Bruce Wilkinson for Thurston PUD Commissioner.

1️⃣ Water Quality & Reliability – Upgrade aging systems, proactive testing, drought/resilience planning.
2️⃣ Affordable, Transparent Rates – Fiscal watchdog, audit contracts, low-income assistance, no sweetheart developer deals.
3️⃣ Community & Workforce – Apprenticeships, Americorps/youth crews, public town halls, open-meeting transparency.

My Priorities for Thurston PUD

As one of three elected Commissioners, my duty is straightforward: ensure every Thurston PUD customer receives clean, reliable, and affordable water. But the PUD’s responsibility doesn’t stop at the meter. Water is a shared resource, and protecting it requires leadership that looks beyond our 9,000 connections to serve the entire county. Here’s how I’ll approach the job:

🔹 Protect Our Water Through Climate Resilience & Smart Infrastructure

Western Washington’s weather is changing. Atmospheric rivers now deliver heavier winter rains, while summer droughts strain our groundwater and aging distribution networks. The PUD can’t solve county-wide stormwater or zoning challenges alone, but it can be a nimble, proactive partner. I’ll push for upgraded leak detection, targeted infrastructure modernization, and watershed protection strategies that prepare us for extreme weather without passing unnecessary costs to ratepayers. Conservation isn’t just a slogan—it’s how we keep our aquifers healthy for generations.

🔹 Keep Rates Affordable Through Fiscal Discipline & Operational Efficiency

Over the past two decades, the PUD has grown significantly, often by acquiring aging private systems that required major upgrades. I’ll bring a fresh, working-class lens to the books: auditing contracts, streamlining procurement, eliminating waste, and maximizing the value of every dollar. A Commissioner’s job isn’t just to vote on budgets—it’s to understand the nuts and bolts of operations so we can find cost savings before they become rate hikes. I’ll ensure the PUD maintains healthy cash reserves, plans proactively for equipment replacement, and keeps water affordable for working families and fixed-income residents.

🔹 Build County-Wide Partnerships & Water Literacy

Water connects us all. I want the PUD to actively collaborate with neighboring water utilities, tribal nations, schools, unions, conservation groups, and local businesses. I’ll propose a Thurston County Water Day—an annual community event focused on education, conservation tips, watershed tours, and youth engagement. By partnering with programs like AmeriCorps and local trade schools, we can create hands-on learning opportunities for young people while giving the PUD extra capacity for habitat restoration and public outreach. When the community understands our water systems, we all become better stewards.

🔹 A Hands-On, Proactive Commissioner Who Rolls Up Their Sleeves

With roughly 25 staff, the Thurston PUD is still a small, tight-knit utility. I won’t just sit in board meetings—I’ll be in the field. Whether it’s helping clear storm-damaged access roads, reviewing competitive bids for equipment, or troubleshooting maintenance schedules before they become emergencies, I believe leadership means showing up. I’ve spent my career in labor, nonprofits, and grassroots organizing. I know how to listen, how to solve problems, and how to work alongside utility experts without getting in their way. I’ll prioritize transparency, regular community updates, and a culture of mutual respect between management, staff, and the public we serve.

Water is a public trust, not a commodity. If elected, I’ll bring fiscal responsibility, climate foresight, and a working-class work ethic to the PUD Commission. I’ll keep rates fair, infrastructure reliable, and our watersheds protected—because Thurston County deserves a utility that plans ahead, operates efficiently, and always puts people first.