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Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE)

Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE) Endorsements

Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE) works for social and economic justice by transforming our democracy through grassroots political empowerment of the broad API community, sustaining a progressive voice to hold ourselves and our leaders accountable to the people.

Legislative Races

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below legislative races on your ballot.

37th Legislative District

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to the Senate seat in Legislative District 37. She previously worked as the Executive Director for Puget Sound Sage, a nonprofit tackling issues such as environmental justice, affordable housing, and workers' rights. In her first term in the Senate, Saldaña has pushed for full education funding and an end to Washington's regressive tax system. Her first bill signed by Governor Inslee expanded HOV lane access for blood donation vehicles, and she has co-signed bills to protect internet privacy and prohibit criminal record check-boxes on job applications.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to the Senate seat in Legislative District 37. She previously worked as the Executive Director for Puget Sound Sage, a nonprofit tackling issues such as environmental justice, affordable housing, and workers' rights. In her first term in the Senate, Saldaña has pushed for full education funding and an end to Washington's regressive tax system. Her first bill signed by Governor Inslee expanded HOV lane access for blood donation vehicles, and she has co-signed bills to protect internet privacy and prohibit criminal record check-boxes on job applications.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

45th Legislative District

It is vital that Manka Dhingra is elected as state Senator for the 45th District. Dhingra is the Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, an anti-domestic violence activist, and a supervisor for both the Mental Health and Veterans courts. Her experience prepares her to handle issues of homelessness, substance abuse, closing tax loopholes, and promoting equity, justice, and inclusion.

Dhingra is running against Republican Jinyoung Lee Englund. Englund spent her career as a political operative working for Republicans, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, former presidential candidate Gov. Jeb Bush, and Dino Rossi. She only recently moved to the district from Washington, D.C. where she worked as a lobbyist.

This race is important because the Republican-controlled state Senate has used their single-seat majority to grind Olympia to a halt on climate change, tax reform, workers’ rights, health care, voting rights, and other key issues. If a progressive wins this race, it will flip control of the Senate from Republicans to Democrats and open the door to passing many priority bills. Manka Dhingra is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

It is vital that Manka Dhingra is elected as state Senator for the 45th District. Dhingra is the Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, an anti-domestic violence activist, and a supervisor for both the Mental Health and Veterans courts. Her experience prepares her to handle issues of homelessness, substance abuse, closing tax loopholes, and promoting equity, justice, and inclusion.

Dhingra is running against Republican Jinyoung Lee Englund. Englund spent her career as a political operative working for Republicans, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, former presidential candidate Gov. Jeb Bush, and Dino Rossi. She only recently moved to the district from Washington, D.C. where she worked as a lobbyist.

This race is important because the Republican-controlled state Senate has used their single-seat majority to grind Olympia to a halt on climate change, tax reform, workers’ rights, health care, voting rights, and other key issues. If a progressive wins this race, it will flip control of the Senate from Republicans to Democrats and open the door to passing many priority bills. Manka Dhingra is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

48th Legislative District

A biotech professional and former member of the Bellevue City Council, Vandana Slatter was appointed to the state House in early 2017 and is now running to retain her seat. In her role as representative, Slatter has focused on education and equity issues, working on legislation benefiting homeless youth, fully funding schools, and providing health care for all. She has served on the boards of several organizations and nonprofits, including the Children's Institute for Learning Differences, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Global Social Business Partners, and the Cancer Center at Overlake Hospital Foundation.

She is running against Libertarian Ciaran Dougherty, a computational linguist who lacks Slatter's knowledge and experience with public policy. Slatter is the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

A biotech professional and former member of the Bellevue City Council, Vandana Slatter was appointed to the state House in early 2017 and is now running to retain her seat. In her role as representative, Slatter has focused on education and equity issues, working on legislation benefiting homeless youth, fully funding schools, and providing health care for all. She has served on the boards of several organizations and nonprofits, including the Children's Institute for Learning Differences, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Global Social Business Partners, and the Cancer Center at Overlake Hospital Foundation.

She is running against Libertarian Ciaran Dougherty, a computational linguist who lacks Slatter's knowledge and experience with public policy. Slatter is the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

King County, District 1

Depending on the county district you live in, you may have the following races on your ballot.

