Running Against the Odds
TACOMA, Wash. — Cyrus Donato is defying expectations in his campaign for Port of Tacoma Commission, Position 4, running a people-powered race against an opponent who has vastly out-raised him. Despite being outspent, Donato has proven that grassroots support can make a real difference.
In the primary election, Donato finished less than one percent behind his opponent — a razor-thin margin that now sets the stage for a fiercely competitive general election. The race has captured the attention of labor advocates, environmental groups, and local voters who see Donato as a new kind of leader: pragmatic, transparent, and deeply connected to the community he serves.
Before finding his way to the Port of Tacoma, Donato built a career defined by service and purpose. A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, he served on missions ranging from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response to counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and humanitarian relief efforts that saved lives and safeguarded commerce at sea. Those experiences, he says, shaped his commitment to integrity, teamwork, and public service — values that now anchor his campaign.
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Today, Donato continues that mission of service as an Inspector with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), where he enforces labor standards aboard foreign-flagged vessels, advocates for seafarers facing exploitation, and collaborates with federal agencies on cases of human trafficking and crew abandonment. His work in the maritime labor arena underscores his belief that a just economy depends on protecting the dignity and rights of workers at every level.
Donato’s ties to the Port run deeper than politics. His immigrant grandfather worked on Tacoma’s docks decades ago — and tragically lost his life in an industrial accident at the Port. For Donato, that legacy fuels his determination to make the Port a place that values economic growth, environmental stewardship, and worker safety.
Growing Cargo Volume and Union Jobs: Donato advocates for modernizing the Port’s infrastructure to attract new business while ensuring that growth translates into living-wage jobs for local workers. He emphasizes that the Port’s success must be measured not only by tonnage, but by the prosperity it delivers to the community.
Infrastructure Modernization and Environmental Accountability: He calls for strategic investments in clean technology, such as shore power and emissions-reduction initiatives, to make Tacoma a model for sustainable maritime operations. Donato insists that industrial polluters be held financially accountable for cleanup and restoration, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental health.
Public Trust and Ethical Governance. Transparency and accountability form the foundation of his campaign. Donato promises to strengthen partnerships with labor organizations and the Puyallup Tribe, ensuring that Port decisions reflect the public interest and uphold the values of fairness and collaboration.
Throughout the campaign, Donato has often reminded voters what this race is truly about: people, not money. “When elected, the Port of Tacoma will deliver economic growth that uplifts working families, protects our environment, and reflects our community’s values,” he said.
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