Garrett Cady, a deputy clerk in the Thurston County Clerk's Office, is running as an independent for county clerk in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Nicole Miller, a Democrat.
Cady said on his campaign website that he chose to run without a party affiliation because the clerk's role should be free of political influence. He said he wants to restore court-access services he called vital for Thurston County residents.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Thurston County Clerk
- Party: Independent
- Residence: Yelm, Washington
- Background: Cady describes himself as a sixth-generation Thurston County resident with a deep family history dedicated to public service, according to his campaign website. He was raised in the Yelm community.
- Education: High school diploma, Yelm High School. Performed in the Cougar Marching Band at Washington State University. Both are listed on his campaign website.
Experience and public service
Cady serves as a deputy clerk at the Thurston County Clerk's Office, according to his BallotReady candidate profile. The listing describes the position as his present role.
He said he holds a Certified Peer Counselor credential through the Washington State Health Care Authority. He also said he served on the Thurston County Treatment Sales Tax Advisory Committee from 2024 to 2025, an appointment listed on his campaign website.
On the issues
Government and elections: Cady said he is running as an independent "because there is absolutely no place for politics in the Clerk's Office." He said citizens never benefit when partisan politics interfere with public service. The elected judges of Thurston County hold nonpartisan positions, Cady noted on his campaign website, and he said he believes the clerk must also be free of political influence.
Public safety and courts: Cady said he is running "with a mission to fully restore and enhance the crucial services that the community desperately needs." He identified two services in particular: the Domestic Violence Liaison Program and In-Person Front Counter Support. Both help the public navigate the court system, he said.
Access to justice: Cady said the Clerk's Office should operate with what he called three core ideals: integrity, accountability and strong customer service. Those ideals, once enacted, would provide unhindered access to justice for all Thurston County residents, he said in his BallotReady response.
Endorsements
Cady's campaign website lists endorsements from Rachel Grant, Thurston County commissioner for District 2; Linda Myhre Enlow of the Thurston County Clerk's Office; retired Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander; and retired Washington Secretary of State and former Thurston County Auditor Sam Reed.
The Mainstream Republicans of Washington also endorsed Cady, according to his BallotReady candidate profile.
The Capitol Record candidate questionnaire was sent to Garret Cady's campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 12, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from his public campaign website and public records.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
