City of Tumwater
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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 Primary election! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family and vote by August 5!
Tumwater School Board
About the Candidate
Julie Watts is running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Watts is a district parent who felt inspired to run after the current school board introduced an anti-trans student resolution. She felt the resolution made kids less safe in schools and blatantly ignored the state's anti-discriminations laws. Watts is running on a platform to uphold fairness laws and ensure every student feels safe and welcomed as part of the school community.
Additional Context
On May 27th, Watts was among the parents who spoke against the school board's decision to select a handful of speakers at each board meeting, expressing their concern over potential violations of the Public Meetings Act. On the decision, Watts said, "Overall, I think there is not a lot of trust about how the board will implement the policy given the motivation appears to be to stop hearing from youth, parents, teachers, and community members about their decision on the anti-trans student resolution."
Our Recommendation
Julie Watts will be an inclusive representative who supports the right of all students to feel safe and included. Watts is the clear choice for Tumwater School Board Director in District 1.
Last updated: 2025-07-03
About the Candidate
Julie Watts is running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Watts is a district parent who felt inspired to run after the current school board introduced an anti-trans student resolution. She felt the resolution made kids less safe in schools and blatantly ignored the state's anti-discriminations laws. Watts is running on a platform to uphold fairness laws and ensure every student feels safe and welcomed as part of the school community.
Additional Context
On May 27th, Watts was among the parents who spoke against the school board's decision to select a handful of speakers at each board meeting, expressing their concern over potential violations of the Public Meetings Act. On the decision, Watts said, "Overall, I think there is not a lot of trust about how the board will implement the policy given the motivation appears to be to stop hearing from youth, parents, teachers, and community members about their decision on the anti-trans student resolution."
Our Recommendation
Julie Watts will be an inclusive representative who supports the right of all students to feel safe and included. Watts is the clear choice for Tumwater School Board Director in District 1.
Last updated: 2025-07-03
Endorsed By: Washington Education Association, Thurston County Democrats
About the Candidate
Julie Watts is running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Watts is a district parent who felt inspired to run after the current school board introduced an anti-trans student resolution. She felt the resolution made kids less safe in schools and blatantly ignored the state's anti-discriminations laws. Watts is running on a platform to uphold fairness laws and ensure every student feels safe and welcomed as part of the school community.
Additional Context
On May 27th, Watts was among the parents who spoke against the school board's decision to select a handful of speakers at each board meeting, expressing their concern over potential violations of the Public Meetings Act. On the decision, Watts said, "Overall, I think there is not a lot of trust about how the board will implement the policy given the motivation appears to be to stop hearing from youth, parents, teachers, and community members about their decision on the anti-trans student resolution."
Our Recommendation
Julie Watts will be an inclusive representative who supports the right of all students to feel safe and included. Watts is the clear choice for Tumwater School Board Director in District 1.
Last updated: 2025-07-03
Endorsed By: Washington Education Association, Thurston County Democrats
Other Candidates
Sarah Overbay is running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Overbay is a parent of 6 children and a state-licensed foster parent. According to The Olympian, Overbay is a member of the district's Budget Advisory Committee and Equity Committee. In her campaign statement for The Olympian, Overbay said she is running for the school board to ensure they prioritize policies toward education and "establish a sustainable budget." However, she did not expand further on what policies she wants to prioritize, if elected.
More concerning are comments on Overbay's website about the WIAA amendment regarding transgender athletes. She called the amendment, which was pushed by conservative anti-trans activists, "thoughtfully written." In addition, she expressed more concern over the "divisive" rhetoric around the amendment than the inclusion and safety of transgender youth. Overbay is not a progressive choice in this race.
Dean Mings is also running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Mings is an Army veteran and a retired teacher and school counselor. He continues to substitute and work as a counselor throughout Thurston County.
In his campaign statement for the school board, Mings said he is prioritizing a balanced budget and maintaining a smaller student-teacher ratio. Like his opponent, Julie Watts, Mings was also inspired to run after the current board's resolution against trans student athletes. He inferred that the decision was made hastily and that "all students and all points of view should be heard." His campaign website prioritizes balancing the budget, protecting student rights, smaller classroom sizes, and encouraging more volunteer participation in schools.
While we can appreciate Dean Mings comments on the anti-trans student athlete resolution, his campaign is not detailed enough for us to confidently recommend him in this race. We suggest voting for Julie Watts for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1.
Last updated: 2025-07-07
Sarah Overbay is running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Overbay is a parent of 6 children and a state-licensed foster parent. According to The Olympian, Overbay is a member of the district's Budget Advisory Committee and Equity Committee. In her campaign statement for The Olympian, Overbay said she is running for the school board to ensure they prioritize policies toward education and "establish a sustainable budget." However, she did not expand further on what policies she wants to prioritize, if elected.
More concerning are comments on Overbay's website about the WIAA amendment regarding transgender athletes. She called the amendment, which was pushed by conservative anti-trans activists, "thoughtfully written." In addition, she expressed more concern over the "divisive" rhetoric around the amendment than the inclusion and safety of transgender youth. Overbay is not a progressive choice in this race.
