OLYMPIA, Washington – On Friday, February 6th, WPPA recognized Senator Paul Harris (R- 17th LD) with their 2025 Compass Award. The award was presented to Senator Harris at WPPA’s Port Day advocacy event, held annually in the State Capitol in Olympia, WA.
Since 2018, WPPA has been recognizing legislators who provide extraordinary leadership and unparalleled vision in advancing the importance and future of public ports for the residents they serve. The Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) works on behalf of public ports across Washington, representing the interests of ports at the state legislature and beyond. The Association relies on the leadership, vision, and partnership of our legislative champions to promote the success of Washington’s ports. Compass Award winners demonstrate pragmatism and a bipartisan approach to policymaking. Senator Paul Harris (R-17th LD) embodies this collaborative and creative approach, and his style aligns with the approach our ports take to their work every day.
Senator Harris was elected to the Legislature in 2010, after a decade of public service on the Evergreen School Board in Clark County, and a long career as a small business owner. He spent seven terms in the State House of Representatives, before running for the Senate in 2024. Senator Harris has developed a reputation as an advocate for children and families, and for those who struggle with mental health issues and other challenges. He serves on the board of Columbia River Mental Health, is active with the Boy Scouts of American, and in 2023 was recognized by the WA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as their “Child Advocate of the Year.”
In the 2025 session, his first in the Senate, Harris was the prime sponsor of a bill to give port districts residents greater options in how they elected their local port commissioners. He is also active in areas of great importance to his port districts, serving on the Senate Transportation Committee in Olympia and representing their issues as a member of the SW Washington Regional Transportation Council. An advocate for small business and community economic development, his work is consistent with the mission of Washington’s public ports and he is a reliable partner and advocate.
“Our port members are fortunate to have a Senate champion like Paul Harris, someone who has always understood what makes for vibrant local economies. Bringing a small business background to Olympia gives him a perspective that many ports share, and he has always been open and accessible to his Clark County port members, and to us here at WPPA. With Senator Harris as the prime sponsor of SB5370 in 2025, the Senate voted unanimously to advance the bill thanks to his quick mastery of the issue and the respect he is afforded by his colleagues in the Legislature,” remarked WPPA Executive Director Eric ffitch.
Senator Harris said: “My local port, and our ports around the state, help drive economic development. As a former small business owner, I see the value in our ports keeping us connected to the rest of the world and providing for local economic opportunity. I am happy to be recognized with this award and will continue looking for ways to partner with ports on advancing the priorities we share.”
Each year, WPPA recognizes one Democratic legislator and one Republican legislator with a Compass Award. The other 2025 Compass Award winner is Senator Mike Chapman (D-24th LD), who was presented his award in the fall at a Port of Port Angeles meeting in his district.
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As a state legislative and regulatory advocacy organization, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) fosters public policy for ports to achieve their goals. The WPPA was authorized by the Legislature in 1961 to represent public port districts throughout Washington, serving as the focus through which ports work cooperatively to develop policy direction, share information, and address issues on economic development, trade, transportation, and environmental stewardship. Public port districts offer a wide range of locally governed services, including marine terminals, barge facilities, industrial development districts, marinas, airports, railroads, and tourism promotion.
CONTACT
Eric ffitch, Executive Director
Washington Public Ports Association
E: effitch@washingtonports.org
T: 360-763-1179
