Partner Endorsements

Eddy Ury is also running for Whatcom County Council in District 1. Like Galloway, Ury is listed as a member of the county's Climate Impact Advisory Committee. He formerly worked at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, an environmentally focused nonprofit in the area. As part of this work, Ury played a key role in crafting new rules that will finally protect critical areas at Cherry Point.

Ury is running on a platform that includes affordable housing, sustainable energy, social justice, accessible government, economic revitalization, public health, and fair elections. He has a strong track record in community leadership and received praise for his work to bring various stakeholders to the table and build consensus.

Ury is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who would bring strong new leadership to the council on climate and environmental conservation.

Incumbent Todd Donovan is running for re-election to Whatcom County Council in District 2. Donovan is a professor of state and local government at Western Washington University. He first joined the county council in 2016 and currently chairs the Natural Resources Committee. Additionally, Donovan has served on the Columbia Neighborhood Association board, the Whatcom County Citizens Election Advisory Commission, and as both a member and board chair of the local Washington Conservation Voters chapter.

During his time on the council, Donovan’s top priorities have been protecting Lake Whatcom’s ecosystem and budgeting responsibly so that Whatcom can provide human services. If re-elected, he wants to address the housing crisis that hurts the Whatcom community and economy, combat climate change, reduce incarceration rates while investing in diversion and alternatives, and protect clean water coming from Lake Whatcom and other natural waterways.

Donovan is facing a challenge from Kelley O’Connor, a former first responder and a current health care management student. O’Connor advocates for affordable housing and mental health resources but has not released a detailed campaign to accomplish these goals.

Todd Donovan is the best choice to represent District 2 on the Whatcom County Council because of his progressive track record and strong support from our progressive partners.

Rebecca Lewis has worked as an educator in the Sedro-Woolley district for over 20 years and is the president of the Sedro-Woolley Education Association (SWEA) union.

Lewis' campaign priorities include supporting living wage jobs, updating public utilities, and protecting the environment. As a labor leader, she wants to expand community work agreements, apprenticeships, and prevailing wages. She also wants the county to invest in rural infrastructure with reliable broadband and cell service. Additionally, Lewis states that further development on lakes should be ceased as a way to protect the watershed for 100,000 people in the county.

Her opponent, incumbent Tyler Byrd, is a board member of the Whatcom Business Alliance. Byrd is a conservative candidate prioritizing the needs of businesses above the local community. He was one of two council members to vote against the 0.1% sales tax to help fund affordable housing. On the environment, he voted against the moratorium on Cherry Point shipping unrefined fossil fuels, despite concerns about the cultural significance for the Lummi Nation and environmental threats. Finally, he voted against a $4 million coronavirus relief package last April.

Lewis is the clear choice for Whatcom County Council in District 3 to bring progressive, community-minded leadership to the county.

Navy veteran and current council chair Barry Buchanan has served one term on the Bellingham City Council and two on the Whatcom County Council. Buchanan has been a solid vote on the county council, especially through the difficulties of last year. He is the chair of the Whatcom County Incarceration Reduction and Prevention Taskforce and is seeking to provide alternatives to booking people for low-level crimes through the LEAD program, which was established in 2019.

Buchanan supports both the Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center and East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, which serve those experiencing mental health crises and hunger. He has also worked in previous terms in office to ban fracking and protect the environment. In this race, Buchanan is prioritizing public safety by investing in community alternatives to policing and by reducing the number of people who end up in the criminal justice system when having mental health crises. His platform is very progressive.

Kamal Bhachu works as a senior maintenance engineer at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and as a firearms instructor. His platform states that he would address affordable housing and living wage jobs, but doesn't offer enough policy details to evaluate and his campaign has been spotlighted by a conservative publication. His solution for addressing mental health and addiction in regards to people experiencing homelessness is to bring back programs like D.A.R.E. in schools, which doesn't go nearly far enough to help those suffering now, and doesn't address those who are unsheltered for non-addiction reasons.

Buchanan is the best choice for Whatcom County Council, At-Large Position A.

Sarah Perry is a small business owner, nonprofit fundraiser, and Democratic activist who is challenging incumbent Kathy Lambert for King County Council in District 3. Perry has years of experience building financial support for nonprofits and universities in the Puget Sound area.

Perry is running on a platform of supporting small businesses, protecting farmlands and the environment, and improving transportation. In particular, she wants to provide more support for the 40% of the district in unincorporated King County that can't rely on city leadership for investments and infrastructure. In our interview with Perry, she presented a detailed overview of her campaign as a strong advocate for growth management. She wants to promote urban forests, preserve the district's natural areas, usher in alternative energy sources, and improve wastewater and storm runoff in open spaces. Perry also wants to see an equity lens brought to COVID recovery, ensuring that new modes of transit are brought to the district, supporting behavioral health, and assisting those struggling with affordable housing.

While the King County Council is officially non-partisan, Perry's opponent, longtime Republican Kathy Lambert, has lost touch with this diverse and rapidly changing district. Lambert has voted against transit access for years, including voting to end Seattle's downtown free-ride zone. She also voted against making the county sheriff an appointed position, which was proposed to give the council and county executive more oversight in the wake of protests against police brutality. Lambert was the only "no" vote on the 2019 bill to use state money to fund early learning, post-secondary education, and in-home care providers.

Lambert received broad criticism in early October for a mail piece from her campaign that singled out the only Black member of the King County Council with fear-mongering and divisive language. All six Democrats on the council, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, denounced the attack and said it has no place in our public discourse. 

We need to elect leaders who will bring people together to create meaningful change, not tear each other down and divide us with hateful rhetoric. Perry's extensive civic engagement and track record of collaboration has earned her overwhelming support from community leaders and progressive organizations. Vote for Perry for new progressive leadership on the King County Council from District 3.

Incumbent Dave Upthegrove is running to bring his tri-part vision of King County to reality: health, jobs, and justice. He was the first openly gay state representative from outside Seattle in Washington history, and he went on to serve five terms in the Legislature before being elected to the King County Council in 2013.

Upthegrove has been a good council member and a solid advocate on several fronts in the county. He has been a leading voice on the council for environmental protections and climate action. As the chair of the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors, Upthegrove has worked to repair estuaries and has increased funding for repairing salmon habitats. 

If re-elected, Upthegrove hopes to continue making progress on police accountability by strengthening civilian oversight of the sheriff's office. Overall, Upthegrove has been a reliable vote on many issues but has not been as ambitious on some priorities as Olow plans to be. In particular, he frustrated housing and human service advocates with his opposition to a more ambitious Vets, Seniors, and Human Services Levy in 2017. During our interview, he said he has learned in recent years the value of year-round public engagement, instead of just before a major vote, and this community input has made him more willing to support tax increases if they fund valuable services. He has earned support from both labor and environmental groups in this race.

