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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 General election, preview edition! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family, and remind them to vote by November 4!
We will continue adding more recommendations for candidates and ballot measures until voting begins on October 15.
Statewide Ballot Measures
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
Whatcom County
Barry Buchanan is running for a fourth term on the Whatcom County Council. Buchanan is a Navy veteran and lifelong community leader who has been a consistent voice for progress on the county council since joining in 2014. Before that, he spent a term on the Bellingham City Council. Buchanan has previously worked in engineering and as a small business entrepreneur in workforce technical training.
On the council, Buchanan has pursued bold action such as preventing the expansion of local fossil fuel infrastructure, finding alternatives to a costly new jail, banning local fracking, and establishing the Healthy Children’s Fund. In this race, he is prioritizing addressing the affordability crisis while ensuring that local government works efficiently and responsively toward local solutions. Some of his goals for another term include developing alternative crisis response options to law enforcement, advocating for social equity and environmental protections, and expanding affordable housing options in the county.
Buchanan’s leadership is guided by his belief in the “right to thrive” for all Whatcom County residents. We recommend Barry Buchanan for another term in the At-Large seat on the Whatcom County Council.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Barry Buchanan is running for a fourth term on the Whatcom County Council. Buchanan is a Navy veteran and lifelong community leader who has been a consistent voice for progress on the county council since joining in 2014. Before that, he spent a term on the Bellingham City Council. Buchanan has previously worked in engineering and as a small business entrepreneur in workforce technical training.
On the council, Buchanan has pursued bold action such as preventing the expansion of local fossil fuel infrastructure, finding alternatives to a costly new jail, banning local fracking, and establishing the Healthy Children’s Fund. In this race, he is prioritizing addressing the affordability crisis while ensuring that local government works efficiently and responsively toward local solutions. Some of his goals for another term include developing alternative crisis response options to law enforcement, advocating for social equity and environmental protections, and expanding affordable housing options in the county.
Buchanan’s leadership is guided by his belief in the “right to thrive” for all Whatcom County residents. We recommend Barry Buchanan for another term in the At-Large seat on the Whatcom County Council.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action, SEIU Local 925, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Advocates Of Greater Washington and North Idaho, Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Barry Buchanan is running for a fourth term on the Whatcom County Council. Buchanan is a Navy veteran and lifelong community leader who has been a consistent voice for progress on the county council since joining in 2014. Before that, he spent a term on the Bellingham City Council. Buchanan has previously worked in engineering and as a small business entrepreneur in workforce technical training.
On the council, Buchanan has pursued bold action such as preventing the expansion of local fossil fuel infrastructure, finding alternatives to a costly new jail, banning local fracking, and establishing the Healthy Children’s Fund. In this race, he is prioritizing addressing the affordability crisis while ensuring that local government works efficiently and responsively toward local solutions. Some of his goals for another term include developing alternative crisis response options to law enforcement, advocating for social equity and environmental protections, and expanding affordable housing options in the county.
Buchanan’s leadership is guided by his belief in the “right to thrive” for all Whatcom County residents. We recommend Barry Buchanan for another term in the At-Large seat on the Whatcom County Council.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
,
SEIU Local 925
,
Sierra Club
,
Planned Parenthood Advocates Of Greater Washington and North Idaho
,
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Other Candidates
Misty Flowers is running for Whatcom County Council, At-Large Position A. Flowers is an outspoken anti-vaccine activist who has spread false and misleading information about the groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccines that saved millions of lives. Most recently, she reposted content from the Whatcom Republicans criticizing the 42nd District Representatives for "gut[ting] the Parental Rights Initiative," legislation pushed by conservatives to spread disinformation about what is taught in schools. Misty Flowers is not a progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2025-10-07
Misty Flowers is running for Whatcom County Council, At-Large Position A. Flowers is an outspoken anti-vaccine activist who has spread false and misleading information about the groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccines that saved millions of lives. Most recently, she reposted content from the Whatcom Republicans criticizing the 42nd District Representatives for "gut[ting] the Parental Rights Initiative," legislation pushed by conservatives to spread disinformation about what is taught in schools. Misty Flowers is not a progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2025-10-07
Port of Bellingham
Michael Shepard is running unopposed for re-election to the Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 1 seat, a position he has held since 2018. Shepard is a cultural and environmental scholar who has taught at Goucher College, Western Washington University, and Mohave Community College. Locally, he serves as a trustee of the Kulshan Community Land Trust and has worked with the Whatcom County Homeless Strategies Workgroup and the Small Cities Partnership.
On the port commission, Shepard has been a voice for balancing environmental and community needs in economic decision-making. He has yet to release a specific campaign platform in this race as of late-September, but in the past, he has supported ideas like investing in renewable energy, expanding broadband access, and revitalizing the waterfront.
We recommend Shepard for re-election to the Port of Bellingham to continue his progressive leadership for the region.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Michael Shepard is running unopposed for re-election to the Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 1 seat, a position he has held since 2018. Shepard is a cultural and environmental scholar who has taught at Goucher College, Western Washington University, and Mohave Community College. Locally, he serves as a trustee of the Kulshan Community Land Trust and has worked with the Whatcom County Homeless Strategies Workgroup and the Small Cities Partnership.
On the port commission, Shepard has been a voice for balancing environmental and community needs in economic decision-making. He has yet to release a specific campaign platform in this race as of late-September, but in the past, he has supported ideas like investing in renewable energy, expanding broadband access, and revitalizing the waterfront.
