Collin Thrower - 125

Since I was young, I always had an interest in policy issues that affect lives – whether it is healthcare, labor rights, climate change, or democracy itself.

An Eagle Scout, I have actively fought to ensure a decent living for all. Early on I was able to express this desire by acting as the legislative liaison for students at the Evergreen State College as a college freshman. In this position, I worked alongside the Washington Student Association to push for fully funding the Washington College Grant (then the Student Need Grant) through tax exemption repeals, tuition waivers for Native American students, and advocating for students’ needs.

As I worked through my graduate program, I consulted on pro-Democratic campaigns, assisted a firm on helping low-income neighborhoods recover from COVID, and evaluated a nonprofit’s tutoring programs for low-income children. As the COVID Pandemic raged on and insurrectionists stormed the Capitol in the other Washington, I returned to my family to assist my mother through her cancer diagnosis and treatments. While she was fortunate to have good health insurance, she still had to argue for herself with the insurance company to ensure she got the care she needed.
Since graduating with my Master’s degree in Political Science, I assisted with efforts in Olympia to expand extended foster care, secure financial literacy for dependent youth, end youth homelessness, redesign family reconciliation services and its curriculum, and helping the City of Olympia investigate establishing a police oversight board.
I worked with several campaigns to make a difference – from working to elect a former-FEC Chair to state senate, to fighting for housing justice with Tacoma for All, to helping elect the first Native American to the Everett School Board. Now residing in Tacoma, my goal in life is to be in a place where I can do the most amount of good and work to ensure everyone has a dignified, comfortable, and stable life.

I am running for delegate because President Biden is the most progressive president in my lifetime. He is the most pro-labor President since Franklin Roosevelt and is actively fighting for families like mine through lowering prescription drug costs and trying to eliminate student debt, $10,000 at a time. He recognizes the threat the Republican Party poses to American democracy, and I am proud to cast my vote for him and Democrats in November.

I would be honored to be able to be a national delegate for Joe Biden. I hope to carry change to the next generation of young leaders and help move our country forward. That is why I am asking for your support.