Wayne L. Turner (Mayor of Okanogan, Washington, candidate 2025)

Wayne L. Turner

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Okanogan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Personal

Birthplace

Tonasket, Wash.

Religion

Lutheran - LCMS

Profession

Mechanic

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Wayne L. Turner ran for election to the Mayor of Okanogan in Washington. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

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

Biography

Wayne L. Turner provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 11, 2025:

• Birth date: November 25, 1948
• Birth place: Tonasket, Washington
• High school: Oroville High School
• Associate: Yakima Valley College, 1969
• Gender: Male
• Religion: Lutheran - LCMS
• Profession: Mechanic
• Prior offices held:
  • City Council member (2000-2022)
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Okanogan

Wayne L. Turner ran in the general election for Mayor of Okanogan on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Wayne L. Turner (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Turner in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Wayne L. Turner completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Turner'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 have lived in the same house here in Okanogan since 1972. My longevity in the city gives me a vision of where we have come from and where we should be heading. I feel strongly about personal rights. If you are not affecting your neighbors, the city should not care about you.

The real only function of government at any level is the safety of it's citizens. At the municipal level we do that with safe roads and sidewalks, clean drinking water and proper sewage disposal. Police and fire services are self explanatory. Sanitation services fall in a similar category. When it comes to economic development, I do not see that the city can help much. The best we can do is to not be a hindrance to development. Homelessness needs to be dealt with at a higher level of government. I am a devote Christian and have sympathy for those with less than me. I do not see that municipal government can do much other than permitting when social organizations are doing something to help. Personally I will give to organizations assisting these people.

I am unopposed, so do not really have a campaign in place for re-election. I appreciate this opportunity to express my beliefs.

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?

• I have been involved in the council since 2000. I understand this city.
• I feel strongly about personal rights. Be a good neighbor and the city will not even know you exist.
• Safety of it's citizens should be the only function of government.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Maintaining in good order our public properties, be it streets, parks, pool, sidewalks and buildings.

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

Jesus Christ first, but in government Ronald Regan was a true leader. He understood economics, but could get people to work together.

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

A public official should be transparent in their dealings, whether public or private. They should be able to know from your actions your political affiliation. I am conservative.

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

Be able to listen well to both the public and your staff.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered as the mayor that cleaned up the city by getting people to do the right thing as a neighbor.

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

The election of JFK in 1960 was a good memory. I was 12 at the time. His assassination in 1963 is more vivid when I was 15.

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

My first real job was as a mechanic in the local John Deere Dealership. That dealership changed hands 3 times during my 46 years working there, most of that time as Service Manager.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. Follow it and this life and the next will be good.

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?

Understanding why so many are dependent on government or others to get by instead of working hard themselves.

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

In a small city as ours, you are actually the CEO. That means you should be aware of all facets of the city.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

N/A

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?

The Mayor is responsible for the daily operation of the city or executive branch. The council is the legislative branch and sometimes Judicial branch. The mayor sets the meeting and if smart can control it.

What do you love most about your city?

I love our rural friendly atmosphere.

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

Living within our means to keep good streets, water and sewer services,.

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

We have to know our connections to the state. We must follow guidelines so when we need help they will respond.

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

Similar to the our relationship to the state. The Federal government has the deeper pocket to draw funds from, but are also the hardest to comply with. It costs about a 1/2 more to do a project with federal funds than state and local.

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

It is critical. We contract with the sheriff for services, so really leave most up to them. I know the sheriff and under sheriff personally.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

No

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I raised two children to be successful adults.

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

• VoteWA Profile

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