I am the only candidate that works at the Clerk's Office and I know the job, inside and out. The Clerk's Office is the nexus between all of the law and justice offices; the Sheriff's Office, the Prosecutor's Office, Public Defense and the Superior Court. These offices are all intrinsically tied, the Clerk's Office is the foundation of the Court and is best known as the public's gateway to justice. 

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     Thurston County needs a Clerk who can do the work. I have the necessary first-hand experience acquired from serving across multiple roles within the Clerk's Office, from directly assisting countless litigants navigate the complex court system at the front counter to serving as a courtroom clerk, keeping the independent record of all court proceedings. I have a thorough understanding of our office's obligations to the public and I have the great privilege of training our newer employees on our office's protocols and procedures. 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. We need a leader able to lead the office by example and to be completely capable of sharing the substantial workload alongside our office's staff. I am the only candidate equipped with the necessary technical skills to do exactly that, right from day one, ready to hit the ground running come the first of the year.

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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 levels. 

     I am running for County Clerk with a mission to fully restore and enhance the crucial services that the community desperately needs. 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 has been continuously fighting for restoration of these services and through hard-work and specialized budgeting adaptations, we are experiencing positive movement despite the County's financial challenges. Recently, through our office's constant collaboration with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and the county's budget team, thankfully, our office has since been re-prioritized to facilitate the reinstatement of positions previously lost. These positive changes have allowed for the return of in-person services at the Clerk's Office, both at Family and Juvenile Court and Main Campus (Civil/Criminal). Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this endeavor possible. 

     I will prioritize the retention of all our in-person services, as I believe these services are at the core of the Clerk's obligation to the citizens of Thurston County. This fact had become blatantly clear this year and ​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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     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 majority 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 vow that the Clerk’s Office shall operate with integrity, accountability, and strong customer service. The Clerk's Office is counting on me and together we 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."