Jared Mead is running to retain his seat on the Snohomish County Council in District 4. He previously served in the state Legislature and was appointed to the council in 2020 after Terry Ryan resigned, winning his election in 2020 for the final year of the term. Last year, Mead chaired the Regional Law & Justice and Human Services committee on the council.

Mead is a strong progressive who has worked to prohibit discrimination, fight the climate crisis, and secure an energy-independent state for future generations. His campaign priorities include reducing traffic and pollution through transit-oriented development and protecting the county's urban growth areas. In this race, he is supported by many local progressive leaders and our partner organizations.

Mead faces a challenge from Republican Brenda Carrington. She has a business background in construction and landscaping and lost to Mead in last year's election. Carrington opposes new funding for essential services and disagrees with efforts to redirect some funding to community safety and prevention.

Mead is the clear choice for Snohomish County Council in District 4.

Brandy Donaghy is a community organizer and Navy veteran who is challenging incumbent Councilmember Sam Low for Snohomish County Council in District 5. Donaghy serves on the board of directors for the Communities of Color Coalition and regularly volunteers to provide emergency services and disaster relief to the Snohomish community.

Donaghy has spent her professional life advocating for a high quality of life for all Snohomish residents. She is a strong progressive whose campaign priorities include COVID-19 recovery that incorporates community support, housing security, justice reform, and maintaining green space. She is endorsed by many of our partner organizations and a number of progressive elected leaders in this race.

Low is an outspoken Republican on the council who voted in June against $4 per hour hazard pay for grocery store workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Earlier this spring, he badgered and voted against the appointment of a young woman of color to the Regional Law and Justice Council because he disagreed with some of her social media posts.

Donaghy would bring a much-needed progressive perspective to the council and is the obvious choice for Snohomish County Council in District 5.

Born and raised in a migrant farm working family in central Washington, Lorena González has a background as an award-winning civil rights attorney that provides a foundation for her advocacy for working families and marginalized communities. González is a Seattle City Council member and the current council president. As one of the city’s leaders through times of prosperity and times of hardship, she is committed to making the city of Seattle a place where all can thrive. The unanimous vote to make her the city council president in early 2020 speaks to her ability to lead collaboratively and make bold progressive change.

The biggest divergence between Harrell and González's platforms is the candidates' short-term plans for how to help people experiencing homelessness. The crux of the problem, which experts and agencies have stated time and time again, is the lack of shelters with services to help people stay housed. The city has about 4,000 unsheltered people, and while there are about 1,300 affordable housing units and 400 additional shelter spaces coming soon, it is not enough. González would focus on building short- and long-term housing because the city needs to triple permanent affordable housing to meet everyone’s needs. She pledges to quickly scale up Seattle’s shelter system from the mayor’s office, which would include options such as tiny villages and leveraging hotels and motels. She would also make it a key focus to increase permanent, supportive housing and include additional funds for mental, behavioral, and substance use services.

Equitable economic recovery from COVID is a high priority for the councilmember. She vows to make sure that neighborhood small businesses, many of which are owned by people of color, receive equitable shares of recovery assistance. Other parts of her agenda seek to meet the needs of working families. For example, she wants to raise standards in the gig economy by ending sub-minimum wages and establish incentives for employee ownership in businesses. Improvements to child care access, bike and pedestrian paths, and building on renter protections round out some of her other priorities for improving the lives of everyone in the community.

González has played a lead role in existing police reform efforts by pivoting some law enforcement funding to community-led efforts to increase health and safety. She believes that as mayor, she could do even more to reverse the legacy of harm of police violence in the city, especially for communities of color and in communities with lower-than-average incomes. In our interview, González noted that Seattle’s police guild has disproportionate power at the negotiating table when it comes to holding officers accountable. The mayor has much more leverage than the council in negotiating a better contract, and if she is elected she will push harder than Mayor Durkan to increase accountability for officers and the department.

On issues of the climate, González wants to partner with Seattle for A Green New Deal to revitalize and expand the local green economy. She states that by actively retrofitting homes and modernizing industrial infrastructure, we can provide thousands of stable, high-quality jobs in the city.

González’s experience leaves her well-positioned to hit the ground running. Her advocacy and support for workers has earned her the trust of many labor unions and advocacy groups. She has a track record of working well with her colleagues to build consensus on the city’s most pressing issues. For her support for our partners and her forward-thinking platform, we recommend González for mayor of Seattle.

Victoria Woodards is running for re-election to be the mayor of Tacoma. She had a long track record of public service before becoming mayor in 2017. Woodards supports working families and is committed to maintaining safe and healthy neighborhoods across Tacoma. She also crucially understands the importance of addressing institutional racism and has a demonstrated history of working within communities of color and building diverse coalitions to address the problems facing Tacoma. In her time on the Tacoma City Council, Woodards worked on establishing Tacoma’s Office of Equity and Human Rights.

While Woodards previously supported the proposal to build a highly polluting liquefied natural gas facility in Tacoma because it would have created jobs, she has since emphasized she does not support any new fossil fuel facilities in the Tideflats.

Woodards faces a challenge from Steve Haverly, a first-time candidate who works in construction and land management. Haverly does not have a detailed campaign platform. While he claims to be nonpartisan, what little campaign information he does have available demonstrates his priorities would not align with what Tacoma's communities need as we come together to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woodards has earned broad support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations and numerous elected officials. Woodards is the best choice for mayor of Tacoma.

Anne McEnerny-Ogle was elected to the Vancouver City Council in 2013 and was elected as mayor in 2018, making her the first woman elected to the position in the city's history.

She has a long record of service to community causes such as Daybreak Youth Services and the Assistance League. While she served on the council, McEnerny-Ogle was an advocate for improving transportation options through development grants and enhancing green spaces like the Shumway Neighborhood Park. As mayor, she helped coordinate the city's COVID-19 response, including organizing a food bank and vaccination clinic at Tower Mall. She has also supported the inclusive Heights District housing project.

Her opponent is Earl Bowerman, who has challenged U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler because he thought she wasn't loyal enough to former President Donald Trump. In 2019, while Bowerman was the Clark County Republican Chair, his own party sought his resignation because of his failure to act against a committee chair who had been convicted of inappropriate behavior with a teenage girl.

McEnerny-Ogle has earned re-election as mayor of Vancouver and is the best choice in this race.

Mary Lou Pauly is running unopposed for re-election to be mayor of Issaquah. Pauly was elected mayor in 2018 and previously served as deputy city council president and as vice-chair of the Eastside Fire and Rescue Board. As mayor, she has worked to balance growth with protecting Issaquah's environment and championed vaccine accessibility for everyone. Pauly's top priorities for her re-election campaign are increased transportation and mobility, as well as environmentally-friendly practices and public safety.

Pauly has earned another term as mayor of Issaquah.

