Jim Cooper to end 13-year journey on Olympia City Council 

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After 13 years of serving the community on the Olympia City Council, Jim Cooper announced he would not seek reelection and is set to retire after his term ends on Dec. 31, 2025.

Cooper was initially elected in 2011 to complete an open term for Position #7. He has since been reelected in 2013, 2017 and 2021, with his current four-year term set to conclude this year.  

Drawing on his experiences as an Army veteran, Eagle Scout and activist, Cooper has championed health and safety issues.

Throughout his tenure, Cooper centered on equity and inclusion in government, leaving behind a legacy of land conservation, housing activism and police reforms, all of which was achieved in collaboration with fellow council members and city staff.  

He has used his role as a council member to help create two important committees: the Social Justice and Equity Committee and the Citizen Oversight Policing Committee.  

“Equity is one of his main legacies in his council work. It has been a cornerstone of his value-driven service to the city. He retires from his seat knowing that Olympia is in a great position to take this work exactly where it needs to go,” stated a press release on Cooper's retirement.

As a parks advocate, Cooper also helped achieve the goal of expanding city parks to 500 acres.

The councilman also served as the inaugural president of the Olympia Metropolitan Parks District after playing an important role in securing the funding to maintain Olympia’s parks over the long term.  

The city council, including Cooper, worked with the Squaxin Island Tribe to establish an accord, permanently hang their flag permanently over city hall and rename Squaxin Park. The partnership has been a start toward reparations for previous injustices.  

Cooper led the efforts to set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals for Olympia in the climate change issue. The council member also played a key role in creating a regional climate action plan with Tumwater and Lacey. 

Cooper also played a key role in developing partnerships between Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County to address homelessness.

He and the city council championed the creation of the Regional Housing Council and the Home Fund. He contributed to a significant expansion of housing options for unhoused residents.  

Cooper also supported and encouraged resident leadership on critical local issues.  

Throughout his career in the public service, Cooper worked closely with council members and city staff to achieve these goals. He consistently prioritized equity and community well-being in his service to Olympia.  

Beyond the city council, Cooper has 29 years of experience in leadership across the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors.

As president and CEO of United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, he is at the helm of a regional trade association representing 31 local United Way organizations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.  

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  • Claire

    Cooper. UGH! 12 years tooooo long. Social warrior? Yep. Liberal left-wing virtue signaller? Absolutely. Obfuscator? You betcha. Misdirected? Of course. GOOD RIDDANCE. Too bad he's hanging around for another 11 months.

    Tuesday, January 21 Report this

  • Chrisj98592

    Thank God! It’s about time.

    Tuesday, January 21 Report this

  • BobJacobs

    I especially want to recognize Jim Cooper's work to expand our park lands. Two voted parks funding issues recognized that it is often necessary to acquire park land decades in advance of development. Jim deserves credit for leading the city council effort in tandem with citizen efforts to acquire the needed lands.

    Bob Jacobs

    Wednesday, January 22 Report this

  • Boatyarddog

    Thanks Jim, i enjoyed helping you get on Olys council. You've been a great councilman.

    Enjoy your Retirement!

    Wednesday, January 22 Report this

  • jimlazar

    Jim Cooper has been a stalwart at getting our City parks system funded, a maintenance plan, and acquisition of new land for future parks. While he and I have disagreed (energetically) at times, he leaves a Parks legacy that will serve Olympia residents for decades (centuries?) to come.

    I hope that every Councilmember gets elected with a passion for some function of City government, and works to achieve that goal. Mayor Selby spent a decade getting the City lined up for a high quality arts program. Once it was securely launched, she retired from the Council. Laura Ware had a passion for street maintenance -- we knew her as Madam Pothole. Karen Messmer had a passion for walking and cycling.

    This is a pretty thankless job, and when you add up all the hours of meetings, preparation, intergovernmental assignments, and community education, it really pays no better than minimum wage. You only do it if you have a passion for what the City can do, and want to get it to do more or better.

    Wednesday, January 22 Report this

  • wolfmanner

    Good riddance. Maybe he will move to California.

    Wednesday, January 22 Report this

  • Ballardts

    Public office was never considered to be a lifetime career opportunity. Also Mr Cooper was a chemical specialist in the national guard and had achieved the highest paygrade of E-4 and the rank one above private to Specialist. He is also NOT a combat veteran but did serve honorably in the United States Army National Guard for 8-years. Voters have to be cautious of the veteran brand especially during election time as some use the veteran brand in leadership. Mr Cooper is also some type of CEO and/or President I believe to the organization called the United Way of the Northwest with a salary above $100K assisting with the homeless population. Olympia receives fund directly from the Home Consortium Fund from the County to battle the homeless challenges in the County but the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners, the Thurston County Board of Health and the Thurston County Health Department are still responsible for oversight. In 2023 reported in January 2025 and on the Thurston County website, the Homeless population increased by 212 homeless with a total population of over 900 total homeless in Thurston County. Also 85% of the homeless population in Thurston County have a drug addiction and an unrelated 4% have a mental illness. We need to get the homeless off of drug dependency and help them get off of public assistance. The homeless in my opinion are getting dependent off everyone's handouts and will never learn to take care of themselves without our help.

    Wednesday, January 22 Report this

  • Olywelcomesall

    Thank you Jim being committed to helping the Olympia community solve challenging problems. It takes a lot of effort to study and understand the many challenges we face. Especially appreciate what you’ve done in support of parks.

    Thursday, January 23 Report this