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Legislative Races

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

33rd Legislative District

Democrat Edwin Obras is running to retain his seat representing the 33rd Legislative District, Position 1. Obras was appointed to this seat after former Rep. Tina Orwall moved to the Senate. Obras has over 25 years of experience working in human services, including homelessness, anti-hunger, capacity building, and youth development.

Since his appointment, Obras has been a champion of thoughtful solutions to the challenges local families face. He voted in favor of several progressive bills, including capping rent increases at 10%, reducing landfill waste, and establishing anti-discrimination protections in schools. He also sponsored a bill to limit excessive home buying, a move intended to open the market to first-time home buyers. He also won praise from labor unions for his steady head and hard work on bills to protect low-wage janitors and hotel workers.

If elected, Obras plans to continue advocating for housing affordability, criminal justice reform, and workers' rights. He is an advocate for labor protections for low-income and gig economy workers, fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions. He also hopes to use his professional background to help expand statewide access to mental health resources.

Edwin Obras is the best and most progressive choice in this race. He has earned your vote for the Legislature from the 33rd Legislative District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Democrat Edwin Obras is running to retain his seat representing the 33rd Legislative District, Position 1. Obras was appointed to this seat after former Rep. Tina Orwall moved to the Senate. Obras has over 25 years of experience working in human services, including homelessness, anti-hunger, capacity building, and youth development.

Since his appointment, Obras has been a champion of thoughtful solutions to the challenges local families face. He voted in favor of several progressive bills, including capping rent increases at 10%, reducing landfill waste, and establishing anti-discrimination protections in schools. He also sponsored a bill to limit excessive home buying, a move intended to open the market to first-time home buyers. He also won praise from labor unions for his steady head and hard work on bills to protect low-wage janitors and hotel workers.

If elected, Obras plans to continue advocating for housing affordability, criminal justice reform, and workers' rights. He is an advocate for labor protections for low-income and gig economy workers, fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions. He also hopes to use his professional background to help expand statewide access to mental health resources.

Edwin Obras is the best and most progressive choice in this race. He has earned your vote for the Legislature from the 33rd Legislative District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

41st Legislative District

Rep. Janice Zahn is running to retain Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District. Zahn emigrated from Hong Kong as a child and has dedicated her adult life to stewarding public infrastructure and services. She is the chief engineer for the Port of Seattle and served on the Bellevue City Council until her appointment to the Legislature in January.

Zahn has been a consistent and outspoken progressive leader in our community. In our interview, she shared that her priorities include supporting affordable housing, paid family leave, efficient project management, and protecting public education for students. She approaches policy with an eye on equity and wants to "help those who are furthest from power to create a level playing field for them to advocate for themselves."

One of Zahn's proudest accomplishments during her time on the Bellevue City Council was the development and implementation of a safe parking program. The program supported approximately 60 children experiencing housing instability by providing a safe space for families to park their cars, rest, study, and have a meal. The program particularly supported single working moms, helping them find their own stability and move into transitional housing.

Janice Zahn is a caring and compassionate leader who has hosted over 250 constituent meetings to hear their concerns. She has earned your vote for Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Rep. Janice Zahn is running to retain Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District. Zahn emigrated from Hong Kong as a child and has dedicated her adult life to stewarding public infrastructure and services. She is the chief engineer for the Port of Seattle and served on the Bellevue City Council until her appointment to the Legislature in January.

Zahn has been a consistent and outspoken progressive leader in our community. In our interview, she shared that her priorities include supporting affordable housing, paid family leave, efficient project management, and protecting public education for students. She approaches policy with an eye on equity and wants to "help those who are furthest from power to create a level playing field for them to advocate for themselves."

One of Zahn's proudest accomplishments during her time on the Bellevue City Council was the development and implementation of a safe parking program. The program supported approximately 60 children experiencing housing instability by providing a safe space for families to park their cars, rest, study, and have a meal. The program particularly supported single working moms, helping them find their own stability and move into transitional housing.