Incumbent Cassie Franklin was the first woman ever to be elected mayor of Everett. Before becoming mayor, Franklin was an Everett City Council member and served in a number of organizations and programs addressing homelessness.

Her tenure as mayor, which began in 2017, came at a difficult moment in the city's financial history. Washington cities are required by law to produce a balanced budget. With a deficit of $18 million for the city, up from $15 million inherited before her term due to pandemic-related causes, Franklin and the city council cut costs to balance the budget. Their budget closed service locations like the Carl Gipson Senior Center and the Forest Park Swim Center, reduced library hours, and eliminated city-sponsored events like fireworks, the animal farm, and flower festival, along with laying off or voluntary separating from over 130 employees. Disappointingly, despite calls by Black activists to reduce or move funds from the police department budget into more community services, the police budget was not cut like most other departments. Franklin states that the department's body camera program and training efforts are meeting the changes demanded by activists.

Budget aside, Franklin has worked hard in the pandemic to administer pandemic relief funds and issued a stay-home directive in the early days of the COVID crisis.

Franklin's opponent is Steve Oss, president of the Everett Transit Union. Oss does not have a website or detailed policy proposals as of mid-October. He states in a local interview that he believes businesses need support and the city's deficit needs to be addressed.

While Franklin is fairly moderate, her endorsements on both the conservative and progressive ends of the spectrum represent local faith in her second run, and she is the only viable choice in this race.

Incumbent mayor Jennifer Gregerson is running for re-election for mayor of Mukilteo. Gregerson was first elected mayor in 2013 at which time she became Mukilteo’s first female mayor. Before that, Gregerson served as a city council member from 2004 until 2013. Outside of public service, she owns her own small business and volunteers as a member of the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County board.

Gregerson is running a very progressive campaign based on economic recovery, community growth, and safety for all. If re-elected, she wants to continue the public investment in the local economy following the more than $400,000 previously distributed in small business grants. Gregerson also wants to improve the waterfront promenade and upgrade the Harbour Reach Corridor, for which she has secured state funding. She has earned the support of many local organizations and progressive elected officials.

Former mayor Joe Marine is challenging Gregerson on a more conservative platform that emphasizes exclusionary housing policy and cutting community services. Marine was mayor from 2006 until 2012, and served on the city council from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2020 until the present.

Jennifer Gregerson is the obvious choice in this race for Mukilteo mayor and she deserves your vote to keep bringing progressive values to city hall.

Current Snohomish City Council president Linda Redmon is running for mayor. Redmon has served on the Snohomish City Council since 2018 and as president since 2020. She also represents portions of the county including Monroe, Gold Bar, and Sultan on the Snohomish County Board of Health. In her time on the city council, Redmon has advocated for more comprehensive access to broadband, worked on support for workers and businesses during the pandemic, and promoted protecting parks and green spaces.

Redmon is facing John Kartak. As the city's first elected mayor since a shift in the governmental system, Kartak has had a rough and controversial tenure. In May of last year, Kartak faced heavy criticism for allowing a gathering of 100 armed vigilantes with confederate flags to tailgate and intimidate Snohomish protestors. Kartak claimed, falsely, that only a few of the people were associated with fringe groups. In October, Kartak sparked outrage once again by posting a picture on Facebook depicting a toy car running over figurines meant to resemble protesters.

Kartak has brought endless division and controversy to the City of Snohomish. It's time to elect a leader who can rebuild relationships and unite the city under an inclusive vision. Vote for Linda Redmon for mayor of Snohomish.

City Councilmember Ryan Walters is running for mayor of Anacortes. Walters has been on the city council since 2012 and served as the mayor pro tem from 2016 to 2017. Outside of his work on the council, Walters is the planning and community development director for the Samish Nation and works with the Skagit Land Trust.

Walters' platform includes affordable housing, high-quality public services and infrastructure, and making Anacortes an inclusive town for all that maintains its unique charm. During his time on the council, Walters helped to develop the Anacortes municipal fiber network, which is now under construction. He also started the council’s first committee on housing and community services. Despite serving a city with two large oil refineries, Walters understands the importance of environmental protections for the natural ecosystem and Anacortes residents alike. If elected mayor, Walters will use his experience in office to implement a community-focused agenda.

Walters is running against fellow council member Matt Miller. Miller is in his second term on the council and served as the mayor pro tem from 2018 to 2020. He is a veteran and business owner running on a more conservative platform including criminalizing Anacortes residents experiencing homelessness and prioritizing business interests above community needs.

Walters is the best choice for mayor of Anacortes because of his progressive vision and his support from partner organizations.

Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold is running unopposed for re-election to Kirkland City Council, Position 1. Prior to joining the city council, Arnold served on the Kirkland Planning Commission for five years and co-chaired the campaign to provide dedicated funding for Kirkland parks. He also served on the boards of the environmental organizations Futurewise and Spark Northwest.

First elected to the council in 2013, Arnold has worked hard to improve Kirkland's transportation, sustainability, and inclusiveness. He has supported efforts to strengthen safe routes to schools, improve transit options and reduce congestion, and provide co-responders for mental health calls to the police. Arnold is also a part-time technology consultant at Fuse. He was not involved in this recommendation.

Arnold has been a thoughtful and innovative leader as Kirkland has grown over the last eight years. He deserves your vote for Kirkland City Council, Position 1.

Incumbent Neal Black was elected to his first term on the council in 2019. He serves as a member of the board of trustees for the King County Bar Association, where he works on the Housing Justice Project and other pro-bono civil legal aid programs.

If re-elected, Black will aim to encourage a greater mix of housing types, encourage economic growth and neighborhoods around transit hubs, and support pandemic recovery for residents and businesses. Some of that work has already begun - the council passed an eviction moratorium through the end of September and is offering assistance to renters, homeowners, and landlords behind on mortgage and rent payments. Black is strongly supported by a long list of progressive elected officials and an impressive variety of organizations that advocate for the environment, affordable housing, and more.

Challenging Black is Cherese Bourgoin, whose family owns a local salon. She also serves on the board of directors with the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce. Bourgoin states that electing her to the council would add a business advocate to the body. She notes that the unhoused population in Kirkland is growing, but does not offer a specific solution aside from saying she would help people get available services. Entry-level housing is also on her list of priorities, though again she fails to propose a solution to the challenge.

Black is by far the best choice for Kirkland City Council, Position 5.

Jon Pascal is running unopposed for re-election to Position 7 on the Kirkland City Council. As a former transportation commissioner and Kirkland planning commissioner, Pascal has worked on the city's Transportation Master Plan and other infrastructure improvements.

In his next term, Pascal hopes to continue investing in small traffic safety projects and transit options. He will also prioritize maintaining and expanding recreation opportunities in the city's parks, overseeing additional fire and emergency services, and supporting affordable housing.

