Many people in the Grays Harbor business community already know Georgia Miller’s name. She’s been heavily involved, from her job in radio marketing to volunteering to service on economic boards, for the better part of two decades.
But until very recently — unlike the three candidates who she joins in the race for Grays Harbor County Commissioner District 1 — shifting to politics wasn’t her plan.
“When somebody asked me if I’d run for county commissioner, I said, ‘absolutely not,’” Miller said in an interview at The Daily World. “After that, I started thinking about all those conversations I had with people in our community and people not getting involved.”
She then turned that perspective on herself.
“I stepped up because no one had,” she said. “We had three people running on the Democratic ticket, and no one being that conservative, more conservative, voice. I felt like I needed to do that.”
Miller, the first Republican to enter the race for District 1 County Commissioner, announced her candidacy on social media Jan. 12, calling herself a “moderate conservative Republican who is fiscally conservative and socially responsible.”
Grays Harbor Democrats were successful in December and early January in drawing candidates to represent East Grays Harbor County — and each with his fair share of political experience. Those included former Elma City Council member Ron Mullins, former Grays Harbor County Auditor Chris Thomas and former Elma Mayor Jim Sorensen, who recently finished his second term leading the city.
Unlike her new opponents, Miller, who lives in the Wynoochee Valley, has no elected experience — a fact she believes could be to her benefit.
“I’m not a career politician, and this isn’t a stepping stone for me,” Miller said. “I have no desire to leave my community to go bigger. I think not having served in office, to some degree, is an advantage.”
Background in business
Miller, who will turn 50 years old on election day this year, was born in Ilwaco and moved to Hoquiam at five years old with her family after her grandfather bought the Ford dealership in the area. The family’s ties to the business community grew deeper when her mother bought Harbor Shoes, a former retailer in downtown Aberdeen.
So, after Miller moved away as a young adult and returned a little more than 20 years ago, boosting the city’s downtown core became a focus. She got involved with the Aberdeen revitalization movement and spearheaded the 2007 Aberdeen Art Walk, and prides herself on the fact that, according to Miller, 100% of the businesses were on board, which wasn’t always a guarantee.
“I just came in, like I do most things, with a lot of enthusiasm and encouragement,” Miller said.
Around that same time Miller began her career in radio marketing, first with Jodesha Broadcasting and then with Alpha Media. Through the job she was assigned as an ambassador to local chambers of commerce. Learning that they were looking for members, she decided to join herself, including the Montesano Chamber of Commerce and Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
“I got to meet so many of the business leaders in our community,” Miller said. “I got to help them tell their stories and help their businesses grow. We celebrated some wins and mourned some losses.”
She also runs her own business on a farm outside Montesano called Valley Greens, which supplies leafy greens to local food stores, schools and the Union Gospel Mission
Outside of the business community, her advertising job also introduced her to another demographic.
“I’ve met a ton of politicians. I’ve kind of understood so much about that arena,” she said.
Not out for a fight
If elected to the county’s lawmaking body, Miller said, she would emphasize open communication and conversations between people with different political views.
“I’m not out for a fight,” Miller said. “If I have to I will, but I’m not looking for a fight.”
While Miller said she wouldn’t be looking to butt heads, she did compare the political realm to a game of craft and strategy.
“I love chess,” Miller said. “You have to really think the moves out. What’s gonna happen next? What could happen next? I think, to some degree, that’s politics.”
Miller didn’t cite any specific policy plans for county issues like homelessness, budget deficits and economic development, and said she’ll need to settle into the District 1 seat before having the information to make important policy decisions. But Miller talked about her belief in an “ever-growing, over-reaching” government, saying she is “super supportive of law enforcement.”
“I think it’s unfortunate that so much of our law enforcement’s hands have been tied and they’re not able to hold the lawless accountable,” Miller said.
Miller also highlighted the Port of Grays Harbor and Interstate 5 Corridor as economic assets. She said there is “too much need” for the county not to be involved with social programs.
“You have to have social programs, which cost money. But then you have to be fiscally conservative, because who wants their taxes raised?” she said.
Miller said she brings budgeting experience to the county board from past service on chamber of commerce boards and with a local nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapies.
“I’ll do the best job I possibly can,” she said. “I can’t promise that I’ll never do anything wrong if I’m elected, but I promise that I will conduct myself with integrity, selflessness and strength.”
Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.