Janice Zahn is a caring and compassionate leader who has hosted over 250 constituent meetings to hear their concerns. She has earned your vote for Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

48th Legislative District

Osman Salahuddin is running to be retained by voters in Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Salahuddin is a former Redmond City Council member who was appointed by the King County Council to fill Vandana Slatter's former seat. Before holding elected office, he worked as a communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry and held several roles at a national consulting corporation.

Salahuddin’s top priority is addressing the rising cost of living in Washington. He is taking a comprehensive approach to affordability by addressing issues such as health care, housing, and childcare, so that all Washingtonians can afford the basics. In particular, Salahuddin voted to limit rent increases to 10%, which will reduce the cost of housing for renters across the state. As one of our youngest lawmakers, Salahuddin represents a part of the electorate who are often underrepresented in state legislatures.

Osman Salahuddin was an effective leader during his first session in Olympia. He has earned your vote to retain his position as the 48th Legislative District Representative.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Osman Salahuddin is running to be retained by voters in Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Salahuddin is a former Redmond City Council member who was appointed by the King County Council to fill Vandana Slatter's former seat. Before holding elected office, he worked as a communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry and held several roles at a national consulting corporation.

Salahuddin’s top priority is addressing the rising cost of living in Washington. He is taking a comprehensive approach to affordability by addressing issues such as health care, housing, and childcare, so that all Washingtonians can afford the basics. In particular, Salahuddin voted to limit rent increases to 10%, which will reduce the cost of housing for renters across the state. As one of our youngest lawmakers, Salahuddin represents a part of the electorate who are often underrepresented in state legislatures.

Osman Salahuddin was an effective leader during his first session in Olympia. He has earned your vote to retain his position as the 48th Legislative District Representative.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

King County

Depending on where you live, you may have the below county races on your ballot.

King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential. Born in a refugee settlement in Sudan and raised in Seattle’s public housing, he made his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration.

On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage, and worked to establish five crisis care centers that help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.

Zahilay is a great choice if you're looking for new leadership in King County that will prioritize improving the safety and quality of life for all residents.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential. Born in a refugee settlement in Sudan and raised in Seattle’s public housing, he made his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration.

On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage, and worked to establish five crisis care centers that help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.

Zahilay is a great choice if you're looking for new leadership in King County that will prioritize improving the safety and quality of life for all residents.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

County Council District Races

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

King County, District 5

Immigration attorney and Renton City Council member Kim-Khanh Van is running for the District 5 seat on the King County Council. Van has served on the Renton City Council since 2020 and unsuccessfully challenged conservative Councilmember Reagan Dunn for the District 9 seat in 2021. Van’s family settled in King County as Vietnamese refugees, and she has dedicated her legal career to providing legal aid services to immigrant communities. She co-founded AAPI Against Hate and serves in a number of other community leadership roles, including with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and on the mayor’s Inclusion Task Force.

On the Renton City Council, Van has supported creative housing solutions to alleviate the crisis, clean air and water policy, and equitable growth and opportunity within the city. In this race, her vision for the council seat is built on three pillars: opportunity, transparency, and safety. If elected, Van plans to invest in small businesses and workforce development, while advocating for living wages and a lower cost of living, including access to essential necessities such as rent, gas, groceries, and medicine. She also wants to ensure that South King County residents are heard and represented in county council decisions and would expand holistic crisis response in the region to make our communities safer.

We lean towards Kim-Khanh Van for King County Council due to her work on immigration rights and social justice reform, which align well with the needs of the diverse communities in District 5.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Immigration attorney and Renton City Council member Kim-Khanh Van is running for the District 5 seat on the King County Council. Van has served on the Renton City Council since 2020 and unsuccessfully challenged conservative Councilmember Reagan Dunn for the District 9 seat in 2021. Van’s family settled in King County as Vietnamese refugees, and she has dedicated her legal career to providing legal aid services to immigrant communities. She co-founded AAPI Against Hate and serves in a number of other community leadership roles, including with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and on the mayor’s Inclusion Task Force.

