37th Legislative District

Senator Maria Cantwell was first elected in 2000 and continues to represent our state's progressive values in our nation's capital. Sen. Cantwell has been a leader on a wide range of issues including reproductive rights, supporting the Children's Health Insurance Program, defending net neutrality, passing oil spill legislation to protect our water, working on clean energy policies, and many more.

Sen. Cantwell is opposed by Republican Susan Hutchison. Hutchison is a former news anchor and past chair of the state Republican Party. She ran for King County Executive in 2009 and lost by twenty points. Hutchison is well-known for being a party-line Republican and for her fierce defense of President Donald Trump, including calling fellow Republican Ted Cruz a "traitor" for not supporting the president's campaign.

Sen. Cantwell has been a tenacious advocate for the people of Washington state and is the best choice in this race.

Representative Pramila Jayapal has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic fairness, and civil liberties. She founded OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone) in 2001 and built it into a national model and the largest immigrant rights organization in the state. Rep. Jayapal also played a key role on the Mayoral Advisory Committee that created Seattle’s $15 minimum wage.

In her first term in Congress, Rep. Jayapal has fought the Trump administration at every turn and provided a voice for progressives across the country. She has supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Dream Act that would provide a path to citizenship for young DACA recipients. She has also fought back against the Trump administration's inhumane policy of separating families seeking asylum and she introduced legislation that paves a pathway towards a universal health care system.

Her opponent, Seattle resident Craig Keller, is best known as the founder of an anti-immigrant organization that tried to repeal the City of Burien's sanctuary city ordinance. His organization has been recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group.

Rep. Jayapal is by far the best choice in this race

Representative Adam Smith has been a reliable vote in Congress on progressive issues from taxation to immigration reform. He represents Washington's first majority-minority district, a community with 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Hispanic, and African-American communities. Rep. Smith is an advocate for greater equality, supports a path to citizenship for immigrants, reforming the tax code, and Medicare for All. Rep. Smith has used his position on the Armed Services Committee to introduce and support legislation that tempers Trump's belligerent foreign policy moves, including a bill that states the U.S. will not strike a country with nuclear weapons first.

Rep. Smith is running against Democrat Sarah Smith, who is challenging Rep. Smith from the left. She's running on a comprehensive progressive platform including Medicare for All, alleviating student loan debt, supporting a nationwide tenants’ bill of rights, and building 10 million social homes. Sarah Smith is highly critical of Rep. Smith’s votes in favor of the Iraq War and the Patriot Act. However, during her interview with Fuse staff, she failed to produce a robust and detailed plan for how she would implement the sweeping reforms she supports, politically and economically.

Rep. Adam Smith is the best choice in this race because of his experience, in-depth knowledge of public policy, and strong support from a wide range of progressive advocacy organizations.

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running for re-election to the Senate in the 37th Legislative District. Prior to entering public office, Saldaña worked as the Executive Director for Puget Sound Sage, a nonprofit tackling issues such as environmental justice, affordable housing, and workers' rights. Throughout her first term, Sen. Saldaña has stood steadfast in her mission to serve communities of color and the working families of Washington. She was selected to serve as the Majority Whip and pushed for full education funding and for progressive reforms to strengthen our democracy like automatic voting registration. Most notably, Sen. Saldaña sponsored the Washington Voting Rights Act and co-sponsored bills to protect net neutrality.

Sen. Saldaña is being challenged by Republican Beth Broadway, a Hebrew teacher with no elected experience. She is running on a fiscal responsibility platform and does not support reforming our state's regressive tax laws.

For her commitment to progressive values, Sen. Saldaña deserves your vote.

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos is a moderate Democrat and longtime representative of the 37th Legislative District. As Chair of the House Education Committee, she has been an advocate of opportunity for all kids, including her sponsorship of a bill to close the education opportunity gap that passed this past session. Rep. Santos has also stood with progressives in support of gun safety, funding for education, and other progressive revenue reforms. She supports a capital gains tax on the wealthy to fund schools and she introduced legislation this session that would allow parents to sue if their children are wrongfully killed.

Rep. Tomiko Santos is running unopposed and has earned your vote.

Democratic Representative Eric Pettigrew has served in the state Legislature for more than 16 years and is now the Majority Caucus Chair. Pettigrew has worked to promote affordable housing and economic development. Pettigrew is committed to addressing the issues facing South Seattle through a racial justice and socio-economic lens. He wants to strengthen the quality of K-12 education by increasing funding to the schools that need additional resources.

