Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Fuse WA
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Ruth Esparza

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Ruth Esparza was appointed to the Wenatchee City Council in 2014. She works as an attorney with Northwest Justice Project, which provides legal counsel and aid to low-income individuals in Washington. Esparza is the daughter of a Latino farm family and values an inclusive community. She has focused her personal, professional, and civil work on supporting poor and marginalized communities. As a candidate, she is prioritizing responsible growth management and affordable housing. She works on the Chelan/Douglas County United Way Board, and was the 2008 recipient of the Wenatchee Valley Civil Rights and Social Justice Award. Her opponent is Adriana Farnsworth, who is not running a competitive campaign. Esparza is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Ruth Esparza was appointed to the Wenatchee City Council in 2014. She works as an attorney with Northwest Justice Project, which provides legal counsel and aid to low-income individuals in Washington. Esparza is the daughter of a Latino farm family and values an inclusive community. She has focused her personal, professional, and civil work on supporting poor and marginalized communities. As a candidate, she is prioritizing responsible growth management and affordable housing. She works on the Chelan/Douglas County United Way Board, and was the 2008 recipient of the Wenatchee Valley Civil Rights and Social Justice Award. Her opponent is Adriana Farnsworth, who is not running a competitive campaign. Esparza is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Wenatchee

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Election Day November 7, 2017
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Statewide Ballot Measures

Advisory Vote #16

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 16

A bipartisan group of legislators passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1597, which included a small excise tax in order to increase environmental protections for regional fish and wildlife. Because of a Tim Eyman initiative, the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 16.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

A bipartisan group of legislators passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1597, which included a small excise tax in order to increase environmental protections for regional fish and wildlife. Because of a Tim Eyman initiative, the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a non-binding advisory vote. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 16.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Advisory Vote #17

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 17

Our state has been under Supreme Court order to fully fund education for several years. This June, Republicans and Democrats came together to approve a bipartisan package of revenue increases for public schools, including expanding the Business and Occupation tax. While this does not solve the education funding problem, the package goes a long way towards providing a quality education for all students. This non-binding advisory vote is required thanks to a Tim Eyman ballot measure. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 17.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Our state has been under Supreme Court order to fully fund education for several years. This June, Republicans and Democrats came together to approve a bipartisan package of revenue increases for public schools, including expanding the Business and Occupation tax. While this does not solve the education funding problem, the package goes a long way towards providing a quality education for all students. This non-binding advisory vote is required thanks to a Tim Eyman ballot measure. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 17.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Advisory Vote #18

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 18

In addition to the business taxes covered in Advisory Vote 17, a strong bipartisan majority of state legislators voted to increase local property taxes to fund schools. We have concerns about raising regressive property taxes that disproportionately impact working families and make our upside-down tax code even worse. However, we are optimistic about retaking the state Senate this fall and working with progressives in Olympia next year to reduce this tax and instead make the wealthy pay their fair share.

Like the other advisory votes, this is a non-binding measure required by a Tim Eyman ballot initiative. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 18.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

In addition to the business taxes covered in Advisory Vote 17, a strong bipartisan majority of state legislators voted to increase local property taxes to fund schools. We have concerns about raising regressive property taxes that disproportionately impact working families and make our upside-down tax code even worse. However, we are optimistic about retaking the state Senate this fall and working with progressives in Olympia next year to reduce this tax and instead make the wealthy pay their fair share.

Like the other advisory votes, this is a non-binding measure required by a Tim Eyman ballot initiative. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 18.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

7th Legislative District

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

State Senator

Karen Hardy photo
Democrat

Karen Hardy

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Karen Hardy, a ranch teamster, is the first Democrat to run in Legislative District 7 in ten years. She is a proponent of single payer healthcare, clean energy jobs, and fully funded education with certificate courses for trade students.

Her Republican opponent, Shelly Short, was appointed to the state senate when former Sen. Brian Dansel was chosen for a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hardy would be a progressive change for Legislative District 7.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Karen Hardy, a ranch teamster, is the first Democrat to run in Legislative District 7 in ten years. She is a proponent of single payer healthcare, clean energy jobs, and fully funded education with certificate courses for trade students.

Her Republican opponent, Shelly Short, was appointed to the state senate when former Sen. Brian Dansel was chosen for a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hardy would be a progressive change for Legislative District 7.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Equal Rights Washington , Fuse , Pro-Choice Washington , Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates , Spokane Regional Labor Council

State Representative, Position #1

Susan Swanson photo
Democrat

Susan Swanson

Website Facebook Endorsements

Democrat Susan Swanson served in the U.S. Navy and later worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Defense Education Activity. She supports fully funding education, improving rural education access, and serving rural veterans. Swanson is running against Republican Jacquelin Maycumber, who is an outspoken critic of progressive values and workers' rights. Swanson is the best choice to represent the 7th District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Democrat Susan Swanson served in the U.S. Navy and later worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Defense Education Activity. She supports fully funding education, improving rural education access, and serving rural veterans. Swanson is running against Republican Jacquelin Maycumber, who is an outspoken critic of progressive values and workers' rights. Swanson is the best choice to represent the 7th District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Fuse , Washington State Labor Council , Spokane Regional Labor Council

Wenatchee City Council

Wenatchee City Council, Position #2

Ruth Esparza photo

Ruth Esparza

Website Facebook Endorsements

Ruth Esparza was appointed to the Wenatchee City Council in 2014. She works as an attorney with Northwest Justice Project, which provides legal counsel and aid to low-income individuals in Washington. Esparza is the daughter of a Latino farm family and values an inclusive community. She has focused her personal, professional, and civil work on supporting poor and marginalized communities. As a candidate, she is prioritizing responsible growth management and affordable housing. She works on the Chelan/Douglas County United Way Board, and was the 2008 recipient of the Wenatchee Valley Civil Rights and Social Justice Award. Her opponent is Adriana Farnsworth, who is not running a competitive campaign. Esparza is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Ruth Esparza was appointed to the Wenatchee City Council in 2014. She works as an attorney with Northwest Justice Project, which provides legal counsel and aid to low-income individuals in Washington. Esparza is the daughter of a Latino farm family and values an inclusive community. She has focused her personal, professional, and civil work on supporting poor and marginalized communities. As a candidate, she is prioritizing responsible growth management and affordable housing. She works on the Chelan/Douglas County United Way Board, and was the 2008 recipient of the Wenatchee Valley Civil Rights and Social Justice Award. Her opponent is Adriana Farnsworth, who is not running a competitive campaign. Esparza is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Wenatchee City Council, Position #4

Adam MacDonald photo

Adam MacDonald

Website Facebook Endorsements

Adam MacDonald is a history teacher at Wenatchee High School and an active member of the Wenatchee Education Association. MacDonald advocates for increasing development, especially affordable housing, protecting outdoor spaces like the foothills, and maintaining a culture of inclusion in the city.

MacDonald is challenging incumbent Keith Huffaker, who is a programmer for Westmark and a self-described "conservative voice". Huffaker has emphasized the need for frugality in the city government and has no progressive measures in his campaign.

MacDonald is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Adam MacDonald is a history teacher at Wenatchee High School and an active member of the Wenatchee Education Association. MacDonald advocates for increasing development, especially affordable housing, protecting outdoor spaces like the foothills, and maintaining a culture of inclusion in the city.

MacDonald is challenging incumbent Keith Huffaker, who is a programmer for Westmark and a self-described "conservative voice". Huffaker has emphasized the need for frugality in the city government and has no progressive measures in his campaign.

MacDonald is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05