Get The Facts Before You Vote!

Suzan DelBene is listed in the Progressive Voters Guide below. The Washington Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information and analysis you need to make informed decisions every election. Remember to vote in every race on your ballot — it's our right and our responsibility as Americans. Please share this guide with your friends and family.

Suzan DelBene photo
Democrat
Suzan DelBene
Suzan DelBene won a tough race in 2012 to represent the 1st Congressional District, which reaches from Kirkland to the Canadian border. A former executive at Microsoft and other technology companies, she has used her technology background to become a leader of protecting privacy rights against government surveillance. She has also been a strong advocate for job development, economic fairness, women’s health, and immigration reform.

Her opponent is Republican Pedro Celis, a retired Microsoft engineer who was a leader for the George W. Bush re-election effort in 2004. Celis recently earned national attention by making unfortunate comments comparing gay marriage to polygamy. DelBene’s experience and strong track record in her first term make her the clear choice in this race.
Environment: Sierra Club
Reproductive Freedom: National Women's Political Caucus of WA
Economic Justice: Washington State Labor Council, Teamsters Joint Council 28
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes, National Organization for Women
Media: The Stranger
Other: EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Website: http://delbeneforcongress.com
Endorsements: http://www.delbeneforcongress.com/endorsements/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanDelBene

Washington

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You are viewing content from a previous election (November 4th, 2014). You can view information for the current election here.

Statewide Ballot Measures

Initiative 1351

VOTE YES
Washington state was ranked as having the fourth most crowded classrooms in the country, making it hard for teachers to teach and students to learn. Like I-728, which was approved by voters in the 2000 election, I-1351 defines specific class size goals that would be reached over four years. It sets a goal of 15 students per teacher in K-3 grades in schools that have high rates of poverty, with higher ratios set for grades beyond third. To meet these goals, schools would have to hire 7,500 new teachers across the state. Some progressives oppose I-1351 because it is expensive, does not include a funding source, and could preclude other important investments. We are recommending a yes vote to send a strong message to the legislature to fully fund education.
Economic Justice: Washington State Labor Council, Service Employees International Union, Washington CAN!
Media: The Stranger
Other: Bellevue School Board, Walla Walla School Board, Tacoma Council PTA
Website: http://classsizecountswa.com/about
Endorsements: http://classsizecountswa.com/supporters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClassSizeCountsWA

Initiative 591

VOTE NO
I-591 prevents Washington state from adopting any standards for background checks that are stronger than the relatively weak requirements in our Federal law. It would maintain the loophole that allows domestic abusers and other convicted criminals to purchase firearms over the Internet or in a parking lot. The gun lobby filed Initiative 591 to confuse and distract voters from supporting universal background checks. Vote no on Initiative 591.

Initiative 594

VOTE YES
Initiative 594 is simple: it makes sure that anyone buying a gun in Washington state passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. It closes the loophole in our law that allows criminals, domestic abusers and other dangerous people to buy guns from strangers – in parking lots, on the Internet, and at gun shows – with no questions asked.

Criminal and public safety background checks dramatically reduce dangerous people’s access to guns. Supporters gathered more than 345,000 signatures to place this common sense proposal on the ballot after the legislature failed to act. Please vote yes on I-594 and ensure that we close the private gun sales loophole and help save lives.
Education: American Federation of Teachers - WA
General Progressive: Fuse
Reproductive Freedom: Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Economic Justice: Children's Campaign Fund
Media: The Stranger
Other: Legal Voice, Greater Seattle Business Association, Faith Action Network, Doctors for America, MomsRising.org, Washington Academy of Family Physicians, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence
Website: http://wagunresponsibility.org/
Endorsements: http://wagunresponsibility.org/endorsements/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonAllianceforGunResponsibility

Advisory Vote 8

VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote MAINTAINED on Statewide Advisory Ballot Measure #8
Thanks to a Tim Eyman initiative, the state legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. A bipartisan majority of legislators came together earlier this year to clarify that marijuana is not a farm product eligible for tax breaks like wheat or dairy. The uncontroversial Senate Bill 6505 passed the legislature 112 to 42. Vote to "maintain" this measure.
Media: The Stranger

Advisory Vote 9

VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote MAINTAINED on Statewide Advisory Ballot Measure #9
This is another Eyman advisory vote. An overwhelming majority of legislators came together earlier this year to clarify that federally recognized Native American tribes must follow the same tax rules as state and local governments when it comes to privately leasing land that is owned exclusively by the tribe. The uncontroversial House Bill 1287 passed the legislature 93 to 44. Vote to "maintain" this measure.
Media: The Stranger