Kim Harless is a program manager at a paint recycling nonprofit and a Clark County Review commissioner. She has served in several roles oriented towards feeding the community, including as the president of Slow Food Southwest Washington, vice president of Urban Abundance, and treasurer of Clark County Food System. She also worked for nearly a decade as an environmental operations specialist with Clark County planning recycling systems, providing oversight on contracts.

Harless states that as an Indigenous and Chicana single mother, she intends to center equity in both her campaign and her tenure on council if elected. She will lead with housing-first solutions to the homelessness crisis, which means securing shelter for people so that they can safely address any health, social, or economic issues they may be facing. In our interview with Harless, she said she wanted to provide technical expertise on creating a much more robust climate action plan. She believes police reform should be intentional and focused, and that emergency services should evolve so that a more diverse suite of services is available for residents who call 911 for disputes or mental health crises. Harless emphasized that, overall, city government must address the needs of marginalized communities so that Vancouver is truly welcoming and healthy for all.

Her opponent is John Blom, a real estate broker and former Clark County council member from District 3. On the county council, Blom served as a fairly moderate voice in his first term, which he ran for as a Republican; he later ran with no party preference. He serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington and The Historic Trust.

Blom acknowledges that the homelessness crisis is entangled with many other issues, including lack of mental health services, surging costs of living, medical emergencies, and job loss. He also states that law enforcement should provide more options for alternative responses for those who need help with behavioral or mental health. While Blom mentions that the best way to ensure public safety is to provide educational and economic opportunities for people to thrive, he is not specific about whether that would include shifting funding into community-based services.

Harless has worked hard to bring together the government and public to work on issues that the community cares about most. Harless' forward-thinking agenda and support from a wide range of organizations make her the best choice in this race. We recommend Harless in this race for her fresh perspective, strong progressive values, and the technical expertise she could bring to the city council.

Incumbent Erik Paulsen was unanimously appointed to the council in 2019. He served for several years on the Vancouver Planning Commission before his appointment, including five years as chair of the commission. He also served as a member of the Vancouver Affordable Housing Task Force and Southwest Clean Air Agency.

Noting that housing affordability is a critical issue as demand outpaces supply, Paulsen believes the city should assist with strategies to provide housing at all income levels. He also supports investing in infrastructure to make Vancouver safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Paulsen is running against Kara Tess, who has served as president of her former home owner's association and now serves as a board member of her current HOA. Her public campaign site does not currently have many priorities listed, and her interview with our local council reflected some uncertainty about what the city council can do. The Columbian has also reported that Tess is not currently campaigning actively, and has possibly dropped out of the race. She states that the city should invest more in mental health and addiction resources, education to reduce the consumption of red meat and other carbon emission contributors, and said that she is running to listen to everyone and make the community a better place.

Paulsen is the best choice for Vancouver City Council, Position 2.

Diana Perez is the founder of the local League of United Latin American Citizens. Perez has been highly active and awarded in the community for her civil rights and policy work. She was appointed by Gov. Inslee as a commissioner for Washington State Parks and Recreation and serves as a board member of the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program, which provides law clinics for underserved communities.

Perez's campaign is focused on improving life for all residents of Vancouver. She wants to incentivize mixed-income communities that have access to public transportation, and create bold solutions for affordable housing that bring the unsheltered community, service providers, and developers to the table. She believes that investing in communities of color can strengthen the entire city, and she would focus on removing discriminatory language in housing deeds, center living wage jobs, and look to help small businesses recover post-pandemic.

She is running against David Gellatly. He is the former chair of the Clark County Republican Party and is now a member of the party's executive board. He states that his top priorities would be homelessness and supporting businesses in the city. Gellatly was cited last year as one of the organizers of pro-Trump rallies in Vancouver during protests and after the shooting of Kevin E. Peterson, Jr. As the head of a conservative activist group, Gellatly is likely to continue to push regressive policies on the council on social and racial justice, environmental reform, and more.

Perez has worked tirelessly both professionally and on a volunteer basis to bring community-oriented solutions to Vancouver. She deserves your vote for Vancouver City Council, Position 3.

John Ramsdell is a behavioral health clinician running unopposed for Shoreline City Council, Position 1. In his campaign, Ramsdell is emphasizing his work organizing the community to develop a lot into a public park and his fundraising experience with the Westminster Triangle Neighborhood Association. Ramsdell's platform includes increasing affordable housing options and creating policies that will reduce energy and water use, and promoting green building and sustainable consumption. He also wants to expand Shoreline's park system.

David Chen was previously in this race as well but dropped out at the end of June after accepting a position in Portland, Oregon. He will still appear on the ballot as he dropped out after the deadline to be removed.

Ramsdell is unopposed and is a fine choice for Shoreline City Council, Position 1.

Laura Mork is running unopposed to Shoreline City Council, Position 3. She works for Premera Blue Cross and previously worked in technical services for an aircraft company. Mork chairs the Shoreline Planning Commission and has served as a wastewater commissioner. Her campaign platform includes investing in the infrastructure of all neighborhoods, local park improvements, and efforts to reduce Shoreline's climate footprint. Mork also pledges to apply an equity lens to the needs of everyone who lives and works in the community.

Mork is unopposed in this race and is a solid choice for Shoreline City Council, Position 3.

Eben Pobee is running unopposed for Shoreline City Council, Position 5. He is a finance manager who was appointed to the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees in 2020. Pobee also helped found a local nonprofit arts organization called JHP Legacy and serves as their artistic director. His campaign platform includes building a safe and healthy community, bringing more accessible gathering spaces to the community, and improving lighting on streets and walking paths.

Pobee is unopposed in the race for Shoreline City Council, Position 5, and deserves your vote.

Michelle Evans is the owner of a strategic marketing consultancy business. She has volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and Habitat for Humanity, and on the board of directors for the Whatcom County Boys and Girls Club.

Evans' candidacy is focused on improving the quality of life for residents through increasing affordable housing options, protecting parks and open spaces, and supporting more diverse voices in the city. She would advocate for the creation of an affordable housing trust, selectively relax zoning, and offer developers incentives to achieve the first priority. Evans also supports funding a parks and recreation center, creating a diversity council, and adding more safe sidewalks and bike lanes. She is backed by progressive endorsements, including a local Democratic group and environmental advocates.

Phil Mark was appointed to this seat in July 2021 after Councilmember Charles Price resigned. Mark has worked as a volunteer for the Woodinville Wine Country Visitor Center and in his homeowner's association board. Choosing a new council member from two candidates for the race - Mark and Michelle Evans - was unusual. As a very new council member, Mark's record and policy positions have yet to be fully seen. He states that if voters retain him, he will encourage small and local businesses and low-cost housing, promote youth recreation opportunities, and support tourism.

