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General ELECTION: November 6th, 2018

The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information you need to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Vote in every race on your ballot! It's our right and our responsibility. Please share this guide with your friends and remember to vote by November 6!

Statewide Ballot Measures

Initiative #1631

Vote YES for Jobs and Clean Energy

YES
Initiative 1631 is our best opportunity to accelerate clean energy solutions and build healthier communities for everyone in Washington.

This initiative will charge our state’s largest corporate polluters a fee that will be used to create local jobs by investing in clean energy, healthy forests, and clean water. I-1631 is essential to pass a clean and healthy Washington on to future generations. It will create 40,000 jobs by investing in water and forestry projects, energy efficiency, and clean transportation. These investments are a practical first step to ensure clean air and clean water for everyone in Washington. These will look different in every community, from energy efficiency upgrades for our homes and businesses to keeping our forests healthy so they clean our air and investing in cleaner transportation options for more communities.

The oil industry is spending tens of millions of dollars to confuse voters about I-1631 so they can continue polluting for free and raking in record profits. We can't wait any longer to act. Vote YES on I-1631.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers - WA
General Progressive: The Washington Bus, Fuse WA
Environment: Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters
Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Economic Justice: Service Employees International Union, UFCW 21, Washington CAN!, WA Federation of State Employees
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

Initiative #1634

Vote NO on I-1634

NO
Initiative 1634 would prevent cities and counties in Washington from passing new taxes on sugary beverages. Such taxes are aimed at discouraging people from buying sweetened drinks that have been linked to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and tooth decay.

I-1634 is backed primarily by millions of dollars from a handful of big soda companies. It also has support from some labor unions that represent workers whose jobs could be impacted by soda taxes. The campaign’s highly deceptive ads focus on grocery taxes despite the fact that groceries have been exempt from sales taxes since 1977.

Progressive advocates oppose efforts like this to use state laws to prevent localities from taking action that’s right for their communities. In recent years, Republican legislators have sought to use similar legislation to reverse Seattle’s $15 minimum wage and progressive paid sick leave laws in Tacoma and Spokane.

We’re sympathetic to the concerns of union workers in the beverage industry and we agree that our tax system is upside-down and disproportionately hurts low-income families. However, we don’t think that preempting local legislation that taxes sugary drinks is the way to fix it.

Don’t be fooled by Big Soda’s misleading ads. Vote NO on I-1634.

Progressive Opponents

WA Federation of State Employees, The Stranger, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Children’s Alliance, El Centro de La Raza

Campaign Information

Initiative #1639

Vote YES to Reduce Gun Violence

YES
Initiative 1639 is the most comprehensive gun violence prevention measure put forward in Washington state history. It's a commonsense initiative that will reduce gun violence and keep our schools and communities safe. I-1639 would raise the age to purchase semi-automatic assault rifles from 18 to 21 and require enhanced background checks and safety training for purchasing these particularly lethal weapons. It will also incentivize secure storage of all firearms by holding gun owners accountable if a child or other legally prohibited person uses their weapon to harm themselves or someone else.

Someone is killed with a gun in Washington state every 14 hours and more than 200,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine. Unfortunately, the gun lobby has prevented our elected officials from acting to prevent it, so we'll do it ourselves. Vote YES on I-1639 to keep our schools and communities safe.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers - WA
General Progressive: Fuse WA
Reproductive Freedom: Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger
Other: Washington Education Association

Campaign Information

Initiative #940

Vote YES for Police Accountability

YES
Last year, more people in Washington were killed in encounters with law enforcement than in 45 other states, and almost one-third of them were experiencing a mental health crisis. Initiative 940 would improve de-escalation, first aid, and mental health crisis training for law enforcement and help save lives.

Currently, officers are only required to receive eight hours of "crisis intervention training." Initiative 940 would ensure that every officer receives extensive training and continuing education in de-escalating potential confrontations. The primary goal is preventing tragedies in the first place, but when a tragedy does occur Initiative 940 would also create a fair and independent investigation process and bring our use of force standard in line with 27 other states.

Vote YES on Initiative 940 to improve training for law enforcement and help save lives.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers - WA
General Progressive: The Washington Bus, Fuse WA
Reproductive Freedom: Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Economic Justice: Service Employees International Union, UFCW 21, Washington CAN!, WA Federation of State Employees, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE), Equal Rights Washington, OneAmerica Votes

Campaign Information

Statewide Advisory Ballot Measure #19

Maintain Funding for Oil Spill Prevention

MAINTAINED
A bipartisan group of legislators passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6269 to fund oil spill prevention and cleanup. The legislation directs the Department of Ecology to improve prevention for oil spills in Puget Sound, as well as around oil refineries, railroads, and pipelines. This bill was funded by a $0.05 tax per 42-gallon barrel of oil used by boats and marine terminals.

