Community Government

Pierce County Charter Review 1 | Transit expert vs. former FBI agent

A transit expert and former FBI agent emerged from a crowded Pierce County Charter Review Commission primary race.

Seven candidates filed to run for District 7’s (Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula/North Tacoma) Position 1. Justin Leighton received 33.2% of the vote in August, followed by Pat McMonigle with 17.5%.

Leighton, 43, has worked as executive director of the Washington State Transit Association since 2016. The nonprofit, which represents 30 public transit systems, promotes and enhances public transit for citizens. Before that, Leighton was government relations director for Pierce Transit for five years.

McMonigle, 45, is a national security specialist for a government contractor and partner in a private consulting firm. He previously served as an FBI special agent and intelligence officer.

Charter reviewed every decade

Voters established the charter as Pierce County’s governing document in 1980. It defines roles of the county executive, county council and other elected officials; outlines the county’s authority, including budgeting and law-making; establishes election procedures, including term length; and provides for public participation and transparency.

Every 10 years, voters elect a 21-person charter review commission comprising three members from each of the county’s seven council districts to evaluate the document and propose amendments. After considering public input, the board votes on each change. A majority is required for approval.

Approved amendments are submitted to the Pierce County Council, which places them on the ballot for a public vote. If a simple majority supports the amendments, they are adopted.

Last time, in 2016, the commission proposed four amendments and the county council added a fifth. Voters passed three — to ban dual office-holding, add more time for reviewing referendum ballot titles and raising the dollar amount for competitive bidding on county construction projects. Failing were proposals to reduce the number of signatures for referendums and initiatives.

Justin Leighton

Leighton brings Tacoma charter experience

Leighton was appointed to the city of Tacoma’s 2015 charter review commission and would springboard off that knowledge and other commission and committee experience.

“I’ll have no learning curve,” he wrote in the voters’ pamphlet. “I’ll be ready to work on the issues that matter to District 7 on day one. As your voice, I’ll focus on making our government more accountable, transparent, and ensuring our governing documents allow our leaders to operate in the most effective and efficient way possible.”

Leighton said in a phone interview he wouldn’t bring preconceived amendments to the commission.

“I think it’s important to do research about a change before you decide if it’s yes or no,” he said. “We did that a lot in the Tacoma charter review. There were a lot of ideas. We looked at a lot of government structures. Plus, I really value community input, so I don’t think it’s fair to come in and say I want to do x, y and z.”

Leighton grew up in a farming area outside of Puyallup. He studied agricultural education at Washington State University and tacked on a teaching certificate. His first job out of college was instructing ag courses at Fife High School. He later earned a master’s degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College and shifted to transportation issues.

A policy wonk

“I’m a policy wonk. I like policy,” he said. “Being on a charter review, that is what we’re supposed to be doing, setting policy.”

The lifelong Pierce County resident believes being raised in the country and living the past two decades in Tacoma provides him a good understanding of the diverse populace and its varied needs.

“I’m really committed to my community,” he said. “That’s a really important element of my candidacy. I’m not doing this because I want to run for a future office.”

Leighton, according to the voters’ pamphlet, has been endorsed by U.S. Reps. Emily Randall and Marilyn Strickland, County Executive Ryan Mello, County Council members Robyn Denson and Jani Hitchen, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and Tacoma Council member Sarah Rumbaugh.

Pat McMonigle

McMonigle touts national security service

McMonigle wrote in the voters’ pamphlet he would bring decades of public service and national security experience to the charter review commission. He has served at home and abroad as an FBI special agent and intelligence officer, including deployments to Afghanistan and the U.S. embassy in Somalia. His work included international criminal investigations, counterterrorism operations, crisis and hostage negotiations, and advising on public safety and cyber security.

McMonigle received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University and graduate degrees in international relations from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and in international business management from Georgetown University, according to the voters’ pamphlet.

Supports law enforcement mental health

He wrote that he’s a nationally recognized advocate for mental health support for law enforcement and has been featured in major media outlets for his insights on crime, safety and justice. In a story he wrote in January for The Free Press, he said he was awarded 24 commendations but lost at least nine colleagues to suicide, many because they suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. He also was diagnosed with PTSD and in June 2024 resigned from the agency to save himself from the same fate.

“Pat is running for Charter Review to bring common-sense leadership, accountability and a deep respect for our Constitution to the process,” he wrote in the voters’ pamphlet. “With four kids in local schools and a wife as a partner in business and life, Pat is committed to keeping Pierce County safe and thriving.”

McMonigle didn’t respond to interview requests to the email address listed in the voters’ pamphlet and didn’t provide a phone number.

Leighton raised $7,265 in donations through Oct. 10, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission, and McMonigle brought in $10,446.

Question & answer

Gig Harbor Now asked both candidates for written responses to five questions regarding the charter review board. Their responses are printed verbatim below:

1. What specific changes or updates do you believe are most needed for the Pierce County Charter, and what evidence or public input supports your view?

Justin Leighton

I take a different approach than some may do to the Charter Review process. While I believe there are areas that need attention, I do not come in with a specific change in mind. It is important to gather facts and evaluate ideas before making recommendations. Community and stakeholder input should always guide the process. That said, one issue clearly needs this Commission’s focus: whether the Sheriff and other countywide offices should remain elected or become appointed positions. This is not a new conversation—the Sheriff was once appointed. I look forward to examining the research, reviewing how other jurisdictions of our size operate, and listening closely to the community’s input before drawing any conclusions not just on this matter but all amendments we may put forward.