We lean towards Evans for her more progressive platform and her community support.

Robin Lynne White is challenging incumbent Rachel Best-Campbell for Woodinville City Council, Position 3. White works in product management for a lung disease diagnostics company. She volunteers with events and organizations researching cures for cancer.

White is running on a progressive platform that includes instituting environmental protections, increasing and improving transit options, supporting small Woodinville businesses, and creating affordable housing. She has earned a number of key endorsements in this race from our partner organizations and the local Democrats.

Councilmember Rachel Best-Campbell is running for re-election on a moderate platform that includes expanding public green spaces, reducing traffic congestion, and opposing the Woodinville transfer station. Since joining the council in 2019, she has not been a strong progressive voice and has been particularly disappointing on climate action.

Robin Lynne White is the best choice in this race for Position 3 on the Woodinville City Council. She deserves your vote to bring strong progressive leadership to city hall.

Sarah Arndt is a Woodinville Public Spaces Commissioner who is running for Woodinville City Council, Position 5.

Many of Arndt's priorities seek to improve or expand on the city's natural and built infrastructure. Arndt wants to focus growth in the downtown core, prioritizing sustainable buildings and keeping commercial spaces affordable for small businesses. She also wants to see the city form more walkable "pocket" neighborhoods by increasing walkability, maintaining the tree canopy, and adding bike lanes. Arndt wants to also be an advocate for affordable housing with equitable zoning practices, with an eye on racial equity in public policy and distribution of city services.

Also vying for this open seat is general contractor and business owner Jesse DeGroff. DeGroff does not have a campaign website available as of late October but says that he wants to advocate for small businesses and provide more affordable housing options. However, DeGroff's available positions are not as nuanced as Arndt's, whose five years on the advisory commission has given her deeper insight into the city's needs. For example, in regards to repositioning funding from law enforcement to reduce police brutality and issues of accountability, DeGroff says that he would only seek to provide visibility on how money is spent in law enforcement. However, Arndt proposes that the city join the North Sound Response Awareness, De-escalation and Referral (RADAR) program, which would pair mental health professionals with officers on behavioral health calls, increasing the level of safety and service for officers and residents. Similarly, Arndt would examine the city's code to increase the city's housing stock on much-needed below-market rate housing, while DeGroff says more simply that he would consider those who needs starter homes.

We recommend Arndt in this race for her more detailed and more progressive platform and recommendations from progressive organizations.

James Randolph is running for Position 7 to bring new leadership to the Woodinville City Council. He has been active in the community, including serving on the King County Site Advisory Group to oppose a new waste transfer station in Woodinville. Randolph also partnered with local businesses, activists, and elected leaders to organize the Woodinville Black Lives Matter march last year. If elected, Randolph would work to bring people together for common goals, improve transparency, and promote equity across the community.

Randolph is challenging retired pharmacist Gary Harris, who was elected mayor by his fellow city council members this January. He has served on the council since 2018 and has also volunteered as a PTA president as well as president of his homeowner's association. Harris has taken a moderate and cautious approach on the council that hasn't matched the scale of needs in the community.

Randolph is the best choice for Woodinville City Council, Position 7.

Incumbent LaTrisha Suggs is running to retain her seat in Port Angeles City Council, Position 1 which she was appointed to in 2019, becoming the first Native American city council member. Suggs is a restoration planner and worked with the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe on the removal of the Elwha River dams, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. Now, she serves on a number of committees including the Clallam County Marine Resources and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, looking at environmental impact and community wellbeing.

Suggs is proud of the council’s recent accomplishments including providing rental, mortgage, and utility support to residents hurt by the pandemic, balancing the budget, and the Rediscovery program, which brings social workers into emergency response work. If re-elected, she wants to address housing insecurity, enhance the commercial district, develop solutions in the childcare crisis, and update city codes.

Challenging Suggs is Adam Garcia, who works for the Veterans Health Administration doing in-home care. Unfortunately, Garcia wants to cut social services, prioritize business interests, and criminalize Port Angeles residents struggling with addiction and those without stable housing. He is not a progressive candidate.

LaTrisha Suggs is the best choice in this race. She deserves your vote to continue serving in Position 1 on the Port Angeles City Council.

Incumbent Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin is running to retain his spot serving Port Angeles in Position 3 on the city council. Schromen-Wawrin was first elected to the council in 2017. Previously, he worked as a science teacher before getting a law degree and practicing constitutional law. Now, in addition to council work, Schromen-Wawrin chairs the Clallam Transit board and serves on the policy committees for the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance.

During his time on the council, Schromen-Wawrin has worked to increase affordable housing, develop childcare programs, maintain stable utility rates, and support small businesses (especially through the pandemic). Now, he is running to build a local economy that works for everyone, continue to expand affordable housing, and strengthen the council’s communication and transparency. In this race, he earned endorsements from the local Democrats and other progressive organizations.

His opponent Jena Stamper is running with Clallam County's Independent Advisory Association, a far-right group led by a conspiracy theorist, in order to challenge Schromen-Wawrin’s seat and bring conservative values to the council. The Associated Press covered both Stamper's false claims and the lies pushed by the group, noting that their theories on homelessness are unsubstantiated. She is a chiropractor and business owner. If elected, Stamper wants to prioritize business interests at the cost of community-strengthening social services and making Port Angeles an inclusive place for all to thrive.

Schromen-Wawrin is the clear choice in this race and deserves your vote for Port Angeles City Council, Position 3.

Sarah Rumbaugh owns a consulting business and serves on the Tacoma Human Rights Commission. She previously worked as a city planner for Kent and with the Housing Equity Task Force helping to develop the Home in Tacoma Project.

Rumbaugh wants to tackle challenges like air and water pollution and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels without impacting the local economy or jobs in the area. Her campaign is emphasizing resetting the economy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, bringing more affordable housing to Tacoma, and prioritizing frontline workers and their families. Rumbaugh is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and has pledged to listen and push the city to become inclusive. Her platform includes a commitment to public education and ensuring that all schools receive equitable funding, regardless of neighborhood or zip code. 

Rumbaugh is a good choice for Tacoma City Council, Position 2 if you are looking for a moderate candidate who is focused on boosting the local economy.

Catherine Ushka is running for re-election to Tacoma City Council, Position 4. Ushka was first elected to the council in 2017 and previously served on the Tacoma School Board for eight years. She chairs the Community Vitality and Safety Committee and is a member of groups including the Parks Policy Board and Opioid Prevention Taskforce.

In her time on the council, Ushka supported apprenticeship programs by changing labor codes to make these programs more accessible. If she's re-elected, Ushka wants to do more to fight racial inequalities in health, housing, education, employment, and law enforcement. She states that she will continue to work for more flexible federal funding for housing and shelters, including low-barrier shelters with fewer barriers to entry for the city's unhoused population. Ushka also feels the city needs to increase zoning density where suitable to address the housing deficit and provide additional resources for responding to mental health crises.

