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  • VOTE MAINTAINED

    Vote Maintained for a sustainable climate future

  • This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

    This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

    This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

    This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

    This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

    Advisory Vote 39

    This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

    This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

  • Endorsed By The Stranger
  • VOTE MAINTAINED

    Vote Maintained for rideshare worker protections

  • Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

    The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05
    Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

    The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.
    Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

    The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.

    Advisory Vote 40

    Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

    The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

    Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.
  • Endorsed By The Stranger
  • VOTE APPROVED

    Vote Yes for even-year county elections

  • King County Charter Amendment 1 proposes Ordinance 2022–0180, which pertains to when county elections appear on the ballot. The ordinance is supported by a progressive coalition of local organizations and passed the King County Council by a 7-2 margin, with only the two most conservative council members in opposition.

    If ratified, the ordinance will shift the elections for the county executive, assessor, elections director, and council positions to even-numbered years. By making this change, local leaders will be chosen during high-turnout years, increasing voter participation and reaching a wider, more diverse group for local positions.

    Vote “Yes” to on Amendment 1 to the King County Charter to strengthen our democracy and give more voters a voice in our county government.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05
    King County Charter Amendment 1 proposes Ordinance 2022–0180, which pertains to when county elections appear on the ballot. The ordinance is supported by a progressive coalition of local organizations and passed the King County Council by a 7-2 margin, with only the two most conservative council members in opposition.

    If ratified, the ordinance will shift the elections for the county executive, assessor, elections director, and council positions to even-numbered years. By making this change, local leaders will be chosen during high-turnout years, increasing voter participation and reaching a wider, more diverse group for local positions.

    Vote “Yes” to on Amendment 1 to the King County Charter to strengthen our democracy and give more voters a voice in our county government.
    King County Charter Amendment 1 proposes Ordinance 2022–0180, which pertains to when county elections appear on the ballot. The ordinance is supported by a progressive coalition of local organizations and passed the King County Council by a 7-2 margin, with only the two most conservative council members in opposition.

    If ratified, the ordinance will shift the elections for the county executive, assessor, elections director, and council positions to even-numbered years. By making this change, local leaders will be chosen during high-turnout years, increasing voter participation and reaching a wider, more diverse group for local positions.

    Vote “Yes” to on Amendment 1 to the King County Charter to strengthen our democracy and give more voters a voice in our county government.
  • VOTE APPROVED

    Vote Approved to extend the Conservation Futures Levy

  • King County Proposition 1 would extend the Conservation Futures levy. The levy provides long-term funding to support local ecosystems and open spaces so that farms, forests, shorelines, and greenways are protected for generations to come.

    Since 1982, funding from Conservation Futures levies has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of land as open space in every corner of the county. Some of the projects include the Discovery Park Capehart Dorest, the Sammamish River Trail, and the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Proposition 1 would cost the owner of a median King County home approximately $22 a year.

    The Conservation Futures level is a critical investment in protecting our natural environment and ensuring a climate future in Washington. Vote "Approved” on King County Proposition 1.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    King County Proposition 1 would extend the Conservation Futures levy. The levy provides long-term funding to support local ecosystems and open spaces so that farms, forests, shorelines, and greenways are protected for generations to come.

    Since 1982, funding from Conservation Futures levies has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of land as open space in every corner of the county. Some of the projects include the Discovery Park Capehart Dorest, the Sammamish River Trail, and the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Proposition 1 would cost the owner of a median King County home approximately $22 a year.

    The Conservation Futures level is a critical investment in protecting our natural environment and ensuring a climate future in Washington. Vote "Approved” on King County Proposition 1.

    King County Proposition 1 would extend the Conservation Futures levy. The levy provides long-term funding to support local ecosystems and open spaces so that farms, forests, shorelines, and greenways are protected for generations to come.

    Since 1982, funding from Conservation Futures levies has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of land as open space in every corner of the county. Some of the projects include the Discovery Park Capehart Dorest, the Sammamish River Trail, and the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Proposition 1 would cost the owner of a median King County home approximately $22 a year.

    The Conservation Futures level is a critical investment in protecting our natural environment and ensuring a climate future in Washington. Vote "Approved” on King County Proposition 1.

    King County Prop 1 Conservation Futures Levy

    King County Proposition 1 would extend the Conservation Futures levy. The levy provides long-term funding to support local ecosystems and open spaces so that farms, forests, shorelines, and greenways are protected for generations to come.

  • Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

    Murray was first elected in 1992 and has been a champion for veterans, working families, women, and economic opportunities for all. Before her tenure in the Senate, Murray worked as a preschool teacher, on the Shoreline School Board, and in the Washington state Senate.

    During her time in Congress, Sen. Murray has worked hard to keep our communities safe from gun violence, protect abortion access at the federal level so that everyone has reproductive freedom, and expand access to affordable childcare. This year, she voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and a slate of other progressive bills that invest in working communities so that our country is a place where everyone can thrive. Murray has earned an impressive and diverse coalition of endorsements from local and national organizations, elected leaders, and unions.

    Sen. Murray faces Tiffany Smiley, a triage nurse running on a MAGA Republican platform. Smiley has never held public office but she previously worked on Capitol Hill. Her Trump-inspired agenda aims to divide us while she seeks to cut funding from our most essential services and repurpose it for a needless border wall and more militarized police forces. Working Washingtonians need real solutions so that we can access the basics like gas, groceries, rent, and prescription medicine – not MAGA rhetoric and tax breaks for the wealthy.

    Sen. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Patty Murray

    Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

    Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

    Murray was first elected in 1992 and has been a champion for veterans, working families, women, and economic opportunities for all. Before her tenure in the Senate, Murray worked as a preschool teacher, on the Shoreline School Board, and in the Washington state Senate.

    During her time in Congress, Sen. Murray has worked hard to keep our communities safe from gun violence, protect abortion access at the federal level so that everyone has reproductive freedom, and expand access to affordable childcare. This year, she voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and a slate of other progressive bills that invest in working communities so that our country is a place where everyone can thrive. Murray has earned an impressive and diverse coalition of endorsements from local and national organizations, elected leaders, and unions.

    Sen. Murray faces Tiffany Smiley, a triage nurse running on a MAGA Republican platform. Smiley has never held public office but she previously worked on Capitol Hill. Her Trump-inspired agenda aims to divide us while she seeks to cut funding from our most essential services and repurpose it for a needless border wall and more militarized police forces. Working Washingtonians need real solutions so that we can access the basics like gas, groceries, rent, and prescription medicine – not MAGA rhetoric and tax breaks for the wealthy.

    Sen. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.

    Patty Murray

    Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

Congress

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.

  • Rep. Pramila Jayapal is running for re-election in the 7th Congressional District. She has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic justice, and civil liberties. Rep. Jayapal founded OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone) in 2001 and built it into the largest immigrant rights organization in the state and a national model. She also played a key role on the Mayoral Advisory Committee that created Seattle’s $15 minimum wage, and this year secured $31 million in federal funding for community projects in the Seattle area, including housing, sciences, education, and the environment.

    Since her election to Congress in 2016, Jayapal has resisted the Trump administration and conservative extremists at every turn and provided a voice for progressives across the country. She has supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Dream Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for young DACA recipients. She also introduced legislation to expand collective bargaining and provide relief to workers and businesses during the pandemic. More recently, she has called for a national women's strike in response to the Supreme Court's ban on abortion and the curtailing of reproductive freedom across the country. Jayapal is also seeking to codify a transgender bill of rights to protect our country from the erosion of trans civil rights.

    Her opponent, Republican Cliff Moon, founded Moon Construction Company and is running because he believes Congress needs more "normal" people. Unfortunately, he echoes Republican Party talking points about the 2020 election, opposes stronger gun safety laws, and he supports building a divisive border wall. Moon states that he's open to exploring a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks in a move to limit the reproductive freedom nationwide. While Jayapal is seeking to broadly improve the lives of her constituents with affordable housing, upgrades to infrastructure, and expanding childcare, Moon is focused on the conservative agenda of pouring more money into militarized policing. 

    Jayapal is highly experienced and responsive to her constituents, and has held more than 100 town halls during her time in Congress. As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she has been one of the strongest progressive advocates in Washington for the needs of all in this country. Pramila Jayapal has earned your vote as a national leader for progressive causes.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Pramila Jayapal

    Rep. Pramila Jayapal is running for re-election in the 7th Congressional District. She has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic justice, and civil liberties. Rep.

    Rep. Pramila Jayapal is running for re-election in the 7th Congressional District. She has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic justice, and civil liberties. Rep. Jayapal founded OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone) in 2001 and built it into the largest immigrant rights organization in the state and a national model. She also played a key role on the Mayoral Advisory Committee that created Seattle’s $15 minimum wage, and this year secured $31 million in federal funding for community projects in the Seattle area, including housing, sciences, education, and the environment.

    Since her election to Congress in 2016, Jayapal has resisted the Trump administration and conservative extremists at every turn and provided a voice for progressives across the country. She has supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the Dream Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for young DACA recipients. She also introduced legislation to expand collective bargaining and provide relief to workers and businesses during the pandemic. More recently, she has called for a national women's strike in response to the Supreme Court's ban on abortion and the curtailing of reproductive freedom across the country. Jayapal is also seeking to codify a transgender bill of rights to protect our country from the erosion of trans civil rights.

    Her opponent, Republican Cliff Moon, founded Moon Construction Company and is running because he believes Congress needs more "normal" people. Unfortunately, he echoes Republican Party talking points about the 2020 election, opposes stronger gun safety laws, and he supports building a divisive border wall. Moon states that he's open to exploring a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks in a move to limit the reproductive freedom nationwide. While Jayapal is seeking to broadly improve the lives of her constituents with affordable housing, upgrades to infrastructure, and expanding childcare, Moon is focused on the conservative agenda of pouring more money into militarized policing. 

    Jayapal is highly experienced and responsive to her constituents, and has held more than 100 town halls during her time in Congress. As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she has been one of the strongest progressive advocates in Washington for the needs of all in this country. Pramila Jayapal has earned your vote as a national leader for progressive causes.

