I am usually quite wary of posting online but this hits close to home and has local issues at stake. I want to share my support for someone I’ve worked closely with and have tremendous respect for — David Johnstone, our current Yelm City Council member for Position 6.
As a WSDOT manager and Yelm Planning Commissioner, I’ve spent my career evaluating leadership, accountability, and public decision-making — and I can confidently say David Johnstone embodies all of those qualities.
David was appointed to the Yelm Planning Commission in 2023, where his attention to detail and technical understanding of infrastructure helped guide responsible planning before he was appointed to the City Council earlier this year.
I have worked with David for years on our HOA board, where his integrity, professionalism, and work ethic stood out. He is patient under pressure, meticulous with details, and always focused on fairness and transparency.
David has earned broad respect in Yelm. I just found out that he has gained endorsement from both of his primary opponents, both mayoral candidates (including the current mayor), a mayoral candidate from the primary, and the entire sitting City Council. While this may come as a daunting task to some, I am not surprised. I have had a behind the scenes sneak peek at how David works and apparently, I am not the only one who feel he is of top notch quality and has great capabilities.
David doesn’t chase attention or headlines; he simply does the work and gets it right. I’m proud to call him a friend, a neighbor, and a fellow public servant — and I’m proud to support him for Yelm City Council, Position 6.
Robert Bailey
Yelm Planning Commissioner