On the Renton City Council, Van has supported creative housing solutions to alleviate the crisis, clean air and water policy, and equitable growth and opportunity within the city. In this race, her vision for the council seat is built on three pillars: opportunity, transparency, and safety. If elected, Van plans to invest in small businesses and workforce development, while advocating for living wages and a lower cost of living, including access to essential necessities such as rent, gas, groceries, and medicine. She also wants to ensure that South King County residents are heard and represented in county council decisions and would expand holistic crisis response in the region to make our communities safer.

We lean towards Kim-Khanh Van for King County Council due to her work on immigration rights and social justice reform, which align well with the needs of the diverse communities in District 5.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

King County, District 7

Maya Vengadasalam is running for King County Council, District 7. She served on the Kent School Board for 8 years and worked as a consultant in government finance training. She also identifies as a housing advocate who worked to improve the effectiveness of housing programs and reduce homelessness.

Vengadasalam is running a relatively progressive campaign, with a focus on transparency, housing, and education. Vengadasalam offers her vision through the lens of equity and uplifting communities of color. However, her solutions come across as vague, particularly in expanding affordable housing and advancing education and safety. We would like to see her approach expanded upon further to include more specific progressive solutions, such as density, transitional permanent housing, and educational protections.

Due to her experience and professional background, we lean towards voting for Maya Vengadasalam for King County Council, District 7.

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Maya Vengadasalam is running for King County Council, District 7. She served on the Kent School Board for 8 years and worked as a consultant in government finance training. She also identifies as a housing advocate who worked to improve the effectiveness of housing programs and reduce homelessness.

Vengadasalam is running a relatively progressive campaign, with a focus on transparency, housing, and education. Vengadasalam offers her vision through the lens of equity and uplifting communities of color. However, her solutions come across as vague, particularly in expanding affordable housing and advancing education and safety. We would like to see her approach expanded upon further to include more specific progressive solutions, such as density, transitional permanent housing, and educational protections.

Due to her experience and professional background, we lean towards voting for Maya Vengadasalam for King County Council, District 7.

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Endorsed By: The Stranger

Seattle Mayor

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

Katie Wilson is running for Mayor of Seattle on a bold progressive platform. Wilson is the general secretary for the Transit Riders Union, which advocates for public transit, affordable housing, and more. She regularly contributes to The Stranger, The Urbanist, and other local progressive publications. She is very active organizing in the community, having helped create the ORCA LIFT program and the Seattle Youth ORCA Program, as well as serving on the Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which Mayor Harrell disbanded. She is a coalition builder and renter with strong community relationships and a proven track record of advocacy.

Like Wilson’s career in organizing, her campaign for mayor is exceptionally progressive in vision, values, and support. She is advocating for making the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe so that our communities can afford housing and health care. During our interview, she advocated for policies that would ensure clean air and water for all, protect civil liberties, expand access to substance abuse treatment, and support diverse arts and cultural offerings.

Wilson is an advocate for Seattle’s new social housing policy, and she supports even more diversity in affordable housing types as well as increased shelter capacity and wraparound services. She also shared support for scaling up the LEAD diversion program, safeguarding the rights of immigrants and other targets of Trump’s federal attacks, investing public funding into local news, and more. As a renter, Wilson understands the challenges many Seattleites face with the rapidly increasing cost of housing.

Wilson’s critics question whether she has the experience and ability to make the jump from being an extremely progressive campaigner running a small non-profit to managing the tough political and practical realities of governing a major city.

Wilson is a good choice for mayor if you're looking for a progressive organizer with policy experience and a strong vision for challenging existing approaches to Seattle's problems.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Katie Wilson is running for Mayor of Seattle on a bold progressive platform. Wilson is the general secretary for the Transit Riders Union, which advocates for public transit, affordable housing, and more. She regularly contributes to The Stranger, The Urbanist, and other local progressive publications. She is very active organizing in the community, having helped create the ORCA LIFT program and the Seattle Youth ORCA Program, as well as serving on the Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which Mayor Harrell disbanded. She is a coalition builder and renter with strong community relationships and a proven track record of advocacy.