    Pramila Jayapal

    Rep. Pramila Jayapal is running for re-election in the 7th Congressional District. She has a long history of civic leadership on immigration reform, economic justice, and civil liberties. Rep.

  • Democrat Adam Smith is running for a 13th term representing Washington's 9th Congressional District. Prior to running for Congress, Smith worked as a lawyer, a prosecutor in the City of Seattle, and as a state senator. He represents Washington's most diverse district, which is home to 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Latino, and Black communities.

    In Congress last year, Smith supported Biden's more ambitious effort to fund clean energy, child tax credits, and other progressive priorities. Unlike some of his moderate colleagues, he also sponsored both the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. He previously supported the pandemic relief package and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to dramatically increase accountability and transparency. However, some progressives have criticized Smith for his more hawkish foreign policy stances. Now, he is focused on creating living-wage jobs, fighting for Medicare for All, and both protecting and expanding Social Security.

    Also in this race is Republican Doug Basler, who has tried and failed to unseat Smith in every election since 2014. Basler is a Trump Republican who opposes reproductive freedom and the public health measures taken to fight the coronavirus. He's now promoting some of the far-right conspiracy theories that seek to deny our kids a comprehensive and accurate education.

    Smith's seniority and experience make him an influential voice for us in the other Washington. He is the clear choice in this race and deserves your vote for another term in Congress.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Adam Smith

    Democrat Adam Smith is running for a 13th term representing Washington's 9th Congressional District. Prior to running for Congress, Smith worked as a lawyer, a prosecutor in the City of Seattle, and as a state senator.
    Democrat Adam Smith is running for a 13th term representing Washington's 9th Congressional District. Prior to running for Congress, Smith worked as a lawyer, a prosecutor in the City of Seattle, and as a state senator. He represents Washington's most diverse district, which is home to 30 percent foreign-born residents and large Asian, Latino, and Black communities.

    In Congress last year, Smith supported Biden's more ambitious effort to fund clean energy, child tax credits, and other progressive priorities. Unlike some of his moderate colleagues, he also sponsored both the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. He previously supported the pandemic relief package and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to dramatically increase accountability and transparency. However, some progressives have criticized Smith for his more hawkish foreign policy stances. Now, he is focused on creating living-wage jobs, fighting for Medicare for All, and both protecting and expanding Social Security.

    Also in this race is Republican Doug Basler, who has tried and failed to unseat Smith in every election since 2014. Basler is a Trump Republican who opposes reproductive freedom and the public health measures taken to fight the coronavirus. He's now promoting some of the far-right conspiracy theories that seek to deny our kids a comprehensive and accurate education.

    Smith's seniority and experience make him an influential voice for us in the other Washington. He is the clear choice in this race and deserves your vote for another term in Congress.

    Adam Smith

    Democrat Adam Smith is running for a 13th term representing Washington's 9th Congressional District. Prior to running for Congress, Smith worked as a lawyer, a prosecutor in the City of Seattle, and as a state senator.
  • Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term. He is a first-generation Japanese American and a 30-year member of the military, serving tours in Kosovo and Iraq before becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

    Hobbs was appointed as secretary of state in November of last year after Kim Wyman resigned to join the Biden Administration. Prior to his appointment, he served four terms in the Washington state Senate representing the 44th Legislative District. His voting record was consistently progressive on social issues and leaned more conservative on taxes and workers' rights.

    During his first 8 months in office, Hobbs has been laser-focused on protecting our electoral systems from attacks. He has used his background in national security to partner closely with the Department of Homeland Security to stop digital threats to our voting systems, both foreign and domestic. Hobbs also understands the challenge that misinformation poses to the integrity of our elections. He has been working to set up a division within his office specifically to combat misinformation and wants to work closely with social media companies to ensure they take down dangerous conspiracy theories.

    As the pandemic recedes, Hobbs is committed to restarting his office's voter outreach program. He is very enthusiastic about a trusted messenger program he's launching to utilize community leaders to talk about the importance of voting. He also wants to improve outreach to reduce the racial disparities in rejected ballots because of signature mismatches.

    The only issue of concern with Hobbs is his personal opposition to ranked choice voting. During our interview, he shared that he's concerned about implementing a complicated new voting system at a moment of low trust in our elections. In addition, he is concerned that voters like his mother, who speaks English as a second language, will have a difficult time learning and participating in the new system. Experts have reiterated that ranked choice voting is simple for all voters and has been used successfully on ballots in multiple languages.

    Hobbs made a compelling case that the secretary of state must adapt to the new and complex challenges of running modern elections. Hobbs is a good choice if you're looking for someone with broad Democratic endorsements and with national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Steve Hobbs

    Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term.

    Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term. He is a first-generation Japanese American and a 30-year member of the military, serving tours in Kosovo and Iraq before becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

    Hobbs was appointed as secretary of state in November of last year after Kim Wyman resigned to join the Biden Administration. Prior to his appointment, he served four terms in the Washington state Senate representing the 44th Legislative District. His voting record was consistently progressive on social issues and leaned more conservative on taxes and workers' rights.

    During his first 8 months in office, Hobbs has been laser-focused on protecting our electoral systems from attacks. He has used his background in national security to partner closely with the Department of Homeland Security to stop digital threats to our voting systems, both foreign and domestic. Hobbs also understands the challenge that misinformation poses to the integrity of our elections. He has been working to set up a division within his office specifically to combat misinformation and wants to work closely with social media companies to ensure they take down dangerous conspiracy theories.

    As the pandemic recedes, Hobbs is committed to restarting his office's voter outreach program. He is very enthusiastic about a trusted messenger program he's launching to utilize community leaders to talk about the importance of voting. He also wants to improve outreach to reduce the racial disparities in rejected ballots because of signature mismatches.

    The only issue of concern with Hobbs is his personal opposition to ranked choice voting. During our interview, he shared that he's concerned about implementing a complicated new voting system at a moment of low trust in our elections. In addition, he is concerned that voters like his mother, who speaks English as a second language, will have a difficult time learning and participating in the new system. Experts have reiterated that ranked choice voting is simple for all voters and has been used successfully on ballots in multiple languages.

    Hobbs made a compelling case that the secretary of state must adapt to the new and complex challenges of running modern elections. Hobbs is a good choice if you're looking for someone with broad Democratic endorsements and with national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.

    Steve Hobbs

    Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term.

  • Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times. As Pierce County auditor, which is a nonpartisan position, she has administered dozens of elections while also overseeing licensing and public record-keeping.

    Anderson is running because she believes political parties shouldn't be involved in running elections they are simultaneously trying to win. Her campaign priorities include supporting more local races becoming non-partisan, increasing access to voting and election information, and improving election security. She wants to translate the voters' pamphlet into 10 languages, going beyond what is mandated by the Voting Rights Act. She also wants to conduct risk-limiting audits in all 39 Washington counties and "pre-bunk" rumors to increase confidence in our state's election systems.

    During our interview, Anderson expressed support for ranked choice voting because she believes it will allow candidates to break through our two-party political system. This is one of the biggest points of difference between Anderson and Hobbs.

    Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for a nonpartisan administrator to manage our state's elections and support ranked choice voting.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Julie Anderson

    Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times.

    Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times. As Pierce County auditor, which is a nonpartisan position, she has administered dozens of elections while also overseeing licensing and public record-keeping.

    Anderson is running because she believes political parties shouldn't be involved in running elections they are simultaneously trying to win. Her campaign priorities include supporting more local races becoming non-partisan, increasing access to voting and election information, and improving election security. She wants to translate the voters' pamphlet into 10 languages, going beyond what is mandated by the Voting Rights Act. She also wants to conduct risk-limiting audits in all 39 Washington counties and "pre-bunk" rumors to increase confidence in our state's election systems.

    During our interview, Anderson expressed support for ranked choice voting because she believes it will allow candidates to break through our two-party political system. This is one of the biggest points of difference between Anderson and Hobbs.

    Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for a nonpartisan administrator to manage our state's elections and support ranked choice voting.

    Julie Anderson

    Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times.

  • Endorsed By: Teamsters Joint Council 28, Teamsters 117, UFCW 3000, Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

Legislative Races

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below legislative races on your ballot.

  • Sen. Jesse Salomon is running for re-election to continue bringing progressive leadership to the 32nd Legislative District. A part-time public defender and former Shoreline City Council member, Salomon has been serving in the Legislature since 2019 where he has been a crucial voice for environmental protections, living affordability, and public education.

    In Olympia, Salomon recently supported the historic Move Ahead Washington green transportation package that invests in infrastructure upgrades and expanded access to Washington’s public transit. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill to strengthen police accountability by closing a loophole that allows officers guilty of serious misconduct to return to their jobs. This came in response to the 2020 case of the Kent officer who displayed pro-Nazi insignia outside his office. Salomon is running for re-election to keep fighting climate change, addressing the housing crisis, and improving the quality of life for all local residents.

    Salomon faces a Democratic challenger in this race, Patricia Weber. Weber is a retired medical doctor and former PCO for her local Democrats. She is running on a platform to get everyone the medical care they need, including mental health services. Weber also wants to make sure all Washingtonians have affordable housing, fair pay, good schools, and freedom from gun violence.

    We recommend Jesse Salomon for re-election to the state Senate in the 32nd Legislative District because of his proven track record of progressive law making and community advocacy.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Jesse Salomon

    Sen. Jesse Salomon is running for re-election to continue bringing progressive leadership to the 32nd Legislative District.
    Sen. Jesse Salomon is running for re-election to continue bringing progressive leadership to the 32nd Legislative District. A part-time public defender and former Shoreline City Council member, Salomon has been serving in the Legislature since 2019 where he has been a crucial voice for environmental protections, living affordability, and public education.

