Shannon Durfee Interview
Unedited Candidate Interview for the 2026 Grant County Commissioner District 3 Race
I interviewed all 4 candidates for the Grant County Commissioner District 3 race for 2026.
All 4 Candidates were asked the exact same 20 questions in the exact same order
They never saw each others answers
The answers have not been altered, edited, modified, editorialized, changed, or edited in any way by the staff, ownership, or affiliates of this publication.
For each I have posted the transcript, not a story, their words. (transcripts by AI)
For each I have posted the audio from the interview.
A full list of the questions
Below the interviews I will post their posted bio from their candidate website, their sign and a link to their website and or FaceBook
The Interview Begins Here
Shannon Durfee Interview Audio File
Shannon Durfee Interview Grant County Commissioner District 3 race for 2026
Brent Dowlen: [00:00:00] Interview Grant County Commissioner candidate Shannon Durfee. Shannon, tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your connection to Grant County and the communities in District 3.
Shannon Durfee: Yeah. Okay. Uh, well, I was born and raised here in Quincy. Uh, I’ve known Grant County my entire life. Um, my background is essentially that of...
Came from a very large family that’s also well-established in the county and married into a family that’s also well-established into the fa- into the county. Um, my husband and I are raising our children here My background, I guess you could say marketing, administrative, digital support for a lot of different businesses.
Uh, I speak Spanish. I grew up in Mexico. Okay, I should back up a little bit. I did spend four years of my teenage life in Mexico. Um, so there’s that. Um, uh, I love serving my community. I love being part of the school district board. Uh, serve a lot in my church. Um, so yeah, just really deeply [00:01:00] rooted into Grant County and all aspects of it
Brent Dowlen: What experiences in your personal life and career best prepared you for public office and county leadership?
Shannon Durfee: All of them. No. Um, okay, so i- early on in my career, I, uh, actually started as a 911 dispatcher for Washington State Patrol. I was hired there when I was just barely turned 21, and I did 10 years of that work. And in that, it was my first experience in the, I guess you could say, in the outside world, outside of Quincy, outside of my little sh- sheltered bubble.
I was- I got hired there, and it was semi-military style there, and so I learned a lot about administrative settings. I learned a lot about professionalism, um, how to interact with people. But also, in that, there was that, that service to the public and being an an- a phone call answerer, right? Being the, the answer to help.
Um, at the same time, my husband and I had just gotten married, and I had been with him for a couple years, and he’s in the fire service. And so [00:02:00] there, again, public service is, is on that side. So listening to pager, knowing what the calls are, knowing how law enforcement works, um, that really kind of was the basis to community work for me.
Um, and it, it really set the skill set in, okay, there’s a bigger picture and a bigger system happening around us. It’s not just a little shop here, a little store here. It’s all integrated into the economy, into the tourism, into the... how the systems work, right? And so that kinda, that was kind of the launch of my career.
Um, and then getting voted in as a school board director has also set a really strong platform, I guess you could say, foundation of, of public service. Um, learning the system, okay, so there’s the school district and how that works, okay? There’s a- that’s great. I, I kinda have an idea of how public works and, um, emergency services work, and then I really wanna know how the school district worked.
And so, um, now I get to serve in that capacity, and I know how, how that works, and I get to have an influence on how that works. [00:03:00] Um, so yeah, all of those things combined. Uh, I love computers. I work at a computer all day, every day. If a computer can do it, I wanna know how to do it, and I, I push myself through learning and, and training myself into doing all the things.
So administrative skills are just natural to me. Um, building websites, running social media, all, all the things that a computer can do, I, I, I dig it. And so that’s kind of that background as well. Um, so all those things combined and, and then just loving my community, loving Grant County. Like I said, I was born and raised here, so how could you not wanna be invested into the community that you’re, you’re literally putting your life into, so.
Brent Dowlen: What do you believe people misunderstood most about Grant County government and the role of county commissioner?
