Port Angeles Teen Runs for Washington State Legislature, Could Become Youngest Lawmaker in State History

An 18-year-old from Port Angeles is aiming to make history in Washington state politics.

Aiden Hamilton is running for state representative in the 24th District on the Olympic Peninsula — and if elected, he would become the youngest lawmaker ever to serve in Olympia.

Still finishing high school through Seaview Online Academy, Hamilton says his campaign reflects a different kind of perspective. He describes himself as part of the “pandemic generation,” shaped by economic hardship and disrupted education.

Hamilton says rising costs of living are one of his biggest concerns — not just for his peers, but for older residents as well. His own family faced financial strain after his father suffered a serious health issue that kept him out of work for a year, draining their savings and forcing them to move in with relatives.

He says those experiences motivated him to run, with a focus on helping families remain financially stable and able to stay in their communities.

Hamilton also points to pandemic learning loss as a major issue influencing his politics. He argues that students faced challenges lawmakers may not fully understand and supports school choice as one way to address education gaps.

Running as a Republican, Hamilton is challenging a Democratic incumbent roughly six decades older than him. He believes voters may welcome a generational shift and a fresh viewpoint in state government.

Hamilton says his goal is simple — bring a new perspective to Olympia and help shape a better future for Washington families.

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