Spokane County

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made history when she became the first woman nominated by the Democratic Party for president. As President, she will continue her legacy of advocacy for women, children, and families, which began with working at the Children's Defense Fund to provide education to students with disabilities. She also promises to fight for equal pay, protect our environment, expand background checks to more gun sales, support comprehensive immigration reform, and stand up to Republican attacks on President Barack Obama's landmark health care law.

Her main opponent, Republican Donald Trump, has amassed a troubling track record of actions and positions that are divisive, dishonest, disrespectful to women, and far too uninformed and unstable to lead our nation and be our Commander in Chief. Also in this race is Green Party nominee Jill Stein, a former Lexington, Massachusetts Town Council member, and Gary Johnson, the Libertarian former governor of New Mexico.

Hillary Rodham Clinton deserves your vote.

Since Patty Murray was first elected in 1992, the "Mom in Tennis Shoes" has been an incredible champion for women, working people, veterans, and an economy that works for everyone. The fourth-ranking Democrat in the Senate, she has earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike by forging agreements on the budget, education, women's health, and other critical issues, all while continuing to fight for working people across our state.

Her opponent is former Washington State Republican Party Chair Chris Vance. Vance, a partisan operative who championed George W. Bush for president, has led a lackluster campaign and does not bring new ideas to the table. Murray's leadership, experience, and progressive values make her the clear choice in this race.

Joe Pakootas is a community and business leader credited with turning around the Colville Tribe’s business enterprises during his time as CEO. He is passionate about addressing income inequality, protecting the environment, and protecting women’s access to health care. He is challenging conservative Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who continues to support Donald Trump for President despite some of the sexist, racist, and derogatory remarks he has made. Rodgers helped lead the House Republicans' extremely conservative agenda, including blocking emergency benefits for the unemployed, cutting $40 billion from food stamps, and opposing laws to end pay discrimination against women.

Pakootas would be a refreshing change of leadership for the 5th Congressional District.

Governor Jay Inslee has been a strong, principled leader on the important challenges facing Washington, including tackling transportation problems, increasing the minimum wage, and fighting global warming. He has also worked to fund schools by closing unjust tax loopholes and fought to close the gender pay gap. Before he was elected Governor in 2012, Inslee represented both sides of the Cascades in Congress, opposed the Iraq war, and worked to increase accountability and oversight for Wall Street banks.

In contrast, Republican Bill Bryant opposes the Washington Voting Rights Act, is opposed to many public transportation projects, and is an obstacle to closing unjust tax loopholes. While Inslee has his work cut out for him in his second term, we believe his strong moral compass and vision for improving our state makes him the best choice in this race.

State Senator Cyrus Habib has been an effective champion for public education, transit solutions, and gun safety. Habib authored a successful jobs bill to connect entrepreneurs with additional funding options, and has been named one of 12 legislators to watch in the country by Governing Magazine.

His opponent, Republican Marty McClendon, is a far-right conservative who advocates for Tea Party proposals such as eliminating the IRS, shutting down the Affordable Care Act, and pursuing energy exploration without regard to the environment. Due to his leadership and accomplishments, Habib deserves your vote.

Tina Podlodowski is running for Secretary of State to increase voter participation and turnout as the state’s chief elections officer. Podlodowski has spent her life fighting for equality and driving forward progress. She understands just how important voting and an equitable election system are to a functioning and flourishing democracy. She is a former Microsoft executive who also served on the Seattle City Council and has a strong track record of non-profit leadership.

Podlodowski is challenging incumbent Republican Kim Wyman for failing to improve declining voter participation. Wyman has opposed the Washington Voting Rights Act and has refused to support common-sense measures to increase voter participation such as Election Day voter registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds. Podlodowski deserves your vote.

