Spokane County

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 is a top member of the Republican leadership in the House. She 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.

Also running in the race is Independent Dave Wilson, who promises not to take PAC money, Libertarian Krystol McGee, and Republican Tom Home, who are not running effective campaigns. 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. Also in this race are Democrats James Deal, Johnathon Dodds, and Patrick O'Rourke; Republicans Goodspaceguy and Bill Hirt; Mary Martin of the Socialist Workers Party; Independent Steve Rubenstein; David Blomstrom of the Fifth Republic Party; and Christian Pierre Joubert of the Holistic Party, none of whom are running competitive campaigns. 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 make him the best choice in this race.

Longtime senator Karen Fraser is another good candidate in this race. Fraser has been a strong advocate for parks and Puget Sound, as well as women's health care and economic justice. Fraser would also be Washington's first female Lieutenant Governor.

Also running in this race is conservative Democrat Steve Hobbs. He has consistently been an obstacle to progress on a wide range of issues, and is known for his opposition to closing tax loopholes and fixing our state's broken tax system. He has also been endorsed by a number of Republicans. Also in this race are Republicans Marty McClendon, Javier Figueroa, Bill Penor, and Phillip Yin; Libertarian Paul Adidas, Mark Greene of the Citizens Party, Democrat Karen Wallace, and no party preference candidate Daniel B Davies. Habib is your best choice in this busy primary field.

Tina Podlodowski is running for Secretary of State to increase voter participation and turnout as the state’s chief elections officer. She is a former Microsoft executive who also served on the Seattle City Council and has 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. Timothy Turner, a Libertarian who is not a credible candidate, is also in this race. Podlodowski deserves your vote.

Jeff Sprung is a lawyer and former Planned Parenthood Votes board member who is running to increase transparency and accountability in state government. He previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney investigating and prosecuting corruption in low-income housing programs. He supports increasing whistleblower protections to better identify fraud and potential inefficiencies in government. Sprung is running the strongest campaign and has received the most support from our progressive partners.

Former Pierce County Auditor and current Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy is another good candidate in this race. She is running to use her experience managing large budgets and agencies to improve efficiency and transparency.

Their opponent is the socially-conservative Republican Senator Mark Miloscia, who earned dual endorsements along with Sprung from our labor partners at SEIU 925, SEIU 775, and the Washington Federation of State Employees. Miloscia also earned a sole endorsement from the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. Unfortunately, Miloscia 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.

Also in this race is Independent Mark Wilson and No Party Preference candidate David Golden. Sprung is the best choice in this race.

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 competitive campaign. Ferguson deserves your vote.

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 Libertarian Justin Murta and Republican Richard Schrock, neither of whom is running a credible campaign.

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 conservative James Apker, who is not running a viable campaign. Andy Billig is the clear choice in this race.

Marcus Riccelli is an effective progressive 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 advocate of a state basic health plan, and has also been a vocal supporter 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 progressive 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 Republican Laura Carder, who is not running an effective campaign, and Libertarian Paul Delaney. 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. He is a strong progressive who faces an uphill battle against incumbent Matt Shea. 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 No Political Party candidate Barry Pfundt as well as three Republicans -- Spokane County Chief Deputy Treasurer Mike Volz, Samuel Canty, and the untested press secretary of Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Ian Field. 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 is one of the far-right members of his party. Lichty is the clear choice in this race.

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. Also in the race is Republican college student Hailey Romer, who does not appear to be running a campaign. 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's opponents include former Spokane city council member Nancy McLaughlin, a social conservative appointed to the vacant commission seat this year, and 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.

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 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. Also in the race is "Zamboni" John Scannell, a perennial candidate who is not running a credible campaign. Madsen is by far the best-qualified candidate in this race.