Shannon Durfee: Say that again.
Brent Dowlen: What do you believe people misunderstand most about the Grant County government and the role of county commissioner?
Shannon Durfee: Hmm, mis- most [00:04:00] misunderstood Um
As much as we are a local entity, things are very much dictated by the state. I think that kind of goes towards what I’ve also learned with the school district is that we have so much we can do here locally, and yes, the, the leadership of each of these entities is a huge impact in h- in how things are run and guided.
Um, but I think most people don’t understand the impact that the state has, the state government at a, at a higher level has on the local entities. And if you really wanna make a really big impact, those higher... Going to Olympia, you know, being at that state level informa- information is where the impact is the biggest
Brent Dowlen: What values or principles guide your decision-making when you’re dealing with difficult issues or public pressure? [00:05:00]
Shannon Durfee: Jesus. I have a very strong faith base. Um, so I guess you could say that. Um, values and principles, I believe in strong stewardship. Um, take care of what we have. Take ownership. Own, own, take ownership.
Allow people to have their own ownership. Um, take care of what we have is a really big thing. Um
Trying to think. Let me think about that for a second. Yeah, I think that really just boils it down for me, is that, is that stewardship and the ownership of, and taking care of what we have. It’s, it’s like, okay, are we doing what’s right? Do it, do things for the right reasons. Are we doing, are we doing things right?
And having the right intentions in our hearts to do things the way it should be done. And not just for ourselves, and not just [00:06:00] for our families, but for our community as a whole. Yeah, I think it’s about that.
Brent Dowlen: Outside of politics and work, what keeps you grounded and connected to the community?
Shannon Durfee: My faith, again.
I love being in my church, around my church family, my home family. Um, coming from a large family and being married into a large family, being, being grounded around people that keeping it real, keeping my head out of the clouds, and, and having healthy conversations is very good for me. Sit around campfire, just, just to relax and have good conversation.
That’s very grounding for me. Um, wait, repeat the question again, too. There was something else you said.
Brent Dowlen: Outside of politics and work, what keeps you grounded and connected to the community?
Shannon Durfee: Oh, my husband as well. My husband is, he’s, he’s also part of the community. He’s also there, but he reigns me in a lot.
“Slow down. Don’t react that way.” You know? My [00:07:00] husband is, he’s very much a, a solid foundation in keeping me calm. Otherwise, I’d be going crazy all over. “But Shannon, slow down.” That’s my husband for you.
Brent Dowlen: Why are you running for Grant County Commissioner, District 3 specifically, and why now?
Shannon Durfee: Again, I really wanna know how the system works, and I wanna be able to have a positive influence on it.
Going back to the stewardship and opportunities, I think that Grant County has so many opportunities, and I see how Quincy has grown, and I think, you know, why isn’t this more of a Grant County-wide boom? I really wanna know how that system’s working and, and, and have an influence on it, whether it’s good or bad.
I... Like, I, I don’t know how, how, how it is, right? I have to know the system to be able to change the system. Um, so, uh, without being in it and knowing... I mean, I’ve- I’m learning a lot. I’ve- keeping my, keeping my ear to the ground in a lot of different corners of the county, and so I, I just wanna be part of, of the [00:08:00] change and the growth and the...
Also, the making sure it’s being run correctly. The stewardship part is... It’s like, okay, there’s just so many different facets of Grant County and, and all the, the things that the commissioners have influence on, you know, the different offices. How, how are they being run? Are they being efficient? Are they...
Where do they need more supports? Are they... Do... Are we, are we up to date? Like, on all the things, right? Just, just how are things going, and, and are we stewarding well? Um, why now? Because in an o- in a politic world, when somebody’s going out of office, that’s the easiest time to get into the office. If I wait four years and someone’s there and doesn’t wanna leave, it’s harder to remove somebody and, and beat somebody out that’s already been in a position.