Like Wilson’s career in organizing, her campaign for mayor is exceptionally progressive in vision, values, and support. She is advocating for making the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe so that our communities can afford housing and health care. During our interview, she advocated for policies that would ensure clean air and water for all, protect civil liberties, expand access to substance abuse treatment, and support diverse arts and cultural offerings.

Wilson is an advocate for Seattle’s new social housing policy, and she supports even more diversity in affordable housing types as well as increased shelter capacity and wraparound services. She also shared support for scaling up the LEAD diversion program, safeguarding the rights of immigrants and other targets of Trump’s federal attacks, investing public funding into local news, and more. As a renter, Wilson understands the challenges many Seattleites face with the rapidly increasing cost of housing.

Wilson’s critics question whether she has the experience and ability to make the jump from being an extremely progressive campaigner running a small non-profit to managing the tough political and practical realities of governing a major city.

Wilson is a good choice for mayor if you're looking for a progressive organizer with policy experience and a strong vision for challenging existing approaches to Seattle's problems.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Seattle City Attorney

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

Former federal prosecutor Erika Evans is running a progressive campaign for Seattle City Attorney. Evans quit her position as a federal prosecutor earlier this year, after four years of working on hate crimes, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, due to the increasingly dangerous executive orders she saw from the Trump administration. She has a diverse legal background, which also includes work as a pro tem judge for the SeaTac, Tukwila, and Puyallup municipal courts, as well as four years spent in Seattle’s city attorney's office.

Evans’ departure from the federal prosecution position is emblematic of her defining priority in this race: opposing Trump’s undemocratic and unjust policies. In our interview, Evans shared her vision for preparing the city attorney’s office to defend DEI, reproductive health freedoms, and climate protections, even proposing that the office add an entirely new and staffed environmental law section. She is proud of Seattle’s status as a sanctuary city and is unafraid to sue the Trump administration for violations of civil liberties in our community, drawing on her prosecutorial and federal experience.

If elected, Evans would reinstate the Seattle Community Court and expand the employment office to protect against wage theft. In addition, she would prioritize negotiating a new police contract with a greater emphasis on accountability, which is motivated by her own experience of being illegally detained by the police as a law student.

Erika Evans is a fearless and passionate leader who will stand up to attacks from the Trump administration. She would be a strong choice for Seattle City Attorney.

Last updated: 2025-07-10

Former federal prosecutor Erika Evans is running a progressive campaign for Seattle City Attorney. Evans quit her position as a federal prosecutor earlier this year, after four years of working on hate crimes, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, due to the increasingly dangerous executive orders she saw from the Trump administration. She has a diverse legal background, which also includes work as a pro tem judge for the SeaTac, Tukwila, and Puyallup municipal courts, as well as four years spent in Seattle’s city attorney's office.

Evans’ departure from the federal prosecution position is emblematic of her defining priority in this race: opposing Trump’s undemocratic and unjust policies. In our interview, Evans shared her vision for preparing the city attorney’s office to defend DEI, reproductive health freedoms, and climate protections, even proposing that the office add an entirely new and staffed environmental law section. She is proud of Seattle’s status as a sanctuary city and is unafraid to sue the Trump administration for violations of civil liberties in our community, drawing on her prosecutorial and federal experience.

If elected, Evans would reinstate the Seattle Community Court and expand the employment office to protect against wage theft. In addition, she would prioritize negotiating a new police contract with a greater emphasis on accountability, which is motivated by her own experience of being illegally detained by the police as a law student.

Erika Evans is a fearless and passionate leader who will stand up to attacks from the Trump administration. She would be a strong choice for Seattle City Attorney.

Last updated: 2025-07-10

Seattle City Council

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

Eddie Lin, a lawyer for the City of Seattle who works primarily representing the Office of Housing, is also running in District 2. Previously in his legal career, Lin worked for a national law firm, clerked for a U.S. District Court judge, and served the Washington Education Association. He was raised by Taiwanese immigrants in the American South, witnessing firsthand how racist practices infiltrate governance.