Pettigrew is opposed by real estate agent Tamra Smilanich, who is running as an independent. Smilanich's goals include educating the public about smart electricity meters and opposing efforts to reform the way we fund road projects, but her platform is not detailed or comprehensive. While several of Smilanich's campaign stances are left of center, Rep. Pettigrew is a reliable progressive leader in the Legislature and deserves your vote.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg is running for re-election on a platform of reforming and modernizing King County’s criminal justice system. His office’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program has become a national model for shifting low-level drug offenders and sex workers out of the criminal justice system and into community support services. Satterberg has been an outspoken advocate for outlawing the death penalty in Washington and he recently announced that his office will halt prosecutions for possession of small amounts of drugs.

Satterberg acknowledges the painful history of institutional racism in the King County prosecutor’s office and in the broader criminal justice system. He is actively working to change department policies and to train his staff to reduce the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on people of color. He offers thoughtful and detailed analyses of the challenges facing King County and he is willing to experiment with innovative new ways to support the community.

Satterberg is being challenged by progressive public defender Daron Morris. Morris has criticized Satterberg for not moving quickly and boldly enough to reform King County’s criminal justice system. In particular, Morris opposes the new youth jail that is currently under construction. Unfortunately, medical problems forced Morris to suspend his campaign in September.

Satterberg is the best choice for King County Prosecuting Attorney.

First elected in 2000, Supreme Court Justice Susan Justice Owens brings more 40 years of legal experience to Washington's Supreme Court. Prior to serving on the court, Justice Owens served nineteen years as a District Court Judge in Western Clallam County. Justice Owens has been a leader in the judicial community on addressing the impacts of domestic violence on children. Nationally, Justice Owens is a judicial trainer on this topic and participated in the writing of the Northwest Tribal Judges Domestic Violence Manual. Justice Owens is running unopposed for re-election and has earned your support.

Supreme Court Justice Steve Gonzalez has earned national recognition for his judicial expertise and work to increase access to the judicial system. Before serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Gonzalez served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and on the King County Superior Court for more than 10 years hearing criminal, juvenile, and family law cases. Justice Gonzalez is devoted to working for the people of Washington and serves as a board member for the Washington Leadership Institute, an organization that supports emerging community leaders from diverse backgrounds. As one of the few multi-lingual justices, he chairs the Interpreter Commission. Justice Gonzalez is rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by 10 independent bar associations in Washington state.

Gonzalez is being challenged by Bellevue-based attorney Nathan Choi, who ran unsuccessfully for a judicial seat on the Court of Appeals in 2016. Since then, Choi has faced numerous ethical controversies. In 2017, the King County Bar Association formally reprimanded Choi for violating KCBA's fair campaign practices guidelines by releasing misleading campaign materials and failing to follow state candidate rules. In February of this year, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson formally filed a lawsuit against Nathan Choi in a Thurston County Court. The case is still open.

Justice Steve Gonzalez is the best choice for Supreme Court Justice Position 8.

Washington Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud has been a fierce defender of constitutional rights and has written the decision in several consequential court cases. Prior to serving on the Supreme Court, she worked as an accomplished appellate court attorney for nearly three decades and was a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association. Her strong judicial track record has earned a rating of "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by 10 independent state bar associations, including Washington Women Lawyers and the newly-minted Veterans Bar Association.

Justice McCloud in running unopposed for Position 9 and deserves your vote.

Appointed earlier this year by Gov. Jay Inslee to this seat vacated by Judge Ronald Cox, Judge Beth M. Andrus is seeking to retain the Court of Appeals, District 1, Division 1 seat. Prior to entering the judiciary as a King County Superior Court Judge in 2010, Judge Andrus had a 21-year career as a private attorney practicing commercial litigation, intellectual property, construction, and employment law as well as appellate advocacy. In 2016, the King County Chapter of the Washington Women Lawyers Bar Association awarded her their Judge of the Year Award. Judge Andrus is known as an impartial problem solver who has a “tireless work ethic." It is also worth noting that she was nominated for a U.S. District Court appointment by former President Barack Obama, but the U.S. Senate refused to act on the nomination. Judge M. Andrus is unopposed and deserves your vote.

Chief Judge Marlin Appelwick has served on Washington’s Court of Appeals since 1998. Prior to entering the judiciary, Judge Appelwick was a private attorney and served for 16 years in the Legislature, including 12 years as a state representative for the 46th Legislative District. During his final three years in the Legislature, Judge Appelwick also served as the House Democratic Leader.

