested in engaging in Jefferson County’s strategic planning in those areas to ensure a sustainable future. I currently work as a non-profit executive building housing and social service programs for some of Jefferson County’s most vulnerable citizens. And I maintain established relationships with community and regional leaders across party lines. I’m also experienced and comfortable lobbying and negotiating with state and federal leaders to advocate for the needs of our rural communities.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

During this campaign, I’ve learned about the issues you care about. I’ll work with Commissioners and staff to find solutions to critical challenges, including affordable housing, effective permitting, improved septic, sewage and fire flow capacity, community health and safety, and sustainable forest and marine resource stewardship. I’ll help deepen our relationships with other agencies, advocating for resources and partnerships that benefit Jefferson County, and working to unify our community across party lines. As the mother of two kids in our public schools, and with beloved elders in the community, I will fight to improve opportunities for people of all ages.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

A successful Commissioner would be responsive, a critical thinker, and trusted by people across the county to listen to all opinions and needs - from citizens, staff and neighboring communities. They would be someone who skillfully and thoroughly researches the issues, and takes action to implement creative and effective solutions.

Do you have any concerns about this election?

Regardless of the outcomes of elections at the state and federal level, I’m focused on ensuring that we do not lose any opportunities to work together here at home - regardless of our differing belief systems. Now is the time to actively seek common ground, to operate local government in a way that meets the most needs, and to create an environment that fosters transparency, truth and trust. Let’s be a model of how communities can come together.

Bio shared by candidate:

I am currently the Deputy Executive Director of Bayside Housing and Services, providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing to Jefferson County citizens experiencing homelessness. I have a long history of working hard for this community, and bringing people together to do great things!

Before moving here over seventeen years ago, I worked in King County’s Office of Management and Budget and in Finance.

We have two kids in our public schools and my husband, Scott, is a local contractor. We’ve both been active in our local theater community and I have spent over 25 years as a regional theater and voiceover artist. I know what it’s like to want to stay here, to be near my family and enjoy the beauty of this place; but to struggle to make ends meet, to find childcare so we could both work, and to make extra time in a long day to engage and find ways to thrive - not just survive.

I’ve had many opportunities to serve as a volunteer: Vice Chair, Jefferson County’s Economic Development Council; Young Professionals Network, founding member; President, Port Townsend Main Street Program; and on many youth and school-based committees. I’ve experienced the challenges and joys of being an entrepreneur here, as the co-founder of The CoLab - a coworking and meeting space in downtown Port Townsend for 11 years. I was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Main Street Program in 2015, and Business Leader of the Year in 2016 by the Chamber.

I believe our strengths lie in our ability to listen to each other and to steward a healthy environment. I look forward to earning your vote in the upcoming election. Together we can continue to create and nourish the community that we all want to live in.

• Ben Thomas

Age: 53

Occupation: Winemaker

What is your party affiliation?  Democrat

Why do you want to be in public office?

I believe in transparent and responsive bottom-up local government that doesn’t lord power over its constituents. I thrive as a public servant and have no interest in telling people how to live their lives, only to allow them to live the life they want to live.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I have public office experience without identifying as part of the ruling class. I am able to be a bridge between many social groups and mindsets and am the furthest thing from a technocrat that one could find in local government.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

Lowering the bar to entry for working families to build equity through housing and to put down roots in our County. I would work to enable the construction of affordable housing, improved roads and general financial efficiency.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

Is public engagement and trust in local government on the rise? Have permit turnaround times for owner-builder and small developers significantly decreased. Will Jefferson County be a better place to live for working families?

Do you have any concerns about this election?

I am concerned that this election season will expand the divisions between people and may even lead to a further eroding of trust in elections themselves. Local government should focus on earning its trust from it

Bio shared by candidate:

I grew up in Jefferson County in a commercial fishing family. I chose travel and work experience over a university education, and have benefited from a lifetime of diverse learning. My working-class values have remained true while also appreciating the quality-of-life mindset that many people drawn to this area hold dear. I bring a creative, common-sense viewpoint that can cut through ideological limitations. I want to move us from seeing our residents as a collection of needs to be filled to a community of assets and strengths to be let loose upon our problems. I believe in doing it our way and celebrating the resourceful spirit of our people and the wildness of our area of the world.

Jefferson County Commissioner, District 2

• Heidi Eisenhour

Age: 53

Occupation: County Commissioner

What is your party affiliation? Democratic

Why do you want to be in public office?

You have invested in me for the last four years. It’s been a steep learning curve, serving on two dozen committees but I really enjoy serving my community in all of the ways I get to as a County Commissioner. A second term will allow me to maximize the skills and relationships I have developed since 2020.

What do you see as your strongest qualifications for the specific office you seek?

I know our communities, having lived here since 1981. I’ve served almost 4 years in this role and on over two dozen committees. I understand the complexity of the job and always try to consider the voices not at the table in any of the roles I serve in. I listen to all residents of Jefferson County regardless of where they live or their politics. I know I work for all of you.

What are the most pressing issues you would address if elected?

Housing is our most pressing issue - from homeless folks to our workforce - people have a hard time finding a place to call home. It affects businesses, our mental health response, addressing substance use disorders and people’s basic quality of life. With limited resources to address housing issues and changing state and federal policy, it’s hard to come up with lasting solutions. This should be a collaborative focus of leaders even more than it has been. Basic services and necessities are the issues I focus on and I will continue to lead on behavioral health and substance use issues.

What criterion should be used to assess your success if elected?

That I make time to listen to questions or concerns, follow up with our teams and respond. I’ve worked towards this in my first term but it’s often been hard to respond in a timely way - often due to shifting local or state policies or the COVID pandemic.

Do you have any concerns about this election?

Local issues are so different from national or even state elections. I hope that we don’t lose our ability to do the work we need to do locally because of the tenor of the larger forces at play in our state, region, nation.

Bio shared by candidate:

Elected in 2020, Commissioner Eisenhour is an experienced non-profit executive having served locally as Chief Operating Officer at the Northwest Maritime Center, most recently, and Executive Director at Jefferson Land Trust previously.  A longtime advocate of land and farmland conservation Heidi believes in access to healthy food and outdoor recreation.  She also has many years of experience in food system work from running The Fountain Café, which her family owned, in Port Townsend to advocating for local and regional farms.  Heidi grew up in a commercial fishing family on a 50’ troller in the Port Townsend boatyard and on the Pacific Ocean.  Her family has lived in Port Hadlock since 1981.  Heidi attended both Chimacum and Port Townsend Schools and graduated from Evergreen State College with a degree in Environmental Science in 1994.