Kaylee Kuehn

Kaylee Kuehn earned a high school diploma from Sequim Senior High School, a bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College in 2021, and a graduate degree from Grand Canyon University in 2023.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hi, I'm Kaylee Kuehn! I grew up in sunny Sequim, Washington and was raised by two career-long public high school teachers.

While attending The Evergreen State College, I had the privilege of interning in our state Senate. I returned there for several more years while working on my master's degree in education. As a legislative aide, I worked closely with many stakeholders and helped constituents navigate state agencies.

I later became a high school teacher, where I taught math, history, and government. I also coached girls' wrestling and advised Speech and Debate.

Today, I work with The Building Bridges Project, a nonprofit that teaches civility and civic engagement to young people, and I advocate in Olympia for our pulp and paper workers union.

I met my husband, Matt, while working in Olympia, and we are now raising our daughter, Nora, in Sequim. We also have an energetic border collie mix named Maggie.

With my experience working in our State Senate, teaching high school government and history, and advocating for union workers, I have had the opportunity to navigate our state government from a lot of different perspectives. I have a strong understanding of how to get things done in Olympia and will bring a thoughtful approach to legislating.

My primary focus is on improving life for the people of the 24th by increasing access and lowering costs when it comes to healthcare, housing, and childcare. I am also committed to protecting our environment.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I believe the challenges we are facing are too important to approach through a purely ideological lens. Good ideas can come from anywhere, and I believe in listening carefully, asking questions, and thinking critically before making decisions. My vote isn't bought, nor can it be. My loyalty is to the people I represent and to making the best decision possible. To me, this requires considering many perspectives and truly seeking to understand what the impacts of that decision may be and how it may impact people. I also believe in being transparent and accountable to the public, especially when it comes to how our tax dollars are spent and what the outcomes are of our spending. If something's not working, we should change it.I've spent my career working at every level of state government, from working in the State Senate to teaching government to advocating for workers in Olympia. I understand how legislation is written, how budgets are negotiated, and how to build relationships to actually get things done. I also understand that sometimes getting things done means being a team player and sometimes it means going against the grain. Both approaches take careful consideration and courage, and I'm prepared to be that type of representative; someone who is effective for our district.I'm a fourth-generation Olympic Peninsula resident. I have a deep personal investment in making long-term, effective change here because most of my family lives in Sequim, I'm raising my daughter here, and it's always been home to me. I will...

- maintain my strong work ethic,

- be available and responsive to my constituents (call me, text me, email me - I'll get back to you as soon as I can), and

- be transparent about the decisions made in Olympia.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare is so essential to people's wellbeing, yet we have such a broken system here in the United States. I want to get us to a universal healthcare system so everyone can access quality care and not go bankrupt doing so.

As a former teacher, I'm passionate about improving our education system because youth are our future and they deserve to learn and grow in a stellar educational environment.

Housing is also top for me because we are in desperate need of more affordable and middle housing. I want to stop Wall Street corporations buying and flipping our homes.

Environmental policy is also crucial because we need to have clean air and water, healthy ecosystems, and abundant resources to keep surviving on this planet.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

- Commitment to represent their constituents over any other interests

- Transparency, honesty, & integrity

- Collaborative mindset

- Focused on problem-solving

- Understands the job & how to get things done

- Strong communication skills

- Open-minded & willing to learn

- Has a strong understanding of history

- Emotional maturity

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First and foremost, a State Representative's responsibility is to represent their constituents. They need to listen to all perspectives and prioritize the needs of their district. A State Rep also needs to understand how to navigate the legislative process effectively. They need to know how to get support for their bills and funding requests, as well as consider overall state policy that will impact their constituents and the broader constituency of Washington State. A State Rep also needs to communicate well with their constituency so that people know how they're being represented and have a voice in the process. A State Rep needs to be adaptable and flexible, as this work is fast-paced and constantly changing. They need to be able to manage critical feedback and harsh criticism, and they can't get caught up in only supporting policies that align with their supporters - they need to do what's best for their people without their ego getting in the way. They also need to be able to make tough decisions and explain their reasoning behind them. They need to be able to say "no" to anyone, particularly to special interests. A State Rep has a major responsibility. The role is very unique and requires a dynamic person to do it well.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Orgs:

State Labor Council, WA Education Association*, Nat'l Women's Political Caucus*, WFSE, Pulp and Paper Workers*, Win With Women*, Retired Public Employees*, Olympic Climate Action*, Twin Harbors Labor Council*, IUPAT*, WA Stonewall Dems*, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Center for Freethought Equality*, FairVote WA, Future Dems

State:

Chris Reykdal*, Brandy Donaghy*, Mary Fosse*, Lauren Davis*, Laurie Dolan*, Brian Blake*

Clallam:

Mike French, Nicole Hartman*, Jon Hamilton, Eric Pickens*, Dan Butler*, Jim Stoffer*

Jefferson:

Heidi Eisenhouer*, Amy Howard*, Neil Nelson*, Ruth Gordon*, Matt Ready*, Mary Jean Ryan*

Grays Harbor:

Bill Nelson*, Bethany Whipple-Boling, Steven Puvogal*, Kevin Moynihan*

sole endorsement