2023 Government Affairs Meeting

Description

Jon Tunheim was elected to his fourth term as Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney in  November of 2022. He initially joined the Prosecuting Attorney's Office 35 years prior as a legal intern and has dedicated his career to achieving justice and safety for all residents of Thurston County. 

Originally from South Dakota, Jon Tunheim earned his bachelor's degree in physics at South Dakota State University and moved to Washington to attend law school at the University of Puget Sound School of Law. Jon and his wife Marcia, also an attorney, have been married for 31 years and have four sons. 

Since taking office in 2010, Jon has been a progressive leader in confronting a range of issues including the opioid epidemic, domestic violence, and crimes against children. Jon was a strong advocate in the effort to create the Monarch Children's Justice and Advocacy Center, a nonprofit organization that provides coordinated services to child victims of abuse and neglect in Thurston County.

The foundation of Jon Tunheim's vision for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office is based on the pursuit of excellence, professionalism, teamwork, service, and leadership. Under the Seeking Justice Initiative, Jon prioritizes criminal justice reform, modernized practices, and compassionate prosecution. Over his three terms as County Prosecutor, the office has expanded the use of diversion programs, improved system efficiency through new technology, and provided support to reentry support efforts. Jon's approach to prosecution is designed to ensure a fair, just, compassionate, and cost-effective justice system and a community where public safety and accountability are upheld. By building on successes, the office of approximately 70 attorneys and support staff are working to increase diversion options, reduce the use of incarceration for nonviolent offenses, reduce racial disparity, and increase transparency. 

An active member of Washington's legal community, Jon is a past president of the  Washington Government Lawyers Bar Association, the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA,) and the Association of Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. He currently serves on the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the Paralegal Advisory Board for South Puget Sound Community College, and as Co-chair of the Washington State Task Force on Sentencing. Jon is the current President of the Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals (WSADCP).

Jon is a frequent lecturer and panelist and actively supports a variety of community causes. A 2003 graduate of Leadership Thurston County, he currently serves as a member of the Board of Regents. He is a past president of the United Way of Thurston County Board of Directors and previously served on the boards of the Child Care Action Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Family Support Center of South Sound. He is an active member of the West Olympia Rotary Club.