Also in this race is Israel James McKinney. McKinney has worked for Boeing and Xfinity and currently works for Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services. His platform includes prioritizing education, supporting police reform and accountability, and reducing the gap in affordable housing.

Our local council was disappointed with some of Ushka's interview answers, including her support for moving the migrant detention center to the Nalley Valley. However, Ushka’s support from local progressive groups and our partner organizations makes her the best choice in the race for Tacoma City Council, Position 4.

Anne Artman is running for Tacoma City Council, Position 5. She is the founder and executive director of the Tacoma Recovery Center and previously served as the program manager of the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center.

Artman's campaign priorities include dealing with the affordable housing and homelessness crises, increasing behavioral health and social services, bringing more women-, Black-, brown-, and Indigenous-owned businesses to the community, and supporting Tacoma’s existing small businesses. She is also emphasizing social and racial justice and will work for more accountability, transparency, and equitable opportunities for all communities. Artman has been endorsed by progressive leaders like House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Rep. Melanie Morgan and groups including the Stonewall Democrats and the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Artman is an exciting leader who has earned strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners, as well as progressive elected and community leaders. Artman is the best choice in the race for Tacoma City Council, Position 5.

Kiara Daniels is running for Tacoma City Council, Position 6. She is a small business owner and former Fuse fellow with strong progressive values. Daniels' campaign platform includes a holistic response to public health emergencies like COVID-19 by providing financial support to vulnerable families, workers, small businesses, and all others who have been severely impacted. She wants to invest in after-school programs for students and fight for seniors and other community members to have the stable housing and resources they need. Daniels is very involved in the Tacoma community and would bring a great progressive perspective to the city council.

Also in this race is Brett Johnson, a business owner and member of the Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel. He previously ran for city council in 2019 and has expressed support for a radical policy of "gifting" everyone a single "lifetime discretionary abortion." Johnson is neither progressive nor qualified for this role.

Daniels is the clear choice for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.

Incumbent Steve Fields is running for re-election on a progressive platform that puts climate action and careful city planning at the forefront. Outside of the council, Fields owns a local coffee shop and is an umpire in youth sports. Prior to joining the council, he worked in King County government for more than 10 years. 

In his first term, Fields points to the city council's declaration of a climate emergency as a sign of progress. He hopes to move forward with sustainability policies that protect water quality and parks and promote energy-efficient buildings. He also wants to see the city update the downtown urban design code, stating that the process is out of date. As Marymoor Village and Overlake are developed, Fields says he aims to see more community involvement to improve the appeal and function of new development.

If re-elected, Fields would continue to be an outspoken proponent of progressive reforms, with a focus on climate action and sustainable design changes. During our interview, Fields reaffirmed his commitment to the Health through Housing initiative, despite some controversy around his recent statement. He also reiterated his commitment to meeting with all residents and groups in the community, regardless of their viewpoint. 

Melissa Stuart is running for Redmond City Council, Position 4 to bring her advocacy for the environment and education to the council. She is the Director of Individual Giving at Boys and Girls Club of King County, has served on the board of Zero Waste Washington and South Transit, and as an Eastside Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy. She has also worked at Youth Eastside Services to help provide behavioral healthcare for families.

She is running against finance analyst Dennis Ellis, who is running a conservative campaign for the seat. He states that public safety - specifically through policing - is the number one essential for a city. Ellis disagrees with the methods that other cities have taken in shifting funding to proactive community services that reduce crime, like health care and youth programming. He states that he will move the conversation away from topics like climate change or walkable infrastructure to making the city a more business-friendly environment, though he does not state exactly how.

Stuart has been endorsed by several leading Democratic representatives and elected officials. While her campaign platform is not fully fleshed out on her website, her long record of community and professional service speaks to a candidate who is ready to contribute meaningfully to the council.

Stuart is the best choice for Redmond City Council, Position 4.

Incumbent Dr. Jeralee Anderson was first elected to the Redmond City Council in 2017. She is the president and co-founder of Greenroads International, which rates and advocates for sustainable transportation infrastructure. She has also been recognized for her achievements at the state and national level, working on the Gov. Inslee-appointed Washington State Public Works Board, as an alternate on the King County Regional Transit Committee, and on the Cascade Water Alliance board of directors.

Anderson's re-election campaign is focused on climate action, improving infrastructure, and economic justice. She is committed to implementing the city's climate goals by 2030 and wants to expand the tree canopy. Anderson will prioritize reduce housing costs and rents so that seniors aren't displaced and first responders can live in the community they serve. In addition, she supports expanding mental health response services and focusing development around transit hubs.

Anderson faces a challenge from AT&T program manager Tara Van Niman. Her platform emphasizes the need to take local action on climate change, improve community engagement, and promote smart growth that accommodates the influx of people moving to Redmond. Van Niman has earned the endorsement of some local leaders like Sen. Manka Dhingra and Reps. Roger Goodman and Larry Springer.

Anderson's thoughtful platform and strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations make her the best choice in this race.

Small business owner and former renewable energy executive Dexter Borbe is running for Bellevue City Council, Position 2. Born in the Phillippines, he moved to the U.S. to earn his MBA at MIT before going on to work at several technology companies.

Borbe is a political newcomer who wants to bring an outside perspective to the Bellevue City Council. His campaign is focused on transportation, affordability, and economic development. He supports building more housing, particularly in Factoria and Crossroads, along with making the transit and transportation investments necessary to reduce traffic congestion. In addition, this would help alleviate a severe shortage of housing for low-income residents of Bellevue. If elected, Borbe would also push to improve transparency on the council by reducing voice votes so Bellevue residents have a record of how their representatives vote.

Borbe is challenging longtime incumbent Conrad Lee, who is running for re-election to the council position he has served in since 1994. Lee is a Republican who opposed the light rail expansion to the Eastside, which will begin service in 2023. More recently, Lee opposed efforts to expand shelter options for people experiencing homelessness in Bellevue. He is not a progressive choice.

Bellevue is a rapidly growing and changing city that deserves leaders who are ready to tackle a host of new challenges. Dexter Borbe is the best choice for Bellevue City Council, Position 2.

Retired software engineer and philanthropist Ruth Lipscomb is running for Bellevue City Council, Position 4. She has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations, including Fuse Washington, the Progress Alliance of Washington, Washington Women For Choice PAC, and others.

Her vision for Bellevue includes protecting the environment by reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions and prioritizing bringing stronger public transit, walkable neighborhoods, and safe biking routes to Bellevue. Lipscomb wants to use her background in technology to increase transparency in government and will work to improve affordability and safety for all Bellevue families.

