Nails enters gubernatorial position race

Jana Mathia, Gazette Editor | Last updated May 28, 2020 1:7pm0

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Dylan Nails

COLFAX – Stay home orders have prompted people to pursue a variety of activities they may not have otherwise. For Dylan Nails, 20, Colfax, that includes running for Washington State Governor.

"I think the youth are really underrepresented in politics," said Nails, a 2018 Colfax High School graduate. Nails is running to show that youth have something to bring to the table of politics and to promote youth involvement in government.

"I definitely want to be a voice for Eastern Washington and Washington state as a whole," he said.

Nails served as the ASB president at Colfax High School for two years. He was involved in almost every club, including FFA, FCLA and knowledge bowl, football, track and musical. After graduation, he attended Eastern Oregon University as a freshman and then transferred to Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, where he is pursuing a degree in secondary education with an emphasis in history and minor in special education.

"I've been thinking about this for a while," he said of his decision to run for office. Nails recalled seeing a protest where Eastern Washington residents wanted to secede from the state. To him it signaled those people felt they weren't being heard by the western part of the state. Nails wants to help them be heard.

"Being a voice for Washington State and youth in politics," he said is his main object.

If elected, Nails would like to seek for increased teacher pay and funding for education as well as increased funding for state parks and natural resources. He would also look into debt relief for Washington state students.

Nails said he is not interested in being a career politician and admits his lack of experience is his greatest hurdle.

"I do wish I had the experience of other candidates," he said.

"But what I do offer is a fresh perspective."

Nails hopes to encourage more people his age to get involved in local and state politics.

His chances of being elected to the position is better than if he had not filed, he said.

"There's always a chance," he said.

Nails filed electronically and had to jump through a few hoops to complete the process. Due to his status as a college student, the filing fee was waived.

Those wishing to send comment or support to Nails can contact him through his website, dnails1.wixsite.com/nailsforgovernor2020.

Nails is one of 39 candidate who have filed for governor. Others include incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee of Bainbridge Island, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp and Tim Eyman.

"I believe that young people are very under-represented in politics, and deserve to have a voice just as much as anybody else. I am fortunate enough to be on the ballot for the election this coming August, and look forward to what the future holds," Nails said.