For Immediate Release
December 12, 2023
Contact: Marcia Kelbon, 360.774.0150
info@electmarciakelbon.com
Marcia Kelbon Announces Run for Washington State in Legislative District 24
“Olympic Peninsula Families Deserve Balanced Representation”
Quilcene – December 12, 2023 – Quilcene resident and community leader Marcia Kelbon announced her candidacy for the Washington State Senate representing Legislative District 24 in the upcoming 2024 election. Ms. Kelbon is a long-term resident of the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas and is a chemical engineer, attorney, former US Navy civilian engineer, former biopharmaceutical executive, and current Quilcene Fire Commissioner.
“Washington State was a wonderful place to build a rich and rewarding life when I moved here over forty years ago,” said Marcia. “I was readily able to seek higher education, raise a family, educate my children, start and grow a business, and purchase and build a home.
But our children and grandchildren, particularly on the Olympic Peninsula, do not have the same opportunities in this resource-rich state today. Fuel and long-term care taxes reduce the reach of our dollars; too many of our children receive a sub-standard education; and drugs are rampant and our police are not empowered to keep us safe. Housing is also in short supply and costly, and businesses face an uphill battle.
I will provide a balanced legislative voice to reduce the many regulatory, legal, and economic obstacles that have been placed in the way of young people trying to build a successful life in Washington. I will also work to ensure that a safe and strong community is maintained to support our retirees.”
Marcia holds Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in Chemical Engineering and a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.
She formerly worked as a civilian engineer for the U.S. Navy.
Marcia handled child abuse and neglect cases for the Washington State Attorney General’s office while completing her law degree, then practiced as a Patent Attorney protecting the inventions of entrepreneurs. She most recently served for 19 years as a senior executive and the General Counsel of a biopharmaceutical company. She guided the growth of that business from the start-up phase to being a publicly traded, revenue-generating company, creating approximately 250 jobs in the process.
Marcia has served as a Quilcene Fire Commissioner since 2022.
As part of Ms. Kelbon’s public service, she volunteers with East Jefferson Habitat for Humanity and the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, runs a Washington DOT Adopt-A-Highway program, and has provided pro bono legal services to the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, Emerald Towns Alliance, and Jefferson County Fair Board. She previously volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader, for North Kitsap Babe Ruth, provided pro bono legal services to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, and facilitated free pharmaceutical and investigational medicine supply for medical missions and compassionate use worldwide.
Marcia lives with her husband of 43 years and a boxer dog on a tree farm in Quilcene. Two of Marcia’s three adult children live on the Olympic Peninsula, as does a beloved granddaughter.