    In Olympia, Salomon recently supported the historic Move Ahead Washington green transportation package that invests in infrastructure upgrades and expanded access to Washington’s public transit. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill to strengthen police accountability by closing a loophole that allows officers guilty of serious misconduct to return to their jobs. This came in response to the 2020 case of the Kent officer who displayed pro-Nazi insignia outside his office. Salomon is running for re-election to keep fighting climate change, addressing the housing crisis, and improving the quality of life for all local residents.

    Salomon faces a Democratic challenger in this race, Patricia Weber. Weber is a retired medical doctor and former PCO for her local Democrats. She is running on a platform to get everyone the medical care they need, including mental health services. Weber also wants to make sure all Washingtonians have affordable housing, fair pay, good schools, and freedom from gun violence.

    We recommend Jesse Salomon for re-election to the state Senate in the 32nd Legislative District because of his proven track record of progressive law making and community advocacy.

    Jesse Salomon

    Sen. Jesse Salomon is running for re-election to continue bringing progressive leadership to the 32nd Legislative District.
  • Democrat Rep. Cindy Ryu is running for re-election to the 32nd Legislative District, Position 1. Ryu was originally elected in 2011 when she became the first Korean American to join the state Legislature. Before that, Ryu also made history as the first Korean American woman mayor in the country when she served the City of Shoreline.

    Ryu has been an advocate for public education, transportation, small business owners, and the environment in the Legislature. Recently, she sponsored a slate of progressive bills including legislation to prohibit guns at school board meetings, city council meetings, and election offices. In the last few weeks, Ryu reaffirmed her support for reproductive freedom for all Washingtonians.

    Ryu faces a challenge this year from Lori Theis, the former director of Alliance for the Advancement of Canine Welfare. Theis is one of several extreme conservatives this year running as a member of the "Election Integrity Party." Her main reason for running is to question election security, echoing the messages of Trump Republicans who tried to overturn the will of the people in the last presidential election.

    Ryu is by far the best choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Cindy Ryu

    Democrat Rep. Cindy Ryu is running for re-election to the 32nd Legislative District, Position 1. Ryu was originally elected in 2011 when she became the first Korean American to join the state Legislature.
    Democrat Rep. Cindy Ryu is running for re-election to the 32nd Legislative District, Position 1. Ryu was originally elected in 2011 when she became the first Korean American to join the state Legislature. Before that, Ryu also made history as the first Korean American woman mayor in the country when she served the City of Shoreline.

    Ryu has been an advocate for public education, transportation, small business owners, and the environment in the Legislature. Recently, she sponsored a slate of progressive bills including legislation to prohibit guns at school board meetings, city council meetings, and election offices. In the last few weeks, Ryu reaffirmed her support for reproductive freedom for all Washingtonians.

    Ryu faces a challenge this year from Lori Theis, the former director of Alliance for the Advancement of Canine Welfare. Theis is one of several extreme conservatives this year running as a member of the "Election Integrity Party." Her main reason for running is to question election security, echoing the messages of Trump Republicans who tried to overturn the will of the people in the last presidential election.

    Ryu is by far the best choice in this race.

    Cindy Ryu

    Democrat Rep. Cindy Ryu is running for re-election to the 32nd Legislative District, Position 1. Ryu was originally elected in 2011 when she became the first Korean American to join the state Legislature.
  • Rep. Lauren Davis is seeking re-election to Position 2 representing the 32nd Legislative District. She joined the Legislature in 2019 and additionally leads the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit that helps those experiencing addiction and mental health issues. In her free time, Davis also serves on the Public Policy Committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Washington State.

    In the Legislature, Davis has voted with other progressives on important bills that prohibited the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and set new carbon neutrality goals for the state. Recently, she sponsored legislation to connect people who are experiencing mental health crises with treatment and resources rather than criminalization. Davis’ top priorities include affordable housing, gun violence prevention, addiction recovery, and quality education from K-12 to public universities.

    Davis's challenger is Republican Anthony Hubbard. He does not have a working campaign website or priorities listed as of mid-October and has no professional, elected, or community leadership experience in his official voter's guide statement. Though he's running as a Republican, his language is a near copy-paste duplicate of the extreme Election Integrity Party candidates this year. Their priority is to question election security alongside the Trump Republicans who tried to overturn the will of the people last presidential election.

    Rep. Davis is by far the best choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Lauren Davis

    Rep. Lauren Davis is seeking re-election to Position 2 representing the 32nd Legislative District. She joined the Legislature in 2019 and additionally leads the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit that helps those experiencing addiction and mental health issues.
    Rep. Lauren Davis is seeking re-election to Position 2 representing the 32nd Legislative District. She joined the Legislature in 2019 and additionally leads the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit that helps those experiencing addiction and mental health issues. In her free time, Davis also serves on the Public Policy Committee for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Washington State.

    In the Legislature, Davis has voted with other progressives on important bills that prohibited the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and set new carbon neutrality goals for the state. Recently, she sponsored legislation to connect people who are experiencing mental health crises with treatment and resources rather than criminalization. Davis’ top priorities include affordable housing, gun violence prevention, addiction recovery, and quality education from K-12 to public universities.

    Davis's challenger is Republican Anthony Hubbard. He does not have a working campaign website or priorities listed as of mid-October and has no professional, elected, or community leadership experience in his official voter's guide statement. Though he's running as a Republican, his language is a near copy-paste duplicate of the extreme Election Integrity Party candidates this year. Their priority is to question election security alongside the Trump Republicans who tried to overturn the will of the people last presidential election.

    Rep. Davis is by far the best choice in this race.

    Lauren Davis

    Rep. Lauren Davis is seeking re-election to Position 2 representing the 32nd Legislative District. She joined the Legislature in 2019 and additionally leads the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit that helps those experiencing addiction and mental health issues.
  • Incumbent Sen. Joe Nguyen is running to continue bringing strong progressive leadership to the state Senate from the 34th Legislative District, where he has served since 2018. Outside of the Legislature, he has spent almost a decade at Microsoft as a senior program manager. He is running to put people over politics and keep helping Washingtonians access the resources they need to thrive.

    This year, Nguyen sponsored a bill to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and keep our communities safe from gun violence. He also supported Move Ahead Washington, a historic policy package that will upgrade the state’s public transportation while making it more accessible for all and reducing our environmental impact. Throughout his first term, Nguyen’s priorities have included working toward environmental justice, balancing our state’s upside-down tax code, reforming our broken criminal legal system, and making sure all Washingtonians have equitable opportunities.

    Nguyen faces a challenge from Republican John Potter, a paraeducator with the Highline School District and a member of the Teamsters Local 763. Potter would bring extremely conservative views to office if elected. He has a transphobic opinion of gender-affirming health services and wants to revoke our freedom to decide whether and when to grow our families by trying to ban safe, legal abortion. Potter’s approach to the housing crisis is to vilify our neighbors struggling to secure stable housing while cutting funding for the community services so many of us rely on.

    Joe Nguyen has fought to make our state a place where all families and communities can thrive. He deserves to be re-elected and is the clear choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Joe Nguyen

    Incumbent Sen. Joe Nguyen is running to continue bringing strong progressive leadership to the state Senate from the 34th Legislative District, where he has served since 2018. Outside of the Legislature, he has spent almost a decade at Microsoft as a senior program manager.
    Incumbent Sen. Joe Nguyen is running to continue bringing strong progressive leadership to the state Senate from the 34th Legislative District, where he has served since 2018. Outside of the Legislature, he has spent almost a decade at Microsoft as a senior program manager. He is running to put people over politics and keep helping Washingtonians access the resources they need to thrive.

    This year, Nguyen sponsored a bill to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and keep our communities safe from gun violence. He also supported Move Ahead Washington, a historic policy package that will upgrade the state’s public transportation while making it more accessible for all and reducing our environmental impact. Throughout his first term, Nguyen’s priorities have included working toward environmental justice, balancing our state’s upside-down tax code, reforming our broken criminal legal system, and making sure all Washingtonians have equitable opportunities.

    Nguyen faces a challenge from Republican John Potter, a paraeducator with the Highline School District and a member of the Teamsters Local 763. Potter would bring extremely conservative views to office if elected. He has a transphobic opinion of gender-affirming health services and wants to revoke our freedom to decide whether and when to grow our families by trying to ban safe, legal abortion. Potter’s approach to the housing crisis is to vilify our neighbors struggling to secure stable housing while cutting funding for the community services so many of us rely on.

    Joe Nguyen has fought to make our state a place where all families and communities can thrive. He deserves to be re-elected and is the clear choice in this race.

    Joe Nguyen

    Incumbent Sen. Joe Nguyen is running to continue bringing strong progressive leadership to the state Senate from the 34th Legislative District, where he has served since 2018. Outside of the Legislature, he has spent almost a decade at Microsoft as a senior program manager.
  • Evergreen Future
  • Attorney Emily Alvarado has spent five years working at Seattle’s Office of Housing, including two as its director. She was previously an organizer at Planned Parenthood and currently serves on the board of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, among several other leadership roles in community organizations.

    Alvarado's key issue is housing, and she states that her work helping long-standing residents in communities of color stay in their homes is indicative of her ability to build coalitions and have deep relationships with both constituents and elected leaders. In our interview with Alvarado, we found her to be one of the most knowledgeable candidates about housing we spoke with this year. She described very in-depth strategies to increase housing affordability through many means - tenant and homeowner protections, providing more housing types, public housing, and investing in organizations led by communities of color to reduce displacement, to name a few.

    In a time of deepening political divides, we appreciated her ethos - that our biggest problems are solvable, but we will need to take on more complex issues with greater transparency and discussion. For example, she believes homeownership can be a massive crosscutting issue across party lines, and that tackling the state's upside-down tax code and other issues needs more communication from Olympia.

    Since the primary, Alvarado has added several new organizations to her wide range of endorsing partners. We recommend Alvarado for her comprehensive housing plan and her broad support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Emily Alvarado

    Attorney Emily Alvarado has spent five years working at Seattle’s Office of Housing, including two as its director.
    Attorney Emily Alvarado has spent five years working at Seattle’s Office of Housing, including two as its director. She was previously an organizer at Planned Parenthood and currently serves on the board of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, among several other leadership roles in community organizations.

