Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Great barbecue, troubling politics
No one’s denying it — Gary Parker knows how to make great BBQ. His ribs and burnt ends have earned well-deserved praise, his staff gives excellent service, and he’s a familiar face at community events and charitable causes. Bravo.
But behind the brisket and good PR is a troubling pattern of political extremism — funded by Parker himself.
Mr. Parker has used both his wealth and the resources of his business, BBQ2U, to underwrite one of Washington’s most divisive and far-right political figures: Jesse Young.
Young’s record is extreme by any measure — an advocate of theocratic government, a vocal opponent of reproductive rights, and a man known for angry, erratic behavior on and off the legislative floor. His brand of politics is hostile to basic civil liberties and grounded in rigid religious authoritarianism.
And Parker has recently fueled Young’s campaigns at every turn.
In 2024, Parker personally contributed the legal maximum of $2,400 to Jesse Young’s State Senate run. Then, through BBQ2U, he kicked in another $1,200 — an all-too-familiar method used to skirt contribution limits by funneling money through business entities.
But it didn’t stop there.
On April 24, 2024, Parker gave $20,000 to the Washington State Republican Party. That same day, the Party transferred $20,000 to Jesse Young’s campaign. Coincidence? Highly unlikely.
Then, two months later, BBQ2U gave $10,000 to the Pierce County Republican Party. Once again, on the very same day, $20,000 was transferred directly from the County GOP to Jesse Young.
Here’s the trick: while there are limits on how much an individual can give directly to a candidate, those limits don’t apply to contributions to local or state party committees. And those committees can turn right around and shovel large sums to preferred candidates. It’s legal — but it’s a loophole big enough to drive a food truck through. It is all currently legal, both parties do it.
Now, in 2025, during a low-turnout summer primary in an off-year election, Parker hasn’t let up. He maxed out his contributions to both Jesse Young’s Charter Review campaign and Michelle Caldier’s state senate run, donating the individual maximum of $1,200 to each.
Additionally, he has entered politics himself, throwing his hat in the ring for a seat on the Pierce County Charter Review Commission, running alongside Jesse Young. He loaned his campaign $5,000 and has already spent over $5,000, making him the top spender in the race among 67 candidates for 21 positions so far. Jess Young is the second highest. Only 20 candidates have even reported expenditures. More contributions and expenditures will likely be reported before the deadline.
For context, back in 2015, only 5 out of 87 candidates in the Pierce County Charter race spent more than $1,000. So, what’s behind the surge in spending this time around? Parker is not just testing the waters — he’s cannonballing in. Why the escalation?
So yes, Gary Parker serves great BBQ. But don’t let the sweet sauce fool you, he’s stoking the fires of the far-right, one check at a time.
George Young
Gig Harbor