Kelbon Shares Priorities with West End Business Association

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 30, 2026

Independent candidate for Washington’s 24th Legislative District Position 2, Marcia Kelbon, was the featured speaker at the July 22 meeting of the West End Business & Professional Association, outlining her priorities for the state while answering questions from those in attendance.

Kelbon, who lives in Quilcene and moved to the Olympic Peninsula in the 1990s, brings a varied background to her campaign. She served in the U.S. Navy before becoming an attorney and patent attorney, working for several well-known companies. She has previously run for public office and said she performed well in those campaigns. She also wrote a conservative newspaper column for a period of time.

Kelbon said she had not planned to seek office again, but the retirement of longtime State Rep. Steve Tharinger changed her mind.

“It is hard for young people to build a life,” she said, explaining one of the reasons she decided to enter the race.

Although she has previously run as a Republican and said she was even approached about running as a Democrat, Kelbon is campaigning this time as an Independent.

She told the group that Washington has “a spending problem” and identified three areas she believes should be top priorities for the Legislature.

Her first priority is education. Kelbon said the state is investing significant amounts of money in schools but is not seeing the results it should. She said students should graduate prepared either for college or to enter a trade.

Her second priority is improving highways and bridges, which she said are critical to the state’s infrastructure and economy.

Third, Kelbon focused on public safety and public health. She said she supports giving law enforcement the authority to direct individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues into treatment when appropriate.

Kelbon also expressed concerns about Washington’s business climate, describing the state as unfriendly to businesses. She voiced opposition to a state income tax, saying she worries current policies could eventually lead to one affecting everyone.

As a fire commissioner, Kelbon said she has fought to preserve timber revenues that help support junior taxing districts. She also discussed the loss of timber-related jobs, the importance of protecting mills, and encouraging the development of new wood products industries.

She criticized the Climate Commitment Act, saying it has increased the cost of living in rural communities without delivering enough benefits. Tourism remains an important part of the region’s economy, she said, but Washington should also support industries and businesses that drive the state’s economic base.

Kelbon said she would also like to see some building regulations rolled back to make it easier and less expensive to construct homes, arguing that statewide regulations often fail to recognize the differing needs of rural and urban communities.

“One size does not fit all,” she said.

The presentation concluded with a question-and-answer session, during which attendees discussed a variety of state and local issues with the candidate.