NEAH BAY – Makah Tribal leader Nate Tyler announced his campaign for the state house of representatives Tuesday, seeking the seat currently held by State Rep. Mike Chapman (D-24th).

Tyler begins his campaign with some weighty endorsements, including from Chapman himself, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, State Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-40th), the political action committee VoteVets, the Native American Caucus of WA State Democrats, and numerous tribal governments.

Tyler is a marine corps veteran and served in the First Gulf War and in Somalia. He was born and raised on the Makah Indian Reservation and was one of the youngest members to serve on the Tribal Council, including serving as the elected tribal chairman. Prior to that he was a commercial fisherman, a logger, and a police officer, and also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tyler has coached football, basketball, and baseball for boys and girls at all grade levels on the reservation and is the owner/operator of a welding fabrication shop in Neah Bay, providing services for the two industries that he describes as the heartbeat of his community, fishing and logging.

To learn more about the campaign, please visit votenatetyler.com