Candidate for Washington House of Representatives - District 3, Position 2 in 2026 Washington Primary Election.
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Get StartedAs our state representative, Dr. Pam will continue to be a strong ally for the LGBTQ community and all vulnerable populations by ensuring the wording of our laws focuses on improving the health of our community—which supports acceptance, inclusion, and belonging—of all. Learn more
Spokane needs a coordinated response to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) that prioritizes treatment, recovery, and prevention. Dr. Pam teaches suicide prevention courses monthly at NAMI-Spokane as a volunteer physician with the Medical Reserve Corps; this course is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Please help raise awareness in our community that anyone can call 988 if they are experiencing a mental health crisis. She is a member of three local nonprofit boards that support mental health and has published editorials including the Spokesman-Review to raise mental health awareness, which is vital to improving the health of our community. Learn more
Spokane's economic growth should benefit everyone—not just a select few. I support policies that strengthen our Spokane small businesses, protect workers, and ensure fair wages while encouraging innovation and job creation. Learn more
Our Washington State Constitution clearly states that it is our state’s paramount duty to fully fund public education. Yet, our annual state budget does not reflect that commitment. Today, public education receives about 42–43% of Washington’s operating budget, down from more than 50% just a few years ago. At a time when our student needs are MORE complex than ever, this gap between responsibility and investment has real consequences for students, families, and educators. Dr. Pam believes that if we are serious about student success, we must be equally serious about supporting our schools that make student success possible. That means fully funding public education with the full range of services that students need to thrive. It means respecting and supporting educators, strengthening our school communities, and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to opportunities to learn and thrive. Learn more
Access to quality educational experiences is the foundation of opportunity and the bedrock of our neighborhoods. Our schools are more than places of learning; they are where children are supported, challenged, and cared for as whole individuals. Educators and staff nurture not only academic growth and achievement but also the social, emotional, and physical well-being of every student who walks through their doors. Yet, all too often, public education is judged and blamed for outcomes shaped by broader societal challenges. Schools are on the front lines of addressing poverty, mental health needs, housing instability, food insecurity, and community safety. These challenges are not created in the classroom, but they arrive there every day. Despite this, schools are expected to solve them, often without the resources necessary to do so. Learn more
Dr. Pam has experience navigating K-12 educational issues, having served as board chair of a local International Baccalaureate school. That, along with her public-private school experiences, has prepared her to advocate for the needs of students in Spokane and across our state. Dr. Pam Kohlmeier is committed to making sure that our state lives up to its promise: to fully fund public education and ensure that every child has the support they need to succeed. If you support strong schools too, JOIN US!! Learn more
Dr. Pam will do all she can to help reduce wildfire risk and seek to prevent undue burdens being imposed on working families. This focus will involve discussions with our insurance commissioner and also constituents who are being unduly impacted by the secondary effects of our ongoing climate crisis. Learn more
We need to protect our environment while growing our economy. This should not be an adversarial choice. Dr. Pam supports practical climate solutions that invest in clean energy jobs while supporting farmers in rural communities, and reducing wildfire risks. The reality is that wildfire risks are worsening. Here in Spokane County, many homeowners have seen their homeowners insurance policies double. Some homeowners have even become uninsurable. This is a problem. Learn more
As an elected representative, Dr. Pam will focus on expanding access to treatment services, behavioral health funding, and community court expansion. She is committed to doing all she can to improve the health of our community, which includes prevention, intervention, and treatment of mental health challenges. Once stabilized, individuals and communities can begin to thrive. Learn more
If elected, I will educate members of the House healthcare committee and legislators on the floor to help them understand how improving healthcare access decreases overall downstream costs (homelessness, addiction, incarceration, etc.). This compassionate approach will save our state—and ourselves—money in the long term. Learn more
Healthcare must be accessible and affordable to everyone. As a physician and future legislator, I firmly believe that access to healthcare is a right and must be protected. Many of us are one major ailment away from the risk of losing everything. Our jobs. Our homes. Our livelihood. This is not acceptable, and I will do all I can to ensure that healthcare is accessible and becomes more affordable in our state. As a physician-legislator, I will collaborate with all applicable state agencies, including the Washington Medical Commission and Office of the Insurance Commissioner; major medical organizations; graduate education institutions; and local healthcare delivery systems (including CHAS Health, Providence, MultiCare, and VA hospital) and work together to optimize access to care. Learn more
Can your family afford to own a home in Spokane? Far too many can't. Housing costs continue to rise faster than wages, which is pushing working families out of our community. I support increasing housing supply at all levels: starter homes, workforce housing, and supportive housing, while protecting renters from predatory practices. We need smart zoning reform and local flexibility so that teachers, nurses, and service workers are able to live nearby. Workers strengthen our communities and should be able to afford to raise their families here as well. Learn more
The reality is that those of us who work hard are the backbone of our economy. Regardless of the education we have or the credentials behind our name. Quite frankly, the ultra-wealthy/elite need to start paying their fair share. Our state legislature needs fresh eyes, from someone not serving within our current government, to help cut waste. Learn more
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