So I actually very much considered waiting another four years. I had actually resolved to waiting another four years. But my husband gave me the go-ahead this time because there is somebody leaving the office and, and now, smarts-wise, is the time that I [00:09:00] have the, the better chance of getting the position
Brent Dowlen: What do you believe qualifies you to lead Grant County through the next several years of growth and change?
Shannon Durfee: I don’t know if I’m qualified. Ooh, I don’t know if I should wanna say that
I, uh, growth and change. I’m growing and I’m changing right along with it. Uh, I, I have lots of ideas. I love thinking outside the box. I wanna see growth. I wanna, I, I have the energy for it, so I’m told. Um, whether or not I’m qualified for it, I guess that’s a matter of perspective, I would think Will you ask, repeat that question again?
Brent Dowlen: What do you believe qualifies you to lead Grant County through the next several years of growth and change? [00:10:00]
Shannon Durfee: I just, okay, for one, uh, I’ve been told I can qualify for it, right? Just based on my experience and how I am involved in the community. I have a hard time talking about myself and my own qualifications to be able to say, “Yeah, I can do the job.
I’m qualified,” right? Like, I’m growing, and I wanna grow with the county, and I wanna have a positive impact on the county. So I don’t know. I don’t know what, what qualifies me. I just know that I wanna get in there, and I wanna know how it works, and I wanna have conversations about what can we do to steward and grow and have great opportunities to see the county flourish even more
Brent Dowlen: What’s the biggest issue you believe District 3 is facing right now that isn’t getting enough attention?
Shannon Durfee: I mean, there’s drama about power infrastructure. There’s drama about water infrastructure. There’s [00:11:00] issues about, um, the budget. You know, uh, whether one of those stands out more importantly than the other, I couldn’t tell you. Again, I-- without being inside and knowing the inside, how am I supposed to know?
Um, but I’m aware that all those issues are there. Uh, I wanna learn more about each one of them and, and know, okay, w-what are we doing or not doing to impact it negatively or positively? Um,
Yeah. Repeat the question again
Brent Dowlen: What is the biggest issue you believe District 3 is facing right now that is not getting enough attention?
Shannon Durfee: Mm, yeah. I think I answered that mostly. Not getting enou- uh, all of them are not getting enough attention. I think, I think it’d be better to have some more... And I’ve noticed a little bit has, has been on the uprise a little bit as far as communication about what’s going on in the county for [00:12:00] some of the other local leaders.
But
They all need more attention. I mean, and the economy has a lot to do with it too. Uh, right now on a nationwide level, but also locally, our tax- our taxing system is not great, but that again is at that state level that’s like, okay, that’s a huge impact on all of us as citizens.
Brent Dowlen: Quincy and the surrounding communities have seen rapid industrial and population gross- growth over the last decade. Do you believe county infrastructure is keeping pace, and what would you prioritize first?
Shannon Durfee: No, it’s not keeping pace. The growth is exciting. I like growth. I like change. But I also really love keeping things...
I love agriculture, and I don’t want that to go away. I love the growth of data centers, and I don’t want that to go away. Um, and I, I do believe in cohesively living with both of them. Um, I’m excited for the change. Man, I lose my [00:13:00] train of thought every time you ask a question. Say it again
Brent Dowlen: What i- do you believe is keeping pace? You answered that.
Shannon Durfee: Yeah.
Brent Dowlen: What would you prioritize first?
Shannon Durfee: Ooh, prioritize first
No, I guess it depends. Again, I don’t know the system. I’m not in it. Um, and it’s not just me. There’s two other commissioners, right? And so prioritizing is all gonna depend on where are we at with the budget and... Okay, so I think of our, our lack of power. That is definitely something that’s on the radar for everybody, um, to continue to grow or, or not interrupt people’s properties and all that stuff.
Um, I think that’s definitely been on people’s priorities list. The water s- issues. I mean, I don’t know. I don’t- I haven’t decided what I wanna prioritize, I guess. I don’t know what I should because I need to have more conversations with the citizens. It’s really early in the season for campaigning, [00:14:00] you know.
