City of Tacoma
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The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Vote in every race on your ballot! It's our right and our responsibility. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
City Races
Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.
Tacoma Mayor
There are three progressives running to be Mayor of Tacoma: Victoria Woodards, Evelyn Lopez, and Jim Merritt. While Woodards and Lopez have both earned broad support, Woodards has earned the most endorsements from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations.
Victoria Woodards was a member of the Tacoma City Council for 7 years and resigned her seat to run for mayor late last year. She is a U.S. army veteran and president of the Tacoma Urban League. She will focus on family-wage jobs, public safety, responsible budgets, local businesses, and a lasting solution to the homelessness and mental health crisis. We lean toward Woodards because of her broader support from our progressive partner organizations.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Victoria Woodards was a member of the Tacoma City Council for 7 years and resigned her seat to run for mayor late last year. She is a U.S. army veteran and president of the Tacoma Urban League. She will focus on family-wage jobs, public safety, responsible budgets, local businesses, and a lasting solution to the homelessness and mental health crisis. We lean toward Woodards because of her broader support from our progressive partner organizations.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
,
UFCW 3000
,
Teamsters Local 117
Victoria Woodards was a member of the Tacoma City Council for 7 years and resigned her seat to run for mayor late last year. She is a U.S. army veteran and president of the Tacoma Urban League. She will focus on family-wage jobs, public safety, responsible budgets, local businesses, and a lasting solution to the homelessness and mental health crisis. We lean toward Woodards because of her broader support from our progressive partner organizations.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
,
UFCW 3000
,
Teamsters Local 117
Evelyn Lopez previously worked as Assistant Attorney General and Executive Director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Lopez's campaign seeks increased neighborhood density to lower infrastructure cost, limit sprawl, attract small businesses, and make public transit more efficient. She advocates for mixed-use centers where residents could procure affordable housing and be near jobs, schools, and shopping. Lopez deserves credit for her outspoken opposition to the LNG development in Tacoma.
Jim Merritt is another progressive running who lost a close race to Mayor Strickland in 2009. This year, our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations are lining up behind Woodards and Lopez.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Evelyn Lopez previously worked as Assistant Attorney General and Executive Director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Lopez's campaign seeks increased neighborhood density to lower infrastructure cost, limit sprawl, attract small businesses, and make public transit more efficient. She advocates for mixed-use centers where residents could procure affordable housing and be near jobs, schools, and shopping. Lopez deserves credit for her outspoken opposition to the LNG development in Tacoma.
Jim Merritt is another progressive running who lost a close race to Mayor Strickland in 2009. This year, our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations are lining up behind Woodards and Lopez.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pierce County Democratic Central Committee, Washington Education Association - Tacoma
Evelyn Lopez previously worked as Assistant Attorney General and Executive Director of the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Lopez's campaign seeks increased neighborhood density to lower infrastructure cost, limit sprawl, attract small businesses, and make public transit more efficient. She advocates for mixed-use centers where residents could procure affordable housing and be near jobs, schools, and shopping. Lopez deserves credit for her outspoken opposition to the LNG development in Tacoma.
Jim Merritt is another progressive running who lost a close race to Mayor Strickland in 2009. This year, our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations are lining up behind Woodards and Lopez.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pierce County Democratic Central Committee, Washington Education Association - Tacoma
Tacoma City Council
There are three good candidates in this race: Meredith Neal, Rev. Gregory Christopher, and Lillian Hunter. Neal and Christopher have earned the broadest support from progressive advocates.
