The three-person race for Thurston County commissioner in District 5 is officially underway.
Lacey City Council member Nic Dunning, also known as Nicolas Martinez-Dunning, and North Thurston Public Schools School Board Vice President Michelle Gipson have formally launched their campaigns against incumbent Thurston County District 5 Commissioner Emily Clouse, who is vying to retain her seat.
Dunning held a “Homemade Tamale and Pizza Campaign Kickoff Party” on Sunday, March 29, before filing with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office on May 7. He filed as a self-proclaimed “moderate Democrat.”
Gipson filed as a Democrat on May 4 and held her campaign kickoff event on Thursday, May 14. The event doubled as a 20th anniversary celebration for Gipson and her husband, Jarvis.
Clouse announced her intent to run for re-election in January. She opened the doors to her campaign office on March 1 and has been canvassing since. She filed on May 6.
Both the District 5 and District 3 seats on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners are up for election this year, but no challengers appeared to oppose incumbent District 5 Commissioner and Board President Tye Menser, who filed May 4 to retain his seat.
Clouse was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2023. She faced significant public scrutiny during her first term following an investigation into her relationship with an executive aide. That investigation sparked a lawsuit that was settled by the county for $300,000, and a recall petition that was ultimately dismissed in court.
Clouse, a former U.S. Army veteran and pledged “pro-Democracy” candidate, promised to continue delivering on the promises she made ahead of her first term, specifically regarding environmental stewardship, housing for all, responsible government and civic access.
“When Thurston County faces challenges, Emily builds coalitions across our community to get results. That's how she's delivered on key priorities — and how she'll keep building on our progress,” Clouse’s campaign states on her campaign website.
Clouse’s campaign has so far raised $16,510.37, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Meanwhile, Dunning has so far garnered $21,772.73 — more than he raised total for his Lacey City Council race in 2023.
State Public Disclosure Commission records show that $15,000 of that money was contributed by Dunning himself.
Dunning, owner of West Coast Fitness and a Marine Corps and Washington National Guard veteran, is running on a platform of “common sense” and “people over politics,” offering what he calls an “honest approach” to governance.
“I don’t have all the answers. But I do have common sense. And that’s a start,” one of Dunning’s campaign slogans reads.
He has pledged to “practice common sense,” “ask difficult questions” and “be transparent” if elected to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners.
Of his decision to run as a “moderate” candidate, Dunning said, “because now, more than ever (we) need to focus on unity, not division.”
Dunning was elected to the Lacey City Council in 2023. His term expires in 2027. As a city council member, Dunning serves on the Regional Housing Council, the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau, and the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters intergovernmental board.
His areas of special interest are economic development, small business entrepreneurship and community involvement and engagement.
Gipson has so far raised $3,417.70.
Gipson has served on the North Thurston Public Schools school board since 2023. She is currently vice president of the board in the seat representing District 5.
Her current term expires in 2027.
“Throughout my time on the school board, I’ve worked to bring people together — educators, families, community organizations, and local leaders — to find solutions that serve everyone. I believe that same collaborative approach is exactly what we need at the county level,” Gipson states on her campaign website.
Gipson, who filed as a Democrat, is running on a platform of addressing housing affordability, supporting public schools, responsible community growth, environmental stewardship, and transparent government.
“We deserve leaders who stay focused on the issues, who don’t pretend to have all the answers, and who remember that public service is about people — not personal agendas,” Gipson states on her campaign website. “Thurston County is growing and changing, and our leadership must rise to meet this moment. I’m running to help ensure that our county remains a place where families can thrive, communities are heard, and progress is built through partnership and shared responsibility.”
Clouse, Dunning and Gipson will face off in Washington’s top-two primary in August. The two candidates who receive the most votes will move on to the general election in November.