Because of a Tim Eyman initiative the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. Vote MAINTAINED on Advisory Vote 19.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Media: The Stranger

Federal

U.S. Senator

Maria Cantwell

Democrat
Maria Cantwell photo
Senator Maria Cantwell was first elected in 2000 and continues to represent our state's progressive values in our nation's capital. Sen. Cantwell has been a leader on a wide range of issues including reproductive rights, supporting the Children's Health Insurance Program, defending net neutrality, passing oil spill legislation to protect our water, working on clean energy policies, and many more.

Sen. Cantwell is opposed by Republican Susan Hutchison. Hutchison is a former news anchor and past chair of the state Republican Party. She ran for King County Executive in 2009 and lost by twenty points. Hutchison is well-known for being a party-line Republican and for her fierce defense of President Donald Trump, including calling fellow Republican Ted Cruz a "traitor" for not supporting the president's campaign.

Sen. Cantwell has been a tenacious advocate for the people of Washington state and is the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Environment: Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, SEIU 775, Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: National Organization for Women
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

Congress

Depending on where you live, you will have one of the below candidates on your ballot.

U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District

Suzan DelBene

Democrat
Suzan DelBene photo
Representative Suzan DelBene has served the 1st Congressional District since 2013. DelBene is a former executive at Microsoft who has used her technology background to become a leader in protecting privacy rights against government surveillance. Her priorities include creating family wage jobs in the aerospace, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy industries. She also supports raising the federal minimum wage and passing comprehensive tax reform to ensure that those making more than a million dollars a year don't pay a lower tax rate than low and middle-income families.

Rep. DelBene is running against Republican Jeffrey Beeler. Beeler is a Sultan city councilmember focused on "securing our borders," health care, and the deficit. However, he lacks Rep. DelBene's knowledge and experience with the important policies that impact working families in the 1st District.

Rep. DelBene is clearly the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club
Economic Justice: Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District

Rick Larsen

Democrat
Rick Larsen photo
Representative Rick Larsen is a moderate Democrat who has been a strong advocate for jobs, transportation, and infrastructure projects in the 2nd District. Before his time in Congress, he served on the Snohomish County Council and worked on economic development for the City of Everett. Rep. Larsen has also supported efforts to protect voting rights, fought to reform student loans, and championed Wall Street reform. Unfortunately, Larsen joined Republicans to repeal some banking rules imposed after the Great Recession intended to prevent another economic collapse.

Rep. Larsen is running against Libertarian Brian Luke, who has worked in the grocery business for 22 years. His campaign is focused on reducing the national debt and cutting regulations.

Rep. Larsen is the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club
Economic Justice: Teamsters Joint Council 28, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: National Organization for Women

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District

Carolyn Long

Democrat
Carolyn Long photo
Democratic Carolyn Long is an associate professor at the School of Politics at WSU Vancouver. Her platform includes protecting the health care of those with preexisting conditions, stabilizing the Affordable Care Act, and providing effective health care for those with addiction and mental illnesses. She is also prioritizing treating gun violence like a public health crisis, caring for veterans, reforming the tax code to make it fairer for middle-class families, and protecting Medicare and Social Security.

Long is running against incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, an extremely conservative Republican who has consistently sided with far-right members of her party on important issues. In particular, Rep. Herrera Beutler voted in favor of congressional Republicans’ $1.5 trillion tax giveaway to corporations and the wealthy few.

Long is the best choice for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters
Economic Justice: Service Employees International Union, Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District

Christine Brown

Democrat
Christine Brown photo
Christine Brown is a former news anchor who has served on many community boards, including the Board of Directors for the Yakima Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is seeking bipartisan action on climate change, a path towards citizenship for undocumented workers, and health care for all through a single-payer system that would extend the coverage of the Affordable Care Act. She also supports the transition to clean energy and consumer protections against big banks.

Brown is challenging Republican Representative Dan Newhouse. Rep. Newhouse is the former director of the state Department of Agriculture and a pro-Trump representative who has voted with the president 96 percent of the time. He supports Trump's tax plan and repealing the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians.

Brown is the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Economic Justice: Washington State Labor Council

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 5th Congressional District

Lisa Brown

Democrat
Lisa Brown photo
It’s time for new leadership in Congress, and that starts here in Eastern Washington with Lisa Brown.

Brown is a former state Senator and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. Brown is committed to building an economy that works for all of us and ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for every family. She is focused on listening to the needs of our local communities, not lobbyists, campaign donors, and national political leaders. She will protect our local environment, supports reproductive rights, and supports comprehensive immigration reform that protects Dreamers.