Elected in 2003, Benton County Treasurer Duane Davidson is the better of two conservative candidates vying to replace outgoing State Treasurer Jim McIntire. Davidson is currently serving his second term as the President of the Washington State Association of County Treasurers and has been endorsed by both Republican and Democratic treasurers as well as most major newspapers from around the state. While we disagree about how to reform our state's upside-down tax code, Davidson brings years of experience with government finance, managing staff, smart investments of taxpayer dollars, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

In contrast, banker Michael Waite has no experience overseeing government finances. We have concerns that he would use the office as a platform for anti-tax activism and insert himself into legislative debates outside the scope of the Treasurer’s office. Waite does support safe and legal abortion access and has earned the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii as well as NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

We recommend Davidson as the best of two conservative options.

Current Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy has run the operations of Pierce County government for eight years, managing 3,000 employees and a $900 million budget. Prior to that, she served as the Pierce County Auditor, where she was honored as the 2005 Washington State Auditor of the Year. McCarthy is running to bring back integrity to the Auditor's office after a criminal indictment derailed Troy Kelley's term, and promises to improve efficiency and transparency in our state government.

Her opponent is socially-conservative Republican Senator Mark Miloscia. Unfortunately, Miloscia is opposed to safe and legal abortion access and to marriage equality. He supports allowing employers to deny coverage for birth control and co-sponsored a bill that could ban many forms of birth control. We're concerned that if elected, Miloscia could use his office to launch politically-fueled investigations of Planned Parenthood and other women's health groups that receive public funds to provide health care to women.

Miloscia has been good on labor issues and was endorsed by some of our labor partners, including SEIU 925, SEIU 775, and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, as well as a dual endorsement from the Washington Federation of State Employees. However, McCarthy's support is broader and she deserves your vote due to her accomplished record, experience, and trusted values.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson's accomplishments in four years are impressive. From delivering millions of dollars back to consumers who were wronged by fraudulent corporations and his ongoing battle with the federal government to clean up the Hanford nuclear waste site to successfully fighting two Tim Eyman initiatives, Ferguson has been a strong and effective advocate for people in Washington.

Ferguson faces Libertarian Josh Trumbull, who is not running a viable campaign and is not qualified for this office. Ferguson deserves your vote.

Erin Jones is a teacher of foreign languages and African American studies who has won multiple awards for her innovative work to make learning more accessible for students of color. Jones most recently worked at Tacoma Public Schools as a literacy coach and previously served as Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement for the state of Washington, where she worked on policy and instruction practices to make schools a place where all students can learn. Jones' three kids attended Washington public schools.

There are some concerns about the support Jones has received from prominent right-wing Republicans and conservative interest groups. In addition, The Stranger and Equal Rights Washington have raised important concerns about some of Jones' statements and positions on LGBTQ issues and associations with conservative groups opposed to LGBTQ equality. We take those concerns very seriously. After a careful review and a long discussion with her, it’s clear she has changed those positions. Although she had some learning to do on LGTBQ equality, we believe her heart is in the right place.

While Jones has earned dual endorsements from several of our Progressive Voters Guide partners, we lean toward Reykdal in this race.

As the state Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler has brought a range of experience to the position and defended the interests of Washington residents against big insurance companies. Kreidler cut insurance rates, required that contraceptives be included in prescription drug coverage for women, and helped increase the transparency of the health insurance market. If re-elected, Kreidler will work on expanding health care access, limiting insurance company exploitation, and eliminating credit scoring as a determinant of insurance rates.

Kreidler faces Republican Richard Schrock, who is not running a credible campaign. Kreidler deserves your vote.

Senator Andy Billig is a strong leader and progressive champion who has broad support from the Spokane community. As a state representative, Billig helped pass a transportation bill that created 43,000 jobs and worked to reduce pollution in the Spokane River. He's also been a strong leader advocating for high quality early learning programs and better campaign finance reform to increase transparency in government, including two bills he passed to make elections more fair in our state.

His opponent is far-right conservative James Apker, who lacks concrete solutions to the challenges facing our state and is not running a viable campaign. Andy Billig is the clear choice in this race.

Marcus Riccelli is an effective advocate who has served as U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's Eastern Washington Director and former state Senator Lisa Brown's senior policy aide. Ricelli has been a strong supporter of a state basic health plan, and has also been a vocal advocate of equal pay, sustainable education funding, and mental health reform.

