- Work
- Civil engineer and public works director; farmer (Orting)
Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: First time public servant.
John Bielka is a civil engineer and public works director with more than 30 years managing infrastructure. He has owned an excavation business and raises cattle on a farm outside Orting.
I never planned to run for office. As a civil engineer, public works director, and cattle farmer, I have spent my career solving problems, managing budgets, and delivering creative results for our communities. District 31 needs practical leadership focused on affordability, housing, infrastructure, and strong schools. …
Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State
Bielka's experience
- Elected experience: First time public servant.
- Other professional experience: John is a Civil engineer and public works director with more than 30 years managing infrastructure, budgets, and operations. John has owned an excavation business and proudly raises cattle at his farm outside of Orting.
- Community service: John is passionate about this community. He volunteers as a Career and Technical Education advisor at Chief Leschi Schools and supports the Orting Senior Center and Orting Food Bank as a grant writer.
Bielka's education
- John holds a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan
- graduate coursework in engineering economics and accounting.
JP
Joshua Penner
RepublicanIncumbent
- In office now
- State Representative, District 31 (since 2025)
- Work
- State Representative, 31st District; Penner & Co (executive strategy); former Mayor of Orting
Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: State Representative (Assistant Ranking Member, Appropriations; Finance; Early Learning & Human Services); Former Mayor (8 years), Councilmember (6 years), and Planning Commissioner (2 years), City of Orting; Former Chair, Pierce County Regional Council; Former Charter Review Commissioner, District 1.
Joshua Penner is the current state representative for the 31st District after eight years as mayor of Orting and six on its city council. He works in executive strategy at Penner & Co and is a U.S. Marine Corps Iraq War veteran.
As your Representative, I bring our community’s shared values and that fighting spirit to Olympia. Together, we saved Buckley’s Rainier School, prevented disastrous cuts for early education, protected care facilities for fentanyl-exposed newborns, and cut red tape to fund the repair of the White River and Fairfax bridges. …
Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State
Penner's experience
- Elected experience: State Representative (Assistant Ranking Member, Appropriations; Finance; Early Learning & Human Services); Former Mayor (8 years), Councilmember (6 years), and Planning Commissioner (2 years), City of Orting; Former Chair, Pierce County Regional Council; Former Charter Review Commissioner, District 1.
- Other professional experience: Executive Strategy, Penner & Co; Veteran, United States Marine Corps: Iraq War Veteran & Radio Operator.
- Community service: Co-Founder of PNW Vets, the largest Veteran support network in the Pacific Northwest; Crisis Intervention Trainer for WA-CJTC.
Penner's education
- Harvard University, Master's (ALM)
- St. Martin's University, BA
- Green River Community College, AA
- Sumner High School.
Penner's committees
- Appropriations
- Early Learning & Human Services
- Finance
- Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans