Steve Whitaker (Mayor of Milton, Washington, candidate 2025)

Steve Whitaker

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Milton

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

Clover Park High School

Bachelor's

Washington State University, 1982

Personal

Birthplace

Tacoma, Wash.

Religion

Christian: Presbyterian

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Steve Whitaker is running for election to the Mayor of Milton 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]

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

Biography

Steve Whitaker provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 15, 2025:

• Birth date: March 30, 1960
• Birth place: Tacoma, Washington
• High school: Clover Park High School
• Bachelor's: Washington State University, 1982
• Graduate: City University, Tacoma, 2001
• Gender: Male
• Religion: Christian: Presbyterian
• Profession: Retired
• Prior offices held:
  • Milton City Council Position #1, Mayor Pro Tem (2018-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Let's move into the future together.
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Milton

Steve Whitaker and Bruce White are running in the general election for Mayor of Milton on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Steve Whitaker (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Bruce White (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 Milton

Megan Sheridan, Steve Whitaker, and Bruce White ran in the primary for Mayor of Milton on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate
		Megan Sheridan (Nonpartisan)
		Steve Whitaker (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Bruce White (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

Steve Whitaker completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Whitaker'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.

Acting as Mayor Pro Tem the last two years has brought me in touch with the responsibilities of leading a city, and serving on the city council the last eight years has been a pleasure and an honor and has given me valuable experience and knowledge on how the city operates. I enjoy playing my part representing the citizens of the City of Milton.

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?

• One, traffic calming. Traffic calming is the main issue with a majority of citizens with whom I have spoken.
• Two, complete sections of missing sidewalks to enhance Milton's walkability.
• Three, make sure that the City of Milton retains that small-town image to control growth and maximize existing sales tax revenue from businesses.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety and retaining Milton's small-town/bedroom community image.

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

My father. He was very much a self-starter with perseverance and he knew what he wanted to do in life. He wanted to be a veterinarian. He always strived to be the best he could be, however at the same time he didn't do what he did for the accolades. He did everything he did because he had gifts to share with others. He was active in the community with Elks Club, Lions Club, and the local school board for example.

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

Integrity, honesty, community-focused, and open communication

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

I present myself with integrity, honesty, authenticity, and open communicator. I also enjoy collaboration and working in a team environment.

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

Same as what I stated above. Elected officials' main responsibilities should be interacting with all stakeholders with integrity, honesty, be community-focused, and exhibit open communication at all times.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I leave wherever I have been better than it was. Secondly, to know that I made a positive contribution.

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

Apollo 11 landing on the moon.

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

Working for my father in his veterinary hospital. I worked at the veterinary clinic for six years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. I like and believe in the overall message that the Bible communicates

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman.

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

Balancing my work life with my family life.

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

The mayor should act from the strategic ("30,000 foot") level, to maximize the assets and tools that the city has at the city's disposal. The mayor should looking at the long-term. The mayor should be focusing on two to eight year goals and accomplishments, and provide tactical direction to the city directors. The mayor should also utilize the directors experience and knowledge when dealing with issues and devising reasonable solutions.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

In the city of Milton the mayor oversees all aspects of the city, however the mayor is not directly responsible or the day-to-day operation of the city. The directors are responsible for the specific day-to-day operation of the department.

I believe there should be open communication and collaboration between the mayor and city council. The city government only runs efficiently when the mayor and city council are working in concert and not counter.

What do you love most about your city?

The residents. To all the residents to whom I have spoken love the city of Milton. Milton to me is the "jewel on top of the hill". I borrow that phrase from Chief Hernandez.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Growth, in general. Also controlling growth and abiding by the Growth Management Act. Milton has a limited supply of open areas/space and controlling how those areas are utilized is crucial.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Creating and maintaining a good working relationship with state government, specifically local representatives, is vital for the city of Milton being heard in Olympia.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Yes, the city's relationship with the federal government is important. However, focusing on a strong relationship with state government is far more vital.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

Like hand in glove. That is the sort of close relationship the mayor's office and the police department should have. That is not to say that the mayor's relationship with all city employees should not be distant. The mayor should be familiar with all employees.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Not technically endorse but encourage me in my race for mayor are: NW Custom Apparel, Kanon Electric, Spirit Gas Station, Airstream, the Meridian at Stone Creek, Alder Ridge Apartments, Mill Ridge, Bud's, John & Dawn Ogasawara, Lynn & Larry Roberts, Bob Whalen, Frances Hall, Tony & Alicia Bennest, Jason & Carrie Roberts, Anita Baillie, Christy & Jeff Dean, Sandy & Leiter Hockett, Rose Marie Barr, and Rayona Paris just to name a few.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am a strong believer in financial transparency and government accountability. Because government officials are responsible for using tax payer dollars wisely and responsibly, than there should be an accompanying behavior of financial transparency and accountability.

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

• VoteWA Profile

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Candidate

Mayor of Milton

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