Greg Nance

“I grew up here, went to school here, and have spent every session fighting for this community. Working together, we helped secure nearly $1 billion for ferry construction, maintenance, and workforce because Kitsap can't function without reliable ferries. I have also worked across the aisle when it matters and built a broad coalition rooted in this community, including the Suquamish Tribe, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and the Washington State Labor Council which represents 600 unions and half a million workers. This is home. That is why I show up every single day.”

“I care most about making sure working families can afford to live here and that Kitsap kids have real pathways to good careers. Investing $42 million to modernize West Sound Tech was one of the proudest moments of my time in Olympia because it means young people from all backgrounds can access real career training in advanced manufacturing, maritime, and healthcare without leaving home or taking on debt. I also fight hard for our ferries because Kitsap can't function without reliable connections to the rest of the state.”

“I think about leaders who combined big vision with real results: Lincoln holding a divided nation together, Roosevelt taking on entrenched interests to protect public lands and working people, Obama showing that a kid from outside the establishment could change the course of history. But honestly, the leader I think about most is my Grandpa Charlie. He stormed the beaches at Iwo Jima, came home, raised a family, and never stopped learning or growing. He was principled without being rigid and tough but also kind.”

“Showing up for the people you serve, not just in election season. An elected official has to listen more than they talk, work across the aisle when it matters, and never lose sight of whose lives are actually affected by the decisions being made in Olympia. I would also add integrity. Do what you say you're going to do. Vote your values even when it's uncomfortable. And when you get it wrong, own it. Lastly, public service is a trust. The moment you start optimizing for your own career instead of your constituents, you've broken it.”

“The core responsibilities are straightforward: pass a budget that reflects our values, fight for your community, and be genuinely accessible to the people you serve. I have hosted over twenty town halls in my first term because I believe representation means listening, not just legislating. I would also add two things: honesty and results. My constituents deserve to know what I am doing in Olympia, why I voted the way I did, and where I stand. At the same time, showing up is not enough.”

“Ferries that work, forests that are protected, kids who have real pathways to good careers, and, perhaps most importantly, families who can afford to stay in the communities they love.”

“My first jobs were splitting firewood, landscaping, and roofing around Kitsap. I worked alongside people who showed up every day, did hard physical work, and didn't complain. That experience taught me more about dignity, grit, and what working families actually need better than anything I learned in a classroom.”

“Growing up, money was tight. I wore hand-me-downs and we filled the gas tank only halfway to save money. I worked through school and watched my parents navigate a system that was not built for working families. Then as a teenager, I struggled with alcohol. Getting sober, over 14 years ago now, was the hardest and most important thing I've ever done. It's why I lead a nonprofit focused on youth mental health and addiction recovery, and why I ran 3,156 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific to mobilize champions for this cause.”

“The governor and legislature work best as partners with distinct roles. The executive sets the vision and implements policy, while the legislature represents communities, deliberates, and passes laws. When both branches communicate honestly and respect each other's responsibilities, the government works better for the people of Washington. I have seen this firsthand through the bipartisan effort to secure nearly $1 billion for ferry construction and workforce investments, which required close coordination between the legislature, the governor's office, and Washington State Ferries.”

“The cost of living. Childcare, healthcare, and housing, groceries, and gas.”

“Yes, and I would go further. Compromise isn't just necessary, it's a sign that democracy is working. That doesn't mean compromising on core values. But the nearly $1 billion we secured for ferries, the Bull Kelp Act, and first-in-the-nation legislation supporting construction workers facing addiction all required building trust across the aisle. The best outcomes come when people with different perspectives find common ground around shared interests. Compromise also requires confidence, not weakness. You have to know what you stand for before you can negotiate effectively.”

“Washington State Labor Council (representing 600 unions and 500,000 members); Washington Education Association; Kitsap Firefighters (IAFF 437); The Suquamish Tribe; The Children's Campaign Fund; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.”