    Alvarado's key issue is housing, and she states that her work helping long-standing residents in communities of color stay in their homes is indicative of her ability to build coalitions and have deep relationships with both constituents and elected leaders. In our interview with Alvarado, we found her to be one of the most knowledgeable candidates about housing we spoke with this year. She described very in-depth strategies to increase housing affordability through many means - tenant and homeowner protections, providing more housing types, public housing, and investing in organizations led by communities of color to reduce displacement, to name a few.

    In a time of deepening political divides, we appreciated her ethos - that our biggest problems are solvable, but we will need to take on more complex issues with greater transparency and discussion. For example, she believes homeownership can be a massive crosscutting issue across party lines, and that tackling the state's upside-down tax code and other issues needs more communication from Olympia.

    Since the primary, Alvarado has added several new organizations to her wide range of endorsing partners. We recommend Alvarado for her comprehensive housing plan and her broad support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations.

    Emily Alvarado

    Attorney Emily Alvarado has spent five years working at Seattle’s Office of Housing, including two as its director.
  • School librarian Leah Griffin is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. After police refused to test her rape kit, she worked with state officials on legislation that led to testing all 11,000 of the state's backlogged rape kits, passed a survivor's bill of rights, and more. Griffin also worked with Sen. Patty Murray on the federal Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act, founded the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Task Force, and organized for the R-90 campaign for age-appropriate sexual health education.

    Griffin is now running for the Legislature to advocate for more access to behavioral health care, public safety reform, and affordable housing. In our interview with Griffin, she elaborated on the immense need for more behavioral and mental health care across the population - for frontline workers with PTSD, youth, teachers, people experiencing homelessness, and many others. She wants to see counselors embedded in union halls and wraparound services at shelters, giving care at the point of need where people can access it. As a victim of violent crime, Griffin states that a lack of behavioral health care, housing, and education are the undercurrents for crime, and putting people in prison without resources is morally bankrupt. Griffin also wants to see an increase in green energy like tidal power, community-centered child care programs, and greater unionization of workers.

    Both Griffin and Alvarado are progressive and support bills like the capital gains tax, which aim to flip Washington's deeply regressive tax code to stop favoring the ultra-wealthy. Griffin in particular is a good choice if you are looking for a candidate with a long record of grassroots advocacy who will focus on expanding health care access.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Leah Griffin

    School librarian Leah Griffin is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. After police refused to test her rape kit, she worked with state officials on legislation that led to testing all 11,000 of the state's backlogged rape kits, passed a survivor's bill of rights, and more.

    School librarian Leah Griffin is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. After police refused to test her rape kit, she worked with state officials on legislation that led to testing all 11,000 of the state's backlogged rape kits, passed a survivor's bill of rights, and more. Griffin also worked with Sen. Patty Murray on the federal Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act, founded the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Task Force, and organized for the R-90 campaign for age-appropriate sexual health education.

    Griffin is now running for the Legislature to advocate for more access to behavioral health care, public safety reform, and affordable housing. In our interview with Griffin, she elaborated on the immense need for more behavioral and mental health care across the population - for frontline workers with PTSD, youth, teachers, people experiencing homelessness, and many others. She wants to see counselors embedded in union halls and wraparound services at shelters, giving care at the point of need where people can access it. As a victim of violent crime, Griffin states that a lack of behavioral health care, housing, and education are the undercurrents for crime, and putting people in prison without resources is morally bankrupt. Griffin also wants to see an increase in green energy like tidal power, community-centered child care programs, and greater unionization of workers.

    Both Griffin and Alvarado are progressive and support bills like the capital gains tax, which aim to flip Washington's deeply regressive tax code to stop favoring the ultra-wealthy. Griffin in particular is a good choice if you are looking for a candidate with a long record of grassroots advocacy who will focus on expanding health care access.

    Leah Griffin

    School librarian Leah Griffin is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. After police refused to test her rape kit, she worked with state officials on legislation that led to testing all 11,000 of the state's backlogged rape kits, passed a survivor's bill of rights, and more.

  • Environmental advocate Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to Position 2 in the 34th Legislative District. Fitzgibbon worked as a legislative staffer and served on the Burien Planning Commission before joining the Legislature in 2010.

    Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to build on his impressive track record of success. He played a leading role in passing clean fuels legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead to cleaner air. In addition, he supported legislation to cut plastic bag pollution, reduce gender pay disparities, and improve gun safety laws.

    This session, Fitzgibbon also passed bills to streamline the permitting process for salmon recovery projects, increase the construction of affordable housing, and expand coverage of paid family and medical leave. His other priorities in office include addressing mass incarceration and inequities in our criminal legal system, expanding voting rights, and investing in public transportation.

    Software engineer and Republican Andrew Pilloud is running against Fitzgibbon to roll back many of these progressive victories. He does not have elected experience but volunteers with a robotics program. Pilloud's thin platform mentions mental health and addiction as the drivers of homelessness without addressing the cause that local housing experts have pointed to for years: the lack of affordable housing options. Pilloud also makes vague statements about criminals and a confusing statement about abortion that implies that he does not fully support the freedom of Washingtonians to decide whether and when we have children.

    Rep. Fitzgibbon has been one of the most effective progressive legislators in Olympia and has earned your support for another term.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Joe Fitzgibbon

    Environmental advocate Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to Position 2 in the 34th Legislative District. Fitzgibbon worked as a legislative staffer and served on the Burien Planning Commission before joining the Legislature in 2010.

    Environmental advocate Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to Position 2 in the 34th Legislative District. Fitzgibbon worked as a legislative staffer and served on the Burien Planning Commission before joining the Legislature in 2010.

    Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to build on his impressive track record of success. He played a leading role in passing clean fuels legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead to cleaner air. In addition, he supported legislation to cut plastic bag pollution, reduce gender pay disparities, and improve gun safety laws.

    This session, Fitzgibbon also passed bills to streamline the permitting process for salmon recovery projects, increase the construction of affordable housing, and expand coverage of paid family and medical leave. His other priorities in office include addressing mass incarceration and inequities in our criminal legal system, expanding voting rights, and investing in public transportation.

    Software engineer and Republican Andrew Pilloud is running against Fitzgibbon to roll back many of these progressive victories. He does not have elected experience but volunteers with a robotics program. Pilloud's thin platform mentions mental health and addiction as the drivers of homelessness without addressing the cause that local housing experts have pointed to for years: the lack of affordable housing options. Pilloud also makes vague statements about criminals and a confusing statement about abortion that implies that he does not fully support the freedom of Washingtonians to decide whether and when we have children.

    Rep. Fitzgibbon has been one of the most effective progressive legislators in Olympia and has earned your support for another term.

    Joe Fitzgibbon

    Environmental advocate Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is running for re-election to Position 2 in the 34th Legislative District. Fitzgibbon worked as a legislative staffer and served on the Burien Planning Commission before joining the Legislature in 2010.

  • Rep. Noel Frame is running for the state Senate on a strong and progressive record of action in the state House. First elected as a representative in 2016, she previously served as the Washington state director of Progressive Majority, where she worked to recruit and elect progressive candidates from underrepresented communities. She has spent her time in Olympia advocating for working families, funding our public schools, and rebalancing our state's upside-down tax code.

    Frame had a particularly productive legislative session this year. She sponsored many of the progressive bills that passed into law, including limiting ghost guns, restricting guns in certain public areas, creating a system to locate missing Indigenous people, and creating middle housing near transit. Though the bill didn't pass this year, Frame also sponsored the wealth tax bill that would make the extraordinarily wealthy finally pay their share for the resources we all use. She has supported juvenile justice reform, expanded the number of families who qualify for child care assistance, and protected us from surprise medical billing by continuing to push for a progressive Washington.

    Frame faces planning and design consultant Kate Martin, who ran for Seattle City Council last year against Teresa Mosqueda, in 2019 against Councilmember Dan Strauss, and in 2013 for Seattle mayor.

    While Martin filed for office as a Democrat, her values and public statements make it clear that she's not progressive. In December of 2020, Martin stated that "I joined the GOP today" and claims to have re-joined the Democratic Party only recently. However, her Facebook page is an endless stream of Republican conspiracy theories and disinformation about unions, the LGBTQ community, homelessness, and people struggling with addiction.

    This race offers a clear contrast between a hard-working, proven leader in Olympia and a candidate who would block the kind of bold progressive reforms our communities need. While Martin filed for office as a Democrat, voters should know that her public statements reveal the truth about her far-right beliefs on a wide range of topics.

    Rep. Frame has been a strong advocate for the district and deserves your vote.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Noel Frame

    Rep. Noel Frame is running for the state Senate on a strong and progressive record of action in the state House.

    Rep. Noel Frame is running for the state Senate on a strong and progressive record of action in the state House. First elected as a representative in 2016, she previously served as the Washington state director of Progressive Majority, where she worked to recruit and elect progressive candidates from underrepresented communities. She has spent her time in Olympia advocating for working families, funding our public schools, and rebalancing our state's upside-down tax code.

    Frame had a particularly productive legislative session this year. She sponsored many of the progressive bills that passed into law, including limiting ghost guns, restricting guns in certain public areas, creating a system to locate missing Indigenous people, and creating middle housing near transit. Though the bill didn't pass this year, Frame also sponsored the wealth tax bill that would make the extraordinarily wealthy finally pay their share for the resources we all use. She has supported juvenile justice reform, expanded the number of families who qualify for child care assistance, and protected us from surprise medical billing by continuing to push for a progressive Washington.

    Frame faces planning and design consultant Kate Martin, who ran for Seattle City Council last year against Teresa Mosqueda, in 2019 against Councilmember Dan Strauss, and in 2013 for Seattle mayor.

    While Martin filed for office as a Democrat, her values and public statements make it clear that she's not progressive. In December of 2020, Martin stated that "I joined the GOP today" and claims to have re-joined the Democratic Party only recently. However, her Facebook page is an endless stream of Republican conspiracy theories and disinformation about unions, the LGBTQ community, homelessness, and people struggling with addiction.