He faces Libertarian Randy McGlenn II, who is not running a competitive campaign. Riccelli is a great choice in this race.

Timm Ormsby is a reliable leader and an active member of the Spokane community. He is the current president of the Spokane Regional Labor Council and a board member of the United Way of Spokane County. In the past session, Ormsby helped write and pass bills to bring good jobs to Spokane, protect the environment, and preserve critical health care services. He is the new chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and is in a strong position to advocate for the interests of Eastern Washington in Olympia.

His opponent is perennial candidate Republican Laura Carder, who ran and lost for state representative in 2006 and 2008, and also lost a race for Spokane School Board in 2009. Ormsby is the clear choice in this race.

Scott Stucker was inspired to run by his work in the 4th district for the Bernie Sanders campaign, where he advocated for economic opportunity for all and getting money out of politics. He would be a vast improvement over incumbent Matt Shea. Representative Shea is one of the most extreme conservatives in the entire Legislature. He was cited for pulling an illegal handgun on a motorist, he advocated on behalf of the domestic terrorist group that overtook the Oregon Wildlife Refuge, he hosted a rally against Planned Parenthood, and he regularly posts transphobic content on his Facebook page.

Democrat Scott Stucker is the clear choice in this race.

Lynnette Vehrs is running for the seat being vacated by current Rep. Kevin Parker, who decided not to seek re-election. Vehrs is a nurse who has passionately worked to make health care more accessible and will work to address substance abuse, mental illness, and other crises that impact our community. She is a supporter of building a clean energy economy in Washington, as well as fully funding education.

Vehrs faces Spokane County Chief Deputy Treasurer Mike Volz. Due to her years of experience fighting for a healthier Spokane, Vehrs is the clear choice in this race.

Shar Lichty, a community organizer with the local non-profit Peace and Justice Action League, would bring a welcome change to the Legislature. Lichty is an experienced manager of government operations and is also a strong advocate for racial, economic, and social justice. She faces current Republican Rep. Jeff Holy, who has been a consistent opponent to clean energy efforts, and opposes legal access to abortion even in the cases of rape and incest.

Lichty is the clear choice in this race.

The only candidates in this race are conservatives who are out of step with mainstream values on many issues. Nevertheless, Joel Kretz is the better choice in this race. Kretz faces Libertarian Mike Foster, an extreme right wing conservative who opposes same-sex marriage and equality for all people. While we disagree with Kretz on environmental conservation, land use decisions, and many other votes he has taken in the Legislature, he would bring a level of professionalism and rationality that Foster lacks.

Jennifer Goulet is a local progressive leader with a long history of community involvement on racial equity, women’s rights, and the environment. She is running as a Bernie Sanders progressive, advocating for a $15 minimum wage, universal health care, and reining in the influence of corporations on our election system.

Goulet faces incumbent Republican Mary Dye, who is most well known for asking visiting teens lobbying for Planned Parenthood if they are virgins. If you want a candidate who supports equality for all, Goulet is the best choice in this race.

Spokane City Council Member Candace Mumm is running for the open county commissioner seat vacated by Republican Todd Mielke. Mumm has a long track record of community involvement and leadership on land use issues and women’s health. She voted to support earned sick leave for all workers in Spokane and is a vocal advocate for a stronger bus system.

Mumm faces conservative Josh Kerns, the current legislative aide for Republican Rep. Jeff Holy. Candace Mumm is the clear choice in this race.

Andrew Biviano is a civil rights attorney, former prosecutor, and mental health counselor. He is intimately familiar with all aspects of the criminal justice system, which makes up 75 percent of Spokane County’s budget, as well as the needs of under-represented communities. His experience growing up in poverty in a mixed race family makes him very passionate about racial equity and addressing income inequality.

His opponent is incumbent County Commissioner Shelly O’Quinn, a moderate Republican. O'Quinn has campaigned against much needed funding for our local bus system and has recently made headlines over intense infighting on the entirely Republican County Commission. For his strong grasp of the issues facing our community, Andrew Biviano is the clear choice in this race.

