City of Snohomish

Kristin Kelly is running for the Snohomish County Council's District 5 position. A former Snohomish County Program Director at Futurewise and Snohomish County Charter Review Commissioner for District 5, Kelly is a well-known land use and conservation advocate in Snohomish County. She is currently working as the Smart Growth Executive Director for the Pilchuck Audubon Society. As a candidate, Kelly is focused on balancing environmental protections solutions with the need for sustainable development. Currently, she serves on the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Lands Strategy and works to restore wildlife and salmon habitats along the Skykomish, Snohomish, and Stillaguamish River basins and estuaries. Kristin Kelly's vision for Snohomish includes supporting living wage jobs, preserving farmland, increasing affordable housing, and fully funding public health and education in the annual budget.

Kelly is running against Republican incumbent Samuel Low, who was elected to a one-year special term in this position. Low opposes transit options that keep the community moving and is backed by some of the most far-right members of the Republican Party. We believe Kelly is the best choice in this race because of her broad progressive support and experience with public policy.

Former mayor Karen Guzak is running for the new strong mayor position. Earlier this year, she resigned from her 7 years as mayor when Snohomish voted to move to a "strong mayor" form of government. This will be the first strong mayor election, which means that the officeholder will be directly elected by voters instead of the city manager role of a "weak mayor" chosen by fellow members of the city council. If she is not elected to the mayor position, Guzak will remain on the city council.

Guzak owns a local yoga studio. She also works with the local Committee for Strategic Planning, Snohomish County Tomorrow, the Snohomish Womens’ Network and Snohomish Giving Circle.

Guzak is running against semi-retired contractor John Kartak. Kartak was one of the biggest proponents of Proposition 2, which moved Snohomish to a strong mayor system. He states that his campaign is about "small-town values" and government transparency, but offers little in the way of progressive policy. Guzak is the best choice in this race

Jason Sanders, a manager at Puget Sound Energy, was appointed to the Position 3 seat earlier this year. He is the former chair of the Economic Development Committee, and has focused his campaign on economic issues and public safety.

Daryl Ferguson, a real estate broker, has no website and does not appear to be running a competitive campaign.

Tom Merrill is a member of the city's open government committee, which reports recommendations to the city council for communication improvements between citizens and the city. He has also served on the Shoreline Community College Curriculum Advisory Board and as a United Way volunteer.

Merrill is running against Swede Johnson, a retired engineer and former conservative city councilmember. Johnson was called out during his last term in 2008 over an offensive email image he sent to the rest of the council that disparaged Mexican immigrants. Merrill is the best choice in this race.

Linda Redmon is the co-owner of a clinical psychology practice. She supports promoting tourism, holding issue-based and small format town halls, increasing walkability, and working with other levels of government and local organizations on homelessness and addiction.

Redmon is running against Bob Dvorak, the former Executive Director of the Snohomish Senior Center. He has volunteered at several local institutions, such as the Kiwanis, Grow Washington, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Chamber of Commerce, but hasn't advanced any specific campaign goals. We believe Redmon is the better choice in this race.

Eric Reyes is running against Larry Countryman for Position 6. Reyes has spoken about solving the city's homelessness issues as a large portion of his campaign; he supports Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary's suggestions of non-arrest solutions and a drug takeback program to battle the opioid epidemic. Pending the marijuana advisory vote this November, he would support marijuana in the city for the tax revenue.

Larry Countryman is the owner of a bed and breakfast who and former city councilmember who leans conservative. In his run for council in 2015 he was against the levy to support local parks and opposes marijuana shops in the city limits. He also opposes high-density housing.

Reyes is the more progressive choice in this race, however, he has also had legal issues. As reported by the Everett Herald, Reyes had a charge of domestic violence that was dropped in 2015, and a DUI charge in 2009.

Lisa Caldwell is the marketing director for a senior living facility and a former Snohomish Rotary Club president. She is running against real eastate broker Steve Dana, who is an outspoken Trump supporter. Caldwell is the better choice in this race.