I am the only candidate that works at the Clerk's Office and I know the job, inside and out.

     I have the necessary first-hand experience acquired from serving across multiple roles within the Clerk's Office, from directly assisting litigants at the front counter to serving as a courtroom clerk, keeping the independent record of all court proceedings. I assist in the training of new employees with the processing of new cases and provide the operational instructions for all Court procedures. This specific technical experience is critical to serving as the elected Clerk, a leader who can both manage the legal responsibilities of the office as well as being able to step in and share the substantial workload alongside the office staff. ​

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     Thurston County needs a Clerk who can do the work. The next County Clerk must be capable of actively performing all of the responsibilities of the office to not only maintain, but to  enhance its core stability. I am the only candidate equipped with the necessary technical skills to do exactly that, right from day one.

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     The Clerk's Office was recently disrupted by a severe budget reduction imposed by the County Commissioners' narrow 3-2 vote that implemented the County's 2026-2027 biennium budget. This disproportionate funding reduction resulted in the elimination of multiple positions that subsequently forced the office to close its doors to the public due to inadequate staffing. Despite the County's current fiscal climate, I will prioritize the full restoration of all in-person services, as I believe these services are at the core of the Clerk's obligation to the citizens of Thurston County.

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     With staffing having been recently reduced by nearly 25%, the office cannot afford to lose any of the invaluable institutional knowledge retained by our current team of dedicated public servants. Thurston County Clerk's Office manages approximately 350,000 active cases with over 7,500,000 documents in retention at any given time. With just over 30 employees in our office, it takes an unbelievable amount of experience, efficiency and attention to detail from our staff to carry out the legal responsibilities required of our office each and every day. This sheer magnitude of work can only be achieved by our highly trained professionals that have dedicated their lives to serving our community. 

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     I am honored to have the support of the Clerk's Office staff and our experienced leadership team as well as staff within the Superior Court and the other law and justice offices. I directly work alongside the Superior Court Judges and Court Commissioners and I am always striving to improve the relationships between the Court, the Clerk's Office, and the public. When these relationships are strong, the public benefits from the improved efficiency, coordination and continuity of service.​

     I am an independent candidate with no political affiliation because there is absolutely no place for politics in the Clerk's Office. Citizens never benefit when politics paradoxically interfere with public service. The elected Judges of Thurston County hold non-partisan positions, and I believe that the Clerk must also be free of political influence. As both the supporting foundation and the gateway to the Courts, the Clerk's Office must serve all litigants and legal practitioners equally, free of any political biases that would harm the impartial administration of justice.

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     I am running for County Clerk with a mission to fully restore and enhance the crucial services that the community desperately needs. Two such services include the Domestic Violence Liaison Program and In-Person Front Counter Support, vital services that assist the public in navigating the court system. Our office is currently fighting for the restoration of these services and through hard-work and creative budgeting adaptations, we are experiencing positive movement despite the County's financial challenges. ​I will continue to utilize my unique in-depth knowledge of the intricate inner workings of the Clerk's Office, as well as excellent customer service experience, to implement innovative and creative administrative solutions that will benefit the community while protecting the functionality of the Clerk's Office for years to come. 

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     I vow that the Clerk’s Office shall operate with integrity, accountability, and strong customer service. These core ideals enacted shall provide for unhindered access to justice for all of Thurston County.

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      Article One, Section 10 of the Washington State Constitution clearly states: 

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          "Justice in all cases shall be administered openly and without unnecessary delay."