A Note from Anthony
I called Krag Unsoeld tonight and congratulated him on winning our race for Port Commissioner. At the start of the campaign we agreed to run respectful, issues-focused campaigns. In an era when campaigns are too often highly negative and personally destructive, I’m glad that our campaign aimed high rather than low.
While the vote tally is not what we hoped for, I am incredibly proud of all the people who helped on our Hemstad for Port campaign. Our campaign put forth big ideas on how to improve the Port’s performance in challenging times, we also focused on two themes throughout the campaign – competence and unity.
On competence, we emphasized being ready to be an effective Port Commissioner. This included my extensive experience in public policy and running governments along with a deep background in areas that the Port works in – international trade/business and economic development.
On unity, we live in a very divisive time that is overly partisan. Our campaign built what many observers said was the broadest set of endorsements they’d ever seen in Thurston County. This included all five current Port Commissioners, plus the five candidates that ran against them; every Mayor in Thurston County; unions; environmental organizations and business groups. We pretty much swept the endorsements from non-party-affiliated organizations – and even though we were running as an independent for this non-partisan post, we attracted support from good-government focused Democratic and Republican local/state/federal office holders.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, endorsed, donated and participated in this election. Our democracy is stronger because of your involvement.
The Port can and should be a key economic engine for Thurston County. My best wishes to the future Port Commission for success in meeting its immense potential.
— Anthony Hemstad
Proven Leadership for a Port in a Storm
Hemstad for Port Commission
Thank you, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, for your strong endorsement of both Anthony Hemstad (Hemstad for Port) and Bob Iyall (Bob Iyall for Port Commissioner - District 2)!
Anthony is endorsed by all 5 Current Port Commissioners, with widespread support from both Ds & Rs. He is the only candidate in this race with experience leading governments, creating family-wage jobs + international trade background.
Anthony Hemstad
Proven Leadership for a Port in a Storm
The coming years are likely to be challenging for most US Ports. For the Port of Olympia to successfully navigate these expected rough seas, it needs leaders with relevant experience on the Port Commission.
The Port of Olympia is a government that focuses on economic development, through its marine terminal, marina, airport and real estate holdings.
Hemstad volunteers as Economic Development Committee Chairman for the Port of Olympia’s Citizen Advisory Commission.
Professionally, Hemstad currently runs his own successful economic development and public policy consultancy, working with local governments and private enterprises. He has deep experience in international business and, as former head of the area's World Trade Center office, has successfully helped build trade and bring major investments into Washington state.
As your next Port Commissioner, he will work with community partners to diversify the economy, bringing family-wage jobs to Thurston County while protecting our environment.
Join us as we work together to help residents in Thurston County thrive.