We recommend Shepard for re-election to the Port of Bellingham to continue his progressive leadership for the region.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
Michael Shepard is running unopposed for re-election to the Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 1 seat, a position he has held since 2018. Shepard is a cultural and environmental scholar who has taught at Goucher College, Western Washington University, and Mohave Community College. Locally, he serves as a trustee of the Kulshan Community Land Trust and has worked with the Whatcom County Homeless Strategies Workgroup and the Small Cities Partnership.
On the port commission, Shepard has been a voice for balancing environmental and community needs in economic decision-making. He has yet to release a specific campaign platform in this race as of late-September, but in the past, he has supported ideas like investing in renewable energy, expanding broadband access, and revitalizing the waterfront.
We recommend Shepard for re-election to the Port of Bellingham to continue his progressive leadership for the region.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
Carly James is challenging incumbent Ken Bell for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2. James is the co-owner of Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress and owns Gold Ink, an accounting and consulting firm.
While James' platform is limited, her campaign is prioritizing entrepreneurship, protecting the shoreline and marine trades, and expanding public access to parks, trails, and community spaces. As a small business owner, she experienced firsthand the challenges of the port and wants to do more to drive economic growth in the area.
Although we would like to see her campaign include more specific policy proposals, we recommend voting for Carly James for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
Carly James is challenging incumbent Ken Bell for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2. James is the co-owner of Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress and owns Gold Ink, an accounting and consulting firm.
While James' platform is limited, her campaign is prioritizing entrepreneurship, protecting the shoreline and marine trades, and expanding public access to parks, trails, and community spaces. As a small business owner, she experienced firsthand the challenges of the port and wants to do more to drive economic growth in the area.
Although we would like to see her campaign include more specific policy proposals, we recommend voting for Carly James for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
Carly James is challenging incumbent Ken Bell for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2. James is the co-owner of Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress and owns Gold Ink, an accounting and consulting firm.
While James' platform is limited, her campaign is prioritizing entrepreneurship, protecting the shoreline and marine trades, and expanding public access to parks, trails, and community spaces. As a small business owner, she experienced firsthand the challenges of the port and wants to do more to drive economic growth in the area.
Although we would like to see her campaign include more specific policy proposals, we recommend voting for Carly James for Bellingham Port Commissioner, District 2.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
Other Candidates
Incumbent Commissioner Ken Bell is running for another term in District 2 on the Bellingham Port Commission. Formerly a Whatcom County planning commissioner and Whatcom County charter review commissioner, Bell joined the port commission in 2017. He also served as the president of a soil decontamination company outside of office.
Bell is a more conservative voice on the commission and works with the Whatcom Republicans. He has previously been politically affiliated with consultants from a fossil fuel shipping terminal that community members, progressive leaders, and the Lummi Tribe successfully opposed. Bell’s track record on the port commission includes uncompassionate sweeps of homeless encampments on port property as well as supporting private interests and marine trade at the cost of community needs. He is not a progressive choice.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Incumbent Commissioner Ken Bell is running for another term in District 2 on the Bellingham Port Commission. Formerly a Whatcom County planning commissioner and Whatcom County charter review commissioner, Bell joined the port commission in 2017. He also served as the president of a soil decontamination company outside of office.
Bell is a more conservative voice on the commission and works with the Whatcom Republicans. He has previously been politically affiliated with consultants from a fossil fuel shipping terminal that community members, progressive leaders, and the Lummi Tribe successfully opposed. Bell’s track record on the port commission includes uncompassionate sweeps of homeless encampments on port property as well as supporting private interests and marine trade at the cost of community needs. He is not a progressive choice.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Meridian School Board
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.
Jasmine Fast is running for Meridian School Board Director, District 3, against Steve Corwin. She is a district parent and previously served on the Bellingham Advisory Committee in 2014.
Fast's campaign has a strong focus on improving programming for students, including: after-school enrichment, trades and apprenticeships, and the performing arts. She hopes to enhance community engagement through transparent communication and district collaboration.
We recommend Jasmine Fast for Meridian School Board Director representing District 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Jasmine Fast is running for Meridian School Board Director, District 3, against Steve Corwin. She is a district parent and previously served on the Bellingham Advisory Committee in 2014.
Fast's campaign has a strong focus on improving programming for students, including: after-school enrichment, trades and apprenticeships, and the performing arts. She hopes to enhance community engagement through transparent communication and district collaboration.
We recommend Jasmine Fast for Meridian School Board Director representing District 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Jasmine Fast is running for Meridian School Board Director, District 3, against Steve Corwin. She is a district parent and previously served on the Bellingham Advisory Committee in 2014.
Fast's campaign has a strong focus on improving programming for students, including: after-school enrichment, trades and apprenticeships, and the performing arts. She hopes to enhance community engagement through transparent communication and district collaboration.
We recommend Jasmine Fast for Meridian School Board Director representing District 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Other Candidates
Steve Corwin is also running for re-election for Meridian School Board Director, Position 3. Corwin does not have a detailed campaign website available as of mid-October. He is recommended by the WA State GOP in this race, which indicates a conservative stance on education policy. We do not recommend re-electing Steve Corwin.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Steve Corwin is also running for re-election for Meridian School Board Director, Position 3. Corwin does not have a detailed campaign website available as of mid-October. He is recommended by the WA State GOP in this race, which indicates a conservative stance on education policy. We do not recommend re-electing Steve Corwin.
Last updated: 2025-10-13