    This race offers a clear contrast between a hard-working, proven leader in Olympia and a candidate who would block the kind of bold progressive reforms our communities need. While Martin filed for office as a Democrat, voters should know that her public statements reveal the truth about her far-right beliefs on a wide range of topics.

    Rep. Frame has been a strong advocate for the district and deserves your vote.

    Noel Frame

    Rep. Noel Frame is running for the state Senate on a strong and progressive record of action in the state House.

  • Evergreen Future
  • Julia Reed is running for the open 36th Legislative District, Position 1 seat to strengthen workers' rights, invest in our neighborhoods, and address inequities at every level of the community. Reed has worked in several levels of government, including in the Obama State Department as a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, as a senior policy advisor for workforce development in the Seattle mayor's office, and most recently as a public policy consultant. Reed is also the former chair of the 36th Legislative District Democrats, a current volunteer board member for the YMCA Social Impact Center, and a board member at Fuse Washington, which produces this guide.

    Reed offers the most comprehensive and detailed policy proposals in this race, covering topics from housing to health. Reed recognizes that appropriate density is a must. Washington has the fewest units of housing per household of any state and market-rate, middle-income, affordable, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and permanent supportive housing are all needed to alleviate the pressure. While working for the city of Seattle, Reed helped establish an internship program for Seattle Promise community college students. She wants to expand apprenticeship, technical college, and work-based learning opportunities to get students ready for jobs of the future.

    If elected, Reed would advocate for making zero-carbon transportation available in every city, including electrifying buses and ferries and expanding electric car infrastructure, among other climate priorities. Reed is one of the few candidates this year to show interest in a pilot program for universal basic income, which could be a game-changer for struggling families and working people.

    In our interview with Reed, she was thoughtful and informed about the ways that the Legislature could partner with and invest in communities of color, youth, and others to build a more resilient Washington. Since the primary, Reed has garnered even more support from progressive organizations for her forward-thinking priorities. For her deep experience and readiness to bring innovative solutions to Olympia, we recommend Julia Reed for the 36th Legislative District in Position 1.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Julia Reed

    Julia Reed is running for the open 36th Legislative District, Position 1 seat to strengthen workers' rights, invest in our neighborhoods, and address inequities at every level of the community.

    Julia Reed is running for the open 36th Legislative District, Position 1 seat to strengthen workers' rights, invest in our neighborhoods, and address inequities at every level of the community. Reed has worked in several levels of government, including in the Obama State Department as a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, as a senior policy advisor for workforce development in the Seattle mayor's office, and most recently as a public policy consultant. Reed is also the former chair of the 36th Legislative District Democrats, a current volunteer board member for the YMCA Social Impact Center, and a board member at Fuse Washington, which produces this guide.

    Reed offers the most comprehensive and detailed policy proposals in this race, covering topics from housing to health. Reed recognizes that appropriate density is a must. Washington has the fewest units of housing per household of any state and market-rate, middle-income, affordable, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and permanent supportive housing are all needed to alleviate the pressure. While working for the city of Seattle, Reed helped establish an internship program for Seattle Promise community college students. She wants to expand apprenticeship, technical college, and work-based learning opportunities to get students ready for jobs of the future.

    If elected, Reed would advocate for making zero-carbon transportation available in every city, including electrifying buses and ferries and expanding electric car infrastructure, among other climate priorities. Reed is one of the few candidates this year to show interest in a pilot program for universal basic income, which could be a game-changer for struggling families and working people.

    In our interview with Reed, she was thoughtful and informed about the ways that the Legislature could partner with and invest in communities of color, youth, and others to build a more resilient Washington. Since the primary, Reed has garnered even more support from progressive organizations for her forward-thinking priorities. For her deep experience and readiness to bring innovative solutions to Olympia, we recommend Julia Reed for the 36th Legislative District in Position 1.

    Julia Reed

    Julia Reed is running for the open 36th Legislative District, Position 1 seat to strengthen workers' rights, invest in our neighborhoods, and address inequities at every level of the community.

  • Jeff Manson is an administrative law judge who is running for office to boost opportunities for working families and to fund the services we all rely on. He has served as a precinct committee officer, the chair of the 36th District Democrats for eight years, and the board chair of the disability rights group Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), among other leadership experiences.

    In our interview with Manson, he described himself as the labor candidate in the race and mentioned that with the departure of incumbents like Rep. Mike Sells, the House needs more support for working people. However, we were disappointed that Manson stated that he is ready to put more money into the criminal legal system and without speaking specifically on how he would ensure we all feel safe, especially for communities of color.

    Manson acknowledges that the state is extremely behind on the number of housing units needed for everyone to have a roof over their head and a door that locks, including people experiencing homelessness. To that end, he supports a housing-first approach to homelessness that includes tiny homes and accessory dwelling units. He also supports flipping the state's upside-down tax code, which is the most regressive in the nation, and a reduction of carbon emissions by half by 2030.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Jeff Manson

    Jeff Manson is an administrative law judge who is running for office to boost opportunities for working families and to fund the services we all rely on.
    Jeff Manson is an administrative law judge who is running for office to boost opportunities for working families and to fund the services we all rely on. He has served as a precinct committee officer, the chair of the 36th District Democrats for eight years, and the board chair of the disability rights group Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), among other leadership experiences.

    In our interview with Manson, he described himself as the labor candidate in the race and mentioned that with the departure of incumbents like Rep. Mike Sells, the House needs more support for working people. However, we were disappointed that Manson stated that he is ready to put more money into the criminal legal system and without speaking specifically on how he would ensure we all feel safe, especially for communities of color.

    Manson acknowledges that the state is extremely behind on the number of housing units needed for everyone to have a roof over their head and a door that locks, including people experiencing homelessness. To that end, he supports a housing-first approach to homelessness that includes tiny homes and accessory dwelling units. He also supports flipping the state's upside-down tax code, which is the most regressive in the nation, and a reduction of carbon emissions by half by 2030.

    Jeff Manson

    Jeff Manson is an administrative law judge who is running for office to boost opportunities for working families and to fund the services we all rely on.
  • Evergreen Future
  • Democrat Liz Berry is running unopposed for re-election to the 36th Legislative District in House Position 2. Berry is the former director of the Washington State Association of Justice, which advocates for the legal rights of patients, consumers, and injured workers. She also previously served as the president of the National Women's Political Caucus and on the board of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

    Berry had a prolific first session as a legislator on many progressive priorities. She sponsored successful community safety initiatives to restrict untraceable ghost guns and to prohibit carrying guns in certain settings like school board meetings, which is especially notable as Berry was a legislative director for former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Berry also sponsored the creation of an alert system for missing Indigenous people. If that weren't enough, she worked to flip the state's regressive tax code with a wealth tax and supported important legislation to expand housing options near transit.

    Berry has had a successful first term and deserves your vote.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Liz Berry

    Democrat Liz Berry is running unopposed for re-election to the 36th Legislative District in House Position 2. Berry is the former director of the Washington State Association of Justice, which advocates for the legal rights of patients, consumers, and injured workers.
    Democrat Liz Berry is running unopposed for re-election to the 36th Legislative District in House Position 2. Berry is the former director of the Washington State Association of Justice, which advocates for the legal rights of patients, consumers, and injured workers. She also previously served as the president of the National Women's Political Caucus and on the board of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

    Berry had a prolific first session as a legislator on many progressive priorities. She sponsored successful community safety initiatives to restrict untraceable ghost guns and to prohibit carrying guns in certain settings like school board meetings, which is especially notable as Berry was a legislative director for former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Berry also sponsored the creation of an alert system for missing Indigenous people. If that weren't enough, she worked to flip the state's regressive tax code with a wealth tax and supported important legislation to expand housing options near transit.

    Berry has had a successful first term and deserves your vote.

    Liz Berry

    Democrat Liz Berry is running unopposed for re-election to the 36th Legislative District in House Position 2. Berry is the former director of the Washington State Association of Justice, which advocates for the legal rights of patients, consumers, and injured workers.
  • Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to continue representing the 37th Legislative District in the state Senate. Previously, Saldaña worked as an organizer with several unions and served as the executive director of a progressive nonprofit. As a Chicana legislator, she co-chairs the Senate Members of Color Caucus in addition to serving as the vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

    Saldaña’s legislative priorities include working towards social equity and racial justice, strengthening workers’ rights, and making sure everyone can access their right to vote. She also wants to invest in public infrastructure like improved transit options and sustainable community development. This past session, she voted for a progressive slate of bills including legislation to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and bills to update our state’s climate goals.

    Saldaña has earned your support for state Senate.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Rebecca Saldaña

    Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to continue representing the 37th Legislative District in the state Senate. Previously, Saldaña worked as an organizer with several unions and served as the executive director of a progressive nonprofit.
    Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to continue representing the 37th Legislative District in the state Senate. Previously, Saldaña worked as an organizer with several unions and served as the executive director of a progressive nonprofit. As a Chicana legislator, she co-chairs the Senate Members of Color Caucus in addition to serving as the vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

    Saldaña’s legislative priorities include working towards social equity and racial justice, strengthening workers’ rights, and making sure everyone can access their right to vote. She also wants to invest in public infrastructure like improved transit options and sustainable community development. This past session, she voted for a progressive slate of bills including legislation to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and bills to update our state’s climate goals.

    Saldaña has earned your support for state Senate.

    Rebecca Saldaña

    Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to continue representing the 37th Legislative District in the state Senate. Previously, Saldaña worked as an organizer with several unions and served as the executive director of a progressive nonprofit.
  • Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos is running for re-election to the 37th Legislative District, Position 1. Santos formerly worked in banking, politics, and nonprofit management before joining the Legislature in 1998. She is a moderate Democrat and the longest-serving representative of color in Washington’s history.

    Though she took a disappointing stance against comprehensive sex education in 2020, Santos has been an advocate for economic justice, civil rights, and environmental action. This year, she took important votes to advance gun safety, set new environmental goals, and create a more equitable criminal legal system. If re-elected, Santos wants to invest in education, health care, and housing so that all Washingtonians have an equal opportunity to thrive.