Brent Dowlen: Elections aren’t that far away.
Shannon Durfee: They’re not. I know. I don’t know. I guess I’d still have to... I thi- it’s hard for me to say one should be more prioritized than the other, I guess. Like, there’s obviously there’s things that should be taken care of, and I’m the type of person that I’m taking care of all of them.
I’m taking... I’m, I’m, I’m a doer of all the things, and that shows in my work even just at the... whether it’s here in the community or the school board. It’s like, okay, what’s on the table? And prioritizing one over the other shouldn’t be a choice. Just do it all. Fix it all
Brent Dowlen: Housing affordability and housing availability continue to be major concerns across the district. What role should the county government play in addressing housing challenges while still protecting rural communities?
Shannon Durfee: I really think that still goes back to legislator, legislation and Olympia and state level issues.
You can only do so much with the economy the way it is and the way our state is being run. [00:15:00] Uh, yeah, I’ll probably keep it just for that, that for now
Brent Dowlen: District 3 includes farming communities, industrial development, growing residential areas. How do you balance economic growth with preserving the character and identity of the rural communities?
Shannon Durfee: Um, I don’t know. That’s really up to me as a commissioner I think that’s up to how people choose to live and build the community around them. And I’m just, I, as a commissioner, I think you’re, you’re just a supporting figure. Let the economy grow how it may. And yeah, you have influence on one way or the other in how you spend the county monies, but I don’t think that that is really up to me.
I think that’s up to the people that live here
Brent Dowlen: Road conditions and transportation infrastructure are a constant concern through the county. What would your priorities be for county roads, [00:16:00] maintenance, and long-term infrastructure planning?
Shannon Durfee: That goes down to budgeting and knowing, okay, where, where are we at in the budget? How can we get more budget? How can we fight for more budget from Olympia if we have to?
Um I mean, it’s all a priority, right? Again, how can you pick one thing to say that’s more important than the other? I agree that roads and infrastructure and all that is something that should be brought back up to speed. But going back to that stewarding thing, okay, are we taking care of things correctly?
Are we doing-- Are the systems that we have in place efficient and, and are, are we not wasting in places that we don’t even realize it? And would that make an impact on being able to do more, right? Like, check the systems. How are we doing with the systems in place? And maybe they need to be changed or readjusted and revamped to make us more efficient and save money in places so that we can spend it elsewhere.
Uh, again, all the things that you gotta learn and with- by being in the position. [00:17:00]
Brent Dowlen: Water is one of the most important long-term issues in Central Washington. What concerns do you have about the water infrastructure, access, and future planning for the county?
Shannon Durfee: I’ll admit right away that that one’s not one I’m super familiar with.
Um
Again, whatever’s best for the county. What, what... We can’t run out of water. I don’t think we’re gonna run out of water. We have a really big river. Um, and so who do we, who do we visit with? Who do we negotiate with? Is it the state? Is it the irrigation district? Is it... Who’s, who’s choosing how much water, right?
It’s all, for me, uh, stewarding what we have and creating relationships with people that will help and make an impact on those things. I don’t... What, what else is there to do? But that’s probably where I’d start
Brent Dowlen: Many residents feel disconnected from county government because decisions are often made in Ephrata while impacts are felt throughout the county.
[00:18:00] How would you improve communication and transparency with the communities you represent?
Shannon Durfee: I’ve thought of that. I’ve thought of that as far as, like, even with our current commissioners, and it’s no slam on them, but I would love to see more of them, right? And hear more voice coming from that. So does that mean a, a regular publication coming out of the commissioner’s office?
Does that mean town hall meetings more frequently? Um, but also encouraging if, for those that are truly interested, get online and watch the meetings. Come to the meetings, right? Like, if, if those people that feel disconnected also, you know, let’s, let’s engage together. I’ll come to you, you come to me, whatever.
