Hodgson hopes to bring his experience as law enforcement officer to a legislature that lacks public safety experience. While campaigning for and serving as a city councilmember, it became clear to Hodgson that some of the challenges Washington city’s face can only be addressed at the state level.
Hodgson said his legislative priorities will focus on common sense public safety, affordable housing across the spectrum, and strategic economic development for a region he says is too often overlooked in state budget conversations.
He was elected to the Clallam County Charter Review Commission in 2024 and to the Port Angeles City Council in 2025.
His community service extends beyond his badge: he served on a County Homelessness Task Force for 2 years, the Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center, the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Commission for 4 years, and is currently serving as an advisory member for Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County.
After his military service, Hodgson returned to the peninsula to raise his family and begin a career in law enforcement. For over 20 years, Hodgson has served as a corrections and law enforcement officer.
He served aboard the USS Carl Vinson, home-ported in Bremerton, and after his first deployment, qualified as a Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) operator. His unit later deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to the Horn of Africa as part of the Global War on Terrorism.
Hodgson's roots on the Peninsula run deep. His family moved to Port Angeles from the Seattle area in the early 1990s, drawn by the natural beauty and small-town character of the Olympic Peninsula. He attended Roosevelt Middle School and Port Angeles High School before joining the Navy in 1998.
"I'm running because the people of this district deserve a representative who is fully rooted here and committed to the work: making our communities safer, making housing accessible, and making sure the Olympic Peninsula’s rural communities have a real voice in Olympia."
The seat is open following the retirement of Rep. Steve Tharinger, who has represented the district since 2011.
"I love our peninsula community and couldn't imagine living anywhere else," Hodgson said.
🚨Announcement!🚨
PORT ANGELES, WA — Mark Hodgson, a Port Angeles city council member, Navy veteran, and career law enforcement officer, today announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Washington State House of Representatives, 24th Legislative District, Position 2.
No better way to get to the Super Bowl than by beating both the 49ers and the Rams at home in Seattle. And no better way to end the season than with revenge on the Patriots.
BREAKING | The Pentagon has suggested it would take over editorial content decision making for Stars and Stripes in a statement from the Defense Department’s top spokesman.
It’s pretty exciting to see “councilmember-elect” in writing!
I am humbled by your support and look forward to serving as your new city council member.
Thank you to everyone who believed in this campaign and every resident, community leader, and business owner who shared their hopes for Port Angeles. Those conversarions were just the beginning of a continous dialogue I look forward to.
I’m excited to have your support as my campaign begins! Please visit my website to learn about how you can get involved, volunteer or donate.
markhodgson.org/donate
I want the city to have a specific and measurable plan to help bring family wage jobs to our city that take advantage of our deep water port, encourage sustainable forestry products, and advertises the beauty, culture, and adventure our environment has to offer.
3. We need a strategic vision for longterm economic resiliency. Our economy has changed dramatically over the decades and is now overly dependent on local governments for jobs.
Our city can be a leader in public/private partnerships that deliver homeownership opportunities across the housing spectrum.
2. Affordable housing continues to be a challenge we fall short on. Our elderly residents and young families are priced out of homeownership in Port Angeles. That means our youth leave town in search of family wage jobs and homes they can afford. We can do better.
1. We need leaders who make public safety a priority. Our law enforcement officers should be supported by their elected officials while still being held accountable to the public. Our community should be safe and our residents should feel safe.
It’s official!
This morning I filed to run for Port Angeles City Council! Two years ago, my daughter, who was 11 at the time, sent me a message telling me to run. For the life of me, I can’t image what motivated her to do so. But I can tell you what motives me to run for city council:
🚨Announcement🚨
After careful consideration with my friends & family, I'm announcing my candidacy for Port Angeles City Council! I thought long and hard about running and it came down to this: now more than ever we need local elected leaders who will stand up for the needs of their communities.