City of Shoreline

Sen. Joe Nguyen was elected to the Washington state Senate in 2018 and has worked as a senior program manager at Microsoft since 2013. His parents were refugees from Vietnam who came to White Center, where Nguyen was born and raised.

During Nguyen's time in the Legislature, he has been an advocate for Washington's families and equality, including playing a leadership role in fully funding the Working Families Tax Credit. In addition, he co-sponsored legislation to require anti-racism and equity training in public schools.

Nguyen is running for county executive to implement sweeping actions on the affordable housing crisis, to reform the criminal justice system with deep changes and accountability, and to make the state's economy work for everyone, not just the wealthiest people. In particular, Nguyen has proposed to make all transit services free to improve access and increase ridership. He also wants to leverage the new Regional Homelessness Authority to significantly scale up the building of affordable housing.

Nguyen has the support of elected leaders including state Reps. Kirsten Harris-Talley and David Hackney as well as state Sen. Bob Hasegawa and Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. Nguyen is a progressive choice if you're looking for new leadership in the executive's office who will prioritize racial justice and systemic change.

Incumbent Rod Dembowski is an attorney who has represented District 1 since 2013. He has served in county affairs in several capacities, including as a pro bono counsel for the King County Superior Court, policy analyst in the county executive's office, and special prosecuting attorney.

If re-elected, Dembowski will continue working on sustainable human services funding, protecting the wild areas of the Puget Sound region, and looking for sustainable transit funding that improves transportation options. He also wants to expand housing with an eye on reducing commute times and increasing affordability for workers and families. While on the council, Dembowski has sponsored several progressive reforms, including giving grocery workers hazard pay in the pandemic and moving to make the sheriff an appointed position through the council and an advisory committee.

Challenging Dembowski is Kenmore resident and first-time candidate Sally Caverzan. According to her LinkedIn, she has worked as a long-term care social worker and is passionate about the environment. Her official voters' guide statement says that she would support instituting term limits for politicians, expanding mental health and addiction care with the creation of a King County regional treatment facility, and increasing supportive and permanent housing.

Dembowski has earned broad support from elected officials, reproductive health and environmental organizations, labor unions, and many more. We recommend Dembowski for King County Council in District 1 because of his proven track record of progressive leadership.

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.

Christopher Roberts is running unopposed for re-election to Shoreline City Council, Position 7. He served as mayor of Shoreline from 2016 to 2017 and has served on the council since 2010. A member of the Choctaw Nation, Roberts has pushed for inclusive policies in local government and in the city itself. Roberts is seeking a regional approach to help Shoreline's people experiencing homelessness and is focusing on affordable housing and transportation in the upcoming years. He is also an advocate for affordable and reliable internet for all.

Roberts is unopposed in this race and deserves your vote for Shoreline City Council, Position 7.

Emily Williams is running for re-election to the Shoreline School Board in District 2 after joining the board last year. Williams is an educator, small business owner, racial equity advocate, and a parent. She previously directed Learning Center Seattle, a youth re-engagement program with Seattle Central College and Seattle Public Schools. Williams has also worked as an advisor to marginalized Lake Washington students, including those with disabilities, those from low-income backgrounds, and first-generation college students.

Now, Williams is running a progressive campaign to continue making Shoreline schools as equitable as possible so that all students can reach their full potential. In her time on the board already, Williams has backed the implementation of ethnic studies in Shoreline schools and an anti-racism policy for the district. She joined the board in the worst of the pandemic and has been a strong voice for science-backed safety protocols to keep students, teachers, and staff safe.

Tyann Nguyen, a special education paraeducator, is challenging Williams for the District 2 director seat. Nguyen has a background in education and youth services but lacks a detailed campaign platform and a website as of mid-October.

Emily Williams is the best choice in this race because of her broad progressive support and her clear vision for the position.