Pastor Gregory Christopher is the President of the Tacoma Branch of the NAACP, a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, and vice chairman of the Tacoma Urban League board. He was a part of the mayor's minimum wage task force and a leader of Project P.E.A.C.E., an action plan to improve relations between Tacoma Police Department and the community. Christopher is an advocate for living wage jobs, housing affordability, and police accountability. He does not have the financial backing of Neal or Hunter because he entered the race later, but he is well-respected among the activist community.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Pastor Gregory Christopher is the President of the Tacoma Branch of the NAACP, a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, and vice chairman of the Tacoma Urban League board. He was a part of the mayor's minimum wage task force and a leader of Project P.E.A.C.E., an action plan to improve relations between Tacoma Police Department and the community. Christopher is an advocate for living wage jobs, housing affordability, and police accountability. He does not have the financial backing of Neal or Hunter because he entered the race later, but he is well-respected among the activist community.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: SEIU 775
,
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
,
Teamsters Local 117
Pastor Gregory Christopher is the President of the Tacoma Branch of the NAACP, a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, and vice chairman of the Tacoma Urban League board. He was a part of the mayor's minimum wage task force and a leader of Project P.E.A.C.E., an action plan to improve relations between Tacoma Police Department and the community. Christopher is an advocate for living wage jobs, housing affordability, and police accountability. He does not have the financial backing of Neal or Hunter because he entered the race later, but he is well-respected among the activist community.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: SEIU 775
,
SEIU Healthcare 1199NW
,
Teamsters Local 117
Lillian Hunter is a teacher at Lincoln High School who has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. Her family immigrated to Tacoma from Denmark. She has served two terms on the local library board and was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Trustee for Bates Technical College. If elected, she would focus on collaborative efforts to reduce homelessness, community policing and liaison programs, providing job training, and equitable infrastructure development that protects the environment.
Also running for this race is Sarah Morken, a socialist candidate who has worked with Occupy Tacoma, South Sound Jobs with Justice, and $15 Tacoma. She supports tenant-run public housing, community control of policing, and shutting down the North West Detention Center.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Lillian Hunter is a teacher at Lincoln High School who has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. Her family immigrated to Tacoma from Denmark. She has served two terms on the local library board and was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Trustee for Bates Technical College. If elected, she would focus on collaborative efforts to reduce homelessness, community policing and liaison programs, providing job training, and equitable infrastructure development that protects the environment.
Also running for this race is Sarah Morken, a socialist candidate who has worked with Occupy Tacoma, South Sound Jobs with Justice, and $15 Tacoma. She supports tenant-run public housing, community control of policing, and shutting down the North West Detention Center.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Lillian Hunter is a teacher at Lincoln High School who has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. Her family immigrated to Tacoma from Denmark. She has served two terms on the local library board and was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Trustee for Bates Technical College. If elected, she would focus on collaborative efforts to reduce homelessness, community policing and liaison programs, providing job training, and equitable infrastructure development that protects the environment.
Also running for this race is Sarah Morken, a socialist candidate who has worked with Occupy Tacoma, South Sound Jobs with Justice, and $15 Tacoma. She supports tenant-run public housing, community control of policing, and shutting down the North West Detention Center.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Meredith Neal served on the YWCA Pierce County Board, City of Tacoma Planning Commission, and the Forterra Regional Leadership Council. Neal's campaign priorities are increasing living wage job opportunities, incentivizing affordable housing development, upgrading Tacoma's stormwater infrastructure to protect the Puget Sound, and increasing the tree canopy.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Meredith Neal served on the YWCA Pierce County Board, City of Tacoma Planning Commission, and the Forterra Regional Leadership Council. Neal's campaign priorities are increasing living wage job opportunities, incentivizing affordable housing development, upgrading Tacoma's stormwater infrastructure to protect the Puget Sound, and increasing the tree canopy.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
UFCW Local 367
Meredith Neal served on the YWCA Pierce County Board, City of Tacoma Planning Commission, and the Forterra Regional Leadership Council. Neal's campaign priorities are increasing living wage job opportunities, incentivizing affordable housing development, upgrading Tacoma's stormwater infrastructure to protect the Puget Sound, and increasing the tree canopy.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
UFCW Local 367
City of Tacoma, District #4
Catherine Ushka is President of the Tacoma School Board. She has served in the U.S. Navy and as Vice President of the Tacoma Charter Review, Commissioner for the City of Tacoma Human Services, and on the Executive Team and Steering Committee for the Eastside Community Center. Her campaign is focused on public safety, housing, and sustainable career paths. She advocated against state initiative 1515, which would repeal non-discrimination protections for transgender people in housing, employment, schools.
