Building on Progress: Re-elect Emily Clouse for Thurston County

About Emily

Emily Clouse is a US army veteran and pro-Democracy candidate running for her second term on the Board of Thurston County Commissioners.

Emily is a proud alumna of North Thurston High School and the University of Washington Tacoma. Her public service began in the U.S. Army, where she served as a Military Intelligence Analyst. After completing her service, she returned home to Thurston County to manage two family businesses - gaining firsthand experience with the challenges facing local business owners and workers.

In 2021, she founded the Collaborative Association for Reintegration and Education (CARE), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting justice-impacted youth and families, improving pathways to successful reintegration.

Before taking office, Emily was a WFSE 443 member and supervisor for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services. That experience continues to inform her approach to public safety, behavioral health, and systems accountability.

As a Commissioner, Emily brings a steady, values-driven approach to governing - grounded in transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to working families. She believes local government should work for the people who live here, not special interests, and that long-term solutions require collaboration, data, and community trust.

Emily’s perspective on governance is simple: democracy survives when leaders choose transparency and civic access over convenience. When people can see decisions and participate in them, trust follows.

Regional Collaboration

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Accountable Governance

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Systems-level Solutions

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Regional Collaboration · Accountable Governance · Systems-level Solutions ·

Emily's work as Commissioner has created meaningful change across her district and throughout Thurston County.

MAPPING PROGRESS

Achievements

During her first term as Thurston County Commissioner, Emily has focused on regional collaboration, accountable governance and systems-level solutions to the county’s most urgent challenges

Commissioner Emily Clouse with community leaders near a narcan and lifesaving supplies vending machine

SOLUTIONS
WORK BEST
WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER

Leadership & Governance

Emily represents Thurston County on the following boards and committees: 

  • National Association of Counties (NaCO) Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee

  • Joint Animal Services Commission

  • Disability Board - Vice Chair

  • United Way Emergency Food & Shelter Program

  • Law and Justice Council

  • Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) - Vice Chair

  • Regional Housing Council - Vice Chair

  • Solid Waste Advisory Committee

  • South Sound Military & Communities Partnership Council

  • Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative

  • Thurston-Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization

Regional Boards & Committees

  • Chair of the Regional Housing Council

  • Member of the Thurston County Board of Health

  • Championing intergovernmental collaboration across cities, special districts, and state partners

  • Advocating for clearer budget processes, better coordination, and long-term planning

Priorities & Progress

Stronger together. That's how Emily governs. 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.

Protecting our land, water & future

Emily secured funding for the next phase of Deschutes Estuary restoration, advanced air quality monitoring on the ORCAA Board, stood up to protect Capitol forest from harmful logging practices, and helped launch the Energize Thurston heat pump program to help homeowners cut energy costs.

IN HER NEXT TERM, Emily will put the Comprehensive Plan’s climate commitments into action—building on that progress by protecting forests and farmland, and expanding access to clean and affordable energy countywide.

Housing for all

Emily has delivered $25M+ for affordable housing, expanding real housing options for working families and people at risk of losing their homes.

IN HER NEXT TERM, Emily will expand affordable and supportive housing, strengthen regional partnerships, and keep working to ensure everyone in Thurston County has a safe, stable place to call home.

Emily protected animal services funding from proposed budget cuts, opposed unnecessary salary increases for elected officials, and pushed for transparency in the budget.

Responsible government & civic access

IN HER NEXT TERM, Emily will advance clear budget processes so residents understand where tax dollars go, with priority-based spending focused on services that improve people's lives.

Endorsements

  • Candid photograph of Clark Gilman

    Clark Gilman

    OLYMPIA CITY COUNCIL

  • Candid photograph of Robin Vasquez

    Robin Vazquez

    LACY CITY COUNCIL (FORMER)

  • Headshot of Rachel Grant

    Rachel Grant

    THURSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

  • Candid photograph of State Representative Shaun Scott

    Representative Shaun Scott

    (WA-43)

  • Headshot of Jim Cooper

    Jim Cooper

    OLYMPIA CITY COUNCIL

  • Candid pohtograph of Robert Vanderpool

    Robert Vanderpool

    OLYMPIA CITY COUNCIL

  • Headshot of Sarah Montano

    Sarah Montano

    PORT OF OLYMPIA DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

  • TJ Johnson

    THURSTON CONSERVATION DISTRICT’S BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

  • Jasmine Vasavada

    PORT OF OLYMPIA DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

  • Krag Unsoeld

    Krag Unsoeld

    PORT OF OLYMPIA DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

  • Linda Myhre Enlow

    Linda Myhre Enlow

    THURSTON COUNTY CLERK

  • Steven J. Drew

    Steven J. Drew

    THURSTON COUNTY ASSESSOR

  • Peter Agabi

    Peter Agabi

    TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL

  • Karen Valenzuela

    THURSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS (FORMER)

  • Jim Lazar

    Jim Lazar

    COMMISSIONER, THURSTON COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT (FORMER)

  • Dave Watterson

    Dave Watterson

    MAYOR, CITY OF TENINO

Endorse Emily

Share your support for Emily Clouse’s re-election to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners, District 5.

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Volunteer with the campaign

Change happens when people show up.

Whether you can knock doors, make calls, host conversations, help with research, or support community outreach, there is a place for you in this campaign. Volunteers are the backbone of Emily’s work—and of a county government that truly reflects its residents.

Sign up to volunteer and help build a Thurston County that is fair, sustainable, and accountable.

Privacy policies: by providing your phone number you agree that you may receive updates about this campaign from Emily Clouse for Thurston County. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to stop receiving messages. Your telephone number will not be shared with any partner or affiliate organizations.

Commissioner Emily Clouse with constituent at a rally on the Capitol Steps
Commissioner Emily Clouse giving a thumbs up during event clean-up

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Commissioner Emily Clouse with a calf
Three people standing behind a table with health supplies outdoors on a cloudy day, with trees and a building in the background.

SHOWING
UP FOR
THURSTON
COUNTY

Three people wearing reflective safety vests standing in a parking lot with orange traffic cones, and a large snow plow truck in the background.