Get Ready for a Historic Year: 2023 Local Elections Poised to Shape the Future of Your Community

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director, Thurston Chamber • Photo by Michael DeLorme

With no State or Federal elected offices on the ballot, 2023 is considered by some to be an “off-year” election. Voter turnout is typically lower without the flood of advertising associated with races for President, Congress, Governor, or the State Legislature. However, races for county and port commissioner, city council, and school board are on the ballot in 2023, and these local races will impact all corners of our community.

The most significant changes will occur county-wide. Thurston County and the Port of Olympia received voter approval last year to expand their commissions from three to five members. 

The four new positions will be on the fall ballots. In addition, the cities of Olympia and Tenino will be voting on the important position of Mayor in 2023.

A majority of Tumwater city council and most school board positions will be on the 2023 ballot. With the two new Port Commissioner positions, a majority of the Port Commission positions will also be on the ballot.

Olympia Mayor Selby and Tenino Mayor Fournier recently announced that they are not seeking re-election, and we need to thank them for their years of service. We should also thank other incumbents for serving in office – regardless of their future decisions to run for re-election. At the same time, we should work to encourage qualified people to run for office. The community needs good leaders. We know that leadership matters during the good and bad times.  

Incumbents and candidates will start making announcements and decisions this month. All candidates for 2023, incumbents and new, will need to file as a candidate with the County Auditor sometime between May 15 and 19, 2023. Public Disclosure Commission requirements will kick in for anyone running for office once any campaign-related activities occur.

Voters will have choices to make in the Fall. Is it time for a change in direction? Do the past decisions by the incumbents demonstrated qualities for re-election for another four years? Do candidates reflect voter interests and values? Please take full advantage of opportunities to learn about candidate positions and ideas for the future of our region.

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Thurston County: Two of five commissioner positions. Commissioners are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms. 

(New) District 4 – currently vacant (1-year unexpired term)

(New) District 5 – currently vacant (3-year unexpired term)

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Port of Olympia: Three of five commissioners. Commissioners are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 1 – incumbent: Joe Downing (4-year term)  

(New) District 4 – currently vacant (4-year full term OR 2-year unexpired term)*

(New) District 5 – Currently vacant (4-year full term OR 2-year unexpired term)*

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Lacey City Council: Three of seven positions. Must reside in the city. Elected to a four-year term.

Position 1 – incumbent: Malcolm Miller

Position 2 – incumbent: Lenny Greenstein

Position 3 – incumbent: Ed Kunkel

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Olympia City Council: Three of seven positions. Must reside in the city. Elected to a four-year term.

Mayor – incumbent: Cheryl Selby

Position 2 – incumbent: Yen Huỳnh

Position 3 – incumbent: Dani Madrone

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Tenino City Council: Two of five positions and Mayor. Must reside in the city. Elected to a four-year term.

Mayor – incumbent: Wayne Fournier

Position 2 – incumbent: Elaine Klamn

Position 5 – incumbent: Rachel L. Davidson

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Tumwater City Council: Four of seven positions. Must reside in the city. Elected to a four-year term.

Position 1 – incumbent: Leatta Dahlhoff

Position 2 – incumbent: Angela Jefferson

Position 3– incumbent: Joan Cathey

Position 7 – incumbent: Charles (Charlie) Schneider

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Yelm City Council: Three of seven positions. Must reside in the city. Elected to a four-year term.

Position 1 – incumbent: James Blair

Position 2 – incumbent: Joseph Richardson

Position 6 – incumbent: Ashley Brooks (short + full term)

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North Thurston Public Schools: Three of five positions. Directors are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 1 – incumbent: Gretchen Maliska

District 4 – incumbent: Graeme Sackrison

District 5 – incumbent: Dave Newkirk

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Olympia School District No. 111: Three of five positions. Directors are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 1 – incumbent: Maria Flores

District 2 – incumbent: Talauna Reed

District 4 – incumbent: Hilary Seidel

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Tenino School District No. 402: Three of five positions. Directors are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 2 – incumbent: Ryan Hilton

District 3 – incumbent: Adam Barr

District 4 – incumbent: Tamara (Tammy) Schroder

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Tumwater School District No. 33: Two of five positions. Directors are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 2 – incumbent: Casey Taylor

District 3 – incumbent: Scott Killough

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Yelm Community Schools: Three of five positions. Directors are elected by district and must reside in the district they represent. Unless noted, the elections are for four-year terms.

District 2 – incumbent: Donna Edwards

District 3 – incumbent: Denise Hendrickson

District 5 – incumbent: William F. Hauss