In this race, Lin has drawn attention to the history of redlining, resource neglect, and employment discrimination in Seattle’s District 2. He supports a housing strategy that embraces density, including market-rate construction alongside affordable and social housing, to account for population growth, including from political and climate refugees. Unfortunately, Lin was a supporter of February’s Proposition 1B, a watered-down alternative to Proposition 1A, which ultimately passed to fund social housing in Seattle. In our interview with Lin, he also mentioned support for diversion programs to keep people out of overcrowded prisons, a gun violence prevention policy, expanding the police force with an eye toward diversity, and increasing pathways to homeownership. 
 

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Eddie Lin, a lawyer for the City of Seattle who works primarily representing the Office of Housing, is also running in District 2. Previously in his legal career, Lin worked for a national law firm, clerked for a U.S. District Court judge, and served the Washington Education Association. He was raised by Taiwanese immigrants in the American South, witnessing firsthand how racist practices infiltrate governance.

In this race, Lin has drawn attention to the history of redlining, resource neglect, and employment discrimination in Seattle’s District 2. He supports a housing strategy that embraces density, including market-rate construction alongside affordable and social housing, to account for population growth, including from political and climate refugees. Unfortunately, Lin was a supporter of February’s Proposition 1B, a watered-down alternative to Proposition 1A, which ultimately passed to fund social housing in Seattle. In our interview with Lin, he also mentioned support for diversion programs to keep people out of overcrowded prisons, a gun violence prevention policy, expanding the police force with an eye toward diversity, and increasing pathways to homeownership. 
 

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Endorsed By: The Stranger

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is seeking re-election to the Seattle City Council in Position 8, a citywide seat she first won last year. Before joining the city council, Rinck worked as an assistant director for policy, planning, and state operations for the University of Washington. She also worked as a policy analyst for the Sound Cities Association and with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. She has a long history of community empowerment, including raising funds for reproductive health care and previously serving on the board of Fuse Washington, the organization that produces this guide.

Rinck's familial experience with homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse guides her approach to city issues and our local social safety net. Since January, Rinck has worked to protect Seattle residents from the effects of Trump’s dangerous agenda. Her council policy goals include making progress on climate change through investments in clean energy, electrification infrastructure, and public transportation. Rinck also aims to support greater housing access across all income levels, increase pathways to higher education, and continue building lasting community safety through policy initiatives that address gun violence and explore alternatives to policing.

Alexis Mercedes Rinck is the clear choice for Position 8 on the Seattle City Council.

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is seeking re-election to the Seattle City Council in Position 8, a citywide seat she first won last year. Before joining the city council, Rinck worked as an assistant director for policy, planning, and state operations for the University of Washington. She also worked as a policy analyst for the Sound Cities Association and with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. She has a long history of community empowerment, including raising funds for reproductive health care and previously serving on the board of Fuse Washington, the organization that produces this guide.

Rinck's familial experience with homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse guides her approach to city issues and our local social safety net. Since January, Rinck has worked to protect Seattle residents from the effects of Trump’s dangerous agenda. Her council policy goals include making progress on climate change through investments in clean energy, electrification infrastructure, and public transportation. Rinck also aims to support greater housing access across all income levels, increase pathways to higher education, and continue building lasting community safety through policy initiatives that address gun violence and explore alternatives to policing.

Alexis Mercedes Rinck is the clear choice for Position 8 on the Seattle City Council.

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Dionne Foster is running for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large), challenging incumbent Sara Nelson. Foster enters this race with government experience and a robust background in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work includes serving as a climate policy analyst for Puget Sound Sage, a senior advisor in the city's Office of Policy and Innovation, and a senior program officer at the Seattle Foundation. Most recently, Foster served as the Executive Director of the Progress Alliance of Washington, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and equity.

In our interview with her, Foster demonstrated her passion for finding progressive solutions to the issues facing our community. Her goals include promoting healthy and safe communities through investing in intervention and prevention strategies to treat drug addiction, as well as continued support for the CARE Team and gun violence prevention. Foster is also a proponent of affordable housing solutions, such as increased density, rent stabilization, and anti-displacement policies. In addition, she supports permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing housing instability.

