Jeff Coughlin (Mayor of Bremerton, Washington, candidate 2025)

Jeff Coughlin

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Bremerton

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Emory University, 2003

Ph.D

New Mexico State University, 2012

Other

University of Washington, 2019

Personal

Profession

Scientist

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Campaign TikTok

Personal LinkedIn

Jeff Coughlin is running for election to the Mayor of Bremerton in Washington. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] He was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

Coughlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jeff Coughlin provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on June 27, 2025:

• Birth date: August 4, 1985
• Bachelor's: Emory University, 2003
• PhD: New Mexico State University, 2012
• Other: University of Washington, 2019
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Scientist
• Prior offices held:
  • Bremerton Councilmember (2022-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Bridging a Brighter Bremerton
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• Campaign Twitter
• Campaign YouTube
• Campaign YouTube video
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Bremerton

Jeff Coughlin and Greg Wheeler are running in the general election for Mayor of Bremerton on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Jeff Coughlin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Greg Wheeler (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Bremerton

Marwan Cameron, Jeff Coughlin, and Greg Wheeler ran in the primary for Mayor of Bremerton on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Marwan Cameron (Nonpartisan)
		Jeff Coughlin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Greg Wheeler (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Coughlin received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Coughlin's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
• Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates of Washington
• Washington Conservation Action

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jeff Coughlin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Coughlin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Jeff Coughlin — a Bremerton City Councilmember, former Council President, scientist, nonprofit director, and proud dad. I was raised by a single working mother and built a career as a Director at NASA before moving to Bremerton, where I’ve lived for many years with my husband Nick, a shipyard worker, and our young son.

Bremerton is our home — and I believe it can be better. Since 2021, I’ve fought for safer neighborhoods, attainable housing, and real transparency in local government. During my time on Council, I’ve worked closely with the community and haven’t been afraid to take on tough issues — even when it meant challenging the status quo.

I also run a local business as Executive Director of the Kitsap History Museum, where I’ve rebuilt operations, stabilized finances, and expanded community programming. From protecting essential services to restoring trust in leadership, I bring both experience and heart to this work.

I’m proud to be endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and 314 Action because I would be the first openly gay mayor of Bremerton — and the first scientist to lead our city. I’m also endorsed by every sitting Bremerton City Councilmember who has weighed in on the race, former Mayor Patty Lent, several past Council Presidents, and many other local elected officials and respected community leaders.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Over the last four years, violent crime in Bremerton has risen 10x faster than Washington State, and non-violent crime has risen 5x the state rate. Our public safety departments are stretched thin, and residents are paying the price. I’ll bring more officers and community-focused policing to restore neighborhood trust, reduce crime, and ensure Bremerton remains a safe place to live and work.
• The cost of housing in Bremerton has surged 50% in the past seven years. I support more housing — but not just any housing. We need housing that actually serves Bremerton residents: working families, seniors, and young people trying to stay in the community they love. I’ve fought for smarter growth, protected green space, and pushed for tools to ensure affordability. Bremerton can grow without losing what makes it special — and I’ll make sure we get it right.
• Bremerton makes up only one-sixth of Kitsap County’s population, yet is home to more than half of the county’s unhoused residents. We can’t fix this alone. I’ll lead regional collaboration, expand shelter and services, invest in mental health and addiction treatment, and build programs that help people move into stable housing — while ensuring our streets and parks are safe and accessible for all.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about collaborative leadership that puts community voices at the center of decision-making. I believe the best ideas often come from the people living the issues every day — not just from the top down. I’ve built a track record of listening, working across differences, and bringing people together to tackle tough challenges. My goal is to make sure Bremerton gets the best — the smartest policies, the most efficient use of resources, and a local government that reflects and respects its residents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m a collaborative leader, a problem-solver, and someone who shows up — consistently and with integrity. My background as a scientist, nonprofit director, and Council President gives me the skills to manage complex systems, budgets, and people. I listen before I act, bring others to the table, and follow through. I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo when something isn’t working — but I always do it with respect. I lead with heart, humility, and a deep commitment to the people of Bremerton.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

To me, being Mayor means being a servant leader — someone who listens first, puts people before politics, and leads by example. A Mayor should unify the city, not divide it. That means working with the City Council as partners — not as obstacles — and respecting the voices of those elected to represent our neighborhoods.

I’ve done that as a Councilmember and former Council President. I’ve built coalitions, brought people together, and tackled hard issues without grandstanding. I’ve worked shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues to move Bremerton forward — whether on housing, infrastructure, or public safety. That’s why every Councilmember who’s weighed in on this race has endorsed me.

The incumbent has taken the opposite approach — governing through isolation, failing to communicate with the Council, and too often disregarding the input of both colleagues and constituents. That breakdown in collaboration has slowed projects, fractured trust, and made it harder to get results.

Being Mayor isn’t about holding power — it’s about sharing it. The role should elevate others, bring out the best ideas from the community, and make sure city government works for the people it serves. That’s how I lead, and that’s the kind of Mayor I’ll be. Because Bremerton deserves leadership that listens, respects, and delivers.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Washington Conservation Action

Kitsap County Central Labor Council
314 Action
LGBTQ+ Victory
Run for Something
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent
Every sitting Bremerton Councilmember who is Endorsing
Several past Bremerton Council Presidents.

Rep. Tara Simmons

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 Coughlin completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• VoteWA Profile

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