Community Government

Gig Harbor City Council Position 3 | Incumbents face off for one post

Two current Gig Harbor City Council members are running for the same seat—one to keep it, the other to take it.

Position 3 incumbent Emily Stone is running to retain the seat against challenger Jeni Woock, who currently holds Position 1.

Jeni Woock

Jeni Woock

Woock originally said she would not seek re-election, but told Gig Harbor Now that “the people of Gig Harbor convinced me otherwise,” because “they know I am someone who will fight for them.”

Woock said Gig Harbor residents asked her to run again to hold developers accountable. Development stands out as a major policy issue for her.

When asked why she sought Stone’s seat, Woock said that she decided to run “to give voters a clear choice and a direct path to the November general election.”

“With only two candidates, we can avoid a costly primary and focus on what really matters: communicating the vision and priorities of our citizens and making sure their voices are at the center of every decision,” she said.

Emily Stone

Emily Stone

Stone — whom the city council appointed to the seat in January, following Brenda Lykins’ resignation — said she feels it’s important that renters be represented on the council.

“More households are renting today than at any point in the last 50 years. In fact, renters make up about 45% of Gig Harbor residents,” she said.

“However, this perspective has historically been missing from council decisions,” Stone said. “As one of only two renters currently on the City Council … I believe it’s essential that renters have a voice at the table. Our council should reflect the full range of experiences in our community, from homeowners to renters, so that policies meet the needs of all Gig Harbor residents.”

Stone said her biggest policy issue is public safety, including traffic safety and health-related safety issues, like domestic violence and sexual assault prevention.

“It’s about creating a community where every resident feels safe on our roads, in our neighborhoods, and in their homes,” she said.

Q&A

Gig Harbor Now sent out several questions to each candidate. Readers can find their responses below.

Tell me a little bit about your background. What compelled you to run for office in the first place?

Jeni Woock

My husband, Del, and I fell in love with Gig Harbor more than 25 years ago and knew this would be our forever home. Like so many of our neighbors, we value Gig Harbor’s small-town character, and we didn’t want to see it lost to unchecked urban-style growth.

In 2017, I felt compelled to run for office because of the rapid and unsustainable development happening at the time. Council and planning commission meetings were packed with citizens voicing concerns about overdevelopment, lack of infrastructure, and a city government that wasn’t listening. The turning point for me was when a developer proposed clear-cutting every tree in what is now Soundview Forest to build luxury condos. Citizens were frustrated, and many encouraged me to run so their voices would finally be heard.

I helped preserve Soundview Forest for future generations, ended special deals that favored developers, strengthened transparency by making myself accessible, and protected our trees through stronger codes.

That’s why I first ran — and it’s why I continue to serve: to protect Gig Harbor’s character, listen to our community, and make sure decisions are made with the best interests of our citizens at heart.

Emily Stone

My grandparents moved to Gig Harbor in the 1970s and our family has been here ever since. I am so proud to call it my home, and it’s an honor to serve a community where my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and their two kids all live. My family is a big part of why I’m running to retain my seat.

I have dedicated my career to public service, working with vulnerable populations, from foster youth to domestic violence survivors. For more than five years, I have been one of the contract trainers for the Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Sexual Assault Investigations courses, teaching new police recruits and seasoned detectives about trauma-informed skills to support use when interacting with survivors.

In my day job, I am the government affairs and public policy lead for housing & homelessness, infrastructure, crime victim services, capital projects, land use, and firearm violence prevention at the Department of Commerce. Through my work in public policy, I’ve learned how to bring different levels of government together, and how to leverage that to deliver real, practical solutions for our community. 

My council colleagues voted to appoint me to the Gig Harbor City Council in January 2025. I am running because I believe that our city council should be reflective of the community it serves.

As the youngest councilmember, one of only two renters, and the only councilmember who lives on the west side of Highway 16, I bring a unique (yet important) perspective to council discussions. Representation matters. I am the only candidate in this race who is endorsed by the mayor and a majority of the city council, along with several current and former local elected officials, and the only candidate endorsed by the union representing our police officers and city staff.

How will you address Gig Harbor’s housing crisis?

Stone

Addressing Gig Harbor’s housing challenges requires thoughtful, pragmatic planning. We need to make the most of existing resources and ensure we aren’t leaving funding opportunities on the table. Raising taxes isn’t the only path forward. There are other, more balanced ways to increase our housing supply and provide more options for our residents.

Our community deserves more variety in housing: seniors who want to downsize, young professionals starting their careers, and families trying to put down roots all need options that fit their budgets and lifestyles. With the average home price nearing $1 million in Gig Harbor, too many people are being priced out, including those who already live and work here. 

I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach, and I don’t believe this challenge can be solved by one person alone. It will take a coordinated effort between the City Council, the Mayor, city staff, the Planning Commission, and community leaders. We should also learn from other jurisdictions and pursue grant and funding opportunities at the state and federal level.

Woock

Gig Harbor is a small city of just 6.5 square miles with about 13,000 residents, yet nearly one-third of our neighbors are housing cost-burdened. At the same time, the state requires us to add 892 new housing units over the next 20 years — 567 of them affordable — or risk losing critical grant funding.

I absolutely believe that affordable and workforce housing must be part of Gig Harbor’s future. But growth cannot come at the expense of livability, traffic congestion, or overstretched infrastructure. I will not support extreme proposals to quadruple density — from 8-32 units per acre — without first ensuring that our roads, schools, and utilities can sustain that level of growth.

