Thursday, October 1, 2026
In the latest episode of the "Leaders Lead" podcast, host Tony Taylor dives into the Thurston County political scene with an interview of Commissioner Emily Clouse, who is seeking reelection to her District 5 seat this year.
Clouse, who found herself in hot water early in her term because of a previous relationship with a former employee, offers insights ranging from being born and raised in Thurston County to her current role as commissioner.
Along the way, she touches on being raised by her grandmother, enlisting in the U.S. Army, going to college, starting a nonprofit organization and eventually becoming a member of the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners.
She also addresses the previous relationship with the former employee, who filed a lawsuit against the county that was later settled for $300,000. The previous relationship also led to an investigation that resulted in Clouse being admonished by her colleagues and a subsequent recall effort that failed to pass muster with state courts.
Clouse was elected to the District 5 seat in the November 2023 General Election, as part of the board increasing to five positions from three. To listen to the podcast, click here or here.
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DudeGuyOly
this should be interesting
Friday, May 8 Report this
Tanker1982
She will not get my vote. $300k at taxpayer expense? No way
Friday, May 8 Report this
franiazgorski
WHOOOOOO was the relationship with???
Friday, May 8 Report this
franiazgorski
includes" hiding a romantic and sexual relationship with her subordinate and accepting money and gifts from him without paying him back." this is definitely concerning. She should not have been on the Commission. period. How crazy is that after all the "ME TOO" and SA issues ...she has no better judgement than to *** her subordinate in a small town? complete idiocy.
Read more at: https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article296652059.html#storylink=cpy
Friday, May 8 Report this
sharron.coontz
Turns out the guy she got involved with had done the exact same thing at a previous job: Seems he has a way with women, is very kind, then turns around and sues them/their employers for a huge amount of money -- and he's the victim.
Clouse shouldn't have dated someone who was a subordinate. But this guy should've been exposed as the user he is and the county should've gone public with his history of doing this and refused to pay his blackmail.
Friday, May 8 Report this
SC4011
Big mistake. She will be better going forward.
Move along now.
Saturday, May 9 Report this
Virge13
Anyone who is casting stones at Emily Clouse should remember what our current administration in the other Washington is doing……glass houses anyone?
Saturday, May 9 Report this
Hill_Folk
I think we can do better than our current elected officials.
The port is not interested in the community at large. We have asked them to provide things like passenger ferry service, and told no. We have asked for light rail and that was an even harder NO. They use our environment like a piggy bank for development and run at a loss YoY.
Pair that with a $300K settlement, I'm questioning the judgement of "Leaders Lead" podcast for giving her a platform. They are lost in the sauce if they don't see this individual and the Port of Olympia at large as problematic. I can't really muster support for any of the commissioners who are "serving" right now.
We can do better Olympia!
Saturday, May 9 Report this
HappyOlympian
"Anyone who is casting stones at Emily Clouse should remember what our current administration in the other Washington is doing……glass houses anyone?"
One can always rely on defenders of bad behavior using the CHUMP in the White House to deflect. He has nothing at all on any LEVEL to do with HER ACTIONS! When she decided to date the employee that is what she thought about, what would Donald do?
Lefties should hold themselves to a higher standard at all times, higher morals it is what really defines us.
Sunday, May 10 Report this
Scooter
Pretty amusing that one of the comments implies that "lefties" need to hold a higher standard and morals.... what about the convicted *** offender with ties to a pedophile?!!! Don't believe he's a leftie!!!
Sunday, May 10 Report this
Boatyarddog
THE TRUTH IS---------! Turns out the guy she got involved with had done the exact same thing at a previous job: Seems he has a way with women, is very kind, then turns around and sues them/their employers for a huge amount of money -- and he's the victim.
Clouse shouldn't have dated someone who was a subordinate. But this guy should've been exposed as the user he is and the county should've gone public with his history of doing this and refused to pay his blackmail.
EXACTLY , She is a good person and doesn't need VOTES from Fools like. DA franiazgorski
Sunday, May 10 Report this
Boatyarddog
The Guy is a Criminal Scammer. Should have been arrested.
Sunday, May 10 Report this
Boatyarddog
Scooter, Pretty amusing that one of the comments implies that "lefties" need to hold a higher standard and morals.... what about the convicted *** offender with ties to a pedophile?!!! Don't believe he's a leftie!!!
Hypocrites EVERY SINGLE ONE of those Republitards are!
Sunday, May 10 Report this
Southsoundguy
Not leaders, administrators.
Monday, May 11 Report this