Brian G. Hess (Yelm City Council Position 5, Washington, candidate 2025)
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Brian G. Hess ran for election to the Yelm City Council Position 5 in Washington. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Hess completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Brian G. Hess provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 9, 2025:
- Birth date: August 22, 1966
- Birth place: Baltimore, Maryland
- High school: Aquinas High School
- Bachelor's: University of Washington, 2021
- Military service: United States Army, 1988-2013
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Christian
- Profession: Analyst
- Prior offices held:
- City of Yelm Council Member Position 5 (2022-Prsnt)
- Incumbent officeholder: Yes
- Campaign slogan: Let’s keep building the future of Yelm - together.
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
General election for Yelm City Council Position 5
Brian G. Hess and Kayla Russell ran in the general election for Yelm City Council Position 5 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Brian G. Hess (Nonpartisan)  | ||
| Kayla Russell (Nonpartisan) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hess in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brian G. Hess completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hess' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Brian G. Hess has dedicated his career to service and results. A 25-year U.S. Army veteran and Eagle Scout, he developed strong leadership, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that continue to guide his work today. After earning a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Washington, Brian built a career as a Product Manager and Data Strategist, leading growth strategies for Microsoft Azure Data SQL and helping organizations turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Since 2019, Brian has proudly served on the Yelm City Council (Position 5), where he has worked with Mayor DePinto and fellow councilmembers to pass balanced budgets without raising taxes, strengthen public safety, and expand community programs. He continues to champion infrastructure improvements, broadband access, intercity transit, and Food-is-Free-style gardening to support Yelm’s families.
Above all, Brian is committed to building a thriving, connected community where every resident has the opportunity to succeed.- Keeping Yelm safe is my top priority. As your City Councilmember, I’ve worked with Mayor DePinto, our Police Department, and regional partners to strengthen public safety while maintaining balanced budgets. We’ve hired more officers, supported community policing, and improved emergency response coordination. Safety isn’t just about law enforcement—it’s about safe roads, well-lit sidewalks, and strong neighborhoods where people look out for one another. Together, we can continue building a Yelm that protects its residents, supports first responders, and ensures every family feels secure at home and throughout our community.
- Keeping Yelm strong means building a city that works for everyone. As your City Councilmember, I’ve helped pass balanced budgets without raising taxes, supported small businesses, and invested in infrastructure that keeps our community moving forward. Strength comes from teamwork—residents, businesses, and city leaders working together to make Yelm a place where families thrive and neighbors support one another. By continuing to focus on fiscal responsibility, community partnerships, and smart growth, we can keep Yelm strong, resilient, and ready for the future.
- Keeping Yelm connected means making sure every resident feels part of our shared community. As your City Councilmember, I’ve worked to expand community programs, support local events, and improve infrastructure—from sidewalks to broadband—that help us stay connected. A connected Yelm is one where neighbors know each other, businesses support one another, and everyone has a voice in shaping our city’s future. Together, we can continue building bridges—between people, ideas, and opportunities—that make Yelm a truly united and welcoming place to live.
City councils carry both legislative and oversight responsibilities. They craft ordinances that become local law, adopt budgets that reflect shared priorities, and ensure accountability in how public funds are spent. Every decision—from maintaining roads and parks to supporting small businesses and public safety—affects the quality of life for residents.
What makes this office truly unique is its closeness to the community. Councilmembers are not distant policymakers; they are neighbors and local leaders who experience the outcomes of their decisions alongside the people they serve. This connection builds trust, encourages open communication, and allows for quick, responsive action when challenges arise.
The Yelm City Council also serves as a bridge between residents and higher levels of government, ensuring our city’s voice is heard in county and state discussions on transportation, housing, and regional development. Through collaboration with other agencies, the council ensures that state and regional policies work for Yelm’s residents.
My father was a physician specializing in family medicine, burn care, and critical care. He cared more for his patients than for making money, often bartering his services to help families in financial hardship. He taught me that healing is both a science and an act of compassion. He also instilled in me a respect for the environment and the principle that we should always leave any place—and any situation—better than we found it. His humility, work ethic, and empathy shaped my belief that service to others defines a meaningful life.
Roger Staubach embodied those same values through his leadership, discipline, and quiet strength. While serving in the Navy after being drafted, he used his personal leave time to attend Dallas Cowboys preseason practices—knowing he wouldn’t take a single snap that season—and studied playbooks while stationed at sea. His dedication showed that true commitment isn’t about recognition, but preparation and perseverance. Later, when he finally became the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, he even asked for a raise not for himself, but so his teammates could earn more.
Integrity means keeping your word, following through on commitments, and making decisions that serve the best interests of the community rather than personal or political gain. Accountability ensures that every decision can be explained, justified, and improved upon through open dialogue with the people you serve.
Empathy is equally vital. To truly represent a community, an elected official must understand the experiences of its residents—families, business owners, seniors, and youth alike. Listening to different perspectives allows for better, more balanced policy decisions that reflect the needs of the whole community.
An effective leader also embraces collaboration. No single person can solve every problem, but by working together—with other councilmembers, city staff, nonprofits, and regional partners—we can achieve lasting progress.
