Our Issues

Protecting Bremerton: Smart Solutions for Safer Neighborhoods

Over the last four years, violent crime in Bremerton has more than doubled — ten times the rate of Washington State and four times that of Kitsap County1.  At the same time, non-violent crime in Bremerton has risen more than five times the rate of Washington State, and twice that of Kitsap County.1


This rapid rise in both violent and non-violent crime demands serious attention and real solutions.  Our city needs more officers on patrol, not just to respond to emergencies, but to build connections and trust in our neighborhoods through community-focused policing.


Nuisance properties that degrade the quality of life in a neighborhood have also been neglected.  Bremerton deserves to be a safe place to live, work, and thrive.


1) Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Crime Reports  (https://www.waspc.org/crime-statistics-reports) 

As Mayor, I will:


✅ Strengthen and expand local code compliance — addressing nuisance properties, unregulated encampments, and neglected areas that contribute to crime and public safety concerns.


✅ Support and secure funding for our first responders — ensuring Bremerton’s police, fire, and EMS have the resources, personnel, and training they need to protect our community.


✅ Support proactive policing strategies — giving officers the tools to address low-level crimes early, before they escalate into more serious offenses.


✅ Strengthen community-based policing — building trust between law enforcement and neighborhoods to improve safety and reduce repeat offenses, including restoring our bike patrol to neighborhoods and business districts.

Attainable Housing for Working Families: A Critical Need in Bremerton

Over the past six years, the cost of living in Bremerton has skyrocketed, making it harder than ever for working families to afford a home.  Average rent has increased by 35%, reaching $1,762 today2, while home values have risen by 27.7% to over $462,000.3


Despite these rising costs, there has been no meaningful progress in ensuring that working families can afford to live and stay in Bremerton.  We need real solutions to expand housing options while protecting residents from displacement — not just more luxury developments.


2) RentCafe Average Rent – Bremerton, WA (https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/wa/bremerton)3) Zillow Home Values – Bremerton, WA  (https://www.zillow.com/home-values/37560/bremerton-wa)

As Mayor, I will:


✅ Prioritize housing that working families can actually afford — not just high-end condos.

✅ Fix Bremerton’s permitting process to reduce delays, cut red tape, and make it easier for homeowners and small-scale developers to build new housing.

✅ Make it easier to build affordable homes by partnering with local and state agencies to provide financial incentives that help homeowners and small-scale developers build ADUs, duplexes, and missing middle housing.

✅ Ensure that growth benefits everyone by preventing displacement and keeping long-time residents in their homes.

✅ Work with regional and state partners to bring in funding for housing solutions that serve Bremerton’s workforce.

Homelessness in Bremerton: A Crisis That Demands Action 

Homelessness remains a persistent issue in Bremerton, with no meaningful progress in recent years.  Despite making up only one-sixth of Kitsap County’s population, Bremerton is home to more than half of the county’s unhoused population4 — shouldering a disproportionate share of the crisis and its local impacts.  We must work collaboratively with our community partners to build a full continuum of care that provides a true pathway out of homelessness.  This means investing in substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and transitional housing to help people regain stability.  


Bremerton can take the lead on these solutions, but we cannot do it alone — other cities in Kitsap and the county government must take responsibility and do their fair share.


4) 2024 Kitsap County PIT (https://kcowa.us/kitsap-pit)

As Mayor, I will:

✅ Prioritize real, long-term solutions — not just temporary shelters, but pathways to stable housing, job training, and treatment programs that address the root causes of homelessness.

✅ Ensure funding is used effectively, focusing on programs that have measurable success in getting people housed and keeping them there.

✅ Expand partnerships with county and regional agencies to bring more resources into Bremerton rather than allowing our city to shoulder the majority of the cost.

✅ Maintain public spaces for all residents by balancing compassionate care with clear policies that support safe, healthy communities.

Smart Streets and Reliable Ferries: Connecting Bremerton’s Future 

Bremerton needs a transportation system that keeps pace with our growing city, providing safe, reliable, and accessible options for everyone — whether riding or driving, hiking or biking, or rolling or strolling.  Yet Bremerton has been left behind with chronically reduced ferry service, forcing commuters and businesses to struggle with unreliable transportation and longer wait times.


At the same time, our streets lack the safe, connected infrastructure needed to make non-motorized travel a real option, leaving too many residents without viable alternatives to driving.  Our children also need have a safe routes to school, including being able to walk on safe sidewalks or bike on protected pathways.

As Mayor, I Will:

✅ Fight for full ferry service restoration by working with state and local officials to ensure Bremerton gets its fair share of service.

✅ Build safer, connected streets that connect neighborhoods and city centers, making walking, biking, rolling, and strolling real options for residents.

