Council Member Joe Bushnell - Position 5
Council Member Joe Bushnell was elected in November 2021 to represent District 5, covering parts of South Tacoma, the South End, and East Tacoma. A Tacoma native, he currently lives in South Tacoma and has a strong background in community service. Prior to his role on the City Council, Bushnell chaired the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council and is notable for being the first Cambodian-American to serve on the Tacoma City Council, advocating for the wider Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.
CM Bushnell is the vice chair of the Government, Performance and Finance Committee and serves on the Economic Development Committee. He represents the City of Tacoma on multiple regional boards and councils, including serving on the South Sound 911 board, and as Chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, and vice chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Before his political career, Bushnell spent over a decade in the U.S. Marine Corps as an ammunition logistics manager. He has been involved in various community-oriented roles, supporting local businesses while working with the Washington Hospitality Association in Pierce County and serving on boards such as Travel Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Food Advisory Board. His dedication to community welfare is evident through his involvement with organizations like the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and his service as a Tacoma Public Utility Board Member.
A 2008 graduate of Stadium High School, Bushnell also holds a bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College where he focused on political science and economics. His primary focus as a council member is to prioritize the needs of District 5 constituents, ensuring their concerns are addressed in a thoughtful and sustainable manner by the City of Tacoma. Bushnell remains committed to advocating for his community and promoting inclusive governance in the city he proudly calls home.