AFT Washington represents over 6,500 education professionals in early childhood education and Head Start, K-12 school-related personnel, and faculty, professionals, and classified members at two- and four-year colleges and universities. AFT Washington is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers which represents 1.5 million members in education, health care, and public employment.
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.
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.
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.
Depending on the county district you live in, you may have the following races on your ballot.
Ryan McIrvin is also running for King County Council in District 5. He is currently serving his third term on the Renton City Council and is the current Director of Government and Community Relations at UW Bothell.
McIrvin's campaign is prioritizing public safety, affordable housing, and promoting sustainability. In our interview, McIrvin emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing public safety issues. He recognized the scope of safety to extend beyond police and fire, including the use of caseworkers and other first responders. McIrvin is also supportive of youth programming and solutions to address recidivism. Additionally, McIrvin served on various committees and councils dedicated to addressing the housing crisis. He hopes to implement strategies that prevent displacement and secure stable housing for all. He is also an advocate for expanding transit options and reducing urban sprawl.
Ryan McIrvin is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who understands the nuances of public safety in the district and will push for more development around transit hubs.
Ryan McIrvin is also running for King County Council in District 5. He is currently serving his third term on the Renton City Council and is the current Director of Government and Community Relations at UW Bothell.
McIrvin's campaign is prioritizing public safety, affordable housing, and promoting sustainability. In our interview, McIrvin emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing public safety issues. He recognized the scope of safety to extend beyond police and fire, including the use of caseworkers and other first responders. McIrvin is also supportive of youth programming and solutions to address recidivism. Additionally, McIrvin served on various committees and councils dedicated to addressing the housing crisis. He hopes to implement strategies that prevent displacement and secure stable housing for all. He is also an advocate for expanding transit options and reducing urban sprawl.
Ryan McIrvin is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who understands the nuances of public safety in the district and will push for more development around transit hubs.
Ryan McIrvin is also running for King County Council in District 5. He is currently serving his third term on the Renton City Council and is the current Director of Government and Community Relations at UW Bothell.
McIrvin's campaign is prioritizing public safety, affordable housing, and promoting sustainability. In our interview, McIrvin emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing public safety issues. He recognized the scope of safety to extend beyond police and fire, including the use of caseworkers and other first responders. McIrvin is also supportive of youth programming and solutions to address recidivism. Additionally, McIrvin served on various committees and councils dedicated to addressing the housing crisis. He hopes to implement strategies that prevent displacement and secure stable housing for all. He is also an advocate for expanding transit options and reducing urban sprawl.
Ryan McIrvin is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who understands the nuances of public safety in the district and will push for more development around transit hubs.
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.
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.
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.
Progressive local attorney Rory O’Sullivan is also running for Seattle City Attorney. He has had a productive career in policy and law, including a stint working for Congressman Jim McDermott on Capitol Hill, serving as an administrative law judge, leading the University of Washington’s student legal services, and serving as a partner at Washington Employment Benefits Advocates, a private practice firm to represent workers’ benefits which he himself founded. O’Sullivan has also been heavily involved in local politics through his campaign work to secure ranked-choice voting by 2027 and serving on the redistricting committee to rebalance the city’s voting districts.
O’Sullivan is running on a progressive platform focused on fighting Trump’s deportation attempts, building better relationships between the police and the community, reducing recidivism through alternative courts that focus on productive second chances, and pursuing prompt prosecution in cases of DUIs and domestic violence instances. In our interview with him, O’Sullivan stated he is willing to enter arbitration with the police guild in order to fight for community-driven police reform, wants to take on the federal government for undemocratic overreach and failing to honor contracts, and believes that court and incarceration reform can help reduce recidivism and keep our city safer.
Although Rory O'Sullivan is a strong progressive voice who dedicated his career to serving his community, we believe both Evans and Rouse have more relevant professional and lived experience that would allow them to make a bigger impact as Seattle City Attorney.
Progressive local attorney Rory O’Sullivan is also running for Seattle City Attorney. He has had a productive career in policy and law, including a stint working for Congressman Jim McDermott on Capitol Hill, serving as an administrative law judge, leading the University of Washington’s student legal services, and serving as a partner at Washington Employment Benefits Advocates, a private practice firm to represent workers’ benefits which he himself founded. O’Sullivan has also been heavily involved in local politics through his campaign work to secure ranked-choice voting by 2027 and serving on the redistricting committee to rebalance the city’s voting districts.
O’Sullivan is running on a progressive platform focused on fighting Trump’s deportation attempts, building better relationships between the police and the community, reducing recidivism through alternative courts that focus on productive second chances, and pursuing prompt prosecution in cases of DUIs and domestic violence instances. In our interview with him, O’Sullivan stated he is willing to enter arbitration with the police guild in order to fight for community-driven police reform, wants to take on the federal government for undemocratic overreach and failing to honor contracts, and believes that court and incarceration reform can help reduce recidivism and keep our city safer.