Since his appointment to the appellate court, Judge Appelwick has been committed to making just decisions, balancing judicial administration, and serving the public. He is committed to ensuring that information about the law is accessible for everyone and cares deeply about educating Washingtonians about their civil rights. He has been recognized by numerous organizations for his judicial expertise and conduct. Judge Marlin Appelwick is running unopposed for re-election and has earned another term.

Appointed to King County's Southeast Electoral District Court in April 2017, Judge Jason Poydras is running unopposed for re-election to the bench. During his 15-year career of practicing law, Judge Poydras has served as a public defender for the city of Seattle, prosecuting attorney for Pierce County, and an administrative law judge for the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings. Judge Poydras is dedicated to public service, due process, and access to justice. Currently, he sits on the King County District Technology Committee - an entity that works to make the court system more accessible. Judge Jason Poydras has earned your vote.

Appointed to the court in April of 2017, Judge Matthew York previously served as a county Prosecuting Attorney and a pro tem (substitute) judge for King County's municipal courts. With more than two decades of combined judicial and legal experience behind him, Judge Matthew York received an "Exceptionally Well Qualified Rating" from several major independent bar associations including the King County Bar Association and Q-Law, the LGBTQ bar association. Judge Matthew York is focused on improving access to justice and cares deeply about ensuring that everyday people are equipped with resources they need to navigate the judicial system. Judge Matthew York is running unopposed and has earned another term.

First elected in 2010, Judge Nathaniel B. Green is a U.S. Navy veteran and a former Adjunct Professor at DeVry University who serves on the King County District Court. Judge Green "believes that justice and fairness are not just words to be spoken, but goals to be achieved." He is running unopposed and has earned another term.

Judge Corinna Harn was elected in 1998 to serve on the King County District Court. After 20 years of public service, Judge Harn has become a leader on the district court, having served as a Presiding Judge and Assistant Presiding Judge for the West Division over the course of her career. Currently, Judge Harn also serves as a King County Superior Court pro tem (substitute) judge where she hears cases related to the Dependency Pre-Trial calendars at Juvenile Court and the Regional Justice Center. She cares deeply about serving the community, effective judicial administration, and giving each case the attention it rightfully deserves. Judge Corinna Harn is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Private attorney Virginia Amato is running for this open seat on King County's District Court. With more than 25 years of combined judicial and legal experience in the Pacific Northwest, Amato has earned the rating of "Exceptionally Well Qualified" from four independent bar associations. Her legal experience includes serving as a prosecuting attorney for several jurisdictions in Washington State. Additionally, Amato has served a pro tem (substitute) judge on King County's District Court since 2014. Virginia Amato is unopposed in this race and deserves your support.

Attorney Rhonda Laumann is running unopposed for election to King County's Southeast Electoral District Court, Position 6. Her legal and judicial experience includes working as a prosecutor, a pro tem (substitute) judge in district and municipal courts, and as an independent mediator. Laumann has worked with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy for over 12 years educating and mentoring lawyers who want to be advocates. Laumann believes that judges should understand the challenges facing working people and are tasked with the responsibility of communicating the expectations of the justice system to everyone who stands before them. Rhonda Laumann deserves your vote.

Judge Lisa Paglisotti was elected to this position in 2016. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Paglisotti worked 22 years as a King County public defender. She is passionate about serving the community, justice, and connecting offenders with resources and programs that will help them exit the criminal justice system. Judge Lisa Paglisotti is running unopposed for reelection and has earned another term.

First elected in 1990, Judge Mark Chow was the first Asian American elected to a King County District Court seat as well as one of the first Asian Americans to graduate from the University of Washington Law School. Previously, Judge Chow was a King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and private attorney. Now serving in his sixth term, Judge Chow has been recognized for playing a pivotal role in founding the King County's Mental Health Court and reducing recidivism. He is also a member of the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association, where he successfully advocated for gender and diversity issues to be incorporated into the Judicial College's curriculum.

Judge Chow is considered an effective leader in the Chinese American community. He has been endorsed by eight members of the state Supreme Court, countless statewide and local judges, community leaders, and individuals. Judge Mark Chow is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

After serving two years on the Seattle Municipal Court Bench, Judge Art Chapman was elected to the King County District Court in 2002. Over the course his tenure, Judge Chapman has presided over the Mental Health Court and served on the court's executive committee. Judge Chapman is supportive of therapeutic courts and prioritizes public safety, equity, and justice. Judge Chapman is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Judge Gregg Hirakawa was first elected to the King County District Court West Division, Position 4 in 2016. Prior to entering public service, Judge Hirakawa was a judge pro tem for the King County District Court for two years and worked as a public defense attorney primarily representing clients with mental and physical disabilities. He is dedicated to serving the community and the fair administration of justice. Judge Hirakawa is running unopposed and has earned your support.

