Municipal/Other Questionnaire
Candidate Info
Candidate Name: Dan Knox
Position Sought: Port of Tacoma Commissioner, Pos. 4
Are you an incumbent for this position? Non-incumbent
Home Legislative District: 29th
Are you a Democrat? Yes
Campaign Info
Campaign Manager or Point of Contact: Jake Simpson @ Winpower
Website: electknox.com
Facebook:
Twitter:
Part I – Candidate Background
1. Please briefly describe your qualifications, education, employment, community and civic activity, union affiliation, prior political activity, and other relevant experience. Beyond your qualifications, what makes you the best candidate for this position or office? Please describe any specific background or unique perspective you offer and how those will help you accomplish your goals for the position sought. If possible, give practical examples.
My qualifications might not be typical for this office. While I am a public servant committed to community advocacy and public engagement, my professional roles have been almost entirely at public and private higher education institutions. I am currently the Student Success Technology Specialist at Pierce College, where I lead initiatives to improve student support services, provide extensive guidance to staff and students on using systems, and find ways to reduce our equity gaps. Beyond this, I have also worked in various student affairs leadership roles at Saint Martin's University, the University of Maine at Farmington, and at Ripon College. For my education, I have a Bachelor's degree in International Business and Politics and Government and a Master's in Adult and Higher Education.
I have been an active community member, serving as a PCO, the Chair of the 29th, and the Secretary of PCYD (Pierce County Young Democrats). I have also spent time volunteering for Democratic candidates like T'wina Novles, Ana Ruiz Kennedy, and Emily Randall, among others.
I think what makes me the best candidate starts with my lived experience. I grew up in a working-class family, which provided me with a work ethic and passion for public service. I am fundamentally committed to doing everything, in whatever position I am in, to providing equitable opportunities for all. My approach to being Port Commissioner would be based on my commitments to community engagement, transparency, and collaborative leadership. I feel my track record and values show me as someone who will always prioritize people over profits.
While it is outside of political or community advocacy work, one practical example of my commitment is how I have assisted Pierce College in implementing its student success platform. This software helps students connect and plan efficiently for college, and my leadership has led to improved student retention, promoted equitable access, and removed hurdles that were causing students not to graduate on time. I want to bring that same mindset to this office. I want to make sure the Port serves all of Pierce County, not just the few.
2. What prompted you to run for this office?
What originally prompted me to run for this office was the fact that no one was running against the only known candidate, former Rep. J.T. Wilcox. While this is largely the primary reason for me running, I also stepped up because I believe we need to do more to push for bold, community-focused leadership. I am committed to doing everything within my power to make the Port more inclusive, sustainable, transparent, and competitive. The Port is one of many offices that I feel needs a fresh new perspective to better benefit Pierce County.
3. What steps are you taking to run a successful campaign?
While my campaign is just over a week old, I am taking proactive steps toward building a grassroots campaign that is founded in community engagement and direct voter outreach. I am also planning meetings with local leaders, community organizations, and labor unions to learn and build support. My team and I have begun phone banking, door-knocking, and increasing my social media presence. Finally, I want to, over the course of the campaign, find ways to prioritize accessibility and transparency by hosting community forums online and in-person to ensure my campaign adequately represents the needs of Pierce County.
4. What are your campaign’s most important themes, issues, or priorities (three to five)? Share issues or priorities specific to the office that you’re running for.
The most important themes, issues, and priorities for my campaign are environmental stewardship (advancing green instrastruce and solutions), advancing family-wage union labor (finding ways to create sustainable economic opportunities that put people over profits), and leadership focused in community (we need to strengthen our relationship with and recognize the sovereignty of the Puyaullup Tribe). Also, as mentioned in previous answers, work to increase transparency and engage the public will be critical to my campaign and work at the Port.
Part II – Yes/No Questions, please qualify your answer if necessary
1. Do you support steps to build a fairer economy through tax reform and progressive taxes as wealth increases? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #1 I believe building a fairer economy starts with fixing the regressive tax structure in our state, which only serves to burden working families.
