GREG NANCE
State Representative Advocates for Making a Difference
BY CONNIE BYE
PHOTO BY ANNIE GRAEBNER
Find your passion, then devote yourself to it, advises Greg Nance, state representative for the 23rd District. In a time of divisiveness, it’s more important than ever to keep trying, said Nance, an islander who turns 37 in September.
Why did you go into public service?
My dad helped unionize the Seattle Public Defenders office. My mom was a longtime nursing home social worker for the state. During family dinners, I heard about my parents making a difference. It planted a seed about using your talents, your intelligence to help others. And I love running, getting out there, meeting people. All those experiences led me to this moment.
When did you decide to seek office?
I had finished a run across America. There was a lot of time for thinking. One recurring idea was how few kids I met had good after-school activities. I had such an amazing support network: great coaches, great teachers, great mentors. Within a year and a half, there I was, running for office.
In a fragmented era, is it an extra challenge for you as a younger legislator?
Without a doubt, this is a difficult time in our history. Neighbor turned against neighbor. I am trying to be a bridge builder. Our system only works when we find ways to come back together.
You were a high school debate champ. Is that helpful in Olympia?
With debate, I realized quickly how valuable it is to learn to argue for an issue, then maybe an hour later to argue against it. That’s a powerful model for a democracy; you have to see both sides to make a good decision.
What is the answer on our ferry system?
We are turning a corner. Reliability is paramount. More boats on the water, more crews prepared, more maintenance and preservation. We fell $250 million behind on maintenance and preservation. We fell way behind on our staffing goals. Now, we have 2,100 crew members. We still need to get more vessels back in the water. We passed the Mosquito Fleet Act in the last session. We need to get this through the Senate and signed into law.
These would be private vessels?
Public vessels, perhaps privately paid for and utilized to answer needs. For example, Liberty Bay Poulsbo to downtown Seattle, Bremerton to Bainbridge. Also, an airport express from Eagle Harbor to Des Moines, then a 2-minute bus ride to SeaTac.
Why did you champion bull kelp?
Baby salmon swimming to the sea can rest in kelp, but we’ve lost 90 percent of the coverage. I was honored to work with Puget Sound Restoration Fund, our Suquamish and S’Klallam tribes. I’m surrounded by people who care.
What will be your focus in the year ahead?
I was just appointed liaison to Sound Partnership, an outstanding environmental organization. Bull kelp efforts. And making a big move for Dungeness crabs; it’s our biggest fishery. But we’ve had five major die-offs. Is the culprit ocean acidification, warming waters, European green crabs, algae blooms? We need to gather more facts and have the courage to push through.
Second, After School for All is going to be a big lift. We’ve got to design it so it’s inexpensive to start, and then we can bring more support. Ultimately, how do you build a pilot program?
Third, the transportation portfolio: fast ferries, safe streets, multimodal transportation. We need more sidewalks, bike lanes, safe avenues, no matter how you get around