Brown’s opponent, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is a party-line member of the House Republican leadership who has lost touch with the people she is supposed to represent. Rep. McMorris Rodgers was an enthusiastic supporter of the Republicans’ $1.5 trillion tax giveaway to billionaires and corporations. Last year, Rep. McMorris Rodgers was the only member of the Washington state delegation to vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would have eliminated health care for 23 million Americans, including approximately 30,000 people in Eastern Washington.

Brown is the clear choice in this race because she is committed to putting working families first. Vote Lisa Brown for Congress in Washington's 5th Congressional District.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
General Progressive: Fuse WA
Environment: Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters
Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Economic Justice: SEIU Local 6, SEIU 775, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: Equal Rights Washington, National Organization for Women
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 6th Congressional District

Derek Kilmer

Democrat
Derek Kilmer photo
Representative Derek Kilmer is a moderate Democrat who is a reliable supporter of job creation and infrastructure improvement. He has been a leader on small business development and protecting the Puget Sound during his three terms in Congress. A former state Senator, he previously worked as a business consultant and economic development official. Kilmer is a sponsor of a clean Dream Act in support of immigrants who arrived in the country as children with their undocumented parents. He supports commonsense gun safety legislation and cosponsored the Voter Empowerment Act, an online voter registration act that helps keep voting rights equitable. Rep. Kilmer has also worked on several environmental bills, including the Wild Olympics Wilderness and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Kilmer is running against Republican Douglas Dightman. Dightman is a family physician running on a platform of supporting national defense and the free market. He also supports legislation to weaken protections for workers in labor unions.

Kilmer is widely supported by our progressive partners and is the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club
Reproductive Freedom: Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Economic Justice: SEIU 775, Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: National Organization for Women

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 7th Congressional District

Pramila Jayapal

Democrat
Pramila Jayapal photo
Representative Pramila Jayapal has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic fairness, and civil liberties. She founded OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone) in 2001 and built it into a national model and the largest immigrant rights organization in the state. Rep. Jayapal also played a key role on the Mayoral Advisory Committee that created Seattle’s $15 minimum wage.

In her first term in Congress, Rep. Jayapal has fought the Trump administration at every turn and provided a voice for progressives across the country. She has supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Dream Act that would provide a path to citizenship for young DACA recipients. She has also fought back against the Trump administration's inhumane policy of separating families seeking asylum and she introduced legislation that paves a pathway towards a universal health care system.

Her opponent, Seattle resident Craig Keller, is best known as the founder of an anti-immigrant organization that tried to repeal the City of Burien's sanctuary city ordinance. His organization has been recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group.

Rep. Jayapal is by far the best choice in this race

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, SEIU Local 6, SEIU 775, Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: Equal Rights Washington, National Organization for Women, OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 8th Congressional District

Dr. Kim Schrier

Democrat
Dr. Kim Schrier photo
Dr. Kim Schrier is a pediatrician who was inspired to run for Washington’s 8th Congressional District because of Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. She is committed to building an economy that works for everyone and protecting Social Security and Medicare for all. She also wants to bring her voice to the debates about women’s health care and abortion rights in Congress, where there are currently no women doctors. Dr. Schrier supports letting Americans of any age buy into Medicare on a sliding scale to reduce overhead costs and increase competition for private insurers.

Dr. Schrier is running against Republican Dino Rossi, who previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. Rossi has consistently sided with congressional Republicans, including supporting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy few. He is also strongly anti-choice and does not support commonsense gun safety legislation. While in the state Legislature, he wrote a budget that would have taken away health care from 45,000 low-income kids. Rossi would be another reliable vote for the Republican leaders and powerful special interests in Washington, D.C.

We need new leadership in Congress that puts working families before corporations and the wealthy elites who rig the rules. Dr. Kim Schrier is the best choice for Washington's 8th Congressional District.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
General Progressive: Fuse WA
Environment: Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters
Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 9th Congressional District

Adam Smith

Democrat
Adam Smith photo
Representative Adam Smith has been a reliable vote in Congress on progressive issues from taxation to immigration reform. He represents Washington's first majority-minority district, a community with 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities. Rep. Smith is an advocate for greater equality, supports a path to citizenship for immigrants, reforming the tax code, and Medicare for All. Rep. Smith has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to introduce and support legislation that tempers Trump's belligerent foreign policy moves, including a bill that states the U.S. will not strike a country with nuclear weapons first.

Rep. Smith is running against Democrat Sarah Smith, who is challenging Rep. Smith from the left. She's running on a comprehensive progressive platform including Medicare for All, alleviating student loan debt, supporting a nationwide tenants’ bill of rights, and building 10 million social homes. Sarah Smith is highly critical of Rep. Smith’s votes in favor of the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. However, during her interview with Fuse staff, she failed to produce a robust and detailed plan for how she would implement the sweeping reforms she supports, politically and economically.

