Aiden Hamilton draws interest from eastern Washington with the Klickitat Voice
“As I said before, and I’ll say it again, and I say this all the time — not one legislator can look a student in the eyes and say, ‘I know what it’s like to lose two years of my education to a pandemic.’ If elected, I would be the first. And I think that is far more important than being the youngest legislator, is being the first legislator who knows one of the hardest challenges that this next generation has ever faced.”
Aiden Hamilton- Candidate running for the Legislative District 24, Position 2
Delmar Eldred (Host)
Hello, my name is Delmar Eldred, host of The Klickitat Voice, and I want to welcome you to an interview with Aidan Hamilton. He is an 18-year-old candidate running for the Washington State Legislature, District 24, Position 2 seat that is currently held by Representative Steve Tharinger, Democrat of Port Townsend. Aidan has served as a page in Olympia and is also on the Youth Advisory Committee for Cultural Crossroads USA.
Aidan, it’s great to talk with you, and thank you for joining me today.
Aidan Hamilton
Absolutely, thank you for having me.
Delmar Eldred
Could you tell the listeners what it was like for a young conservative growing up in a predominantly liberal part of a liberal state?
Aidan Hamilton
Yeah, so my hometown and county are an interesting spot. Western Washington is generally liberal, especially near I-5. Clallam County was the 2024 bellwether county and had predicted presidential winners for years until that streak broke. We’re pretty 50-50 politically.
Port Angeles city leadership leans more liberal, but county-wide voters include more conservatives. I grew up on the North Olympic Peninsula. My dad was in law enforcement and served in the Army as an Abrams tank crewman. My mom was mostly a stay-at-home mom.
As a public school student, I experienced the COVID policies firsthand. I remember the “two weeks to slow the spread,” which turned into two years. After we went home, I didn’t receive instruction the rest of that school year except a 20-minute violin lesson over the phone.
I had already been held back in second grade due to reading challenges. The pandemic pushed me further behind. We couldn’t afford tutors, and my mom had to work. My godparents stepped in to help, or I might have been held back again.
That’s why I say if elected, I’d be the only legislator who knows what it’s like to lose two years of education to a pandemic. I transferred to full-time online school, did dual enrollment, completed 22 semester-long classes in one year, and I’m graduating a year early.
Delmar Eldred
That’s impressive. As a pretty outspoken conservative, are you seen as a radical teenager?
Aidan Hamilton
Not exactly for my politics, but because I’m in politics. My peers nicknamed me “Hamilton” in NJROTC. They were interested, though not very politically active.
Adults are mixed. I attend a senior center political roundtable. Most are Democrats. Some don’t like that I’m there because I’m young. Others love hearing a young perspective. Even when we disagree, it’s positive dialogue.
Delmar Eldred
That’s good they’re listening. How did you get involved in politics?
Aidan Hamilton
Around 14, during COVID, I was online a lot. I saw videos criticizing lockdowns and praising Florida’s approach under Ron DeSantis. That got me curious.
I gave both parties a fair shot. The local Democrats didn’t like my stance about losing two years of school. The Republicans listened. I met county leaders, attended Lincoln Day Dinner in April 2023, joined campaigns, worked on gubernatorial races, and got deeply involved.
Delmar Eldred
You also served as a page in Olympia. How long?
Aidan Hamilton
A week. I was a Senate page — the last for Senator Kevin Van De Wege.
Delmar Eldred
You’re also on the advisory committee for Cultural Crossroads USA. What is that?
Aidan Hamilton
Cultural Crossroads USA (CCUSA) is a nonprofit helping youth in arts, business, law, and education. We aim to connect youth with mentors and competitions. There’s also a “Liberty Library” idea promoting patriotic and history-focused books.
It’s youth-focused and conservative-leaning culturally, encouraging youth engagement and mentorship.
Delmar Eldred
It’s a great organization. What issues should the legislature address?
Aidan Hamilton
Republicans often get sidelined in policymaking. I believe the $15B budget deficit might have been avoided if they had more input. Republicans regularly propose budgets without new taxes, but Democrats push budgets with tax increases.
Even some Democrats worry taxes keep rising. I think spending and taxation need serious review.
Delmar Eldred
You’ll make history as the youngest elected if you win. Anything else to add?
Aidan Hamilton
I’d be the youngest elected, but not by a huge margin compared to past young legislators. I’m not saying every district should elect someone my age. But we need generational diversity.
Legislators often champion secondary constituencies — small businesses, teachers, formerly incarcerated people. But we don’t have someone whose main focus is the next generation from lived experience. I can say I lost two years of education to COVID — most legislators can’t.
Delmar Eldred
You’re very articulate. How can people get involved in your campaign?
Aidan Hamilton
People can email the campaign or visit HamiltonForWashington.com. Volunteers are welcome. Donations help too, especially from areas where seats aren’t competitive — this district is within striking distance.
Delmar Eldred
Thank you for your time. To hear more interviews, go to clickitatvoice.buzzsprout.com. For comments, email clickitatvoice@proton.me. Thank you for listening, and God bless.