Lipscomb is facing conservative deputy mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwenhuis recently voted against important housing affordability legislation because he wanted yet another taxpayer-funded study that would kick the can down the road. Nieuwenhuis has also displayed a disappointing lack of leadership on the issue of police accountability and racial justice during council meetings over the last year.

The Bellevue City Council is currently narrowly divided along political and ideological lines. Electing Lipscomb is the key to creating a progressive governing majority that could pursue a more ambitious agenda on issues like housing affordability, climate change, and reducing traffic congestion.

Lipscomb’s track record of community engagement, progressive values, and strong support from our partner organizations make her the clear choice for Bellevue City Council, Position 4.

Lynne Robinson is running for re-election to Bellevue City Council, Position 6. Since joining in 2014, Robinson has prioritized supporting small businesses, increasing responsible development, and protecting the environment at the local level. She is focused on addressing the needs of Bellevue families by focusing on education, affordable housing, human services for vulnerable community members, and advocating for local parks and public spaces.

In 2020, Robinson was elected mayor of Bellevue by her fellow council members and has been a moderate voice leading the city. During the COVID-19 crisis, she has focused on addressing food insecurity for community members as well as supporting women and minority-owned businesses with grants. Robinson has supported increasing affordable housing and shelter space, though far more progress is needed in Bellevue and across the region

Robinson is facing Dr. Gina Johnson, the founder of Vital Mind Body. Johnson's platform emphasizes police funding without mentioning much-needed accountability measures or increased funding for community-based alternatives. In addition, Johnson proposes harsh and punitive measures that fail to address the root of homelessness in Bellevue. Finally, Johnson opposes some of the city's basic COVID-19 protections, which are consistent with CDC recommendations and have helped keep our community safe.

Robinson is the best choice in the race for Position 6. Given the other competitive races for Bellevue City Council on the ballot, we hope Robinson will have the opportunity to work with a more progressive council and will support a bolder agenda for the city of Bellevue.

Incumbent Yến Huỳnh was appointed to the Position 2 seat in January 2021 after Jessica Bateman left the council to join the state Legislature. She is a former equity and social justice coordinator at the Washington State Department of Corrections, where she aimed to reduce recidivism and is a former Olympia planning commissioner. She is the only person of color currently serving on the council as well as the youngest member of the council.

Huỳnh's priorities include helping small businesses recover from the pandemic, working with local arts organizations, expanding affordable housing, and improving transportation for all. The council member wants to see public safety reimagined through the input of the community, and wants to see first responders and diverse community members included as part of the city's public safety decision-making process. She is endorsed by a wide slate of state senators, elected officials, city council members, unions, and other progressive organizations.

She is running against Robbi Kesler, the former general counsel for the Confederated Tribes of Chehalis, and a member of the Skokomish Tribe in Mason County. In the primary, Kesler's initial answers on homelessness in local interviews did not point to an effective strategy, with an overemphasis on private property. Kesler has since significantly expanded her platform, providing more details on her plans to address homelessness, handle waterfront development, and support collective bargaining. However, Huynh's solid track record on the council and support from the progressive community still makes her the best choice in this race.

Incumbent mayor pro tem Clark Gilman is running for re-election to his seat on the Olympia City Council, where he has served since January 2016. Previously, Gilman worked as a clean energy advocate at Climate Solutions and an organizer for the carpenters union. Currently, he works as a paraeducator at South Sound High School.

Gilman's top three campaign priorities are protecting the city's environment and natural spaces, engaging residents in city planning, and encouraging a sense of cooperation in the community. While on the council, Gilman has been an advocate for affordability requirements on tax-incentivized development, which keeps more homes and apartments affordable for all. He also worked to pass renter protections for people falling behind on payments due to COVID. Gilman and the council have also supported reverting Capitol Lake back to an estuary to support salmon populations.

His opponent is Candace Mercer, who says that she is a 'progressive' who voted for Donald Trump. Much of her writing focuses on her decision to embrace right-wing advocates and ideals. Her secondary focus is on homelessness and addiction, with a stronger focus on the latter, though the measures she suggests are largely punitive. Mercer states that the city should aggressively prosecute drug dealing and sex work, build privatized urban campsites, and push for substance abstinence.

Gilman's agenda is far more comprehensive and actually progressive, addressing the city's biggest issues at the source with services that help struggling families and prevent people from falling into poverty in the first place. Clark Gilman is the best choice for Olympia City Council, Position 4.

Elected in 2017, incumbent and veterinary oncologist Lisa Parshley is running for re-election to Olympia City Council, Position 2.

Parshley is seeking a second term on the council to continue her work on climate, economic recovery, and more. During her time on the council, Parshley has supported the council's vote for grocery stores with more than 250 employees to provide hazard pay to workers during the pandemic. Parshley sponsored an ordinance banning the retail sale of dogs and cats in the city limits. She also joined the unanimous vote of her colleagues on the council banning the use of chemical weapons on demonstrators last summer.

The two candidates in this race represent a philosophical divide in local and national politics on the left. Parshley has led a steady response to community demands that some activists have decried as incrementalism. On the other side, Reed feels a serious urgency to shake up the council and address issues like police violence immediately that some leaders have called unrealistic.

Parshley has won endorsements from current members of the city council and other elected officials, as well as several Democratic groups and unions.

Dontae Payne is a former U.S. Army member and currently works as the deputy district director to Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. Payne has also worked as the regional representative for the Olympic Peninsula and South Puget Sound to the governor's office.

Payne wants to see the city acknowledge systemic racism and support the use of an equity lens in its policymaking. On housing and homelessness, Payne states that expanded transitional and permanent supportive housing will help alleviate the crisis while providing COVID relief for small businesses and rent stabilization for commercial tenants will aid the city's economic recovery.

He also supports additional funding for body cameras, social services, mental health, addiction programs, and the city's crisis response unit. In his interview, he stated that his opinion on defunding the police was nuanced and that the city should focus on true reform, justice, and accountability.

Payne states that if elected, he would be the first Black man to ever serve on the city council. He says that his experience as a gay, Black, former military member would bring the voice of marginalized people to the table.

He is running against retired Air Force member and former firefighter Corey Gauny, who works as a management analyst for the state's Department of Licensing. The only issue listed in detail on his site is around homelessness. Gauny says that he would tackle the issues by providing resources around behavioral health, but does not address key issues like affordable housing or the need to provide shelter for the hundreds of people who sleep on the streets every night. He also mentions that he wants to focus on a vision of the city that centers businesses. Gauny is also using a Republican consultant, which further indicates he would bring a more conservative voice to the council.

Payne is the best choice in this race.

Incumbent Jim Cooper is a veteran and the CEO of United Ways of the Pacific Northwest. He is also deeply involved in the community as president of the Olympia Metropolitan Parks District, chair of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Board, and chair of the Regional Housing Council.