2. Do you support robust investment in publicly owned housing/subsidized housing for elderly and low-income individuals/families, and zoning changes to support such housing? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #2 Robust investment is needed to ensure safe, affordable housing options for those populations. Zoning changes are also necessary to increase the availability of housing, but I always want to ensure that it is done sustainably.
3. Developer impact fees are allowed under the Growth Management Act. Should they be increased to help pay for needed improvements to our roads, parks, and schools? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #3 Developer impact fees should be increased to ensure we have the resources to fund new projects that help our roads, parks, and schools. This is essential to maintaining a high quality of life for our community.
4. Do you support building a municipally owned and operated broadband system in your city or jurisdiction? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #4 We still face a significant digital divide, and building municipally owned and operated broadband would help support economic growth while improving educational opportunities and equity in our communities.
5. Do you support local investments to address climate change where applicable? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #5 Supporting local investments is a proactive step to protecting our environment and ensuring future community resilience.
6. Do you support women’s unrestricted access to reproductive healthcare? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #6 I don't think I need to qualify this one. To me, this is a necessity.
7. Do you support laws regulating the purchase, ownership, and carrying of firearms? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #7 We need common-sense laws to ensure responsible gun ownership and assist in protecting public safety. We have too much gun violence in our communities.
8. Do you support the right of workers to unionize and bargain, including public employees? Yes
Optional: Qualify Your Response to #8 In our time of worker exploitation, unions are necessary to protect workers' rights, provide fair wages & benefits, and ensure just, proper treatment while on the job.
Part III – Free Response (Please answer at least four fully, and consider the additional three optional)
1. Why are you requesting Democratic endorsement? What aspects of the Democratic platform most resonate with you?
As a proud Democrat and member of many Democratic organizations, I am seeking the Democratic endorsement because I believe in equity, environmental stewardship, and workers' rights, which align with the core values of the Democratic platform. I’m committed to fighting for family-wage union jobs, climate resilience, and social justice at the Port of Tacoma. As someone who values community engagement and transparent leadership, I believe our shared vision for a more just and inclusive future makes me the right candidate to represent Democratic ideals.
2. What public policy reforms do you support to achieve greater equity and inclusion for BIPOC and LBQIA+ individuals in our communities?
While it might not entirely be within the entire purview of the position I am seeking, I support policies that ensure fair wages, accessible healthcare, and equitable housing for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This includes advocating for diverse hiring practices, protections against discrimination, and expanding access to social services. I find this war on DEI to be a slap in the face to progress, and I will fight in whatever way I can to combat any anti-DEI effort. I will also say that I support community-driven environmental justice initiatives that address the disproportionate impacts of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities. We need to ensure their voices are at the center of decision-making processes.
3. What steps do you think need to be taken to improve voter turnout and increase voter trust in our election process?
4. What important local issues have you worked on (or taken an interest in) that you feel aren’t getting enough attention from elected leaders and the local media?
I have a few that I do not think are getting enough media attention. The first important issue I've focused on is the need for stronger collaboration between the Port of Tacoma, labor unions, and the Puyallup Tribe to ensure sustainable economic development while respecting Tribal sovereignty. Additionally, I believe that we aren't doing enough to care about climate resilience initiatives at the Port, especially when it comes to green job creation and reducing industrial emissions to protect community health and the environment.
5. Please list at least three specific, concrete actions you would support to ease the homelessness crisis.
6. What safety, law, or justice issues are currently facing your jurisdiction, and how will you address them?
7. What are the transportation/transit challenges which face your jurisdiction and how would you address them? What role does green energy play in your proposed solutions?
There is a lot to say here, but I will try to keep it short and sweet. The Port of Tacoma faces challenges related to traffic congestion, outdated infrastructure, and emissions from freight transport. I support investing in green energy solutions, such as electrifying port equipment and shore power for vessels, to reduce pollution and enhance efficiency. Additionally, I would advocate for improved rail connections and sustainable freight corridors to minimize road traffic, while collaborating with regional transit agencies to support workers’ access to port jobs through reliable public transit.
By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.
Printed Name: Dan Knox
Date (mm/dd/yy): 05/12/2025
