Jamie Nichols, a Democratic candidate running for Grays Harbor County Commissioner Seat 1, fell in love with the Harbor after visiting the area often as a child.

“My grandparents had 15 acres on the Satsop river during the 1970s, which made Grays Harbor County our ‘place to go’ to escape city life,” Nichols said. “I remember as a young girl, wanting to live in Grays Harbor; a place where I felt like I could breathe. After visiting my family’s property for the first time with my husband, he too, wanted to make the move.”

Jamie and her husband moved from Puyallup and decided Montesano would be the perfect place to raise a family. Thirteen years later, they have two children in the Montesano School District and call Grays Harbor County home.

“My absolute favorite part of Grays Harbor is the generosity and heart of our communities,” Nichols said. “The support given to one another in a tragedy, as well as the pandemic, youth academic and sport achievements, and many other situations, our entire community stands together in order to uplift one another. … This County truly has one another’s backs.

Nichols added she feels as though we are “incredibly blessed” as a community to live in an area known for it’s natural resources.

“We are incredibly blessed with such amazing natural resources right here in our county,” she said. “We are surrounded by beautiful, lush forests where we can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, off-roading and camping. We have the Chehalis River that runs through Grays Harbor. There are many other local rivers, all great for fishing; and abundance of forest lands to hunt, local farmers, beaches for clam digging or buying fish right off the boats. These are nature’s opportunities, right here for all of us to enjoy. … How fortunate we are.”

Nichols is also involved in local politics, she previously ran for a county commissioner seat in 2016 and is currently the Chair of the Grays Harbor County Democratic Central Committee. Her resume also includes sitting on the executive board of the 19th and 24 Legislative District Democrats, a board member of The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, and a member of the Montesano Church of God, to name a few.

Nichols has also worked in various capacities over the years, including managing several fast-food restaurants, distributing vehicle parts as a certified forklift operator at Ft. Lewis and assembling airdrop care package for troops after 9|11.

“I’ve been a small business owner, and caregiver to my mother-in-law during her final months on this earth,” Nichols added.

Family is high upon Nichols’ priority list, and that value was ingrained in her from an early age.

“My family was close growing up,” she said. “We spent many summers at the Straddleline ORV Park, Jeep racing and dirt-bike riding. Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents before I was 30 years old, which caused for me to grow up very fast, but also made me realize each day should be lived to the fullest.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy are two role models that inspires Nichols, who “looks up to their leadership values.” But a third role model also had a large impact on Nichols’ life.

“I must also include my grandfather, who I consider a role model, as I learned a great deal from him,” she said. “(He taught me) to give back to others when and where you can, lead by example, work hard, and be honest and open in all your dealings.”

Nichols said that her experience being active in local politics has taught her a great deal she hopes to bring to the County Commission.

“While attending County Commission meetings over the last several years and as a commission candidate, I have discovered that in order to be an effective County Commissioner, you need to be able to listen,” she said. “People want their voice to be heard and listening is as important as taking action. It is also important to ensure any changes that need to be addressed consider and respect the constitutional rights of each individual, but that these changes are indeed in the purview of the County Commission.”

Nichols, who received 28% of the vote in August’s primary election, said that some of the top issues important to her are addressing the current budget deficit and working toward a balanced budge; supporting working families and encouraging more local, living-wage jobs; working with the state to reduce unfunded mandates and support rural and agricultural needs related to farming, fishing and flooding; continuing the progress made to address an aging infrastructure, particularly the county jail; and maintaining a cohesive working environment at the county while ensuring transparency in government.