Foster's other priorities include climate resilience, workforce protections, and thriving communities. She strongly supports policies that ensure equitable energy access and fair pricing, while also improving accessibility to public transit.

Throughout her professional career, Dionne Foster has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to collaboration and equitable policies that benefit everyone in our community. She is a practical progressive who understands government and will bring much-needed leadership to the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend Dionne Foster for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large).

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Dionne Foster is running for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large), challenging incumbent Sara Nelson. Foster enters this race with government experience and a robust background in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work includes serving as a climate policy analyst for Puget Sound Sage, a senior advisor in the city's Office of Policy and Innovation, and a senior program officer at the Seattle Foundation. Most recently, Foster served as the Executive Director of the Progress Alliance of Washington, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and equity.

In our interview with her, Foster demonstrated her passion for finding progressive solutions to the issues facing our community. Her goals include promoting healthy and safe communities through investing in intervention and prevention strategies to treat drug addiction, as well as continued support for the CARE Team and gun violence prevention. Foster is also a proponent of affordable housing solutions, such as increased density, rent stabilization, and anti-displacement policies. In addition, she supports permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing housing instability.

Foster's other priorities include climate resilience, workforce protections, and thriving communities. She strongly supports policies that ensure equitable energy access and fair pricing, while also improving accessibility to public transit.

Throughout her professional career, Dionne Foster has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to collaboration and equitable policies that benefit everyone in our community. She is a practical progressive who understands government and will bring much-needed leadership to the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend Dionne Foster for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large).

Last updated: 2025-07-03

Seattle School Board

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

Kathleen Smith is running for Seattle School Board Director, District 2. Smith's professional background is in mathematics and teaching, which she uses to inform her campaign.

Smith's campaign is focused on fiscal accountability, data-driven decisions, and community engagement. In early 2025, the current school board walked back a decision to close four elementary schools across the district. Smith hopes to address the district's current budget crisis and avoid "irresponsible" school closures in the future by supporting progressive taxes. Smith is an advocate for fair labor practices, supporting good faith negotiations to attract and retain educators. Smith has also earned numerous endorsements from progressive organizations, including the Seattle Education Association and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

Kathleen Smith is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a candidate focused on operational success and raising progressive revenue to ensure the sustainability of the Seattle School District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Kathleen Smith is running for Seattle School Board Director, District 2. Smith's professional background is in mathematics and teaching, which she uses to inform her campaign.

Smith's campaign is focused on fiscal accountability, data-driven decisions, and community engagement. In early 2025, the current school board walked back a decision to close four elementary schools across the district. Smith hopes to address the district's current budget crisis and avoid "irresponsible" school closures in the future by supporting progressive taxes. Smith is an advocate for fair labor practices, supporting good faith negotiations to attract and retain educators. Smith has also earned numerous endorsements from progressive organizations, including the Seattle Education Association and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

Kathleen Smith is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a candidate focused on operational success and raising progressive revenue to ensure the sustainability of the Seattle School District.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Endorsed By: The Stranger , Seattle Education Association, Alliance for Gun Responsibility

Community organizer Joe Mizrahi is running to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4. He was appointed to the role last year to fill the seat vacated by Vivian Song. Mizrahi is the secretary and treasurer of UFCW 3000, a union that represents grocery, retail, cannabis, meat-packing, and other industries in the state. He is also a parent to three students at Seattle Public Schools and comes from a family of teachers with a refugee background.

On the school board, Mizrahi represents schools, students, families, and faculty in Fremont, Queen Anne, South Lake Union, and parts of downtown. He wants to address systemic equity concerns while protecting resources amid the SPS budget crisis, so that our schools can remain a place where all students have the opportunity to build bright futures, regardless of their background or neighborhood. With his union background, Mizrahi brings a unique view of advocacy, financial stability, and opportunity to school board leadership.

In his re-election campaign, Mizrahi is prioritizing equity, community engagement, and accountable leadership. He is an advocate for historically underserved students and protecting programs like dual language instruction. He intends to incorporate community priorities and long-term funding avenues in the district's strategic plan.

