I am honored to be the only #2 County Council candidate to be officially endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Washington Conservation, and Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz. Their values and the important work they do for our state protecting women and nature reflect my values and the people and places I would like to continue protecting for my fellow islanders.

To see more supporters, visit our supporters page.

Official endorsement for Rick Hughes for San Juan County Council from Washington Conservation group

  • I have known Rick Hughes for half a century, but even people who’ve known him for half an hour will probably have heard these four words: “How can I help?” Rick’s first instinct is always to do what he can for others. That basic compassion makes him an excellent friend, but it’s also a great foundation for public service, ensuring policy decisions that are people-focused and grounded in the needs of the community.

    —Thor Hanson

  • The great thing about Rick’s ideas, and the consistent thing about them, is that they were always about ways to help people. Working within the confines of legal and financial constraints, he was always trying to think of programs and possibilities that would help the greatest number of people while causing the least amount of harm to others.

    —Milene Henley

  • Rick is the only highly qualified Council candidate. Still well-known and respected regionally and in Olympia, he has the legislative knack to elevate and focus the effectiveness of Council, and help direct our new County Manager, in challenging times.

    —Steve Ulvi

  • I have seen Rick deal with adversity in his life with stoicism all while maintaining concern for others. Rick has lived a life of service to his community, and I am grateful for all he has done.

    —Greg White

  • Rick has shown his commitment to maintaining our quality of life through his work to pass the 2020 Climate Pledge Resolution, his focus on increasing workforce housing and his understanding that sustainable growth is the only kind of growth needed here. People who have worked with Rick know he is lively, interested in new ideas, willing to go to bat for our county in Olympia and able to work with all kinds of people as evidenced by his numerous endorsements from 40th District and statewide elected officials.

    —Amanda Azous

  • He is calm, patient, and doesn’t have a temper. He is kind and considerate. AND, HE HAS A HEART!

    —Domenic Verbano

  • Rick is the only candidate to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood…He is interested in the issues of women. He is a critical and forward thinker, and he understands the issues that our County faces... He has earned the right to serve us again, and I will vote to return him to the Council.

    —Michell “Mitch” Marshall

  • Rick Hughes possesses a unique combination of intelligence, integrity, and leadership skills that make him an ideal candidate for Position # 2, County council. I have seen him work tirelessly to address the needs of our county, always putting the interests of the community above his own.

    —Larry Vandermay

  • Whether in office or not, Rick Hughes has a passion for helping his fellow Islanders. He is always willing to listen and eager to connect people who can help each other. It brings him obvious joy to make a mutually beneficial introduction.

    —Max Hanson

  • When we started fundraising, the Library was fundraising for the new addition and the U of Dub wanted more than a million dollars to take over our health care clinic. The local wisdom was we needed health care and access to knowledge, more than a second hand store. Rick Hughes came up with and engineered that the County would build a shell and ORS would finish it with donated labor and the funds we raised.

    —Larry Coddington

  • As someone in my 20s, I am deeply invested in our county’s environmental future, resource management, and affordable housing for my generation. Rick Hughes has a proven track record of dedicated service to our community and a clear vision for addressing these critical issues. His efforts to tackle affordable housing in San Juan County demonstrate his commitment to making our community more accessible and sustainable for young people and future generations.

    —Matthew Laslo

“Gen Z could determine the 2024 elections… If we turn out to vote.”

Tough Question Tuesday

Gus Ringo asks Rick about the Ferry system

Melanie Trygg asks Rick about Affordable Housing

Grace Grantham asks Rick about the challenges of Prune Alley improvements

Sam Gailey asks a surprise tough question

Community Moving Forward

Increase Accessible, Sustainable, Workforce Housing

This is one of, if not the most important priority for county council. My eight years of experience in county council and my time away from county council has given me a unique combination of experience and knowledge and time to reflect, listen and research. I’ve also spent the last few months visiting ALL the San Juan Islands every week to ensure I know what the people want and need. I’ve also leaned on the thought leaders in this sector. With their help, I look forward to helping solve our housing challenges. We’ll need bold, innovative, new ideas to help overcome them and I am ready with some.