✅ Advocate for expanded and more reliable fast ferry and bus service by working with Kitsap Transit to improve safety, frequency, and accessibility for all riders.

✅ Prioritize modern, accessible infrastructure that supports safer streets, better transit, and long-term sustainability, giving residents real choices for how they get around.

Environmental Stewardship and Vibrant Parks: Preserving Bremerton’s Natural Beauty

Bremerton is blessed with vast marine shorelines, freshwater lakes, coastal bluffs, wetlands, and scenic views of two mountain ranges. However, our natural environment faces challenges from urban development and climate change. We must take proactive steps to protect our ecosystems and provide residents with accessible, well-maintained parks.

As Mayor, I Will:


✅ Expand and Improve Parks: Invest in our parks to ensure they are safe, clean, and equipped with amenities that encourage outdoor activities for all ages.


✅ Enhance Stormwater Management: Implement advanced stormwater solutions to prevent pollution in our waterways, safeguarding public health and marine life.


✅ Promote Green Infrastructure: Encourage the use of green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements to reduce runoff and protect our water bodies.


✅ Support Climate Resilience Initiatives: Collaborate with regional partners to develop strategies that address climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise and increased storm frequency.

Supporting Small Businesses and Growing Our Arts & Tourism Economy

Small businesses are the heart of our community — they create jobs, support local families, and give our city its unique character.  As Mayor, I will work to ensure that small business owners have the resources, partnerships, and streamlined processes they need to thrive and grow.

I know firsthand the challenges that come with running a small organization, having led a small nonprofit myself.  From navigating red tape to securing funding, small business owners need local government to be a partner — not a hurdle.  That’s why I will work to make Bremerton a city where small businesses succeed, new entrepreneurs feel supported, and our economy grows in a way that benefits everyone.

As Mayor, I Will:


✅ Prioritize customer service in city departments — Ensuring permitting, zoning, and business licensing processes are clear, fair, and efficient, so business owners spend less time on paperwork and more time on growth.

✅ Expand partnerships for workforce training — Work with trades, apprenticeships, Olympic College, and job training programs to help small businesses hire skilled workers and create good-paying, local jobs.

✅ Support historic preservation and Main Street initiatives — Partnering with the Downtown Bremerton Association, Charleston Business District, Manette Business Association, and other and business leaders to secure state incentives and grants that revitalize our commercial districts.

✅ Advocate for small business resources — Work with state and regional partners to bring more funding, tax incentives, and technical assistance for local entrepreneurs.

✅ Invest in tourism and outdoor recreation — Bremerton is a gateway to Kitsap and the Olympics, and I will work to expand waterfront access, promote local events, and support businesses that bring visitors to our community.

✅ Create a city where people want to live, work, and play — This means supporting affordable housing, great schools, parks, and public spaces—because a thriving economy starts with a strong, vibrant community.

Addressing Bremerton’s Healthcare Crisis

Bremerton is facing a severe healthcare shortage.  The consolidation of healthcare providers, loss of Harrison Hospital, reduced medical coverage from the Navy, and a growing population have left too many people struggling to find timely, affordable care.

One of my first actions on the City Council was to help tackle this crisis head-on.  As a founding member of the Alliance for Equitable Healthcare, I reached out to providers across the state to encourage them to invest in our community.  I’m proud that Multicare is now opening the first ER near Bremerton since Harrison Hospital closed in 2020 — a major step toward improving emergency care access for our residents.

As Mayor, I Will:


✅ Recruit more healthcare providers to open clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals in our city.

✅ Work with federal leaders to restore Navy medical coverage for personnel and private citizens, reducing pressure on our local system.

✅ Partner with colleges and universities like Olympic College, WSU, and WWU to expand healthcare job training and address our worker shortage.

✅ Support voters' right to a say in establishing a Public Hospital District, creating a sustainable funding source to expand healthcare access for all.

Efficient and Transparent Government: Serving Bremerton’s Citizens 

A responsive, transparent, and accountable government is critical to ensuring Bremerton thrives. Yet residents and businesses continue to face permitting delays, poor communication, and inefficiencies that slow progress. Meanwhile, taxpayers deserve better oversight on how public funds are spent to ensure resources go where they are needed most.

As Mayor, I Will:


✅ Streamline permitting processes to cut delays, reduce bureaucracy, and make it easier for businesses and homeowners to get projects moving.


✅ Ensure transparency and real community engagement by making city decisions, budgets, and plans accessible—and actually incorporating public feedback, not just checking a box.


✅ Hold city government accountable for taxpayer dollars by ensuring spending is efficient, strategic, and focused on delivering real results for residents.


✅ Explore the city administrator and manager models to provide professional, experienced oversight of day-to-day operations, making government more efficient and less politically driven.


✅ Collaborate closely with City Council to enact modern policy and ensure a productive and effective city government.