Mike Pond, a Democrat from Clark County, is running for Washington House Legislative District 49, Position 1. He brings to the race a wealth of experience as a union organizer and longtime community advocate. As a fifth-generation Washingtonian and lifelong resident of Clark County, Pond’s deep local roots are central to his campaign message. He’s proud to have attended Prairie High School, Clark College, and Western Washington University — experiences that fuel his strong commitment to public education and shape his policy priorities today.
Over the years, Pond’s public profile has grown through previous campaigns for the Vancouver City Council and the Clark County Council. These experiences have sharpened his focus on practical, everyday concerns facing local families. In his career as a union organizer, Pond forged close relationships with workers, advocated for better workplace conditions, and championed collective action — perspectives he believes are urgently needed in Olympia.
His campaign focuses on the key issues facing Southwest Washington: affordability, housing, transportation, living-wage jobs, education funding, and government accountability. Pond has been especially outspoken about the need for a new interstate bridge, emphasizing its importance for transportation, job growth, and regional investment.
Now, with the 2026 primary approaching, Pond is seeking another opportunity to serve his community and promising to bring his labor experience and a pragmatic, hands-on approach to state government.
To help voters better understand Mike Pond’s priorities and vision, I reached out to him with a series of questions on LGBTQ+ rights, housing, affordability, and more. Here are his responses, offering insight into how he would represent District 49 if elected:
Frank Gaimari: If elected, what specific steps would you take to protect Transgender and Nonbinary people?
Mike Pond: Washington has long led on LGBTQ+ rights, yet challenges remain. As Transgender and gender-diverse individuals relocate to Washington state to seek safety and opportunities, we must ensure that these protections remain robust and effective.
I strongly oppose efforts to roll back protections for Transgender and Nonbinary people of all ages, and I support policies that strengthen access to healthcare, housing, education, and employment. That includes protecting access to gender-affirming care, reducing barriers to legal name and gender marker changes, and ensuring that antidiscrimination laws are effectively enforced.
Most importantly, policy should be informed by the people most impacted. We should listen to Transgender and gender-diverse community members, as well as advocacy organizations like Gender Justice League, when developing solutions. Every person deserves to live safely, authentically, and with dignity.
FG: What would you do to expand mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth?
MP: LGBTQ+ youth face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide, often because of bullying, rejection, or isolation. We need to expand access to culturally competent mental health services in both schools and communities. That includes increasing the number of trained providers, supporting school-based mental health programs, and ensuring that young people can access care regardless of their family’s income or geographic location.
Research consistently shows that a strong sense of belonging and community connection is one of the most powerful protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth. In addition to clinical care, we should support community organizations that provide affirming spaces, mentorship, peer support, leadership opportunities, and opportunities for connection. We should also ensure that all young people can participate in sports and other extracurricular activities in safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments. Every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, supported, and hopeful about their future.
FG: How would you protect LGBTQ+ students while balancing concerns about privacy, safety, and parental involvement?
MP: Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported, not just at school but also at home and in their community. Schools have a responsibility to protect students’ privacy and well-being, especially when disclosure could place a young person at risk. I believe parents play an important role in their children’s lives, but policies must prioritize student safety and follow guidance from educators, counselors, and mental health professionals. We can support parental engagement while ensuring that LGBTQ+ students have access to affirming environments where they can learn and thrive without fear. I oppose any effort to dismantle the existing legislation that offers these protections to students, including IL26-001.
FG: What would you do to improve LGBTQ+ health care access?
MP: Access to healthcare should never depend on who you are, where you live, or whom you love. I would support efforts to expand access to LGBTQ+-competent providers, protect access to gender-affirming care, strengthen mental health services, and address disparities that affect LGBTQ+ communities. We also need to ensure that insurance coverage is comprehensive and that healthcare providers receive training to deliver culturally competent care.
Access is about more than coverage alone. Too many people with state-sponsored insurance struggle to find providers who accept their plans, creating significant barriers to care. We should evaluate Medicaid reimbursement rates and advocate for reforms that encourage greater provider participation, expand service availability, and reduce patient wait times.
Everyone deserves healthcare that is respectful, affirming, affordable, and accessible.
FG: What specific steps would you take to lower everyday costs for working families, beyond broad promises about affordability?
MP: Working families need more than slogans. They need relief they can feel in their monthly budgets. I would focus on expanding access to affordable childcare, increasing the housing supply for people at all income levels, and strengthening public transportation to reduce commuting costs. I would also support targeted tax relief for low- and middle-income households and efforts to lower healthcare costs, including prescription drug costs. At the same time, we must ensure that wages keep pace with the cost of living so that people who work hard can afford to live, raise a family, and retire in the communities they call home.
FG: How would you address the housing shortage while ensuring that new development remains affordable and does not displace longtime residents?
MP: We need an all-of-the-above approach to housing. That means increasing the housing supply through smart growth policies, streamlining permitting, and supporting a range of housing types, from apartments to missing-middle housing.
But building alone is not enough. We must invest in affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and provide tools to help prevent the displacement of longtime residents, particularly seniors, low-income families, and communities that have historically been pushed out by rising costs. Growth should create opportunity, not force people out of the neighborhoods they helped build.
FG: As an openly Gay candidate, what message would you like to share directly with the LGBTQ+ community?
MP: Representation matters. Growing up, many LGBTQ+ people rarely saw themselves reflected in positions of leadership. Today, we know that our communities belong everywhere, including in elected offices. My message is simple: you deserve leaders who will fight for your rights, your safety, and your future. I am proud to be an openly Gay candidate, and I will bring my lived experience, my commitment to public service, and my belief in equality for all people to the Legislature every day. Together, we can continue building a Washington where every LGBTQ+ person is respected, valued, and able to thrive.
As the 2026 primary approaches, Mike Pond’s campaign offers Clark County voters a closer look at how he would approach critical state-level decisions — from housing and education to transportation, labor, and government transparency. His answers to these questions will help voters decide if his blend of local experience and labor advocacy is the right fit for District 49.
For more information on Mike Pond, visit his website at www.votepond.com.
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