Please click on the button below to read my AFFORDABLE HOUSING VISION.

Inspired by long-standing organizations like the Land Bank, Friends of the San Juans, Sea Doc, the Land Trust, and the San Juan Preservation Trust, I am committed to being a better-informed advocate for the environment. I pledge to follow the 2020 San Juan County Climate Pledge Resolution that I helped draft and pass. And work hard with the many different groups in the community to protect the environment.

I support the Land Bank and will work hard to renew the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank in November of 2024!


photo credit Erin Bennett

Protect & Preserve
The Bioregion

Balancing sustainable growth in San Juan County is vital to preserve its unique environmental and community characteristics. Sustainable growth strategies can help manage resources wisely, reduce environmental impact, and maintain the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, ensuring that San Juan County remains a cherished place to live, work, and visit. Building a resilient and varied economy is crucial for ensuring long-term stability because it reduces dependence on a single industry. This approach helps sustain economic growth, supports community resilience against external shocks, and enhances the overall quality of life for residents by providing stability and prosperity. Develop and support a diverse economy that doesn’t rely solely on tourism. My plan is to support working families, improve family wage jobs, make interaction with the county easier, help expand access to broadband, support agriculture, train our workforce and provide job opportunities.


Balanced and
Sustainable Growth

ELECTED OFFICIALS

SUPPORTING RICK HUGHES

  • Debra Lekanoff

    40th District State Rep

  • Rick Larsen

    Second District US Congressional Member

  • Liz Lovelett

    Washington State 40th District State Senator

  • Hilary Franz

    Washington State Public Land Commissioner

  • Steve Hobbs

    Washington State Secretary of State

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Washington State 42th District State Senator

  • Sam Low

    Washington State 39th District House Representative

  • Manka Dhingra

    Washington State 45th District Senator

    Click Here

  • Alex Ramel

    40th District State Rep

  • Joe Timmons

    42nd State Representative

Building a resilient and varied economy is crucial for ensuring long-term stability because it reduces dependence on a single industry. This approach helps sustain economic growth, supports community resilience against external shocks, and enhances the overall quality of life for residents by providing stability and prosperity. Develop and support a diverse economy that doesn’t rely solely on tourism.

My plan is to support working families, improve family wage jobs, make interaction with the county easier, help expand access to broadband, support agriculture, train our workforce and provide job opportunities for our young islanders.

Build A Resilient & Varied Economy For Long-Term Growth

A transparent and collaborative local government is essential for fostering trust between citizens and their leaders. It ensures that government actions and decisions are open to scrutiny, accountability, and public confidence. Such an approach empowers citizens, encourages civic engagement, and strengthens democracy by making government more responsive and effective in meeting the needs of its constituents.

I pledge to work with all islanders to find solutions that solve county wide problems or island specific issues. If you have a question, ask and I will do my best to spend time with you understanding and acting on your issues.

I want to give voice to all in the community, especially those underserved and unheard.

Transparent & Collaborative Governance

San Juan County residents and visitors deserve a better ferry system with reliable and consistent ferry service.

I have been working on ferry issues for almost 15 years and have made connections regionally, with legislators in Olympia and our partners at the federal level that will help improve level of service in San Juan County.

I promise to spend time in Olympia and In Washington D.C. to lobby for funding and support for WSF. We will improve ferry service.

I will ask San Juan County Council to create a County Ferry District that will allow San Juan County to test passenger-only ferry service.

San Juan County will continue working with Skagit, Island, Whatcom, and Snohomish Counties for interconnecting transportation options that will connect our communities without vehicles.

Working together we will make ferries better as a community!

Washington State Ferries & Improved Transportation

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