Cowlitz 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.

Democrat Jim Moeller has risen to become Speaker Pro Tempore of the state House through his hard work and leadership. Moeller has developed a stellar reputation for bipartisanship through his work on health care and job creation. He has also been a strong advocate for fully funding schools, ensuring families have a safe place to sleep, and solving our state's mental health crisis.

Moeller faces a tough race against incumbent Jaime Herrera Beutler. Herrera Beutler is an extremely conservative Republican who has consistently sided with the Tea Party on issues like health care, environmental protection, immigration reform, and economic fairness. Also in this race is progressive Angie Marx, who wants to close tax loopholes for fossil fuel companies, pass paid family leave, and fight institutional racism; Democrats David McDevitt and Kathleen "Grandma Warrior" Arthur; and Independent L.A. (Worthy) Worthington. Moeller is the best choice in this race

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 Dean Takko is a moderate Democrat who has represented the 19th District since 2005. He previously served in the state House for 10 years before being appointed recently to fill the seat of former Senator Brian Hatfield. Takko has supported bills that invest money in jobs and infrastructure but has disappointed progressives on environmental issues and gun safety.

While Takko may have a less than stellar record, he's still a much better choice than his opponent, Sue Kuehl Pederson, a member of the Independent GOP Party who is not running a competitive campaign.

Rep. J.D. Rossetti was appointed this spring to replace Dean Takko when he moved up to the Senate. Rossetti is generally a conservative Democrat, though he is strong on labor issues and is endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council. Rossetti’s appointment was highly controversial because the district Democrats chose progressive leader Tiffany Turner as their top pick, but a slate of conservative county commissioners overruled them and selected Rossetti.

Also running for this seat is Republican Jim Walsh, the Vice Chair of the Washington State Republican Party; Val Tinney, a Republican Realtor, and Democrat Tim Sutinenm, who is not running a viable campaign. Purcell is the best choice in this crowded field.

Representative Brian Blake is currently the Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee and has a moderate voting record. Like Sen. Takko, Blake has been problematic on some environmental and gun safety legislation. He is running against Democrat Butch Stavrum, who wishes to impose a tax on every oyster in order to bring money back into the district, and Republican Jimi O'Hagan. Blake is the best choice in this race due to his support from our partners.

Mike Karnofski has served on the County Commission since 2010. The former Weyerhauser executive has worked to streamline Cowlitz's technology and transparency in his six years on the commission. Though it is disappointing that he wants to see the Longview coal terminal project move forward, he has demonstrated a moderate record on the council.

Karnofski faces Woodland City Council woman Marliee McCall, who "cannot find any major fault" with Karnofski's record, as well as no party preference candidate Jim Hill, Libertarian Curtis Hart, and Republican Party activist Arne Mortensen. Due to his leadership and experience, Karnofski has earned another term.

Shawn Nyman is a labor advocate running in this crowded race for County Commission District 2 against incumbent Republican Dennis Weber. This commission will have some decision-making authority on the Longview coal terminal, and while Nyman has advocated for the few jobs it would bring, she understands the health, safety, and climate implications of coal far better than the other candidates in the race. Additionally, Weber is being opposed by Republican Frank Morrison, director of Community House on Broadway, who does not support the shelter solutions for homelessness that are currently in place. Also in this race is Independent Kevin Hunter, a conservative YouTube social media promotor who is running as an Independent. For her leadership fighting for working people, Nyman deserves your vote.

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.