Derek has served as a four-term Gig Harbor City Council member, member of the Pierce County and Puget Sound Regional Councils, and commissioner on the Pierce Transit Board. In his 16 years on the City Council, he has supported policy changes to strengthen the local economy, helped cities and the county plan for growth, and protected the natural environment. He is running because he wants those same positive results for the whole region. He wants to improve long-term planning to promote local economic development, stabilize the budget, make communities safer, and provide adequate transportation options for the citizens of his district and the county as a whole. While on the City Council, his advocacy helped triple the size of Gig Harbor’s parks and open space inventory and add miles of trails. He plans to continue looking for ways to preserve the region’s natural beauty and expand recreation opportunities for our families. Pierce County needs a progressive to help provide more political diversity on this conservative–dominated county council. Derek has endorsements from high-level elected officials in Pierce Co., such as Rep. Norm Dicks, Rep. Derek Kilmer, County Executive Pat McCarthy and most of the State Legislative delegation from District 7.