Cooper and the city council have passed several significant pieces of legislation that benefit the community. Notably, he supported the Olympia Home Fund to build new supportive permanent housing, provided funding for struggling businesses and families during the pandemic, and created a regional climate plan with neighboring cities. If re-elected, Cooper states that he will focus on housing and economic recovery, twin crises that affect everyone in the community, as well as continuing conversations on criminal justice reform.

Cooper faces a challenge from conservative Spence Weigand, an Olympia-based realtor. His three listed campaign priorities include addressing homelessness, housing, and improving the business climate. While his site doesn't go into specifics on these as of mid-October, he repeats false and misleading claims about people experiencing homelessness in Thurston County. He also criticizes efforts to clean up and supply sanitation at encampments and wants to see increased law enforcement presence and new mental health facilities. On the matter of affordable housing, he is a supporter of zoning reform on single-family zoning, as well as projects like the 478-unit West Bay Yards project, while disclosing that his real estate firm is involved in the Hardel property.

Cooper is backed by a significant number of unions, including the Lacey and Olympia firefighters' unions and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367, as well as by Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and a large number of county and city elected officials. His track record on the council and strong support from our partners and local leaders make him the best choice in this race.

Incumbent Stephanie Vignal is running for re-election for Position 2 on the Mill Creek City Council. Vignal first joined the council when she was appointed in 2019 and was then elected in 2020 to complete the rest of the term. During this time, she was elected by her fellow council members to serve as the mayor pro tem. Previously, Vignal served on the Parks and Recreation board. She has worked in the private sector in property management and small business financial management.

In office, Vignal has spearheaded bridging communication between city and state policymakers and serves as the council liaison with the Alliance of Housing Affordability. If re-elected, she wants to invest in public green spaces and city infrastructure, work on making Mill Creek as inclusive as possible, and focus on positive economic development as the state looks forward towards life post-pandemic. Vignal has received a number of endorsements from key progressive leaders and organizations, both locally and statewide.

Challenging Vignal in this race is Nicholas Swett, a Republican precinct committee officer. Swett lacks a campaign website and detailed platform as of mid-October.

Vignal is by far the best choice in this race and deserves your vote for Mill Creek City Council, Position 2.

Benjamin Briles was first appointed to the Mill Creek City Council in 2020 and is now running to retain his seat in Position 3. Before joining the council, Briles was first appointed to the Mill Creek Arts & Beautification Board, and then later both the Mill Creek Blvd Sub-Area Project Advisory Committee and the Snohomish County Planning Commission. Outside of public service, he worked as an engineer with Boeing.

Enhancing public spaces with an eye for beauty and inclusion has always been a focus for Briles. One of his early government projects was featuring local high schoolers’ art traffic-signal box wraps. To continue building community and bettering Mill Creek, Briles wants to strategically manage growth, expand city services, plan ahead for traffic and city service needs, and maintain Mill Creek’s unique character. In this race, he has earned the endorsements of a number of local progressive leaders.

Conservative challenger and Boeing manager Connie Allison is also in this race. Allison wants to cut social services and opposes affordable housing for Mill Creek.

Benjamin Briles is the clear choice for Mill Creek City Council, Position 3.

Melissa Duque is running for Mill Creek City Council, Position 6. Duque has been a member of the Mill Creek Park and Recreation Board since 2018 and has served as board chair since 2020. Outside of public service, she works with nonprofits and foundations on communications and project management to build change.

If elected, Duque wants to expand and protect public green spaces, foster responsive and transparent government, ensure economic recovery for Mill Creek businesses, and be smart about city growth. Duque began to actualize some of these goals during her time on the Parks and Recreation Board, where she worked on the opening of Exploration Park and the updates to Heron Park. In this race, Duque has earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive leaders and Democratic organizations.

Duque is facing incumbent council member Adam Morgan. He first joined the council after being appointed in 2020 to fill the spot left vacant by Mike Todd. Morgan is running on a conservative platform that doesn't represent the people of Mill Creek. If re-elected, Morgan would reduce funding for essential services that support local families and keep our community safe.

We recommend Melissa Duque for Mill Creek City Council, Position 6 because of her progressive support and her strong community focus.

Incumbent Angela Jefferson is running unopposed for Tumwater City Council, Position 2. Jefferson was appointed to the seat in March when Councilmember Tom Oliva vacated the spot. Outside of the council, Jefferson is a personal trainer, licensed massage therapist, and army veteran. She previously served on the Tumwater Planning Commission, the Tumwater Historical Preservation Commission, and the Lacey Parks and Recreation Commission.

Jefferson is running on a platform that focuses on climate action, reducing homelessness, expanding affordable housing, and supporting local businesses while strategically encouraging new business. If elected, she wants to enact policy to protect the local ecosystem, work with regional partners to create permanent, secure housing for those who need it, and to work directly with small business owners to strengthen the Tumwater business community. In this race, she earned the endorsement of the county Democrats as well as a number of local progressive elected leaders and organizations.

Jefferson would continue bringing community-focused leadership to the Tumwater City Council. She deserves your vote to retain Position 2 on the Tumwater City Council.

Attorney and incumbent council member Michael Althauser is running unopposed to retain Tumwater City Council, Position 5. Althauser first joined the city council in 2018. Outside of council, he works as a staff attorney at a legal aid and progressive advocacy organization and serves on the board of Washington Bus, which mobilizes voters and develops youth leaders. Althauser is also active with the local Democrats and has served on the Tumwater Planning Commission.

In office, Althauser has prioritized action on environmental sustainability, affordable housing and reducing homelessness, small business support, and transportation infrastructure investments. He is passionate about investing in the public safety net particularly for working families, addressing housing affordability and security, redeveloping the brewery district, and strengthening local environmental protections. He has earned progressive and Democratic support in this race.

Michael Althauser deserves your vote to retain Position 5 on the Tumwater City Council.

Peter Agabi is running for Position 6 on the Tumwater City Council. Agabi works in health enforcement management systems and consulted with the state Department of Health’s Certificate of Need program for 15 years.

If elected, Agabi will focus on creating more affordable housing options, preventing homelessness, mitigating climate change, and making Tumwater safer and more inclusive. He also wants to revitalize the historic district and invest in the small business community. Additionally, Agabi aims to build on the progress made by the Thurston Climate Action Team and the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan to build a sustainable future for Tumwater. To get this work done, Agabi wants to partner with local tribes and engage Tumwater residents to have their voices heard.

Agabi is running against Alex Rossiter, the manager of a mountainboarding shop. He was appointed to and now serves on the Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission as the vice chair. This is Rossiter’s first race and he is prioritizing building a skatepark, designating the entire brewery district as historic, exploring the benefits of regionalization, and supporting small businesses.

Peter Agabi is the best choice in this race because of his progressive values and his commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders. He deserves your vote for Tumwater City Council, Position 6.