City of Lake Stevens

Nicole Ng-A-Qui is running for Snohomish County Council in District 1. Ng-A-Qui has owned a small business for nearly 20 years and has experience working in forestry and restoration ecology as well as education. She served on the policy advisory council for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program for two years.

Ng-A-Qui’s campaign is focused on making Snohomish County a model for sustainable development, keeping forests and watersheds healthy while protecting jobs and keeping the budget balanced. She is endorsed by local leaders including County Councilmember Megan Dunn and Rep. Emily Wicks as well as community groups including the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and the Snohomish County Democrats.

She is facing incumbent Nate Nehring and Richard Yust. Nehring was elected in 2017 on punishing drug users and opposing greater investments in community services as alternatives to law enforcement. Nehring is supported by staunch Republicans including Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dave Reichert. Yust is a small business owner but is not a serious candidate. He does not have a coherent platform or relevant experience.

Ng-A-Qui is the best choice in the race for Snohomish County Council in District 1.

Brandy Donaghy is a community organizer and Navy veteran who is challenging incumbent Councilmember Samuel Low for Snohomish County Council in District 5. She is a strong progressive whose campaign priorities include COVID-19 recovery that incorporates community support, housing security, justice reform, and maintaining green space. Donaghy serves on the board of directors for the Communities of Color Coalition. She also regularly volunteers to provide emergency services and disaster relief to the Snohomish community.

Low has been an outspoken Republican voice on the council. In June, Low voted 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.

Nina Kim Hanson is running for Lake Stevens School District Director, District 4. She runs Team Hanson and works as a freelance writer and public speaker. Hanson is also a member of the Center for Women and Democracy Board and the Lake Stevens Allies for BIPOC Board. She has worked as a teacher at the University of Washington and Northwest University for ten years.

Hanson's campaign platform includes improving civics and foreign language studies, providing teachers and schools with the tools they need to ensure all students get a great education and boosting career and college prep resources.

Also in this race are incumbent Brian Kesler and Brett Rogers. Kesler was appointed to the role in January of this year but does not have a detailed campaign platform. Rogers does not have a campaign website or platform and is not a progressive candidate.

Hanson is the best choice in the race for Lake Stevens School District Director, District 4.