    Her opponent is Republican John Dickinson, who does not appear to have significant elected or community leadership experience. His platform is somewhat confusing, but two of his main goals are to "legalize cannabis" and restore the Comet Lodge graveyard. If elected, Dickinson promises to only serve one term.

    Rep. Tomiko Santos is the best choice in this race.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos is running for re-election to the 37th Legislative District, Position 1. Santos formerly worked in banking, politics, and nonprofit management before joining the Legislature in 1998.

    Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos is running for re-election to the 37th Legislative District, Position 1. Santos formerly worked in banking, politics, and nonprofit management before joining the Legislature in 1998. She is a moderate Democrat and the longest-serving representative of color in Washington’s history.

    Though she took a disappointing stance against comprehensive sex education in 2020, Santos has been an advocate for economic justice, civil rights, and environmental action. This year, she took important votes to advance gun safety, set new environmental goals, and create a more equitable criminal legal system. If re-elected, Santos wants to invest in education, health care, and housing so that all Washingtonians have an equal opportunity to thrive.

    Her opponent is Republican John Dickinson, who does not appear to have significant elected or community leadership experience. His platform is somewhat confusing, but two of his main goals are to "legalize cannabis" and restore the Comet Lodge graveyard. If elected, Dickinson promises to only serve one term.

    Rep. Tomiko Santos is the best choice in this race.

    Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos is running for re-election to the 37th Legislative District, Position 1. Santos formerly worked in banking, politics, and nonprofit management before joining the Legislature in 1998.

  • As a community organizer deeply rooted in the community, Emijah Smith wants to bring the voices and needs of the community to the forefront through investment in small businesses, trauma-informed health care, and racial justice.

    In our interview, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District was her first doorway into being an advocate for her community. After years of working with Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, Smith worked at Solid Ground with those experiencing housing and food insecurity, and spent 11 years organizing in Olympia as a community engagement manager at the Children’s Alliance. As a legislator, she wants to prioritize flexible afterschool programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable childcare.

    Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Unique to her candidacy is her experience advocating for her children in the district, which led to developing better investments for marginalized students. In a point of differentiation between Smith and her opponent Chipalo Street, only Smith spoke of ending gentrification in the Central and International District, Rainier Valley, and Renton by ending predatory real estate development practices. She was also the only candidate to discuss the need to support survivors of domestic violence by unraveling the difficult knot of laws and procedures around getting protection.

    Smith's notable endorsements include King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, Rep. Tarra Simmons, Rep. Jamila Taylor, and former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, all of whom are outstanding advocates for racial justice and community building.

    Smith is a great choice if you are looking for a candidate with a long record of work in the community who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and using local knowledge to inform policy.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Emijah Smith

    As a community organizer deeply rooted in the community, Emijah Smith wants to bring the voices and needs of the community to the forefront through investment in small businesses, trauma-informed health care, and racial justice.

    As a community organizer deeply rooted in the community, Emijah Smith wants to bring the voices and needs of the community to the forefront through investment in small businesses, trauma-informed health care, and racial justice.

    In our interview, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District was her first doorway into being an advocate for her community. After years of working with Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, Smith worked at Solid Ground with those experiencing housing and food insecurity, and spent 11 years organizing in Olympia as a community engagement manager at the Children’s Alliance. As a legislator, she wants to prioritize flexible afterschool programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable childcare.

    Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Unique to her candidacy is her experience advocating for her children in the district, which led to developing better investments for marginalized students. In a point of differentiation between Smith and her opponent Chipalo Street, only Smith spoke of ending gentrification in the Central and International District, Rainier Valley, and Renton by ending predatory real estate development practices. She was also the only candidate to discuss the need to support survivors of domestic violence by unraveling the difficult knot of laws and procedures around getting protection.

    Smith's notable endorsements include King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, Rep. Tarra Simmons, Rep. Jamila Taylor, and former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, all of whom are outstanding advocates for racial justice and community building.

    Smith is a great choice if you are looking for a candidate with a long record of work in the community who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and using local knowledge to inform policy.

    Emijah Smith

    As a community organizer deeply rooted in the community, Emijah Smith wants to bring the voices and needs of the community to the forefront through investment in small businesses, trauma-informed health care, and racial justice.

  • Chipalo Street is running for 37th Legislative District, Position 2 to improve education, expand economic opportunity, and close the digital divide. He works in Microsoft's office of the CTO as a senior leader on emerging technology. He also serves on the board of the Institute For A Democratic Future, which trains up-and-coming civic leaders, and he is the co-founder of the Teacher Scientist Partnership at Technology Access Foundation Academy, which teaches a computer science curriculum in south Seattle.

    Street is running on a strong progressive platform that includes supporting reproductive rights, delivering affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, fighting for clean energy and environmental justice, expanding early education and childcare access, and strengthening laws that reduce gun violence.

    In our interview with Street, he was very passionate about education with an emphasis on technology. Street believes that Washington can lead the nation in STEM education and that the Legislature can do more for students by funding free two-year college. He also spoke extensively about his experience being a small landlord and how he believes that tenants and owners should work in partnership. Street emphasized that during the pandemic he was able to keep all his tenants housed despite a third of them losing work. He supports tenant protections, rental assistance, housing vouchers, and ending exclusionary zoning in transit areas, which would bring more housing options like triplexes and duplexes.

    Street's notable individual endorsements include Port Commissioners Hamdi Mohamed and Sam Cho, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and Tukwila City Councilmember Mohamed Abdi, who all emphasized Street's work with small businesses, civic leadership, and his values around housing.

    If you are looking for a candidate who is pushing to bridge the digital divide through education in the 37th Legislative District, Street would be a good choice.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Chipalo Street

    Chipalo Street is running for 37th Legislative District, Position 2 to improve education, expand economic opportunity, and close the digital divide. He works in Microsoft's office of the CTO as a senior leader on emerging technology.

    Chipalo Street is running for 37th Legislative District, Position 2 to improve education, expand economic opportunity, and close the digital divide. He works in Microsoft's office of the CTO as a senior leader on emerging technology. He also serves on the board of the Institute For A Democratic Future, which trains up-and-coming civic leaders, and he is the co-founder of the Teacher Scientist Partnership at Technology Access Foundation Academy, which teaches a computer science curriculum in south Seattle.

    Street is running on a strong progressive platform that includes supporting reproductive rights, delivering affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, fighting for clean energy and environmental justice, expanding early education and childcare access, and strengthening laws that reduce gun violence.

    In our interview with Street, he was very passionate about education with an emphasis on technology. Street believes that Washington can lead the nation in STEM education and that the Legislature can do more for students by funding free two-year college. He also spoke extensively about his experience being a small landlord and how he believes that tenants and owners should work in partnership. Street emphasized that during the pandemic he was able to keep all his tenants housed despite a third of them losing work. He supports tenant protections, rental assistance, housing vouchers, and ending exclusionary zoning in transit areas, which would bring more housing options like triplexes and duplexes.

    Street's notable individual endorsements include Port Commissioners Hamdi Mohamed and Sam Cho, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, and Tukwila City Councilmember Mohamed Abdi, who all emphasized Street's work with small businesses, civic leadership, and his values around housing.

    If you are looking for a candidate who is pushing to bridge the digital divide through education in the 37th Legislative District, Street would be a good choice.

    Chipalo Street

    Chipalo Street is running for 37th Legislative District, Position 2 to improve education, expand economic opportunity, and close the digital divide. He works in Microsoft's office of the CTO as a senior leader on emerging technology.

  • Sen. Jamie Pedersen is running unopposed for re-election to the state Senate from the 43rd Legislative District.

    Throughout his tenure, Pedersen has proven himself to be a champion for reproductive freedom and the LGBTQ+ community. He has worked to protect the relationships between children and their non-biological parents, which culminated in the passage of the Parentage Act of 2018. This act set a nationwide precedent for protecting the rights of same-sex couples and relatives who choose to become parents. This session, Pedersen supported community safety by sponsoring a ban on high-capacity gun magazines, as well as sponsoring expanded access to free and reduced-price health care.

    Pedersen has earned your vote for another term in the Senate.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Jamie Pedersen

    Sen. Jamie Pedersen is running unopposed for re-election to the state Senate from the 43rd Legislative District.
    Sen. Jamie Pedersen is running unopposed for re-election to the state Senate from the 43rd Legislative District.

    Throughout his tenure, Pedersen has proven himself to be a champion for reproductive freedom and the LGBTQ+ community. He has worked to protect the relationships between children and their non-biological parents, which culminated in the passage of the Parentage Act of 2018. This act set a nationwide precedent for protecting the rights of same-sex couples and relatives who choose to become parents. This session, Pedersen supported community safety by sponsoring a ban on high-capacity gun magazines, as well as sponsoring expanded access to free and reduced-price health care.

    Pedersen has earned your vote for another term in the Senate.

    Jamie Pedersen

    Sen. Jamie Pedersen is running unopposed for re-election to the state Senate from the 43rd Legislative District.
  • Evergreen Future
  • Rep. Nicole Macri is running unopposed for re-election to the 43rd Legislative District, House Position 1. Rep. Macri is a strong progressive who has worked as an advocate for those with mental illnesses and people struggling with homelessness. She is currently the deputy director at the Downtown Emergency Service Center and president of the board of directors of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

    This session, she sponsored a wide slate of progressive legislation, including successful bills to restrict ghost guns and establish a statewide alert system for missing Indigenous women. She also sponsored two bills to help working people - a wealth tax to flip the state's regressive tax code and a bill to increase "missing middle" housing options near transit, like duplexes and triplexes. In previous sessions, Macri supported legislation to require the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to establish the Washington State Office of Equity.

