● Meet Kim Harless

Hi, I’m Kim Harless

This campaign isn’t about one person’s seat—it’s about our shared city. I’m here to listen, learn, and roll up my sleeves alongside you. Let’s keep building a Vancouver where every voice is heard and every corner thrives.

My work is guided by three core beliefs:

Equity
True progress lifts everyone up, especially those most impacted by policy decisions.

Environment
Our city’s future depends on bold action to protect air, water, and wildlife.

Community
Real change happens when neighbors lean on one another—and I’m here to bring us together.

My background

Rooted in Community, Leading for Change

I’m Indigenous and Latina, raised here in Vancouver from a young age—and I still call every corner of this city my home. At 21, I became a mom juggling food stamps, Pell Grants, and work-study to earn my environmental science degree. Those challenges taught me what it means to fight for your family and your dreams. Through those hard times, I kept my compass and took note of the barriers that kept me from thriving. This lived experience taught me not only about adversity but how public policy meant to help can also hinder or miss the root causes of poverty.

After graduation, I put my degree to work as a Sustainability Intern for Clark County Environmental Services and was later promoted to Operations Specialist doing system planning and contract management for our recycling and waste systems. From there, I served on the Clark County Charter Review Commission—where I helped change our county to nonpartisan elections—and then ran for City Council to bring that same spirit of equity and collaboration to Vancouver. I now work for the Native American Youth and Family Center, helping urban Native families reconnect with the land and heal from the legacies of colonization in southwest Washington.

On council, I’ve:

  • Protected our threatened trees: Led the amendment safeguarding mature White Oak groves against development.

  • Secured clean water: Pushed proactive PFAS testing and funding for filtration systems before mandates required it.

  • Advanced tenant rights: Expanded our Affordable Housing Fund and strengthened eviction protections so families can rest easier.

  • Championed safer streets: Stood firm for Complete Streets and Safe Routes to Schools policies that give everyone safer options for transportation beyond the car.