Robert "Chili" Hicks Announces Campaign for Washington State Representative, LD-10 Position 1
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STANWOOD, WA — Stanwood City Councilman and retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Robert "Chili" Hicks officially announced today his candidacy for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 10, Position 1 — ushering in a bold new era of leadership, accountability, and common-sense reform.
Hicks, a respected leader both in military and civic life, brings more than two decades of real-world leadership experience, proven service to his community, and a results-driven approach that stands in stark contrast to the politics-as-usual culture dominating Olympia. His campaign promises to challenge the status quo, prioritize working families, and deliver serious reforms that Washington’s citizens are demanding.
During his naval career, Hicks was first stationed in Bremerton, where he met his wife, Cheryl. In 1998, the Hicks family chose to make Washington their permanent home, settling in Stanwood to raise their three daughters. After retiring from the Navy in 2006 as a Master Chief Petty Officer, Hicks became deeply involved in the Stanwood-Camano community — serving on the Planning Commission, YMCA Board of Directors, and as a youth coach, among other roles. In 2024, voters elected him to the Stanwood City Council, where he quickly earned a reputation for common-sense governance and a relentless commitment to public service.
“My campaign is about restoring trust, reducing the burden on families and small businesses, and making government work for the people again,” Hicks said. “Families across District 10 are being squeezed by rising costs, unchecked regulations, and a political class that seems more focused on itself than on solving real problems. I'm running to change that — and to put Washington’s citizens back at the center of our decision-making.”
As part of his legislative priorities, Hicks will champion immediate tax relief for working families, advocate a comprehensive rollback of outdated regulations, and insist on greater transparency in public spending. His agenda includes common-sense educational reforms that empower parents, reward excellent teachers, and prioritize students’ success over bureaucratic expansion. Hicks also plans to lead efforts to tackle crime and addiction, restore public safety with fully funded and accountable law enforcement, and expand access to recovery services for those battling drug addiction.
Recognized for his operational excellence during his tenure at Ziply Fiber, Boeing, and in his distinguished naval career, Hicks brings unmatched real-world experience to the race — experience he believes Olympia desperately needs. His professional background in Human Resources leadership, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness gives him a unique skill set to navigate complex challenges, build consensus, and drive meaningful reform without succumbing to political gridlock.
I'm not interested in political theater — I’m interested in results," Hicks said. "The people of District 10 deserve a representative who will fight for them, not for special interests or party bosses."
Hicks’ campaign is focused on building a broad coalition of voters who are tired of runaway taxes, government overreach, and political division. His message is simple: trust the people, protect their rights, and unleash the potential of every Washington family.
Robert "Chili" Hicks is ready to serve again — bringing steady leadership, proven experience, and a clear vision for restoring accountability, opportunity, and trust in Washington’s future.
The people of District 10 deserve a representative who won’t just talk about change — but deliver it.
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In The News
Editorial
President Trump’s Deadline is the Democrats Own Fault
By David Adams, Chairman
GOP of Island County
President Trump announced that starting February 1, 2026, his administration will cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. For Democrats in Washington State, this is a situation of their own making with no one else to blame but themselves.
States like Washington opened the doors and welcomed in any illegal immigrant looking for a handout at taxpayer expense. The Democrats protected these illegals by creating sanctuary status and refused to hold them accountable.
Crime increases dramatically, including drug trafficking, child abuse and other related crimes, and social service fraud all costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year. These continuing crimes raise serious questions about oversite and accountability of the Democrats in Olympia.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown refuses to take any action. He says he is aware of allegations of fraud at taxpayer-funded childcare facilities for example, but there is no evidence of any crime. He did add that any journalist investigating Somali daycare centers could face charges for a possible hate crime.
For Attorney General Brown to find the truth, he needs to do an investigation and stop threatening journalists who will seek answers.
In Olympia, a Washington Democrat legislator introduced a bill making it illegal to release the financial records of publicly-financed daycare centers. Yes, the cover up begins.
For years, millions of dollars have been given out with Democrat approval but will little or no oversite and those millions cannot be accounted for today.
So, when Trump’s deadline comes, the Democrats in Olympia will use it as an excuse to raise taxes even more. They will blame MAGA for their failures. They will refuse to take responsibility for a problem they created….they funded….they turned their backs on….and, that is totally their fault.
Let’s Talk About Affordability!
Last year, Democrats in Olympia raised taxes and fees, resulting in every household having $3,525 less per year to live on!
They did this, in part, by raising taxes and fees on gasoline. Now, a gallon of gas in this state costs, on average, $3.86 and more in many areas.
Nationally, gas prices decreased and now costs, on average, $2.83 per gallon and less in many areas.
Those same Democrats also ensured that gas prices will increase two percent every year starting in July 2028.
As if that wasn’t enough, they also imposed an additional $100 fee on all marriage licenses and increased outdoor recreation passes and licenses from $30 to $45.
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Yes, let’s talk about affordability!
Let’s Talk About Affordability!
After the Democrats in Olympia were through raising your taxes last year, you were left with $3,525 less per year to live on.
They did this, in part, by raising your property taxes.
Over the past two years, the Democrats have raised your property taxes more than 8%, or $_______ per average household.
It goes like this:
In 2024, Democrats raised your property taxes by 5%.
In 2025, Democrats raised by property taxes again by 3%.
And, in 2026, Democrats are planning to raise your property taxes again.
How much more can you afford to pay?
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Yes, let’s talk about affordability!
Let’s Talk About Affordability!
Between 2012 and 2024, spending on Washington’s students increased from $13,775 to $19,163 per student, a 39% increase, adjusted for inflation.
In 2015, average teacher salary was $58,454. By 2023, the average teacher salary was $72,030. This represents a 26.9 % increase, making them among the highest paid in the country.
Sadly, in 2023, Washington’s public schools:
Failed to educate 49% of students to basic standards in English.
Failed to educate 61% of students to basic standards in math.
Failed to educate 57% of students to basic standards in science.
Between 2013 and 2024, Washington’s Fourth grade students:
Fell from 10th to 27th in the nation in math proficiency.
Fell from 15th to 18th in the nation in English proficiency,
Between 2013 and 2024, Washington’s Eighth-grade students:
Fell from 7th to 24th in the nation in math proficiency.
Fell from 8th to 17th in the nation in English proficiency,
Teacher salaries have gone up!
Student learning has gone down!