Rod Dembowski has played a key role on the King County Council promoting responsible regional development that balances environmental protections and job growth. Dembowski has prioritized improving domestic abuse services, green transit, and voting access in King County. He has strong stances on progressive issues like affordable housing and homelessness, but it is worth noting that he did take some questionable votes on revenue and health and human services issues during his most recent term. Dembowski is running unopposed for reelection.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Rod Dembowski has played a key role on the King County Council promoting responsible regional development that balances environmental protections and job growth. Dembowski has prioritized improving domestic abuse services, green transit, and voting access in King County. He has strong stances on progressive issues like affordable housing and homelessness, but it is worth noting that he did take some questionable votes on revenue and health and human services issues during his most recent term. Dembowski is running unopposed for reelection.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.

Bellevue City Council

Community leader Janice Zahn has served on the City of Bellevue Transportation Commission since 2013. Previously, she was a manager for construction projects for the Port of Seattle, where she gained experience making sustainable transportation decisions on a regional scale. Zahn is running to ensure that the Eastside grows responsibly while protecting access to affordable housing for residents. She also wants to implement a climate change policy that reflects the city's values.

Zahn is running agains Phillip Yin, who ran as a Republican for Lt. Governor last year and lost in the primary to former state Senator Cyrus Habib. Zahn has earned strong progressive support and is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Community leader Janice Zahn has served on the City of Bellevue Transportation Commission since 2013. Previously, she was a manager for construction projects for the Port of Seattle, where she gained experience making sustainable transportation decisions on a regional scale. Zahn is running to ensure that the Eastside grows responsibly while protecting access to affordable housing for residents. She also wants to implement a climate change policy that reflects the city's values.

Zahn is running agains Phillip Yin, who ran as a Republican for Lt. Governor last year and lost in the primary to former state Senator Cyrus Habib. Zahn has earned strong progressive support and is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Burien City Council

Jimmy Matta is running for Position 3 with a deep understanding of the struggles of working families. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, and by the time he was a teenager Matta had dropped out of high school to support his family in the fields. Matta later started a construction business, and went on to become a representative for the Carpenters Union for more than 20 years. If elected, Matta wants to create dedicated positions in the city to support local businesses, address the homelessness crisis and connect people to existing services. Matta would also focus on affordable housing and developing community policing programs.

Matta is running against conservative incumbent Debi Wagner, who has voted against sanctuary city status. A large portion of Wagner's time on the council and her campaign have been centered on economic development and public safety in the form of hiring more police officers. Matta is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Jimmy Matta is running for Position 3 with a deep understanding of the struggles of working families. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, and by the time he was a teenager Matta had dropped out of high school to support his family in the fields. Matta later started a construction business, and went on to become a representative for the Carpenters Union for more than 20 years. If elected, Matta wants to create dedicated positions in the city to support local businesses, address the homelessness crisis and connect people to existing services. Matta would also focus on affordable housing and developing community policing programs.

Matta is running against conservative incumbent Debi Wagner, who has voted against sanctuary city status. A large portion of Wagner's time on the council and her campaign have been centered on economic development and public safety in the form of hiring more police officers. Matta is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Kent City Council

Satwinder Kaur is an IT professional and a former Kent City Council executive assistant. Kaur has been deeply involved with local community organizations, including serving as chair of the Kent Cultural Communities Board, steward of Green Kent Parks, member of the Kent International Festival Steering Committee, board member of the Kent Historical Society, and member of Living Well Kent. Her platform includes ensuring safe neighborhoods, fiscal transparency, traffic reduction, and making the police force more diverse.

Kaur is facing libertarian Paul Addis, an army veteran and a senior business analyst at Alaska Airlines. Kaur is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Satwinder Kaur is an IT professional and a former Kent City Council executive assistant. Kaur has been deeply involved with local community organizations, including serving as chair of the Kent Cultural Communities Board, steward of Green Kent Parks, member of the Kent International Festival Steering Committee, board member of the Kent Historical Society, and member of Living Well Kent. Her platform includes ensuring safe neighborhoods, fiscal transparency, traffic reduction, and making the police force more diverse.

