Chamber Forum Convenes Pierce County Candidates

On Wednesday evening, September 13th, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a candidates forum featuring candidates running for positions on Tacoma City Council and Port of Tacoma Commission. 

The event was held at the Tacoma Art Museum and had around sixty guests in attendance including community leaders, elected officials, and local business owners. The evening began with networking between candidates and guests before the official panels took place. Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President/CEO Andrea Reay moderated the forum. 

The first candidate panel featured candidates running for office for Tacoma City Council. This included Chris Van Vechten and Jamika Scott running for District 3, Olgy Diaz and Kristen Wynne running for at-large Position 7, and Todd Briske and Kristina Walker running for at-large Position 8. Attendees in the audience were able to submit their questions to be asked of all candidates, which included questions on the topics of housing, business license fee increases, public safety and policing, the Tacoma Tideflats, and more. Following questions from the audience, the candidates participated in a rapid-fire section of questions during which they were given paddles to hold up to indicate agreeing or disagreeing with statements shared by the moderator. One question asked "Is the City of Tacoma moving in the right direction?" After several moments of consideration, five of the six City Council candidates responded "Yes" with their paddles.

The second candidate panel featured candidates running for Port of Tacoma Commission. This included Deanna Keller running for Position 3, as well as Kristin Ang and Dave Bryant running for Position 5. Port candidates answered questions from the audience on the Tideflats Subarea Plan, jobs and workforce development, the economy, workforce housing, and more. These candidates also participated in a rapid-fire question session addressing agree or disagree statements. 

The event was one of candidates and community members coming together to share ideas and visions for the future of Pierce County. It was clear that everyone in the room was passionate about seeing our region thrive. 

Thank you to the Tacoma Art Museum for serving as a space for this forum, our sponsors Puget Sound Energy and GTM Transformations LLC, our engaged and respectful audience, and all the candidates who participated. 

You can learn more about the upcoming elections in Tacoma and Pierce County by viewing our 2023 Vote For Business Guides which feature information on the candidates and exclusive video statements. Elections take place in Pierce County on November 7, 2023. 

View photos from our Candidates Forum below!