I’m Topher Leritz, and I’m running for Washington State Legislator in District 5, Position 1 because I’m sick of watching our communities get left behind.

You will never hear me say that now is the time for change. Change was due so long ago. Our leaders knew that- they just didn’t act or they didn’t care.

I’m not a career politician. I’m just another guy who lives here, works here, and has the same problems that any of us have every single day. Rising costs are squeezing families, forcing them to work too hard. Homelessness is growing while solutions feel endlessly delayed, cancelled, and deliberately doomed. Good jobs are harder to find, and too many people feel like they’re one emergency away from losing everything they’ve worked for.

All of this while egos amongst our leaders have never been higher, the partisan divide ripping us apart, and wealthy interest parties grabbing power like never before. Too many leaders are focused on reelection campaigns, political outrage, and national talking points instead of fixing the problems in their own backyard. Is finding a job a conservative or liberal issue? Are you a Democrat for wanting a place to live? Does it make you Republican to expect your government to spend taxes wisely?

It’s sickening.

Washington is a beautiful place to live, but for too many people, it’s becoming harder to afford, harder to navigate, and harder to build a future in. We need leadership that’s willing to focus on practical solutions, immediate action, and accountability. No more excuses.

I’m running because I believe government should work for the people who actually live here. That means fighting for affordable housing, supporting local businesses and family-wage jobs, improving public safety and mental health services, and making sure our communities are places where people can thrive again.

I am a simple guy. I spend my free time in the mountains, keeping the most beautiful place in the world as clean as I can. I ask questions, seek answers, and constantly try to improve everything around me as best I can. I am all for DIY and taking on new challenges- and helping out wherever I can. That is exactly the mentality I bring to the table. It’s all about neighbors coming together to protect and improve the place we call home. I am not running to be a career politician pumped full of special interest money. If elected- I will not answer to any political party focused on buzzwords and outrage. I will listen dutifully to my community- you leading me. When the work is done, I look forward to returning back to a stronger, better Washington as just another neighbor.

-Topher