Dean Mings is also running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1. Mings is an Army veteran and a retired teacher and school counselor. He continues to substitute and work as a counselor throughout Thurston County.
In his campaign statement for the school board, Mings said he is prioritizing a balanced budget and maintaining a smaller student-teacher ratio. Like his opponent, Julie Watts, Mings was also inspired to run after the current board's resolution against trans student athletes. He inferred that the decision was made hastily and that "all students and all points of view should be heard." His campaign website prioritizes balancing the budget, protecting student rights, smaller classroom sizes, and encouraging more volunteer participation in schools.
While we can appreciate Dean Mings comments on the anti-trans student athlete resolution, his campaign is not detailed enough for us to confidently recommend him in this race. We suggest voting for Julie Watts for Tumwater School Board Director, District 1.
Last updated: 2025-07-07
Daniel Mies is challenging incumbent Ty Kuehl for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3. Mies is a district parent, having 3 children graduate and 1 starting kindergarten this year. His professional experience includes working for the Department of Social and Health Services as a Support Enforcement Officer. Mies was inspired to run after the current school board banned transgender youth from participating in girls' sports.
While Mies does not have a campaign website, he shared his voter's pamphlet statement on Reddit, detailing his plans if elected. He is pledging to stand up for teachers and against policies that exclude students by their gender identity. In the comments section of his post, he expressed his support for teacher raises and the participation of transgender youth in sports. He is also supportive of zero-cost or subsidized professional development opportunities for faculty.
Daniel Mies is a thoughtful advocate who cares deeply about equitable and inclusive education. He is the best choice for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3.
Last updated: 2025-06-27
Daniel Mies is challenging incumbent Ty Kuehl for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3. Mies is a district parent, having 3 children graduate and 1 starting kindergarten this year. His professional experience includes working for the Department of Social and Health Services as a Support Enforcement Officer. Mies was inspired to run after the current school board banned transgender youth from participating in girls' sports.
While Mies does not have a campaign website, he shared his voter's pamphlet statement on Reddit, detailing his plans if elected. He is pledging to stand up for teachers and against policies that exclude students by their gender identity. In the comments section of his post, he expressed his support for teacher raises and the participation of transgender youth in sports. He is also supportive of zero-cost or subsidized professional development opportunities for faculty.
Daniel Mies is a thoughtful advocate who cares deeply about equitable and inclusive education. He is the best choice for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3.
Last updated: 2025-06-27
Daniel Mies is challenging incumbent Ty Kuehl for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3. Mies is a district parent, having 3 children graduate and 1 starting kindergarten this year. His professional experience includes working for the Department of Social and Health Services as a Support Enforcement Officer. Mies was inspired to run after the current school board banned transgender youth from participating in girls' sports.
While Mies does not have a campaign website, he shared his voter's pamphlet statement on Reddit, detailing his plans if elected. He is pledging to stand up for teachers and against policies that exclude students by their gender identity. In the comments section of his post, he expressed his support for teacher raises and the participation of transgender youth in sports. He is also supportive of zero-cost or subsidized professional development opportunities for faculty.
Daniel Mies is a thoughtful advocate who cares deeply about equitable and inclusive education. He is the best choice for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3.
Last updated: 2025-06-27
Other Candidates
Ty Kuehl is running to retain his seat on the Tumwater School Board, District 3. The board appointed Kuehl to the position in 2024. Since his appointment, Kuehl has faced criticism for his vote to bar transgender athletes from competing in sports aligned with their gender. In February 2025, a petition circulated to recall the members, including Kuehl, who voted in favor of the anti-trans policy.
Ty Kuehl and his conservative anti-trans agenda are not representative of the Tumwater School District. Instead, we recommend voting for Daniel Mies, who is running a compassionate and progressive campaign that puts students' needs first.
Jeff "Cowboy" Curry is also running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3. According to his voter pamphlet entry, Curry is a district employee and previously ran a food bank for 8 years. If elected, Curry said he will bring transparency, accountability, and courage to the board. He cited student drug use and issues with the Running Start program as his inspirations to run. However, he did not offer any policies or solutions that he intends to implement if elected to the Tumwater School Board.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Ty Kuehl is running to retain his seat on the Tumwater School Board, District 3. The board appointed Kuehl to the position in 2024. Since his appointment, Kuehl has faced criticism for his vote to bar transgender athletes from competing in sports aligned with their gender. In February 2025, a petition circulated to recall the members, including Kuehl, who voted in favor of the anti-trans policy.
Ty Kuehl and his conservative anti-trans agenda are not representative of the Tumwater School District. Instead, we recommend voting for Daniel Mies, who is running a compassionate and progressive campaign that puts students' needs first.
Jeff "Cowboy" Curry is also running for Tumwater School Board Director, District 3. According to his voter pamphlet entry, Curry is a district employee and previously ran a food bank for 8 years. If elected, Curry said he will bring transparency, accountability, and courage to the board. He cited student drug use and issues with the Running Start program as his inspirations to run. However, he did not offer any policies or solutions that he intends to implement if elected to the Tumwater School Board.
Last updated: 2025-07-08