Joe Mizrahi is a caring and thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4.

Last updated: 2025-07-11

Community organizer Joe Mizrahi is running to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4. He was appointed to the role last year to fill the seat vacated by Vivian Song. Mizrahi is the secretary and treasurer of UFCW 3000, a union that represents grocery, retail, cannabis, meat-packing, and other industries in the state. He is also a parent to three students at Seattle Public Schools and comes from a family of teachers with a refugee background.

On the school board, Mizrahi represents schools, students, families, and faculty in Fremont, Queen Anne, South Lake Union, and parts of downtown. He wants to address systemic equity concerns while protecting resources amid the SPS budget crisis, so that our schools can remain a place where all students have the opportunity to build bright futures, regardless of their background or neighborhood. With his union background, Mizrahi brings a unique view of advocacy, financial stability, and opportunity to school board leadership.

In his re-election campaign, Mizrahi is prioritizing equity, community engagement, and accountable leadership. He is an advocate for historically underserved students and protecting programs like dual language instruction. He intends to incorporate community priorities and long-term funding avenues in the district's strategic plan.

Joe Mizrahi is a caring and thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4.

Last updated: 2025-07-11

Endorsed By: M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO , Sage Leaders , The Stranger , SEIU 775 , Seattle Education Association, Alliance for Gun Responsibility

Vivian Song is once again seeking a seat on the Seattle School Board, this time in District 5. Song served on the school board from her 2021 term start until January 2024, when she resigned after moving outside of her seat’s district lines for family reasons. She is a parent to district students, an Asian American daughter of immigrants, and a former president of the PTSA. Song has a professional background as a small business owner and a finance professional for companies, including Google and Goldman Sachs.

Song has maintained a strong equity orientation over the years, emphasizing the need for every child to have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their identity, background, or family resources. For example, she examined how Seattle’s North-end schools have supplemented their budgets with strong PTA fundraising from parents, while South-end schools operate with fewer resources. Song has advocated for making stronger appeals to the state for equitable funding across all Seattle schools to address this gap. Now, she hopes to rejoin the board and continue fighting to boost enrollment, build vocational and college pathways, and oppose Trump’s attacks on public education.

In her current campaign, Song continues to focus on equity and inclusion in Seattle City Schools. She is prioritizing equitable learning opportunities with multi-cultural curricula such as ethnic studies and language immersion. Song is supportive of student safety measures, especially against rising gun violence, mental health challenges, and threats from the federal government. She supports permanent and equitable funding for counselors, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals.

Song's campaign leads with compassion and care for the well-being and success of Seattle students. We recommend Vivian Song for Seattle School Board from District 5.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Vivian Song is once again seeking a seat on the Seattle School Board, this time in District 5. Song served on the school board from her 2021 term start until January 2024, when she resigned after moving outside of her seat’s district lines for family reasons. She is a parent to district students, an Asian American daughter of immigrants, and a former president of the PTSA. Song has a professional background as a small business owner and a finance professional for companies, including Google and Goldman Sachs.

Song has maintained a strong equity orientation over the years, emphasizing the need for every child to have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their identity, background, or family resources. For example, she examined how Seattle’s North-end schools have supplemented their budgets with strong PTA fundraising from parents, while South-end schools operate with fewer resources. Song has advocated for making stronger appeals to the state for equitable funding across all Seattle schools to address this gap. Now, she hopes to rejoin the board and continue fighting to boost enrollment, build vocational and college pathways, and oppose Trump’s attacks on public education.

In her current campaign, Song continues to focus on equity and inclusion in Seattle City Schools. She is prioritizing equitable learning opportunities with multi-cultural curricula such as ethnic studies and language immersion. Song is supportive of student safety measures, especially against rising gun violence, mental health challenges, and threats from the federal government. She supports permanent and equitable funding for counselors, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals.

Song's campaign leads with compassion and care for the well-being and success of Seattle students. We recommend Vivian Song for Seattle School Board from District 5.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Endorsed By: OneAmerica Votes , The Stranger , King County Democrats, Seattle Education Association, Alliance for Gun Responsibility