VANCOUVER, Washington, - Mike Pond, a lifelong Vancouver resident and community leader, is formally announcing his candidacy for Vancouver City Council, Position 1. Pond’s long-term investment in the city and its residents makes him the ideal person to fill the now vacant Position 1, Council seat.
As a youth in Vancouver, Pond received the honor of Eagle Scout for service to the community. While attending Prairie High School, Pond began investing in local politics by volunteering for the “Yes for Vancouver Libraries” campaign, as well as leading student engagement in local levy support. As a high school senior, Pond organized the first “March to the Middle” for Battleground and Prairie High School students to show support for the 2006 Battleground School District levy. After high school, Pond received his Associate’s Degree in Vancouver at Clark College, then went on to Western Washington University, where he earned a degree in Communications and Sociology. While there, he assisted in the passing of a Green Energy Fee and co-managed a $2.3 million budget as the Associated Students’ Vice President for Student Life.
After returning to Vancouver, where he currently is a renter in the Ellsworth Springs Neighborhood, Pond began working on local campaigns to help transform leadership at the city of Vancouver, and in Clark County, the state legislature, and the 3rd Congressional district. His work on these elections led to a solid understanding of the hard work it takes to advocate for constituents as an elected official in Vancouver and Clark County and has given him a depth and breadth of knowledge regarding critical issues facing our city that elevates him in this race. Pond currently works as a Marketing Specialist at ADCO Printing & Graphics Inc.
Over the last nine years, Pond has supported, volunteered for, and worked on several important community initiatives, including affordable housing, local school district bonds and levies, and clean industries at the Port of Vancouver. A 2015 graduate of Leadership Clark County, 2017 & 2020 nominee for the George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award, Board Member for the Queer Youth Resource Center (QYRC), and Chair of the Young Democrats of Clark County (YDCC), Pond demonstrates consistent community engagement. As a candidate under 35, Pond embodies a diverse perspective not yet seen on the city council. Pond brings creativity, strategic thinking, and a long term perspective to the council that will lead to a more intentional look at how the city is representing all residents.
“It is more clear now than ever before that we need to prioritize safe and affordable places to live, accessible transportation options, and robust training for living wage careers in order for Vancouver to continue to thrive and grow,” said Pond, who is running his campaign on three tenets: Safety & Quality of Life, Transportation & Infrastructure, and Jobs & the Economy. “The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way many residents live and work, and Covid-19 recovery will not be successful without a holistic look at the structural changes needed to help our community flourish again. My experience as a long-time community leader will give me the background knowledge needed to assist the mayor and the city council in leading Covid-19 recovery in the state of Washington.”
Please join Pond and his team at a Zoom “Voter Rally!” Friday May 21st, 5-7pm.
Pond will bring new dedication, energy, and passion to the Vancouver City Council when elected. For more information visit votepond.com, or @votepond on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.