The FFRF Action Fund is pleased to endorse Jeff Coughlin in his bid for Bremerton (Wash.) mayor. The nonpartisan primary is Aug. 5.
Coughlin is an open atheist and has been serving on the Bremerton City Council since 2021. He is currently the City Council president. During his time on the council, he helped remove invocations from council meetings. He also regularly votes in favor of removing the routine recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of meetings, recognizing that the government should not endorse religious language or symbolic patriotism. Coughlin maintains that as mayor, he will continue to champion secular, inclusive governance that respects all beliefs and nonbelief.
Coughlin wants to ensure that city resources, programs and events remain secular and inclusive. He will work to prevent the use of public funds or facilities for religious promotion and ensure that any partnerships with outside organizations, such as service providers or event sponsors, adhere to nondiscrimination and secular access standards. Coughlin supports policies that protect public employees and students from religious coercion and uphold the rights of nonreligious residents in civic life.
Bremerton is home to the U.S. Supreme Court case, Kennedy v. Bremerton, involving local high school football coach Joe Kennedy. Kennedy argued that his free exercise and free speech rights were violated after the Bremerton school district did not renew his contract following his refusal to comply with reasonable requests to stop praying with students on the 50-yard line immediately after games.
Coughlin is running against the incumbent mayor, Greg Wheeler, who is seeking a third term. Wheeler frequently stands beside a regular speaker at Bremerton Council meetings who wears a MAGA hat while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. This speaker publicly shames council members for not reciting the pledge, for removing invocations from council meetings and for rejecting God.
Bremerton has a population of 50,000, and with its working-class demographic, was once a hub of Kitsap County. Coughlin asserts that he will work to bolster Bremerton’s economy and regain its position in the state of Washington.
Coughlin is a Ph.D. astrophysicist and certified project manager who grounds his public service in evidence-based decision-making and a strong commitment to the separation of state and church. He has a distinguished career in astronomy and space science, including working for NASA and the SETI Institute.
All sitting council members who are endorsing in the race have endorsed Coughlin. The FFRF Action Fund joins the Victory Fund, Washington Conservation Act, FairVote Washington, former Bremerton Mayors, community leaders and others in endorsing Coughlin.
Please learn more about Coughlin by visiting his campaign website.