Ushka is facing progressive Shalisa Hayes and real estate developer Kevin Grossman. Hayes founded the Billy Ray Foundation and Mothers of Magnitude, organizations aimed at providing positive spaces and engagement for youth, and for mothers who have lost children. Hayes is also the lead organizer behind the creation of the Eastside Community Center, which will provide youth programming and a safe space for local youth to learn and play. Grossman is a former Shoreline City Councilmember and former Vice Chair of the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Ushka has earned the broadest support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners and is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Catherine Ushka is President of the Tacoma School Board. She has served in the U.S. Navy and as Vice President of the Tacoma Charter Review, Commissioner for the City of Tacoma Human Services, and on the Executive Team and Steering Committee for the Eastside Community Center. Her campaign is focused on public safety, housing, and sustainable career paths. She advocated against state initiative 1515, which would repeal non-discrimination protections for transgender people in housing, employment, schools.
Ushka is facing progressive Shalisa Hayes and real estate developer Kevin Grossman. Hayes founded the Billy Ray Foundation and Mothers of Magnitude, organizations aimed at providing positive spaces and engagement for youth, and for mothers who have lost children. Hayes is also the lead organizer behind the creation of the Eastside Community Center, which will provide youth programming and a safe space for local youth to learn and play. Grossman is a former Shoreline City Councilmember and former Vice Chair of the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Ushka has earned the broadest support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners and is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Catherine Ushka is President of the Tacoma School Board. She has served in the U.S. Navy and as Vice President of the Tacoma Charter Review, Commissioner for the City of Tacoma Human Services, and on the Executive Team and Steering Committee for the Eastside Community Center. Her campaign is focused on public safety, housing, and sustainable career paths. She advocated against state initiative 1515, which would repeal non-discrimination protections for transgender people in housing, employment, schools.
Ushka is facing progressive Shalisa Hayes and real estate developer Kevin Grossman. Hayes founded the Billy Ray Foundation and Mothers of Magnitude, organizations aimed at providing positive spaces and engagement for youth, and for mothers who have lost children. Hayes is also the lead organizer behind the creation of the Eastside Community Center, which will provide youth programming and a safe space for local youth to learn and play. Grossman is a former Shoreline City Councilmember and former Vice Chair of the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Ushka has earned the broadest support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners and is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
City of Tacoma, District #5
Chris Beale is the best candidate for Position 5. He is Chair of the Planning Commission, and has also served as Vice Chair of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council, a member of Pierce Transit’s Citizen Advisory council, and as Board President of the local non-profit ForeverGreen Trails. Beale is advocating for more affordable housing, storm water quality maintenance, support for Safe Routes to Schools, the Neighborhood Councils, and equitable road improvements. His campaign gives specific attention to South Tacoma to "address historic inequality of public investments." Beale is running against Janis Clark, Justin Van Dyk, Joanne Babic, and Brian Arnold. Beale is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Chris Beale is the best candidate for Position 5. He is Chair of the Planning Commission, and has also served as Vice Chair of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council, a member of Pierce Transit’s Citizen Advisory council, and as Board President of the local non-profit ForeverGreen Trails. Beale is advocating for more affordable housing, storm water quality maintenance, support for Safe Routes to Schools, the Neighborhood Councils, and equitable road improvements. His campaign gives specific attention to South Tacoma to "address historic inequality of public investments." Beale is running against Janis Clark, Justin Van Dyk, Joanne Babic, and Brian Arnold. Beale is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
,
UFCW 3000
,
Washington Conservation Action
,
Teamsters Local 117
Chris Beale is the best candidate for Position 5. He is Chair of the Planning Commission, and has also served as Vice Chair of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council, a member of Pierce Transit’s Citizen Advisory council, and as Board President of the local non-profit ForeverGreen Trails. Beale is advocating for more affordable housing, storm water quality maintenance, support for Safe Routes to Schools, the Neighborhood Councils, and equitable road improvements. His campaign gives specific attention to South Tacoma to "address historic inequality of public investments." Beale is running against Janis Clark, Justin Van Dyk, Joanne Babic, and Brian Arnold. Beale is the best choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Pro-Choice Washington
,
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
,
UFCW 3000
,
Washington Conservation Action
,
Teamsters Local 117