Justice Mary Yu served 14 years as a trial court judge in King County, where she presided over hundreds of criminal, civil, and family law cases before Governor Jay Inslee appointed her to Washington’s Supreme Court. As the first Asian American, the first Latina, and the first open member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Supreme Court, Yu brings a community-based approach and respect for every person to her service.

Justice Yu is also highly involved in the Washington state law community. She serves as a Co-Chair for the Leadership Institute of UW, the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, and the Washington State Bar Association.

Yu faces Gonzaga Law Professor David Dewolf, who is best known for his far-right pro-creationism and anti-evolution views. Because of her remarkable record and extensive experience, Justice Mary Yu is the clear choice for this Supreme Court Justice Position 1.

Chief Justice Barbara Madsen has led our state Supreme Court in a fair and impartial manner through a series of high profile cases. First elected in 1992, Madsen was only the third woman to ever serve on our highest court. She has won numerous awards for her service, especially for her work creating opportunities for young female lawyers and judges. Despite Republican efforts to politicize our court over rulings about education funding and several Tim Eyman initiatives, Madsen has maintained a steadfast commitment to upholding equal justice under the law.

Madsen is opposed by Greg Zempel, a Republican prosecutor from Kittitas County. Zempel has said he is running because he disagrees with some recent decisions. Madsen deserves your vote.

Elected in 2010, Justice Charlie Wiggins is highly regarded, bringing his sharp eye for judicial ethics and more than 30 years of law and justice experience to the Supreme Court, where he has written more than 100 court opinions. Justice Wiggins is an active volunteer in his community for Habitat for Humanity and other good causes. He worked to support campaign contribution limits in state judicial elections before he was elected to the court. Wiggins is rated “exceptionally well qualified” by several bar associations.

Justice Wiggins faces Dave Larson, a Federal Way Municipal Court Judge. Larson is not highly rated by bar associations, and as a Federal Way School Board Member he voted to ban the documentary An Inconvenient Truth from classrooms after a parent complained that the film didn't include the perspective of global-warming deniers. Larson is heavily backed by huge expenditures from conservative interests unhappy with Justice Wiggins' decisions. Ignore their misleading attack ads. Justice Charlie Wiggins' experience, qualifications, and commitment to judicial ethics makes him the best choice for Supreme Court Justice Position 6.

Incumbent Chief Judge George Fearing served as a trial lawyer for 31 years before he was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the Superior Court Division III in 2013. Judge Fearing has an exemplary record of community involvement and has shown a commitment to upholding ethical judicial standards. He serves on the board of the Tri-City Junior Academy and as the president of the Walla Walla University Alumni Association and has been endorsed by every Superior Court judge in the nine counties that make up his district.

His opponent, former Benton County Republican Party Chairman Patrick McBurney, has ran ads for this non-partisan seat referring to herself as “the conservative’s conservative”. For true non-partisan judicial representation, Fearing is the best choice in this race.

Judge Linda Tompkins has served on the Spokane Superior Court since 1997. During her exemplary tenure, she’s been a member of the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission and presided over thousands of cases related to criminal, family, and mental health matters. Tompkins has received the endorsements of seven state Supreme Court Justices as well as numerous Superior Court judges and other legal professionals.

Her opponent, attorney Ward Andrew, has not received the same broad support. For her leadership in family and juvenile law, Judge Tompkins deserves your vote.

Tim Fennessy has 33 years of legal experience in Spokane, including his time representing victims of the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal and people who lost everything in the forest fires. He currently serves his community as a board member and past president of the Spokane Club. Fennessy was rated Exceptionally Well-Qualified or Well-Qualified by five of the major statewide bar associations and has been endorsed by a number of judges, community members, and the Spokane Democrats.

His opponent, Greg Sypolt, has received a number of the state Supreme Court Justice endorsements but has not received a single rating from the state bar associations. Due to his exceptional ratings, Fennessy is a good choice in this race.