Pat McMonigle

There’s going to be a significant debate about the leadership of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. I believe the position of Sheriff should remain elected. However, there’s a growing push to make it appointed by a group of bureaucrats who have a personal grievance with the current Sheriff. That frustration has festered and deepened the current crisis, in which the department has been unable to secure a labor agreement for its deputies. As a result, dozens of deputies have left or are preparing to leave for better-paying police departments. This has created both a resource and morale problem for a department tasked with one of our county’s most important responsibilities: public safety.

I’ve also heard of an effort to redistribute County Council seats in a way that would dilute our representation. I don’t agree. We should strengthen local representation and look for ways to consolidate or streamline operations to maximize resources.

In general, amendments to the Charter should be rare and meaningful, reserved for significant improvements that enhance how our local government functions. Like amendments to the U.S. Constitution, they should only be made when truly necessary. If things are working, why change them?

2. How will you ensure your personal or political views don’t override the bipartisan process of reviewing the charter?

McMonigle

Please consider my character and values. I’m not a career politician or a policy wonk; there are plenty of those in this race. This isn’t a place for partisan agendas. If you follow the money in some campaigns, those agendas become clear. My opponent is funded by a group that supports defunding the police, and I strongly oppose that.

I’m a natural consensus builder. After winning a crowded primary, I reached out to the third and fourth place finishers in my district to earn their support and advice. Ultimately, I’m just a regular guy who served his country and now wants to serve his community.

I’ve worked with people from around the world and understand that most of us simply want the same things: a safe place to raise our families, a good job, and a hopeful future.

While this race is labeled non-partisan, nearly every other candidate is funded or endorsed by political parties. I’ve deliberately avoided that, remaining truly independent because that’s how local government should operate.

Leighton

When people run for office, they are partly chosen for their values and character. I have served on many committees, commissions, and working groups, most of which were nonpartisan, and I always focus on getting the work done respectfully, efficiently, and effectively. There will no doubt be political noise during this process, but I rely on facts, information, and pragmatic solutions. This is a democratic process where ideas receive an up or down vote, and I will respect the outcome, even if I disagree. My personal and professional experiences shape me, but they also equip me to contribute constructively and fairly.

3. What experience do you bring that will help the commission evaluate complex issues and build consensus among its 21 members?

Leighton

I bring extensive experience from serving on commissions, committees, and working groups across our community and state, including as Secretary and Sub-Committee Chair of the 2014 Tacoma Charter Review Commission. I have also served as Chair of the Tacoma Central Neighborhood Council, Hilltop Subarea Working Group, and City of Tacoma’s Transportation Commission. Professionally, I have spent over a decade leading a statewide nonprofit focused on public transit, where I regularly work with legislators on complex policy issues. I hold a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with teaching credentials and a Master of Public Administration with a policy concentration. The combination of my personal, profession and education background ensures I am ready on day one to help build consensus and complete the work.

McMonigle

As an FBI agent, I worked with and sometimes against some very tough characters in challenging situations. I learned that cooperation starts with understanding people’s motivations and finding common ground to accomplish shared goals. As a source handler and hostage negotiator, I literally brokered life-and-death agreements. I know how to get results.

As a Supervisory Special Agent, I oversaw complex operations and managed a team of over a dozen agents, task force officers, and professional staff, handling issues of the highest importance to national security.

Above all, I’m a family man, a husband and father, and a business partner with my wife in our consulting firm. My commentary has appeared in major newspapers, and I’ve provided analysis on national television. In my day job, I advise Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies on security, business operations, and leadership.

My seven years on the National Executive Board of the FBI Agents Association reflect the trust and respect of my peers. I was elected to represent over 14,000 FBI agents worldwide and to advocate on their behalf.

4. What is your strategy for completing a review of the entire charter and proposing meaningful amendments within the 6-month timeframe?

McMonigle

We need to get right to work and focus solely on issues relevant to the Charter. We can’t afford distractions or political activism. Efficiency and effectiveness will be critical, especially since this is a volunteer role that requires significant time and commitment. We must also carefully consider how any proposed changes could impact our community long-term and shape county governance for years to come.

Leighton

My strategy begins with strong organization. Having served on the 2014 Tacoma Charter Review Commission, I know the importance of establishing clear processes early. We must create an efficient structure for reviewing proposals, setting priorities, and ensuring timely deliberation. Equally important is developing a robust public engagement plan to hear from the various communities across Pierce County. Meetings should be accessible both in person and online, and our communication methods must be clear and consistent. By combining upfront organization with ongoing transparency and community input, the Commission can complete its work within six months while ensuring the recommendations are well-informed and meaningful.

5. How do you plan to engage and educate the public about proposed charter amendments and solicit feedback before they’re placed on the ballot?

Leighton

Public input must be central to this process. I hope the County provides resources for a clear, accessible website and educational materials to support the Commission’s work. I will advocate for meetings in every County District, with all sessions also available online to maximize accessibility. Meetings should be held in the evenings so working residents can participate, and the Commission should never hide its work during the day when fewer people can attend. Before forwarding any proposed amendments, we must allow for public comment and ensure that feedback is considered. Meaningful engagement will build trust in both the process and the final recommendations.

McMonigle

I’ll advocate for a public comment board that allows residents easy access to review our ongoing work and proposed amendments. It should also publicly display the names of those proposing, supporting, or opposing each amendment. Transparency and accountability are essential; our constituents deserve to know who’s shaping the changes that affect them.