I’m an open book. If you wanna come visit with me, let’s do it. Um, but at the same time, yeah, I think that there’s ways that, to integrate more into the community and being out there more. Um, I would love to see the commissioners out and about a little bit more, and I’m totally willing to do that as a commissioner.
I, again, stewardship, relationships, and opportunities. Like, [00:19:00] let’s create relationships. Let’s do it
Brent Dowlen: Public safety concerns remain with ... Public safety remains a major concern across the county. How should commissioners work with the sheriff’s office, the fire districts, and the EMS to provide to local cities to help improve safety and emergency response?
Shannon Durfee: Relationships. It is 100% relationships. Go visit with o- each other.
Go have coffee. Go understand each other’s needs. And that, that right there is the basis and foundation of moving forward on anything. Um, I’m married to a fire chief, and the impact that he has made in his district has really boiled down to, “You know, I’m gonna go down and talk to so and so and just sit in his office and have a conversation.”
And that made a world of difference for many of the, of the situations in the [00:20:00] county. Um, well, take care of your systems and, and steward them, and that, that involves creating relationships
Brent Dowlen: What are your thoughts on the pace of the data centers and industrial growth around Quincy and the surrounding areas? And what opportunities and challenges do you s- see coming with that growth?
Shannon Durfee: I like the growth. I like the data centers. I do see them overtaking things that w- have made Grant County what Grant County is, like the agriculture and, and, and that, um, small town feel, right? Like, I see that concern, but I also see the benefits of the growth for generations to come. Like, especially with the school district, I’ve learned that if it hadn’t been for some of these data centers and the tax dollars that are getting poured into our county, we’re not gonna have the opportunities that our kids need to function in 20, 30 years from now.
Like, that is their, their platform, and they’re... As much as we wanna hone in and love on the, on the [00:21:00] small town life and, and all those... And I, I 100% believe that farming has to stay. It has to. We’re, we’re feeding countries, right? Like, it’s coming... And I’m really disappointed in, in the prices and the economy around farming as it is, and I wanna help support that as much as I can.
So integrating the two, I think, is still very, very important. Um, I, I guess I don’t outweigh one over the other I think they’re doing a fairly decent job as it is. I do think that there’s opportunities that Grant County’s missing out on, um, in some of that as well, as far as the tax base goes, and I, I wanna learn more about how that money is working, um, and why, why is Grant County somewhat missing out on some of the financial opportunities that those industries are bringing to the area?
Brent Dowlen: Small towns often struggle to make their voices heard comparable to larger population centers like Moses Lake. How would you ensure communities [00:22:00] like George, Royal City, Mattawa, and the unincorporated areas of Grant County remain represented?
Shannon Durfee: You know, I think that’s comes again, relationships. Um, does it mean we go and have our meetings in some of the different communities, right?
Like maybe the commissioners need to go on field trips every once in a while. Um, do we need to have town hall meetings on a regular basis? Uh I see how Mattawa, Royal City, even Deseronto, some of those communities are, are so tucked away, right?
Again, relationships. I don’t know how else to like Come to meetings. I’ll come to you. Let’s have coffee, right? Will you read the last part of the question again?
Brent Dowlen: How will you make sure those areas stay represented?
Shannon Durfee: Oh, I had an idea when you said that. Um, what if we [00:23:00] had committees from each gr- what if we send two or three representatives from those communities and, and we had meet- representation meetings, right?
Like, however that looks like. Like, there should be people from those areas that can be voices to the larger areas. Um, and I’d be open to, to discussing more options on that as a commissioner, ‘cause I don’t want them to feel lost either
Brent Dowlen: What role should county government play in supporting local economic develop while also making sure growth benefits residents and not just outside investors and corporations?
Shannon Durfee: Say it again.
Brent Dowlen: What role should county government play in supporting local economical development while making sure growth benefits residents and not just outside investors and corporations?
Shannon Durfee: 嗯
What role?[00:24:00]
Like, it, I don’t know.