Kaur is facing libertarian Paul Addis, an army veteran and a senior business analyst at Alaska Airlines. Kaur is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mercer Island City Council

Benson Wong has served one term on the city council and is seeking re-election in 2017. In his first term, Wong worked on Mercer Island's library renovation and worked to identify and fix the city's water contamination issues. He is running on a platform of mitigating mobility issues due to light rail construction, keeping the budget balanced, and improving the Town Center.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Benson Wong has served one term on the city council and is seeking re-election in 2017. In his first term, Wong worked on Mercer Island's library renovation and worked to identify and fix the city's water contamination issues. He is running on a platform of mitigating mobility issues due to light rail construction, keeping the budget balanced, and improving the Town Center.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Sammamish City Council

Rituja Indapure is a Senior Analyst at Costco. She has served in the community as Treasurer at Challenger Elementary, co-president of the Beaver Lake PTSA, and a United Way volunteer. Indapure is seeking cost-effective transportation solutions and sustainable growth that protects parks and the environment. She also seeks ways to improve emergency response times, specifically services deployed in natural disasters, and to decrease language barriers between the police department and the community.

Indapure is running against conservative Chris Ross. We recommend Indapure in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Rituja Indapure is a Senior Analyst at Costco. She has served in the community as Treasurer at Challenger Elementary, co-president of the Beaver Lake PTSA, and a United Way volunteer. Indapure is seeking cost-effective transportation solutions and sustainable growth that protects parks and the environment. She also seeks ways to improve emergency response times, specifically services deployed in natural disasters, and to decrease language barriers between the police department and the community.

Indapure is running against conservative Chris Ross. We recommend Indapure in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Seattle City Council

Teresa Mosqueda is the Political and Strategic Campaign Director at the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and a former Fuse board member. She was a leader in the statewide campaign to raise the minimum wage in 2016 and has also worked to expand health care access and promote environmental justice. She is running for city council to improve housing affordability and support working people. Her experience advocating at the state and local level has given her an impressive depth of knowledge about both policy details and the legislative process.

Mosqueda is running against Jon Grant, the former Director of the Seattle Tenants’ Union. He is prioritizing housing affordability and is emphasizing a grassroots approach to campaigning and policy development. Grant is running as a Democratic Socialist with a very bold platform. Although Grant earned the endorsement of The Stranger newspaper, several editorial board members wrote a strong dissent in support of Mosqueda.

Mosqueda is the best choice for Seattle City Council Position 8 because of her extensive track record implementing paid family leave, fighting for living wages, and securing health care for all.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Teresa Mosqueda is the Political and Strategic Campaign Director at the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and a former Fuse board member. She was a leader in the statewide campaign to raise the minimum wage in 2016 and has also worked to expand health care access and promote environmental justice. She is running for city council to improve housing affordability and support working people. Her experience advocating at the state and local level has given her an impressive depth of knowledge about both policy details and the legislative process.

Mosqueda is running against Jon Grant, the former Director of the Seattle Tenants’ Union. He is prioritizing housing affordability and is emphasizing a grassroots approach to campaigning and policy development. Grant is running as a Democratic Socialist with a very bold platform. Although Grant earned the endorsement of The Stranger newspaper, several editorial board members wrote a strong dissent in support of Mosqueda.

Mosqueda is the best choice for Seattle City Council Position 8 because of her extensive track record implementing paid family leave, fighting for living wages, and securing health care for all.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Lorena González has been a truly impressive leader in her two years on the Seattle City Council. González is a civil rights attorney who runs a bilingual legal clinic for low-income residents and is the President Emeritus of OneAmerica, a Seattle-based immigrant advocacy organization. She supports police reform for bias-free and just policing, paid parental and family leave for all workers, and supports much of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) for more equitable housing policy and as a part of the solution to homelessness in the city. If reelected, González wants to create a legal defense fund for immigrants and to fix our city's upside-down tax code. She is running against challenger and small business owner Pat Murakami who is not running as progressive of a campaign. González is the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Lorena González has been a truly impressive leader in her two years on the Seattle City Council. González is a civil rights attorney who runs a bilingual legal clinic for low-income residents and is the President Emeritus of OneAmerica, a Seattle-based immigrant advocacy organization. She supports police reform for bias-free and just policing, paid parental and family leave for all workers, and supports much of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) for more equitable housing policy and as a part of the solution to homelessness in the city. If reelected, González wants to create a legal defense fund for immigrants and to fix our city's upside-down tax code. She is running against challenger and small business owner Pat Murakami who is not running as progressive of a campaign. González is the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Shoreline City Council

Community activist Jin-Ah Kim is running for Shoreline City Council, Position 1. As a recovered survivor of opioid addiction, Kim has dedicated herself to helping people who struggle with homelessness and drug addiction. Kim is a precinct committee officer with 32nd District Democrats. As a candidate, she is focused on ensuring Shoreline's financial stability, building the city's ability to provide services to underserved populations, and mitigating changes brought by light rail and Point Wells development.

