Pooneh Gray (Vancouver City Council Position 1, Washington, candidate 2025)

Pooneh Gray

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Vancouver City Council Position 1

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

Fort Vancouver High School

Bachelor's

Washington State University, 1989

Other

University of Idaho, 1993

Personal

Profession

Mental health professional

Contact

Campaign website

Pooneh Gray is running for election to the Vancouver City Council Position 1 in Washington. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source] She was on the ballot in the primary on August 5, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

Pooneh Gray provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 7, 2025:

• Birth date: March 10, 1968
• Birth place: Long Beach California, California
• High school: Fort Vancouver High School
• Bachelor's: Washington State University, 1989
• Other: University of Idaho, 1993
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Mental Health Professional
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Experience, Compassion, Action
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

General election for Vancouver City Council Position 1

Pooneh Gray and Kim D. Harless are running in the general election for Vancouver City Council Position 1 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Pooneh Gray (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kim D. Harless (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 Vancouver City Council Position 1

Pooneh Gray, Kim D. Harless, and Ron Willis ran in the primary for Vancouver City Council Position 1 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
		Pooneh Gray (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Kim D. Harless (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ron Willis (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

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Pooneh Gray completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gray'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 was born in California, raised in Vancouver where I attended Fort Vancouver High School and earned my bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. I have a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Idaho. My professional background spans county, state, and private sectors, where I’ve worked as a mental health professional providing treatment, skills training, and housing solutions for some of the most vulnerable individuals in Washington. I’ve helped develop public-private partnerships to expand housing access for those living with severe mental illness and am well versed in navigating state and county contracts. I’m also a small business owner and married to a retired U.S. military veteran, giving me a deep understanding of the challenges facing working families, veterans, and local entrepreneurs. Vancouver is my home, I’m committed to building a city that is safe, supportive, and full of opportunity for everyone.

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?

• Public safety, which includes police, fire, and first responders, must be a top priority. A safe city is one where families can thrive, parents feel secure letting their kids walk to school, and where businesses feel confident investing in the community. Vancouver does not have enough police officers to meet the needs of its growing population. We’re already seeing troubling signs, residents being placed on hold when calling 911, and police facing delays in response times due to understaffing. We must not only invest in personnel, increase jail space for repeat offenses, but also embrace innovation and technology to support their work. We need to ensure public safety is properly funded and sourced.
• Reducing the cost of living and improving housing affordability is critical in Vancouver. With increases in property taxes, utility rates, parking fees,

  permitting costs, residents are being stretched too thin. Over the past three years, we’ve seen continual cost hikes driven by policies that fail to consider their impact on working families. The citizens of Vancouver shouldn’t have to keep paying more because spending isn’t being monitored and outdated regulations aren’t being reviewed. We must eliminate unnecessary barriers that drive up the cost of

  construction and adopt responsible budgeting that prioritizes everyday people.
• Sleeping on the streets isn’t safe for the individuals experiencing homelessness or for the surrounding community. Vancouver is now spending nine times more on homelessness than it did just four years ago, yet people are still living on the streets. This is a crisis that must be addressed immediately. A lack of coordination between service providers, gaps in communication between the city and county, lack of accountability, and lack of measurable treatment outcomes are all contributing to the failure to address our homelessness crisis effectively. We should focus on ensuring that the money is being spent on the people who need it most and that we are working to help those who can move forward toward stability and independence.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are many policies that I’m passionate about. They include increasing public safety, addressing homelessness, improving the lives of working families, and advancing justice reform. When I was 21, my mother was murdered and my father was wrongfully incarcerated. My younger brother and I lost both of our parents within two weeks. I was left to raise him while working two jobs—and trying to find the real killer. After 30 years, I was able to prove who really killed my mom through advancements in forensic science. No one should go through what we did. I’ll be a fierce advocate for crime victims’ rights and real justice reform.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my mom. She knew she was in danger before her murder but still did everything she could to protect my brother and me. I wish she had asked for help, but knowing the kind of person she was, I believe she didn’t want to be a burden—or risk putting us in harm’s way. My mom had an incredible spirit. She always laughed, no matter what she was going through, and never let anything keep her down. She chose to see life through a glass that was always half full. She taught me that with hard work, I could achieve any goal I set my mind to and become whoever I wanted to be. Her strength, optimism, and selflessness continue to guide me every day.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Please visit my website at VoteForPoonehGray.com to learn more about my background and philosophy. You can also follow me on Facebook, where we’ve posted several interviews and position updates to help voters stay informed and engaged.

There is also a number of articles on my mom's homicide and a podcast "The Yellow Car".

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the most important qualities in a public official are integrity, leadership, and accountability—along with the ability to use common sense and to take a balanced approach to solving problems. I believe that if we listen to each other and work collaboratively, we can find the best solutions for everyone. I also believe that a public official should always work in the best interest of everyone—not just those who share a certain belief system. Every citizen’s voice matters when it comes to making decisions that affect our community.

