Where Service Meets Stewardship: Why I’m Running to Protect What Matters
By Ayla Hofler
My name is Ayla Hofler, and I’m running for Washington County Commission because I believe it’s time for leadership that reflects the values of the people who live and work here.
I’ve spent my life in service—first as a nurse, then as a teacher, a chaplain, and always as a mother and neighbor. My roots run deep here in the coastal range of Washington County. It’s where I live on a small farm surrounded by gardens, animals, and my ten grandchildren. It’s also where I see firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our communities—and the need for steady, common-sense leadership.
Over the past 40 years, I’ve worked as an Intensive Care nurse, taught Health Science in schools and community settings, and walked alongside families as a hospice chaplain. I’ve lived and served on six continents, including several years in Africa in the early 1970s. I’ve survived breast cancer, raised three sons—Noah, Jesse, and Mitchell—and built a life grounded in faith, service, and family.
Those experiences have shaped the way I lead: with humility, persistence, and purpose. I’ve never been interested in titles or recognition. I’ve always believed in doing the work that’s needed and staying focused on what’s right for the people around me.
Like many in our rural and working-class communities, I’ve grown concerned by how disconnected some of our leaders have become from the realities we face. From housing costs to land use, emergency services to education, it often feels like the people making decisions aren’t listening to those of us living with the outcomes.
That’s why I’m stepping up—to offer a different kind of leadership. One rooted in experience, not politics. One that values transparency, accountability, and local control. One that brings practical knowledge and a clear moral compass to the table.
I believe we need to protect rural land rights, make housing more affordable for working families, and fully support our police, fire, and disaster response services. We need responsible spending, not political agendas. And we need to restore trust between government and the people it’s meant to serve.
Throughout my life, I’ve leaned on a simple but powerful set of values I call the Seven S’s.
To care for my Self, I focus on Stillness, Silence, Solitude, and Spiritual Discernment.
To serve my Community, I live by Simplicity, Service, and Sacred Study.
These principles help me stay focused, steady, and responsive—qualities I believe are especially important in public service. My motto is simple: “Contemplation without action is meaningless.”
It’s not enough to talk about doing the right thing—you have to do it.
This county has always been a place of hard work, independence, and strong community ties. I want to help protect that legacy while also preparing for the future. That means thoughtful growth, support for first responders, and preserving the character of the communities we love. It also means upholding the constitutional freedoms that allow us to live with dignity, purpose, and personal responsibility.
My goal is to serve in a way that honors both our history and our hopes for what’s next. I believe we can have a county that is safe, self-sufficient, family-friendly, and financially responsible.
Public service, to me, is an extension of the life I’ve already led—a life rooted in caring for others, standing up for what matters, and making sure no one gets left behind. I don’t believe anyone should “live by another’s leave.” I believe in listening to people, leading with integrity, and building solutions that actually work for the communities we live in.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. I’d be honored to earn your support.
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Ayla Hofler
Candidate for Washington County Commission