2024 Endorsements & Elections
24th LD
PROUD TO SUPPORT:
We interviewed all three of the below candidates and determined they all have relevant experience and reflect our values. Our decision is to not endorse in the Primary and to revisit after the Primary Election.
Bio
Nate has roots that run deep in Clallam County. He was born and raised on the Makah Indian Reservation, and remains a strong community leader on the reservation and surrounding areas. In his 20s, he became one of the youngest to serve on the Makah Tribal Council, including serving as the elected tribal chair (called the sovereign in the Makah tradition).
His passion has been focused on advocating for health care needs, health equity and adequate services across the board. He currently serves on several tribal committees, like the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) as vice president and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) as an alternate. NPAIHB advocates for 43 tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and the National Indian Health Board advocates for all 574 tribes in the US. Nate is also a member of the National Boys & Girls Club National Advisory Committee, CDC Tribal Advisory Committee, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services TTAG, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Advisory Committee, and Clallam County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board.
In regards to veterans, Nate is on the VA’s Readjustment for Veterans Advisory Committee. Formerly, he served as a board member on the North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network.
Nate joined the Marines, served in the First Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm), and after it ended, served in Somalia in Operation Restore Hope. He was in the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, as a Lance Corporal. Like many others who go through the armed forces, he sustained an injury that led to a disability and suffered from drug addiction at the end of his enlistment. But through dedication and supportive loved ones, he was able to go through recovery, get back on his feet and start a family. He is now a father to four kids and grandfather to four and have taken in close to two dozen youth over the years, and has been married to Karen for over 25 years.
The VA, however, often made getting appropriate care difficult for him and others in Washington State. Nate saw time after time other veterans get denied life-saving services, and felt compelled to do something about it. He organized and advocated for better care, and as a result, VA hospitals flipped their 70 percent disapproval rate to an 80 percent approval rate.
As Makah Tribal members, Nate and his wife, believe they have a responsibility to care for our youth and have dedicated much of their time serving, working with, and caring for the youth. He has coached multiple sports at the junior high and high school levels, mainly football, basketball, and baseball for both boys and girls. For many years. Nate and his wife have also been foster parents to many at-risk youths, opening their doors and providing a safe, loving environment for children. Nate and Karen are still in touch with many foster children today.
Nate is also a small business owner. He attended Everett Community College’s welding program and graduated with a welding certificate in 2015. Since then, he has owned and operated a welding fabrication shop in Neah Bay. Welding, fabrication and hydraulic hoses for the two industries that are the heartbeat of our small community– fishing and logging.
Nate believes communities on the Olympic Peninsula deserve much better. Many residents in the area have experienced inequalities like himself. That is why Nate is running for State House because he can create solutions under the urgency that they’re needed to uplift people in Clallam County and across the state. Washington needs tried and tested leaders like Nate who shows strong, effective leadership in all parts of our communities, from training kids in sports so that they build teamwork and have enriching experiences, to ensuring the VA fulfills its mission in helping veterans and their families.
Bio
Eric Pickens, a longtime advocate for justice and change, emerged from a childhood marked by challenges to become a thoughtful and inspirational leader. Raised right here in the 24th, he navigated a tumultuous journey that led him into a life dedicated to public service.
Eric’s early years were shaped by the struggles of a single-parent household. Raised primarily by his mother, the family faced financial hardships. The lack of stability and an abusive stepfather instilled in him a deep-seated commitment to overcoming adversity.
Despite the obstacles, Eric’s mother, a proud union member, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. When she got a job with the Washington State Ferries, it marked a turning point, offering a glimpse of stability. In that job however, his mother experienced discrimination and harassment in her position of “Matron.” She filed a landmark discrimination lawsuit, resulting in a settlement that abolished the position of matron in the ferry system. This inspired him from a very early age that workers can stand up for themselves and make positive changes for themselves and others.
After graduating from Chimacum High School, Eric enlisted in the Coast Guard, embarking on a four-year commitment that saw him stationed at a small boat station in Oregon, specializing in search and rescue. He rose through the ranks to become a quartermaster, stationed on a ship homeported in Boston, where he completed search and rescue patrols, enforcement of laws and treaties, maritime defense and protection of the environment.
Upon completing his Coast Guard service, Eric enrolled in college. His journey through higher education was far from a smooth ride, underscoring the grit and determination that define his character. Eric and his wife faced the challenge of juggling multiple responsibilities while working full-time to support their educational pursuits. The path to obtaining his Associates and a BA degree in management was marked by relentless effort and sacrifice, as Eric had to navigate the complexities of balancing work and academic commitments.
After earning his degree, Eric entered the corporate world as an operations manager only to confront the stark misalignment between profit-driven policies and the well-being of workers. He quickly came to realize that he wanted to return to public service where he could make a more meaningful impact in his community.
Returning to school, Eric earned a master’s degree in Elementary Education while working full-time. He returned home to the Olympic Peninsula, where he commenced his teaching career as a first grade teacher in Port Angeles in 2014. Eric learned quickly that even though there isn’t the same profit motive within public education, protections and advocacy for staff members were still needed. Lack of funding for public education creates a culture where staff members are constantly being asked to do more with less, and sacrifice their own time, mental health, and well-being.
Recognizing the broader systemic issues at play, Eric became actively involved in union organizing efforts and was elected President of his local union in 2018 and worked tirelessly to empower employees to voice their concerns and demand fair treatment for themselves and their students. After encouragement from his colleagues and community, Eric successfully ran for Sequim School Board in 2019 and 2023 and has been elected Board President the last three years in a row.
Beyond his professional achievements, Eric’s personal life reflects his commitment to lasting relationships. He met his wife during his time in the Coast Guard; they married in 2001 and have two wonderful children. Eric relishes every moment of parenthood and finds immense joy in being a dad. He understands the importance of fostering a nurturing environment for his children, where they feel loved, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams. Eric’s experiences as a father have further fueled his dedication to championing policies that prioritize families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a supportive and equitable community.
Now, Eric Pickens stands as a candidate for State Representative, driven by his experiences and a passion for positive change. Eric will champion policies that address income inequality, strengthen labor protections, increase access to affordable healthcare, provide more education funding, and lower housing costs. His journey from a challenging upbringing to a dedicated educator and advocate showcases a deep understanding of the issues facing our community and a determination to create a better future for all.
Bio
Adam grew up in rural Washington. His dad had a union job as a high school counselor, which provided his family with reliable income and health insurance. Adam’s mom was a witty, creative person, who cared deeply about her family, but who struggled with alcoholism and a gambling addiction. Adam saw how his dad’s union job sheltered his family from the instability that plagued the families of his friends. Everyone on the Peninsula deserves a stable job and stable housing, to grow old without the fear that a bad fall or sudden illness could wipe out a lifetime of savings. That’s why he’s running for office.
Adam’s experience growing up motivated him to serve. After graduating from the University of Washington, Adam worked for CCE, a non-profit that focused on behavioral health and criminal justice policy. He then volunteered as a rural organizer on the Olympic Peninsula and later worked as a field organizer for Congressman Derek Kilmer.
Adam lives in Port Angeles where he served as Senator Kevin Van De Wege’s Legislative Assistant before stepping down to run for office. As a Legislative Assistant, he listened to people in our community about issues ranging from healthcare to housing and from forests to fisheries. He’s helped constituents with unemployment benefits, housing, and health insurance. Adam understands what our community struggles with, he’s lived many of those struggles firsthand, and he has the experience to tackle the problems facing our region.
In the community, Adam serves on the boards of the Olympic View Community Foundation, the Nor’wester Rotary, and the Clallam County Conservation Futures Program Advisory Board.