Instead, I strongly advocate for cluster housing — a smarter approach that meets housing needs while preserving open space, parks, and the small-town character that defines Gig Harbor. This model allows us to build responsibly, protect our environment, and create neighborhoods that people are proud to live in.

I also believe funding solutions must be fair. While the state has mandated financial incentives for developers, the burden of affordable housing cannot simply be pushed onto taxpayers through higher property taxes or utility rates. I am committed to finding creative, sustainable funding strategies that expand affordable housing opportunities without pricing out the very people we are trying to help. 

If you were to list one major issue Gig Harbor faces, what would it be? Why, and what will you do about it?

Woock

If I had to name one major issue Gig Harbor faces, it’s public safety. Every resident deserves to feel safe at home, on the road, and in our neighborhoods. That’s why I’ve made safety a top priority throughout my time in office.

Our police department currently has 22 officers, with funding approved for 26, and I will continue pushing to ensure those positions are filled so we can address concerns like speeding and reckless driving.

But safety is about more than law enforcement. I’ve championed safe bike lanes and wider sidewalks to protect pedestrians and cyclists, and I’ve supported resources for those struggling with drug dependency and mental health crises by funding our Health and Human Services Manager.

In short, my approach is comprehensive: strengthen law enforcement, invest in safe infrastructure, and provide critical services that address the root causes of harm. With this balanced strategy, I will continue working to keep Gig Harbor a safe, healthy, and thriving community for all.

Stone

When knocking on doors in Gig Harbor and talking to residents, I consistently hear three concerns rise to the top: housing options, traffic, and speeding. Since I’ve already shared how I want to tackle our housing challenges, I’ll focus here on traffic and speeding.

Residents deserve safe, reliable streets, and addressing traffic isn’t just about convenience — it’s about quality of life and safety. To make real progress, I believe in a collaborative approach that includes community input, our police department, and our public works team. 

I’d like to see us expand traffic mitigation strategies that help calm speeding before it becomes dangerous. At the same time, I believe data should guide our decisions. For example, the speed signs many of you have seen on Soundview and Stinson don’t just remind drivers to slow down. They also collect important information: the number of cars, average speeds, peak travel times, and more. This type of data helps GHPD target enforcement more effectively and helps our public works department plan road maintenance and improvements.

By combining community feedback, smart technology, and strong partnerships, we can create safer, more manageable streets for everyone in Gig Harbor.

What would you say to folks who are afraid that population growth will mean an increase in crime and who attribute a rise in crime to renters?

Stone

As a renter myself, I know firsthand that renters are teachers, nurses, firefighters, social workers, and even police officers. Renters are people who contribute every day to the safety and wellbeing of our city, just as homeowners do. 

The data shows that most crimes in Gig Harbor are committed by non-residents, not by people living here. Growth is inevitable, but it’s our responsibility as Councilmembers to plan thoughtfully and ensure we have the right resources in place to keep our community safe.

Woock

I understand the concern some folks have about growth and crime, but the reality is that crime in Gig Harbor is actually down. Property crime, vehicle theft, retail theft, and vandalism have all decreased in recent years. That’s thanks in large part to the excellent work of our police department, which uses targeted operations to address issues like retail crime, drug activity, and property crime before they escalate.

It’s also important to note that renters are not the cause of crime. What keeps a community safe is strong law enforcement, responsible landlords who conduct proper background checks, and neighbors looking out for one another. Gig Harbor is fortunate to have all three.

As our population grows, I will continue to support community policing, ensure our police department has the staffing it needs, and invest in prevention strategies that keep our neighborhoods safe. Growth does not have to mean more crime—when we plan responsibly and support our police, Gig Harbor can remain one of the safest places to live.

What are your thoughts on the city’s Climate Action Plan?  What do you think could be done better or differently?

Woock

As a resident of Gig Harbor for over 25 years, I know how much our community cares about protecting our environment. Climate change is real, and Gig Harbor must lead by example. That’s why I was proud to serve on the Climate Action Committee, helping to create our city’s Climate Action Plan alongside elected officials, community members, and city staff.

Through this work, we set ambitious goals: increasing our tree canopy from 41% to 45% by 2030, promoting walking and cycling by widening sidewalks, and transitioning city vehicles to electric power. I also supported a new energy-efficient HVAC [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning] system and helped develop the Urban Tree Management Plan to protect our forests and green spaces.

But plans alone aren’t enough. Now it’s time to turn these goals into strong codes that safeguard Gig Harbor’s natural beauty for generations to come.

Stone

I know a tremendous amount of work went into the Comprehensive Plan, including the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP provides a strong framework to protect our shorelines, preserve our tree canopy, and reduce carbon emissions, all of which benefit both current and future Gig Harbor residents.

As the only candidate in this race endorsed by the Environmental Coalition of Pierce County and Washington Conservation Action, I am proud to bring a trusted voice on environmental stewardship to this conversation. My focus will be on implementing the CAP with a balanced approach: protecting what we love most about Gig Harbor’s unique character, while ensuring we’re not placing unnecessary burdens on local businesses, developers, or taxpayers. By working collaboratively and creatively, we can both safeguard our natural resources and keep Gig Harbor economically strong and livable for everyone.