Bainbridge Island runner, entrepreneur selected as 23rd District representative

Greg Nance, a Bainbridge Island resident, entrepreneur and the guy who ran across the country last summer, will serve as the next 23rd District representative after an appointment by the Kitsap County Commissioners on Monday.

The seat was previously held by Drew Hansen, who commissioners appointed to fill the 23rd District State Senate position formerly held by Christine Rolfes, who was appointed as the county's District 1 commissioner to replace Rob Gelder after his departure in May.

Nance was appointed by the commissioners from a slate of three candidates recommended by the Democratic party, just as they had chosen Rolfes and Hansen, though Rolfes did not participate in Hansen’s selection to fill her former position in the Senate.

Nance, who completed a 3,156-mile run across the U.S. and co-founded the nonprofit Moneythink that assists low-income high school students, was chosen over Leiyomi Preciado and Brynn Felix. All three were interviewed by the commissioners on Friday. Preciado is a peer counselor and was Kitsap County’s first openly transgender political candidate when she ran for District 3 county commission position to replace Ed Wolfe. Felix is a general counsel and medical-legal partnership director at Peninsula Community Health Services and was one of the finalists for the state Senate position that was filled by Hansen.

The candidates were nominated by Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee, pulling from a list of individuals interested in appointment to Hansen’s seat following his transition to the Senate, said Kitsap County Democrats President Johanna Baxter. “Brynn, Leiyomi and Greg are excellent candidates. Any one of them will make an excellent addition to our 23rd Legislative District Delegation in Olympia.”

The commissioners discussed the qualifications and interviews of the three candidates in an executive session Monday before announcing Nance’s appointment.

"I'm overwhelmed by gratitude," Nance said on Tuesday. "I grew up here and I'm running because I love Kitsap, and so getting the news that I have the opportunity to represent my hometown, my home district in Olympia, it's beautifully overwhelming."

Nance said his core priorities are saving public schools by ensuring enough funding and resources for children's education, mobilizing mental health services for first responders, teachers, veterans and youth, protecting the Puget Sound ecosystem and securing funds for a stronger ferry system.

The Suquamish Tribe was among the organizations who supported Nance's nomination.

“The Suquamish Tribe congratulates Greg Nance on his appointment to the state legislature,” said Leonard Forsman, Chair of the Suquamish Tribal Council, said in a statement. “Greg has a long association with our Tribe and is well versed on our history and a strong supporter of our sovereignty. He was one of three great candidates for the seat, and we look forward to working with Greg on our respective priorities.”

Nance will serve as a state representative until the 2024 general election, where he will be considered the incumbent candidate for the 23rd District position if he chooses to run for election.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Greg Nance picked as Washington's 23rd District representative