Judge Anne Harper is running unopposed for reelection to King County's West Electoral District Court, Position 5. Judge Harper is committed to improving programs and services offered by the district court and played a critical role in developing the Regional Mental Health Court. Prior to serving on the bench, she served as a public defender in Snohomish and King counties. Judge Anne Harper is unopposed and has earned your vote.

Prior to serving as a Seattle Municipal Court, Judge Ed McKenna was an Assistant Seattle City Attorney and served as an administrative court judge. During his tenure on the Seattle Municipal Court, Judge McKenna has presided over the domestic violence court, trial court, and mental health court. He is focused on implementing new programs to increase the general public's trust in the court system. Specifically, Judge Ed McKenna has gone on the record stating that addressing the lack of racial and ethnic jury diversity must remain a priority for the Seattle Municipal Court. Judge Ed McKenna is running unopposed for reelection and deserves your vote.

Attorney Andrea Chin has worked as an Assistant City Attorney for 26 years training new lawyers and arguing criminal and appeals cases. Prior to becoming a public servant for the city of Seattle, Chin worked for several years as an Assistant Director of Admissions at the California Institute of Technology specializing in the development of recruitment programs for women. Chin is focused on maintaining public safety and strengthening Seattle's specialized courts that address mental health issues and serve veterans. She has received a rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” from six of seven independent bar associations. Chin is unopposed and deserves your vote this November.

Appointed in January 2017, Judge Adam Eisenberg is running unchallenged for Seattle Municipal Court Judge Position 3. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Eisenberg worked as a court magistrate, criminal prosecutor, and court commissioner. Currently, Judge Eisenberg is an affiliate faculty member at the University of Washington who teaches law and ethics to graduate students. He has earned a rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” from the independent King County Bar Association. Judge Eisenberg deserves another term.

Judge Anita Crawford-Willis was appointed in 2017 after serving nearly three decades as a judge of administrative law, public defender, and judge pro tem. She strongly believes that judges should be willing to build bridges with the community and work in collaboration with various stakeholders to uphold public safety and increase access to the justice system. Outside of the courtroom, Judge Crawford-Willis serves on the board of Seattle University Board of Regents and was recently selected as the board chair. She received a rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified” from six out of seven independent bar associations. Judge Anita Crawford-Willis has earned your vote for Seattle Municipal Court Position 4.

Judge Willie Gregory was first elected to the Seattle Municipal Court in 2010 and currently oversees a general trial court and the Veterans Treatment Court. Previously, he has presided over the mental health and community courts. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Gregory worked 14 years as a public defender with the Associated Counsel for the Accused. Judge Gregory is extremely active within the community and values judicial integrity and listening with compassion. Among his many achievements, Judge Willie Gregory is a founding member of the King County Bar Association, the Loren Miller Bar Association, and the Washington State Bar Association. He is running unopposed for reelection to Seattle Municipal Court Position 5.

Appointed in April 2018, Judge Faye Chess is running unopposed for Seattle Municipal Court Judge Position 6. Prior to her appointment, Judge Chess served as a Seattle Municipal Court Magistrate and for twenty-two years as a pro-tem (substitute) judge for the Seattle Municipal Court and King County District Court. Outside of the courtroom, Judge Chess is an active member on the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission and is a teacher at the Lake Washington Human Resources Association. She is committed to ensuring that the Seattle Municipal Court is accessible to the community and prioritizes the effective administration of court resources.

Judge Chess has been rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by four independent bar associations including the Loren Miller and Joint Asian Bar Associations. Judge Faye Chess deserves your vote.

Judge Damon Shadid was elected to Seattle Municipal Court in 2014 and is the first democratically elected judge of Middle Eastern descent in the state. Previously, he worked as a private defense and immigration attorney. Judge Shadid is committed to working with organizations and agencies to address racial disparities within the criminal justice system as well as the growing heroin epidemic. Judge Shadid prioritizes supporting programs and services that hold violators of the law accountable and supports their permanent exit from the criminal justice system. Off the bench, he sits on the Board of Directors of the District and Municipal Judges' Association and mentors new attorneys. Judge Damon Shadid is running unopposed and has earned your support.