As the election for Federal Way mayor approaches, I just wanted to say a few words about why my family will be voting for Skip Priest. Since moving to the area five years ago, it has been our privilege to meet with Priest on a number of occasions while advocating for the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Our son has Down syndrome and because of that, we have been prompted to action to ensure that his rights, as well as the rights of others who have similar disabilities, are preserved. Skip Priest has always impressed us as someone who has been extremely approachable and someone who listens to the concerns of his constituents. He has never been “politics as usual” and has always encouraged us to talk to him with any concerns we have about our community and the people in it.

Furthermore, he has always recognized us when we have approached him and remembered our previous meetings. This has not been our experience with other “politicians” who nod politely and then immediately forget why we were there. Priest has worked hard for Federal Way and its citizens and I have no doubt he will continue to do so in the capacity of mayor of our city. He has not been tainted by Olympia politics and he wants to make a difference. We have seen him out in the community on personal business and observed him come to the rescue of people carrying heavy boxes into the post office. As he helped them, he never used it as an opportunity to grandstand about his position or who he is… he was simply being a Good Samaritan. Our city needs someone like Skip Priest who has gleaned political experience but maintained his personal moral code of conduct. I hope you will join us in electing him mayor of Federal Way.

Sandy Clayton, Federal Way