Rep. Adam Smith is the best choice in this race because of his experience, in-depth knowledge of public policy, and strong support from a wide range of progressive advocacy organizations.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, SEIU 775, Teamsters Joint Council 28, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: National Organization for Women, OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Urbanist

Campaign Information

U.S. Representative, 10th Congressional District

Denny Heck

Democrat
Denny Heck photo
Representative Denny Heck is a moderate Democrat who has had a long and effective career in both the private and public sectors. In Olympia, he served as a five-term state representative, House majority leader, and chief of staff to former Gov. Booth Gardner, and is the co-founder of TVW. In Congress, he has fought to make college more affordable, reduce health care costs, create middle class jobs, and ensure veterans get the benefits they have earned. He supports immigration policies that create a path to citizenship and has been working this year to help prevent health care premium increases due to Trump's policies.

Heck is running against Republican Joseph Brumbles, a self-described constitutional conservative. His campaign platform is undetailed and states that he is standing for "liberty." He suggests solving the issue of affordable energy with the free market and not taxing fossil fuels, and he wants to reduce the size of government by eliminating federal agencies.

Heck is the best choice in this race.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Education: American Federation of Teachers
Environment: Sierra Club
Reproductive Freedom: Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Economic Justice: SEIU 775, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: National Organization for Women

Campaign Information

Judicial Races

The Progressive Voters Guide may skip recommendations for unopposed judicial races.

State Supreme Court

State Supreme Court Justice, Position #2

Susan Owens

Susan Owens photo
First elected in 2000, Supreme Court Justice Susan Justice Owens brings more 40 years of legal experience to Washington's Supreme Court. Prior to serving on the court, Justice Owens served nineteen years as a District Court Judge in Western Clallam County. Justice Owens has been a leader in the judicial community on addressing the impacts of domestic violence on children. Nationally, Justice Owens is a judicial trainer on this topic and participated in the writing of the Northwest Tribal Judges Domestic Violence Manual. Justice Owens is running unopposed for re-election and has earned your support.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
Economic Justice: Washington State Labor Council

Campaign Information

State Supreme Court Justice, Position #8

Steve Gonzalez

Steve Gonzalez photo
Supreme Court Justice Steve Gonzalez has earned national recognition for his judicial expertise and work to increase access to the judicial system. Before serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Gonzalez served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and on the King County Superior Court for more than 10 years hearing criminal, juvenile, and family law cases. Justice Gonzalez is devoted to working for the people of Washington and serves as a board member for the Washington Leadership Institute, an organization that supports emerging community leaders from diverse backgrounds. As one of the few multi-lingual justices, he chairs the Interpreter Commission. Justice Gonzalez is rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by 10 independent bar associations in Washington state.

Gonzalez is being challenged by Bellevue-based attorney Nathan Choi, who ran unsuccessfully for a judicial seat on the Court of Appeals in 2016. Since then, Choi has faced numerous ethical controversies. In 2017, the King County Bar Association formally reprimanded Choi for violating KCBA's fair campaign practices guidelines by releasing misleading campaign materials and failing to follow state candidate rules. In February of this year, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson formally filed a lawsuit against Nathan Choi in a Thurston County Court. The case is still open.

Justice Steve Gonzalez is the best choice for Supreme Court Justice Position 8.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, SEIU 775, SEIU Local 925, Teamsters Joint Council 28, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: Latino PAC, OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Stranger

Campaign Information

State Supreme Court Justice, Position #9

Sheryl Gordon McCloud

Sheryl Gordon McCloud photo
Washington Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud has been a fierce defender of constitutional rights and has written the decision in several consequential court cases. Prior to serving on the Supreme Court, she worked as an accomplished appellate court attorney for nearly three decades and was a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association. Her strong judicial track record has earned a rating of "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by 10 independent state bar associations, including Washington Women Lawyers and the newly-minted Veterans Bar Association.

Justice McCloud in running unopposed for Position 9 and deserves your vote.

Progressive Endorsements & Supporters

Reproductive Freedom: NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
Economic Justice: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, SEIU Local 925, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes

Campaign Information

Look Up Your Customized Guide

Don't stop now. Keep on voting! There's a reason why thousands of people in your district are voting in every race on the ballot. The races that remain — state legislators, local judges and ballot measures, and others — will determine how we fund our schools, how fair our judicial system is, and many other issues that are very important to our communities and our future.


OR you can pick your customized guide from a list. (You will need to know your county or legislative district, which is on your ballot.)