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

I bring a combination of lived experience, compassion, and unwavering determination to public service. I’ve faced unimaginable hardship and turned it into purpose, showing the kind of resilience and integrity that people can count on. My background in mental health, my advocacy for crime victims, and my firsthand understanding of poverty, injustice, and perseverance give me a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I lead with empathy, listen with intention, and work tirelessly to make a meaningful difference. I believe in common sense, accountability, and showing up every day to do the work. I don’t forget who I’m fighting for, and I’m ready to be the kind of elected official who puts people first. I am a hard worker, and I’m focused on getting things done. I don’t take no for an answer when it comes to doing what’s right for the people of Vancouver. I don’t believe in the word can’t—because I know that when we come together, we can accomplish anything and create real change that improves people’s lives.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities of elected officials are to represent the interests of the entire community, make informed and transparent decisions, and be accountable to the people they serve. They should be available to listen to their constituents, consider diverse perspectives, and use common sense and good judgment. I don’t believe elected officials should make statements just to get votes and then vote in a way that contradicts what they promised—it undermines public trust. If community members are taking the time to attend meetings and share their concerns, then elected officials should have the same respect and show up too. Not jut by zoom but in person.

Elected officials must ensure that policies reflect fairness, safety, and opportunity for everyone—and lead with integrity, build trust, and always act in a way that earns and respects the public’s confidence.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be one of courage, compassion, and action. I want people to say I showed up, listened, and never stopped fighting for those who felt unheard. That I stood for justice when it was hard, held people accountable for their decisions, and made sure taxpayers weren’t unfairly footing the bill without real government accountability. I want to be known as the leader who addressed the most challenging issues facing Vancouver—and accomplished them quickly. That includes tackling the lack of public safety, homelessness, and the rising cost of living.

I also want to help build a Vancouver that encourages business growth—a city where small businesses feel supported to expand, and first-time entrepreneurs are empowered to open and grow their own businesses. I believe in preparing the next generation for success, which means working with local high schools to create apprenticeship opportunities for students if they decide not to pursue college and want to enter the workforce or start a business.

And just as important, I want to lead on justice reform—building a city where people who have been wrongfully incarcerated or impacted by the system have a voice, and a real path to support, reintegration, and healing. No one should be forgotten or left behind.

My goal is to leave behind a city that has accomplished its goals, is thriving, and where every person feels safe, supported, and able to build a better future.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When I was 21 years old, my mother was murdered in the parking lot of her apartment—killed by a single shot to the head. Shortly after, my father was arrested and wrongfully incarcerated for the crime. He spent 16 years in prison for something he didn’t do. He didn’t belong in that environment—he was repeatedly assaulted, and his health deteriorated, suffering multiple medical complications including a heart attack.

With both of our parents gone, I was left to raise my younger brother. We had no support system and quickly fell into poverty, living in low-income housing and struggling to make ends meet. I worked multiple jobs just to pay the bills, all while continuing school and eventually earning my master’s degree in psychology. I also used every spare resource I had to keep investigating my mother’s murder.

I had made a promise to my mother after her death: that I would find out who really killed her, no matter how long it took. It’s a promise I never forgot. I spent over 30 years relentlessly pursuing justice—and with the help of advancements in forensic science, I was finally able to prove who was truly responsible for her death.

That experience shaped who I am. I know what it means to struggle, to sacrifice, and to fight for truth when the odds are stacked against you. I understand hard work. I want to be a champion for justice reform and an advocate for victims of crime—ensuring that no one else has to go through what my family endured without support, accountability, or a voice.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working in a nursing home as a social worker. I was responsible for ensuring the social well-being of residents and maintaining open communication with families—especially when their loved ones needed additional support or experienced changes in their medical condition. I began at a single facility but was soon promoted to a role where I traveled to other nursing homes that were facing compliance challenges and needed additional support. I worked in that role for about four years, and it gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of compassionate care, and family advocacy, in systems that serve vulnerable populations.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I'm not a huge book reader but love reading news paper articles, and surfing the internet looking for fun recipes.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

None. Love all kinds of songs and no particular one jumps out.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the biggest struggles in my life was losing both of my parents within two weeks—my mother was murdered, and my father was wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit. I was just 21 years old and suddenly responsible for raising my younger brother, while trying to finish my education, work multiple jobs, and keep us afloat. We lived in poverty and had no support system. But I made a promise to my mom that I would find her real killer—and I kept that promise. It took over 30 years, but with the help of forensic advancements, I was able to prove who was responsible. That journey taught me strength, persistence, and what it means to keep going even when everything feels impossible. It’s also why I’m so committed to justice reform and supporting victims—because I’ve lived it.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe elected officials must be fully accountable to taxpayers for how public money is spent. Families are expected to live within their means and carefully manage their household budgets—government should be no different. Instead of constantly asking for more from hardworking families, leaders should show exactly where the money is going and what impact it’s having. People just want to know their money is being spent responsibly and that it’s making a meaningful difference in their community.

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

• VoteWA Profile

See also

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Candidate

Vancouver City Council Position 1

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