Dylan Quarles, a born-and-raised Port Townsend resident, is running for a seat on the city council. 

Quarles, 39, who graduated from Port Townsend High School in 2004, said his decision to run was driven partly by concern over a lack of contested elections in past years.

“To me, it’s just not healthy,” he said. “I really care about what happens in Port Townsend because I have roots in the community and work really hard to stay in Port Townsend with my wife and son. It felt like time to get off the sidelines.”

While admitting he hasn’t been a regular viewer of city council meetings in the past, he said he stays informed by reading The Leader and talking with neighbors. 

“I don’t have any real kind of crisis around what I see happening with city council,” said Quarles. At the same time, “I don’t want to lose a very necessary component, which is gentle pushback where our families are concerned,” he said.

Quarles mentioned infrastructure and housing affordability as key campaign issues, and a desire to continue Ben Thomas’ legacy on the council.

“Ben Thomas has been a really vocal advocate, a champion for small businesses, our workers. He’s been kind of a voice on council that has stopped conversations to ask how this hurts our help our families,” Quarles said. “The idea that we might lose a seat that’s been associated with advocating for families was a motivator.” 

Quarles is one of three candidates vying for Position 1 being vacated by Thomas, although any of them could stage a write in campaign for the seats occupied by Neil Nelson (Position 2) and Libby Wennstrom (Position 5), both of whom are up for reelection without challengers.

With a background in facilities management, he’s held a wide range of positions, including being a locksmith for the Fort Worden Public Development Authority and a reading interventionist for the Quilcene school district, drawing on his experience teaching English in Thailand with Port Townsend High School’s Expedition Club. 

His interest in public office was sparked when he became active in union organizing. He served as treasurer and vice president of the Quilcene school district’s bargaining union, helping to secure pay increases during contract negotiations. 

Now a stay-at-home dad and author, having published several volumes of A Secret History of Port Townsend, Quarles said he won’t hesitate to vote against the general council consensus or speak out during meetings. 

“I’m not a contrarian, but I am wary of groupthink,” he said. “I’m not at all uncomfortable with the idea of being the lone voice of descent. I’m not at all uncomfortable with conflict.” 

Quarles mentioned the council’s efforts surrounding affordable housing when asked if there are any issues he wants the city council to change direction on.

“I don’t necessarily believe that any city, not just Port Townsend, but any city should be directly involved in creating and managing housing,” he said. “I want them in addition to moving away from it, to put whatever energy they were putting towards affordable housing toward outreach with organizations that are already doing that and making it easier for them to continue to lead the charge on affordable housing.”