    Macri has 20 years of experience in human services, championing affordable housing, and expanding health care. Her expertise and passion for expanding affordable housing options continue to be an incredible asset in Olympia. Macri deserves your vote to remain in the state House representing the 43rd Legislative District.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Nicole Macri

    Rep. Nicole Macri is running unopposed for re-election to the 43rd Legislative District, House Position 1. Rep. Macri is a strong progressive who has worked as an advocate for those with mental illnesses and people struggling with homelessness.
    Rep. Nicole Macri is running unopposed for re-election to the 43rd Legislative District, House Position 1. Rep. Macri is a strong progressive who has worked as an advocate for those with mental illnesses and people struggling with homelessness. She is currently the deputy director at the Downtown Emergency Service Center and president of the board of directors of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

    This session, she sponsored a wide slate of progressive legislation, including successful bills to restrict ghost guns and establish a statewide alert system for missing Indigenous women. She also sponsored two bills to help working people - a wealth tax to flip the state's regressive tax code and a bill to increase "missing middle" housing options near transit, like duplexes and triplexes. In previous sessions, Macri supported legislation to require the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to establish the Washington State Office of Equity.

    Macri has 20 years of experience in human services, championing affordable housing, and expanding health care. Her expertise and passion for expanding affordable housing options continue to be an incredible asset in Olympia. Macri deserves your vote to remain in the state House representing the 43rd Legislative District.

    Nicole Macri

    Rep. Nicole Macri is running unopposed for re-election to the 43rd Legislative District, House Position 1. Rep. Macri is a strong progressive who has worked as an advocate for those with mental illnesses and people struggling with homelessness.
  • Rep. Frank Chopp is running unopposed for Position 2 in the 43rd Legislative District. Chopp is the former speaker of the House, where he led on increasing the minimum wage, ensuring paid family and medical leave, achieving marriage equality, and more. Since his election in 2020, Chopp has supported a wide slate of progressive bills, including making child care more affordable through the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, enacting the Clean Fuels Standard, increasing funding for supportive housing and rental assistance, and creating an alert system for missing Indigenous people.

    Chopp has earned your vote for another term in the House.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Frank Chopp

    Rep. Frank Chopp is running unopposed for Position 2 in the 43rd Legislative District. Chopp is the former speaker of the House, where he led on increasing the minimum wage, ensuring paid family and medical leave, achieving marriage equality, and more.
    Rep. Frank Chopp is running unopposed for Position 2 in the 43rd Legislative District. Chopp is the former speaker of the House, where he led on increasing the minimum wage, ensuring paid family and medical leave, achieving marriage equality, and more. Since his election in 2020, Chopp has supported a wide slate of progressive bills, including making child care more affordable through the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, enacting the Clean Fuels Standard, increasing funding for supportive housing and rental assistance, and creating an alert system for missing Indigenous people.

    Chopp has earned your vote for another term in the House.

    Frank Chopp

    Rep. Frank Chopp is running unopposed for Position 2 in the 43rd Legislative District. Chopp is the former speaker of the House, where he led on increasing the minimum wage, ensuring paid family and medical leave, achieving marriage equality, and more.
  • Evergreen Future
  • Rep. Javier Valdez is running for the 46th Legislative District Senate seat. Valdez was appointed to the state House in 2017 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. He also served as the first president of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME Council 2).

    In Olympia, Valdez has worked to find equitable, progressive solutions to problems facing residents in his district. He supported legislation to prevent discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status, and he advocated for requiring the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    This year, Valdez sponsored several successful bills that protect our communities, including being the prime sponsor of the law to restrict ghost guns. He also sought to provide safe places for civic discourse by banning guns in settings like school board meetings and supported an alert system for missing Indigenous people.

    Valdez deserves credit for sponsoring the middle housing bill, which would have provided more housing options around transit, and the wealth tax, which aimed to finally make the extraordinarily wealthy residents of Washington pay their share into education, transportation, and more. These two bills will be critical progressive priorities in the coming years.

    Valdez is running against King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Gross. His platform includes making housing more affordable and tackling homelessness in the district. There is much to appreciate about Gross' platform - he wants to end exclusionary zoning and gradually increase the housing supply with duplexes or triplexes. He also wants to see more investments in the state Housing Trust Fund and mental health care.

    While Gross is progressive, Valdez has swept nearly every endorsement from a broad spectrum of progressive organizations and elected officials. This reflects both the breadth of his platforms and his experience in lawmaking and legislative leadership. Rep. Javier Valdez is the best choice in this race.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Javier Valdez

    Rep. Javier Valdez is running for the 46th Legislative District Senate seat. Valdez was appointed to the state House in 2017 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. He also served as the first president of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME Council 2).
    Rep. Javier Valdez is running for the 46th Legislative District Senate seat. Valdez was appointed to the state House in 2017 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. He also served as the first president of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME Council 2).

    In Olympia, Valdez has worked to find equitable, progressive solutions to problems facing residents in his district. He supported legislation to prevent discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status, and he advocated for requiring the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    This year, Valdez sponsored several successful bills that protect our communities, including being the prime sponsor of the law to restrict ghost guns. He also sought to provide safe places for civic discourse by banning guns in settings like school board meetings and supported an alert system for missing Indigenous people.

    Valdez deserves credit for sponsoring the middle housing bill, which would have provided more housing options around transit, and the wealth tax, which aimed to finally make the extraordinarily wealthy residents of Washington pay their share into education, transportation, and more. These two bills will be critical progressive priorities in the coming years.

    Valdez is running against King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Gross. His platform includes making housing more affordable and tackling homelessness in the district. There is much to appreciate about Gross' platform - he wants to end exclusionary zoning and gradually increase the housing supply with duplexes or triplexes. He also wants to see more investments in the state Housing Trust Fund and mental health care.

    While Gross is progressive, Valdez has swept nearly every endorsement from a broad spectrum of progressive organizations and elected officials. This reflects both the breadth of his platforms and his experience in lawmaking and legislative leadership. Rep. Javier Valdez is the best choice in this race.

    Javier Valdez

    Rep. Javier Valdez is running for the 46th Legislative District Senate seat. Valdez was appointed to the state House in 2017 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. He also served as the first president of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees (AFSCME Council 2).
  • Evergreen Future
  • Rep. Gerry Pollet is running for re-election to the 46th Legislative District, House Position 1. He is the executive director of Heart of America Northwest, a group devoted to cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Pollet's background as an attorney and educator has enhanced his policy work on the issues of climate change, equitable education, and government transparency.

    In the Legislature, Pollet has been a reliable vote for protecting the environment and for education. This session, Pollet sponsored bills to restrict untraceable ghost guns and limit carrying weapons in public places such as school board meetings. In addition, he supported a wealth tax, which would have been a big step toward making the state's extremely wealthy pay their share for the resources we all depend on. In previous years, he sponsored a bill to require the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and bills to lower class sizes and offer free community college.

    While Pollet has been excellent on environmental issues, we were extremely disappointed that he was an obstacle to important legislation related to housing affordability. The "missing middle" housing bill, sponsored by Rep. Batemen, would have given Washingtonians more housing options by increasing density near transit lines. As the chair of the Local Government Committee, Pollet used his position to water down this bill with amendments in a way that would exempt much of his district. This isn't the first time Pollet has opposed important legislation that would reduce the cost of housing. In previous years, he also weakened or blocked bills that would allow homeowners to build and rent backyard cottages. We hope Pollet reconsiders his position on these bills to alleviate the crushing cost of housing for residents of his district.

    Pollet's opponent in this race was Hadeel Jeanne, a longtime resident of the 46th whose campaign was focused on the experiences of everyday working people and parents in the district, many of whom struggle to afford rising rents and home prices. Regrettably, Jeanne announced on July 12 that she was suspending her campaign for family reasons, though she will still appear on the general election ballot.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Gerry Pollet

    Rep. Gerry Pollet is running for re-election to the 46th Legislative District, House Position 1. He is the executive director of Heart of America Northwest, a group devoted to cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
    Rep. Gerry Pollet is running for re-election to the 46th Legislative District, House Position 1. He is the executive director of Heart of America Northwest, a group devoted to cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Pollet's background as an attorney and educator has enhanced his policy work on the issues of climate change, equitable education, and government transparency.

    In the Legislature, Pollet has been a reliable vote for protecting the environment and for education. This session, Pollet sponsored bills to restrict untraceable ghost guns and limit carrying weapons in public places such as school board meetings. In addition, he supported a wealth tax, which would have been a big step toward making the state's extremely wealthy pay their share for the resources we all depend on. In previous years, he sponsored a bill to require the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and bills to lower class sizes and offer free community college.

    While Pollet has been excellent on environmental issues, we were extremely disappointed that he was an obstacle to important legislation related to housing affordability. The "missing middle" housing bill, sponsored by Rep. Batemen, would have given Washingtonians more housing options by increasing density near transit lines. As the chair of the Local Government Committee, Pollet used his position to water down this bill with amendments in a way that would exempt much of his district. This isn't the first time Pollet has opposed important legislation that would reduce the cost of housing. In previous years, he also weakened or blocked bills that would allow homeowners to build and rent backyard cottages. We hope Pollet reconsiders his position on these bills to alleviate the crushing cost of housing for residents of his district.

    Pollet's opponent in this race was Hadeel Jeanne, a longtime resident of the 46th whose campaign was focused on the experiences of everyday working people and parents in the district, many of whom struggle to afford rising rents and home prices. Regrettably, Jeanne announced on July 12 that she was suspending her campaign for family reasons, though she will still appear on the general election ballot.

    Gerry Pollet

    Rep. Gerry Pollet is running for re-election to the 46th Legislative District, House Position 1. He is the executive director of Heart of America Northwest, a group devoted to cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
  • Evergreen Future
  • Darya Farivar is running for the 46th Legislative District, Position 2 to bring a keen eye to the intersection of policy and marginalized experiences. She is the public policy director with Disability Rights Washington, an organization that provides free services to people with disabilities and protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Farivar has also served as co-chair of the Seattle Women's Commission, policy chair of the State Special Education Advisory Council, and is currently a board member of Peyvand, which supports Iranian students at UW.