It’s an
Brent Dowlen: honest answer.
Shannon Durfee: Um, I have to process that one. Again, like I, I s- I need to sit down and read the question so that... Maybe that would have been better. You, you wanna- Yeah ...
Brent Dowlen: read that one?
Shannon Durfee: Read that question.
Brent Dowlen: It’s 18.
Shannon Durfee: What role should county government play in supporting local economic development, okay, while also making sure growth benefits residents and not just outside investors and corporations?
I think that’s already happening. I really... Like, our county government does a fairly decent job in supporting the local economic development, and any economic development is in the best interest of our residents. I don’t see major, uh, outside investors or corporations benefiting as much as our local people are already.
I don’t, I guess I don’t see that as a problem as it is, and maybe I’m just ignorant of it, [00:25:00] which could be too. Could be that I’m ignorant of it. But, um, I think our county government already does play a great supporting role in the local economic development
Fair enough?
Brent Dowlen: Fair enough.
Shannon Durfee: Okay.
Brent Dowlen: County commissioners are responsible for major budget decisions. Where do you believe taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively currently, and where do you believe the county could improve from an outside perspective?
Shannon Durfee: Accountability. I don’t necessarily know right now off the top of my head how money’s being spent and where, and how efficient it’s being done. Just based off of more recent conversations that I’ve had with some people, it goes back again to stewardship and accountability, and I wanna check on the systems.
I wanna know, is the auditor’s office being correct? Is the elections off- well, all the de- is the clerk’s office being correct? Is [00:26:00] the assessor’s office... Like, how are each of these offices doing with their budget? Are they being efficient? Are they... Like, that’s, that’s kinda, like, where I stand on is, like, without knowing, like, I don’t know off the top of med how, uh, off of my head how our economies or our budgeting system is doing.
I’d really have to di- dive deeper in, obviously, and learn. Um, but those are those systems that I think, “Hey, let’s check on our accountability and our, and our stewardship of those systems and, and figure it out. Learn more.”
Brent Dowlen: If elected, what would you want residents of District 3 to say about your leadership four years from now?
Shannon Durfee: That I’m there doing the work. I think of someone else that I really admire as far as leadership in our area, um, and a lot of the people have used the words that, “That person’s doing the work.” It’s not just in the position, holding the position. No. Let’s... I wanna be known that I went in [00:27:00] and I, I’m doing the work.
I’m earning my paycheck, right? Like, I, I might not what I’m get- might not fully aware of what I’m getting my- myself into if I were to be elected, but I’m willing to take it on, and I’m going to do the work behind the scenes, and that hopefully will show in four years
Brent Dowlen: Thank you for sitting down with me today.
Shannon Durfee: Yeah, you’re welcome
Website Bio (condensed)
Shannon Durfee is a lifelong Grant County resident, small business owner, Quincy School Board Director, and community leader dedicated to serving local families and protecting the values that make Grant County strong. With experience in public safety, communications, education, nonprofit leadership, and small business operations, Shannon brings practical leadership focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, accountable government, and responsible growth. She and her husband are proud to raise their family in the community they call home.
Website: Electshannondurfee.com
Facebook: Shannon Durfee for Grant County Commissioner
All 4 Candidates will be present for the County Commissioners Dist #3 Candidate Forum Wednesday June 17th at 5:30 PM at the Port of Quincy Business & Event Center
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Disclaimer:
This interview is presented as part of our commitment to providing accessible, local information to the community. All candidates in the 2026 Grant County Commissioner race were given the same questions, in the same format, and the opportunity to share their perspectives directly.
The responses published here are the candidate’s own words, presented without editing, interpretation, or commentary beyond basic transcription. Audio recordings are provided alongside transcripts to ensure full transparency.
Welcome to Quincy WA News does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate. Our role is to provide information so residents of Grant County—including the 98848 communities—can make informed decisions based on their own judgment.