Klickitat County Commissioner District 1

As a fourth-generation White Salmon resident, I’ve felt the changes in our county and witnessed how they affect our community. When I returned to the area with my family nine years ago, I knew that I wanted to be a steward for Klickitat County. I want to protect our landscapes, support our farmers, and bring resources and jobs to all who call this county home. I hope to inspire community engagement and overcome the partisan divide, because I believe we are better equipped to face challenges when we are united.

How does any previous experience help qualify you for this role?

I’ve co-owned a successful art gallery with my husband, served as the director of operations for a large engineering firm, and run my own design business, all while raising two kids and being an active volunteer in our community. All of these ventures have required me to work with teams to address multifaceted challenges, and they’ve taught me that I genuinely enjoy working with others to solve complex problems. I hope anyone who’s worked with me would say I am a natural leader who’s fair, thoughtful, empathetic, and creative.

What do you see as the county’s greatest need/priority going forward?

We are in the midst of a drug epidemic, and we urgently need to expand the range of services available to address addiction and its impacts on families and communities. We need to reduce poverty and homelessness—major contributors to drug abuse—by creating jobs and expanding childcare and housing opportunities.

Big picture, we need to ask ourselves what we want our county to look and feel like in the decades to come. We need to update and expand our comprehensive county plan so that it reflects our shared priorities of economic growth, protection of natural resources, public safety and behavioral health.

What will you do differently than the previous commissioners?

My deep roots in Klickitat County and my professional experiences have taught me how to bring people together despite their differences. As your commissioner, I will be a bridge builder. I will support our county employees so they can do their best work. I will communicate with the public clearly and often, sharing the opportunities and challenges our county faces and listen to the concerns of all residents. Finally, I will work respectfully and professionally with my fellow commissioners to rebuild relationships, forge new alliances, and serve the entire county.

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Todd Andrews, also running for District 1, did not respond by press deadline. Any responses received before the Aug. 6 election will be included in upcoming editions of Columbia Gorge News.