Finally, humility and lifelong learning are essential. Our city, like the world around us, is constantly changing. Good leaders remain open to new ideas, data, and experiences, always striving to grow and adapt.
Fiscal responsibility is one of the most important obligations. Taxpayer dollars must be managed wisely, with transparency and accountability. Every budget decision should balance meeting today’s needs with preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. In my time on the Yelm City Council, I’ve helped pass balanced budgets without raising taxes while maintaining essential services and investing in public safety, roads, and community growth.
Another core responsibility is long-term vision. Councilmembers must look beyond short-term politics to make choices that strengthen Yelm’s foundation for generations. That means planning smart growth, protecting our infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and ensuring Yelm remains a safe, welcoming place for families.
Equally vital is collaboration. City government works best when councilmembers, the mayor, city staff, and the community pull in the same direction. A councilmember must foster open communication, respect differing views, and build partnerships with local and regional organizations to solve shared challenges.
Finally, accessibility and engagement are key. Councilmembers should be present—in the parks, at community events, and in daily conversations with residents. The best policies come from real dialogue with the people we serve.
I want my children and grandchildren to understand what it means to be good stewards—of the earth, of their communities, and of the values that hold us together. I hope they see that making a difference doesn’t always come from grand gestures, but from the small, consistent acts of service, kindness, and honesty that build trust and connection over time.
More than anything, I want them to follow their passions and find joy in the work they do. Success isn’t measured by wealth or recognition, but by the positive impact we have on others and the fulfillment we find in doing what we love.
The Iranian Revolution reshaped the Middle East, shifting the balance of power and redefining relationships between nations for decades. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan marked the beginning of a long and complex period of global tension that echoed through the remainder of the Cold War—and beyond. Both events revealed how deeply connected the world had become and how actions in one part of the globe could ripple across nations.
As I grew older and later served 25 years in the U.S. Army, I saw firsthand how those events set the stage for many of the challenges my generation would face—ranging from the rise of terrorism to shifting alliances and ongoing struggles for democracy and stability.
One of these powers is oversight and accountability. The council ensures city operations, spending, and programs align with public priorities. Every department—from police and public works to parks and community development—operates under policies and funding approved by the council. That means the council doesn’t just set the budget; it also ensures that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and transparently.
Another responsibility is strategic planning. The council sets the city’s long-term vision through plans that guide housing, transportation, and infrastructure development. These plans influence how neighborhoods expand, where sidewalks and parks are built, and how future growth remains sustainable and balanced.
The council also plays a key role in regional collaboration. Yelm doesn’t operate in isolation—we partner with Thurston County, the state, and neighboring cities on public safety, roads, emergency response, and housing programs. Councilmembers represent Yelm in these discussions, ensuring our city’s voice is heard and our needs are met.
Lastly, the council holds an important advocacy role. By adopting resolutions and working with state and federal officials, the council can influence policy beyond city limits—on issues like transportation funding, broadband access, and economic development.
Having experience in government helps a councilmember understand processes, regulations, and the complexities of budgeting, planning, and public policy. It provides a foundation for working effectively with city staff, regional partners, and residents. However, experience should never replace genuine connection with the community or the ability to make thoughtful, values-based decisions.
I believe the best leaders combine both—real-world experience and a deep understanding of the people they serve. In my case, 25 years in the Army taught me the importance of teamwork, accountability, and clear communication. Those same principles guide me today as a councilmember. My time on the Yelm City Council has reinforced that leadership means listening first, asking the right questions, and ensuring every decision improves life for our residents.
Strong communication skills are essential. Councilmembers must clearly explain complex issues, listen to differing viewpoints, and work toward solutions that bring people together. Effective communication builds trust and transparency between city government and the residents it serves.
Equally important are financial and analytical skills. Councilmembers manage taxpayer dollars, review budgets, and evaluate funding priorities. Understanding data, budgets, and long-term financial impacts helps ensure that decisions are responsible and sustainable.
Collaboration and teamwork are vital, as city governance depends on partnership—between councilmembers, the mayor, city staff, regional agencies, and citizens. A successful councilmember values cooperation over conflict and focuses on solutions rather than politics.
Strategic thinking is also key. The ability to see the big picture—how infrastructure, housing, safety, and community programs connect—allows leaders to plan for the future while addressing current needs.
Finally, integrity, empathy, and a service mindset are the foundation of effective leadership. This office demands people who act with honesty, treat others with respect, and understand that public service is about improving lives, not personal gain.
This office holds both legislative and oversight responsibilities. The council passes ordinances that become local law, adopts and manages the city’s budget, and ensures public funds are used effectively and transparently. Councilmembers also evaluate city programs and operations to make sure they reflect community values and priorities.
What makes the City Council especially important is its direct connection to residents. Councilmembers live and work alongside the people they serve, which fosters accountability and trust. This closeness allows for responsive action and practical solutions to local issues—something larger levels of government can’t always provide.
Additionally, the council serves as a bridge between Yelm and regional or state entities, representing our city’s interests in transportation planning, housing discussions, and economic development partnerships. The City Council ensures Yelm’s voice is heard and that our growth aligns with both community needs and regional goals.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Hess completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