Although Rory O'Sullivan is a strong progressive voice who dedicated his career to serving his community, we believe both Evans and Rouse have more relevant professional and lived experience that would allow them to make a bigger impact as Seattle City Attorney.
Progressive local attorney Rory O’Sullivan is also running for Seattle City Attorney. He has had a productive career in policy and law, including a stint working for Congressman Jim McDermott on Capitol Hill, serving as an administrative law judge, leading the University of Washington’s student legal services, and serving as a partner at Washington Employment Benefits Advocates, a private practice firm to represent workers’ benefits which he himself founded. O’Sullivan has also been heavily involved in local politics through his campaign work to secure ranked-choice voting by 2027 and serving on the redistricting committee to rebalance the city’s voting districts.
O’Sullivan is running on a progressive platform focused on fighting Trump’s deportation attempts, building better relationships between the police and the community, reducing recidivism through alternative courts that focus on productive second chances, and pursuing prompt prosecution in cases of DUIs and domestic violence instances. In our interview with him, O’Sullivan stated he is willing to enter arbitration with the police guild in order to fight for community-driven police reform, wants to take on the federal government for undemocratic overreach and failing to honor contracts, and believes that court and incarceration reform can help reduce recidivism and keep our city safer.
Although Rory O'Sullivan is a strong progressive voice who dedicated his career to serving his community, we believe both Evans and Rouse have more relevant professional and lived experience that would allow them to make a bigger impact as Seattle City Attorney.
Union leader and building inspector Jamie Fackler is running to replace former council member Tammy Morales’ seat with her endorsement. Fackler works for the city’s Department of Construction and Inspections and serves as a steward for PROTEC17, a union of city workers.
Fackler aims to bring a blue-collar perspective to City Hall and advocate for policies that uplift Seattle’s working class. He and his union supported February’s Proposition 1A to create the Social Housing Developer, and if elected, he wants to put even more funding under its umbrella to expand much-needed affordable housing in our city. Fackler supports more funding for services, treatment, and support to tackle the behavioral health and substance abuse issues that affect many residents, rather than attempting to solve the problem through encampment sweeps and criminalization. He holds an optimistic, community-forward vision for our city, embracing growth and density, opposing extremist Trump policies. He has proposed some significant policy changes, including a temporary 3% increase in the Jumpstart tax to backfill federal budget cuts.
Fackler is a good choice if you want a candidate who will steadfastly support working people and be an outspoken progressive voice on the council.
Union leader and building inspector Jamie Fackler is running to replace former council member Tammy Morales’ seat with her endorsement. Fackler works for the city’s Department of Construction and Inspections and serves as a steward for PROTEC17, a union of city workers.
Fackler aims to bring a blue-collar perspective to City Hall and advocate for policies that uplift Seattle’s working class. He and his union supported February’s Proposition 1A to create the Social Housing Developer, and if elected, he wants to put even more funding under its umbrella to expand much-needed affordable housing in our city. Fackler supports more funding for services, treatment, and support to tackle the behavioral health and substance abuse issues that affect many residents, rather than attempting to solve the problem through encampment sweeps and criminalization. He holds an optimistic, community-forward vision for our city, embracing growth and density, opposing extremist Trump policies. He has proposed some significant policy changes, including a temporary 3% increase in the Jumpstart tax to backfill federal budget cuts.
Fackler is a good choice if you want a candidate who will steadfastly support working people and be an outspoken progressive voice on the council.
Union leader and building inspector Jamie Fackler is running to replace former council member Tammy Morales’ seat with her endorsement. Fackler works for the city’s Department of Construction and Inspections and serves as a steward for PROTEC17, a union of city workers.
Fackler aims to bring a blue-collar perspective to City Hall and advocate for policies that uplift Seattle’s working class. He and his union supported February’s Proposition 1A to create the Social Housing Developer, and if elected, he wants to put even more funding under its umbrella to expand much-needed affordable housing in our city. Fackler supports more funding for services, treatment, and support to tackle the behavioral health and substance abuse issues that affect many residents, rather than attempting to solve the problem through encampment sweeps and criminalization. He holds an optimistic, community-forward vision for our city, embracing growth and density, opposing extremist Trump policies. He has proposed some significant policy changes, including a temporary 3% increase in the Jumpstart tax to backfill federal budget cuts.
Fackler is a good choice if you want a candidate who will steadfastly support working people and be an outspoken progressive voice on the council.
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).
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).
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).
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to make headway on affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council and as deputy mayor of Tacoma from 2012- 2019, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue to improve housing affordability by championing policies like permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making careful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He feels fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to make headway on affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council and as deputy mayor of Tacoma from 2012- 2019, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue to improve housing affordability by championing policies like permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making careful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He feels fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to make headway on affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council and as deputy mayor of Tacoma from 2012- 2019, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue to improve housing affordability by championing policies like permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making careful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He feels fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She is also a co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with an excessive income tax on big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She is also a co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with an excessive income tax on big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She is also a co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with an excessive income tax on big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We lean toward Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We lean toward Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We lean toward Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
