Beben running for county commission

Tom Beben, owner the High Steel Beer Co. in downtown Shelton, this week announced he will seek a seat on the Mason County Commission.

Commissioner Kevin Shutty last month announced he will not seek another term in the fall representing District 2. Richard Beckman, owner of Richard Beckman Realty Group in downtown Shelton, has also announced he is running for the seat as a Republican.

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin hasn't responded to the Journal's inquiries about whether he's tossing his hat into the ring for a third term representing District 3. William Harris, a Republican who lives at LakeLand Village, is running for Neatherlin's seat.

This is the first campaign for public office for the 43-year-old Beben, who is running as an independent. Beben, his wife Mo and their 8-year-old daughter Grace live on Island Lake.

In 2007, the Bebens opened Smoking Mo's as a food stand in Shelton; in 2023, they bought the State Bank of Shelton building and set up their restaurant there. The couple moved the business to First Street in 2019, and in 2021 launched High Steel Beer Co., now the sole business at the site.

The Shelton-Mason County Chamber named Smoking Mo's the "Business of the Year" in 2015.

In an interview with the Journal on Tuesday, Beben pointed out his businesses have supported local causes for 17 years. "Mo and I have always prided ourselves on giving back," he said. Working as a county commissioner is another way to serve the community, he said.

Homelessness and the opioid epidemic are among the challenges facing Mason County, Beben said. Improved infrastructure and more lodging will help build business growth and draw tourists, he said.

Beben said he's running as an independent because "partisan politics is for Olympia and D.C.," adding, "I'm on the side of Mason County, the people of Mason County."

As a participating member or as a host for events, Beben has been involved with the Mason County HOST program, Shelton Youth Connection, Community Lifeline, Ales for ALS, Mason County Sheriff's K9 unit, the Central Mason Climbers for the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, the Martha Reed Foundation, Shelton Highclimbers Football Booster Club, Shelton YMCA, Adopt-A-Pet Shelton, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Mason General Hospital Foundation. He coaches basketball at Oakland Bay Junior High School.

Beben is a member of the Shelton Rotary Club, and his election website noted the nonprofit group recognized his work creating the OysterFunk event at the annual OysterFest. In 2018, Beben was named Citizen of the Year by the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce.