Alan Nolan for Washington

09/13/2026

What an incredible reception in Indian Trail this weekend! It was great to hit the doors and see how energized voters are heading into November. I’m grateful to join forces with Team Baumgartner as we work together to get out the vote!

09/11/2026

Remembering 9/11

Like many of you, the attacks of Sept 11th, 2001 created indelible memories. I clearly recall being interrupted while briefing a training mission flying to the bombing range in the F-16.

Interrupting a flight briefing in a flying squadron is unheard of. I can only think of one other time it happened in my 23 years - it didn't go well for that person. "Debo" the Ops Superintendent told us an aircraft had flown into the World Trade Center and our mission was cancelled. I assumed it was some freak accident and asked him "For how long?" With raised eyebrows, he simply shook his head, making it was clear this was something completely different.

Our initial shock quickly turned to realization our fighters might be needed if there were more hijacked aircraft. My squadron was tasked to stand up aircraft for air defense alert. I volunteered and was assigned as the wingman for my squadron weapons officer (think Top Gun graduate).

It was an absolute mess. We had no live weapons. Everything was in storage as war reserve material and need to be pulled and prepped before it could be loaded - a process requiring hours to complete. The best we had was 100 rounds of training am******on in the gun for my flight lead's F-16 and a half dozen tiny practice bombs on my aircraft. Nothing adequate to engage a large aircraft if needed.

Ultimately we devised a plan, approved by our commander, to ram our jets into a hijacked aircraft if ordered to bring it down.

In the intervening years I've thought a lot about lessons to take from 9/11. First among them is to remember those who oppose the ideals of America and the western world include capable and determined individuals who are opportunistic and ruthless. We must be vigilant, especially with the rise of those within our borders who would justify it and other terrorist attacks.

The other is that we have to be careful what actions we take in the name of security. Freedoms relinquished and authorities granted to the government in a crisis are difficult to claw back. Any decision to do so should only be made with great caution, clearly defined time limits and appropriate checks and balances to monitor the powers granted with the authority and expectation of ending them.

On this 25th anniversary of the Sept 11th attacks, remember those lost and their loved ones, particularly the first responders who rushed to save their fellow Americans. I am grateful for the safety and security of our nation, won through determination and sacrifice by the men and women in uniform. May God bless them and our nation, shepherding us against evil.

09/04/2026

My thanks to the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Spokane County for their endorsement. I am honor to have their support and grateful for the work they do.
Earlier today I watched a scene that repeats itself far too often as multiple police cars drove past at high speed, lights on and sirens blaring, enroute to some unknown danger.
Thanks for the work you do protecting my family, my neighbors, our community. May God watch over you and protect you, granting you wisdom and courage in your service.

08/31/2026

I'm honored to accept the endorsement of the Spokane Police Guild. Thank you to the men and women of the Guild who protect our community and am grateful for their trust in me to fight for law and order in our community.

08/14/2026

Youth for Christ Back to School event

If you are in northeast Spokane and need some help getting your kids ready to start the school year, Youth for Christ can help! Next Monday from 3-6 PM at 4603 N Market St, Spokane they will be hosting a block party with food & drinks as well as providing backpacks, school supplies, hygene products, haircuts and chance to win a raffle.

If you are not familiar with Youth For Christ, please check them out. They are a fantastic organization providing a wide-range of support for local youth.

https://spokaneyfc.org/event/back-to-school-2026/

08/13/2026

Wildfire Recovery Assistance

Attended the Community Update meeting put on yesterday at Mead High School for the Autumn Lane fire. For families that were affected, especially those losing their homes, the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group is a great resource for working through the process for governmental and private assistance as well insurance claims. The link is below.

Beyond that, I want to highlight the work of some of our county commissions who are actively working to reduce costs and limit red tape related to clean up and rebuilding.

One of the biggest items for families hoping to rebuild is early vesting. In short, this involves submitting a plans set for permitting, setting the building codes you have to comply with to the current approved codes, not future, more expensive versions. Early vesting will not prevent changes to the final building plans, so community members don't have to rush into selecting a plan that may not ultimately work for their family or financial situation.

https://srltrg.org/

08/09/2026

State Gov't making housing more expensive

Friday afternoon, I testified to the State Building Code Council on the 2024 Washington State Energy Code for Residential construction. While some changes to code are positive, state energy code continues to add requirements offering little or no energy savings to new home. It also stacks the deck against gas by imposing $25k+ to the cost of building a home using gas instead of electricity for heating.

One of the proposals I spoke against has been rejected on prior energy code cycles because it adds cost with no energy savings, a violation of state law (RCW 34.05.328 (1) (d) specifically, in case you're interested). Proposals like this are not unique to the construction industry and are proposed or adopted because state-level advisory groups such as the energy code Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) are often composed of ideologically motivated, but unqualified individuals.

These advisory groups are the source of a lot of bad policy in Washington, but changing their makeup is possible. Almost every industry has some sort of advisory group or panel that impacts regulations governing the industry. Many of these have vacant seats that could be filled to shift the balance.

When I served on the 2018 Enegy Code TAG, I recruited 4 people for unfilled positions, shifting the discussions and some of the outcomes. If your industry is being suffocated by regulation, check with a trade association to see if there is a group you could serve on, and check if you can get to join you on it to provide back up.

Affordability Gains and Energy Choice Penalties. July 30th, 2026

08/05/2026

Moving the 6th Legislative District forward.

Thank you to my family, my campaign team, and those in the community who have given of their time and treasure over the last 7 months to support this campaign. I am grateful to you to all and proud to what we've accomplished.

To the voters of the 6th Legislative District, thank you for trusting me to represent you this November in the General Election and thereafter as your state representative.

During these last months I've fought for issues to make local government work better for our community. That doesn't stop because the primary is over. In fact, it starts now by advocating to cut bureaucracy and rollback codes wherever possible to help families who lost their homes in the wildfires to rebuild quickly and affordably.

These changes, once implemented, should become the standard across the board to stimulate the housing growth our community needs. We've seen government in California stand in the way of recovery, leaving families stuck in makeshift housing. That is not acceptable.

America is a nation of doers. We will restore what our community has lost and make it even better. Local jurisdictions need to move to facilitate that effort, and if they won't, then they can be reformed along the way too.

08/03/2026

Kids' clothes for fire victims!!

Spokane Baby Company has baby and children's clothes, diapers, games and other items for kids available for families affected by the fire. Mica, the store owner, says people can come take what they need or leave what they don't for others to use.

Her store is located 825 W Garland Ave in Spokane, mid-way between the Garland Theater and the Milk Bottle, opposite side of the street. Spokane Baby Company is open from 9:30-4:00.

Please share this information and give a shout out to Mica at Spokane Baby Company. She is a great lady running a great local business.

PS - If you are in need but can't make it to her shop during business hours, call or text me at 509-903-8593 and I'll work with Mica to see if we can figure out an alternative solution.

08/03/2026

Helping our neighbors

There will be lots of families in our community who will be in need of assistance in both the short-term and the long-term. Brighthill Church as well as Blessings & Beyond are just a couple of the organizations working to assist those displaced by the fires worth considering if able.