Kim is running against Shoreline City Council incumbent Keith McGlashan, who has served on the council since 2005. McGlashan supported World Refugee Day and more recently joined the unanimous vote of making Shoreline a safe and welcoming city. He is a member of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Local Officials Committee (GLBLO), and has served on various community organizations like Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, King County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, and the National League of Cities, Community and Economic Development Committee.

Because of her support from our progressive partners, we think Jin-Ah Kim is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Community activist Jin-Ah Kim is running for Shoreline City Council, Position 1. As a recovered survivor of opioid addiction, Kim has dedicated herself to helping people who struggle with homelessness and drug addiction. Kim is a precinct committee officer with 32nd District Democrats. As a candidate, she is focused on ensuring Shoreline's financial stability, building the city's ability to provide services to underserved populations, and mitigating changes brought by light rail and Point Wells development.

Kim is running against Shoreline City Council incumbent Keith McGlashan, who has served on the council since 2005. McGlashan supported World Refugee Day and more recently joined the unanimous vote of making Shoreline a safe and welcoming city. He is a member of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Local Officials Committee (GLBLO), and has served on various community organizations like Shoreline Public Schools Foundation, King County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, and the National League of Cities, Community and Economic Development Committee.

Because of her support from our progressive partners, we think Jin-Ah Kim is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: APACE , M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO , Pro-Choice Washington , UFCW 3000 , King County Democrats, King County Young Democrats

Shoreline Planning Commissioner Susan Chang is running for Shoreline City Council Position 5 against Democratic precinct committee officer Carolyn Ahlgreen. A civil engineer by trade, Chang is also a volunteer with the Richmond Beach Community Association Board and Richmond Beach Advocates. Her priorities are a balanced budget, regional solutions to affordable housing, public safety, and preservation of the city's tree canopy. She has also emphasized the need for traffic and congestion improvements in rezoned areas like Aurora Ave.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Shoreline Planning Commissioner Susan Chang is running for Shoreline City Council Position 5 against Democratic precinct committee officer Carolyn Ahlgreen. A civil engineer by trade, Chang is also a volunteer with the Richmond Beach Community Association Board and Richmond Beach Advocates. Her priorities are a balanced budget, regional solutions to affordable housing, public safety, and preservation of the city's tree canopy. She has also emphasized the need for traffic and congestion improvements in rezoned areas like Aurora Ave.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: APACE , Equal Rights Washington , King County Democrats

Bellevue School Board

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.

My-Linh Thai is running for reelection to the Bellevue School Board, Position 5. In her first term on the school board, she singlehandedly raised the issue of racial equity in education; because of her advocacy, racial equity is now a core guiding principle of the school board. As a Vietnamese refugee who moved to Washington at age 15 without speaking a word of English, Thai has an acute understanding of the true difference public education can make in the life of a child. Because Bellevue is the most diverse city in the state of Washington, Thai is best equipped to represent and advocate for all students in her district. She wants to enhance communication between all "clients" of the school district (parents, children, teacher, and staff) and close the achievement gap in math and reading.

Her opponent, Hugh Gladner, is running against the "cronyism" of the current school board and espousing a platform of transparency, partnering with charter schools, and getting more people in the district involved with the school district.

We recommend My-Linh Thai in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

My-Linh Thai is running for reelection to the Bellevue School Board, Position 5. In her first term on the school board, she singlehandedly raised the issue of racial equity in education; because of her advocacy, racial equity is now a core guiding principle of the school board. As a Vietnamese refugee who moved to Washington at age 15 without speaking a word of English, Thai has an acute understanding of the true difference public education can make in the life of a child. Because Bellevue is the most diverse city in the state of Washington, Thai is best equipped to represent and advocate for all students in her district. She wants to enhance communication between all "clients" of the school district (parents, children, teacher, and staff) and close the achievement gap in math and reading.

Her opponent, Hugh Gladner, is running against the "cronyism" of the current school board and espousing a platform of transparency, partnering with charter schools, and getting more people in the district involved with the school district.

We recommend My-Linh Thai in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05