    A focus on disability rights runs through Farivar's campaign, from her priorities in housing, criminal justice reform, health care, and more. In our interview, Farivar stated that she wants to build up diversion programs and ensure accessible housing units for people experiencing homelessness, noting that 40 percent of homeless people report having a disability. Farivar also makes the interesting point that disabilities cut across partisan lines and she would be willing to work across the aisle to move forward with legislation that works for everyone. She wants to see investments in robust mass transit, including infrastructure to get people to the district's three light rail stops and would be very supportive of transit-centered housing.

    Farivar states that she would be the first Middle Eastern woman serving in Olympia. As the daughter of refugees, she wants to establish a commission for Middle Eastern affairs to help the Legislature work in unison with Middle Eastern communities. Since the primary, she has solidified broad support from progressive organizations and earned the endorsement of the three leading Democrats who did not advance from the primary.

    Farivar is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who would center underrepresented voices and ensure truly accessible services and housing for all.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Darya Farivar

    Darya Farivar is running for the 46th Legislative District, Position 2 to bring a keen eye to the intersection of policy and marginalized experiences.

    Darya Farivar is running for the 46th Legislative District, Position 2 to bring a keen eye to the intersection of policy and marginalized experiences. She is the public policy director with Disability Rights Washington, an organization that provides free services to people with disabilities and protects the rights of people with disabilities statewide. Farivar has also served as co-chair of the Seattle Women's Commission, policy chair of the State Special Education Advisory Council, and is currently a board member of Peyvand, which supports Iranian students at UW.

    A focus on disability rights runs through Farivar's campaign, from her priorities in housing, criminal justice reform, health care, and more. In our interview, Farivar stated that she wants to build up diversion programs and ensure accessible housing units for people experiencing homelessness, noting that 40 percent of homeless people report having a disability. Farivar also makes the interesting point that disabilities cut across partisan lines and she would be willing to work across the aisle to move forward with legislation that works for everyone. She wants to see investments in robust mass transit, including infrastructure to get people to the district's three light rail stops and would be very supportive of transit-centered housing.

    Farivar states that she would be the first Middle Eastern woman serving in Olympia. As the daughter of refugees, she wants to establish a commission for Middle Eastern affairs to help the Legislature work in unison with Middle Eastern communities. Since the primary, she has solidified broad support from progressive organizations and earned the endorsement of the three leading Democrats who did not advance from the primary.

    Farivar is a good choice if you're looking for a candidate who would center underrepresented voices and ensure truly accessible services and housing for all.

    Darya Farivar

    Darya Farivar is running for the 46th Legislative District, Position 2 to bring a keen eye to the intersection of policy and marginalized experiences.

  • Evergreen Future
  • Pediatrician Dr. Lelach Rave is running for office to bring mental health, youth and family health, and education to the forefront of the Legislature's agenda. She is the legislative chair for the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has spent years in Olympia advocating for policies like paid family leave, feeding kids through Breakfast After the Bell, and creating the Washington Vaccine Association.

    Rave is the only physician running for Legislature this year. Because of her pediatric focus, Rave highlighted the need to support both kids and parents in this burgeoning mental health crisis. She noted that we can accelerate hiring much-needed mental health staff statewide by lowering the administrative burden on health care workers, especially lower-paid staff.

    In her interview, Rave was also one of the few candidates on any ballot this year to discuss the importance of special education, noting that the state is behind by millions of dollars in funding special education, and that special needs kids fell even further behind than neurotypical kids in the pandemic. Outside of her health-related policies, Rave wants to see additional investments in the Housing Trust Fund, more low- and middle-income housing, reduction of fossil fuels, and more.

    Rave emphasized that there are no medical professionals currently in the Legislature. Rave is a good choice if you are looking for a candidate with the experience and drive to advocate for community health care for children and families.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Lelach Rave

    Pediatrician Dr. Lelach Rave is running for office to bring mental health, youth and family health, and education to the forefront of the Legislature's agenda.

    Pediatrician Dr. Lelach Rave is running for office to bring mental health, youth and family health, and education to the forefront of the Legislature's agenda. She is the legislative chair for the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has spent years in Olympia advocating for policies like paid family leave, feeding kids through Breakfast After the Bell, and creating the Washington Vaccine Association.

    Rave is the only physician running for Legislature this year. Because of her pediatric focus, Rave highlighted the need to support both kids and parents in this burgeoning mental health crisis. She noted that we can accelerate hiring much-needed mental health staff statewide by lowering the administrative burden on health care workers, especially lower-paid staff.

    In her interview, Rave was also one of the few candidates on any ballot this year to discuss the importance of special education, noting that the state is behind by millions of dollars in funding special education, and that special needs kids fell even further behind than neurotypical kids in the pandemic. Outside of her health-related policies, Rave wants to see additional investments in the Housing Trust Fund, more low- and middle-income housing, reduction of fossil fuels, and more.

    Rave emphasized that there are no medical professionals currently in the Legislature. Rave is a good choice if you are looking for a candidate with the experience and drive to advocate for community health care for children and families.

    Lelach Rave

    Pediatrician Dr. Lelach Rave is running for office to bring mental health, youth and family health, and education to the forefront of the Legislature's agenda.

  • Leesa Manion has worked as the chief of staff of the King County prosecuting attorney’s office for the last 15 years. She is now running for King County prosecutor to provide consistent leadership to the office and support important reforms to the criminal legal system. If elected, she would be the first woman and the first person of color in this role. Outside of the prosecutor's office, Manion has served several leadership roles, including on the boards of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and as co-founding partner of Choose 180, which offers coaching and diversion programs to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system.

    Manion's top priorities include tackling the backlog of 4,500 cases filed during the pandemic's work halt, increasing funding for reforms like mental health court, and intervening in gun violence before people become victims or offenders. High on her agenda is continuing to prosecute violent crimes while addressing racial disparities and providing culturally responsive care to victims.

    In our interview with Manion, she offered compelling insights about the prosecuting attorney's office and how she would manage it if elected. She spoke of her experience building a well-functioning team and solid working relationships throughout the legal system, as evidenced by the fact that she earned the endorsement of SEIU 925, the union that includes public defenders. She also spoke about the need to apply racial justice principles to better reflect the values of the community, and invite the community to public listening sessions or possibly convene community advisory boards. Finally, Manion committed to spending more time going to monthly police and sheriff meetings to build relationships throughout the county.

    We recommend Manion for her impressive platform and extensive track record of results, as well as the broad support of many progressive and Democratic organizations.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Leesa Manion

    Leesa Manion has worked as the chief of staff of the King County prosecuting attorney’s office for the last 15 years. She is now running for King County prosecutor to provide consistent leadership to the office and support important reforms to the criminal legal system.

    Leesa Manion has worked as the chief of staff of the King County prosecuting attorney’s office for the last 15 years. She is now running for King County prosecutor to provide consistent leadership to the office and support important reforms to the criminal legal system. If elected, she would be the first woman and the first person of color in this role. Outside of the prosecutor's office, Manion has served several leadership roles, including on the boards of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and as co-founding partner of Choose 180, which offers coaching and diversion programs to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system.

    Manion's top priorities include tackling the backlog of 4,500 cases filed during the pandemic's work halt, increasing funding for reforms like mental health court, and intervening in gun violence before people become victims or offenders. High on her agenda is continuing to prosecute violent crimes while addressing racial disparities and providing culturally responsive care to victims.

    In our interview with Manion, she offered compelling insights about the prosecuting attorney's office and how she would manage it if elected. She spoke of her experience building a well-functioning team and solid working relationships throughout the legal system, as evidenced by the fact that she earned the endorsement of SEIU 925, the union that includes public defenders. She also spoke about the need to apply racial justice principles to better reflect the values of the community, and invite the community to public listening sessions or possibly convene community advisory boards. Finally, Manion committed to spending more time going to monthly police and sheriff meetings to build relationships throughout the county.

    We recommend Manion for her impressive platform and extensive track record of results, as well as the broad support of many progressive and Democratic organizations.

    Leesa Manion

    Leesa Manion has worked as the chief of staff of the King County prosecuting attorney’s office for the last 15 years. She is now running for King County prosecutor to provide consistent leadership to the office and support important reforms to the criminal legal system.

Other Candidates

Manion's opponent is Federal Way mayor Jim Ferrell, who has been elected three times since 2013. Ferrell is a previous three-time member of the Federal Way City Council and was a prosecutor in Renton before later becoming a King County senior deputy prosecutor.

Ferrell is running for King County prosecutor on a different tack than Manion. He has been critical of King County’s highly effective youth diversion program, which provides low-level first-time youth offenders an alternative to prison. The Restorative Community Pathways program has been shown to reduce the percentage of kids who re-offended by more than half. Without evidence, Ferrell continues to attack the program using Republican political talking points about crime.

Ferrell is endorsed by several conservative police guilds, and he appeared at a press conference with Seattle Police Officer Guild leader Mike Solan, who is known for defending the Seattle officers who participated in the January 6th insurrection. During Ferrell's time as mayor, the Federal Way Police Department has had multiple instances of officers using excessive force and behaving inappropriately, including a controversial video posted by an officer that made national news this summer. 

Ferrell is endorsed by the King County Republican Party, and both his record as mayor and his campaign platform make it clear that he would seek to roll back hard-won reforms made in the King County prosecutor's office in recent years. Manion is the clear choice in this race.

  • Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016. Before joining Washington’s highest court, she spent 14 years as a trial court judge in King County Superior Court and earlier as the deputy chief of staff to former King County prosecutor Norm Maleng.

    Yu has an unimpeachable reputation and has been rated “exceptionally well qualified” by a number of key bar associations. On the court, she has been a voice for equal justice and upholding the rights of all. Now, she is running with endorsements from all of her fellow justices as well as a number of retired justices from the court.

    Justice Yu deserves your vote to continue serving as one of Washington’s state Supreme Court justices.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Mary Yu

    Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016.
    Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016. Before joining Washington’s highest court, she spent 14 years as a trial court judge in King County Superior Court and earlier as the deputy chief of staff to former King County prosecutor Norm Maleng.

    Yu has an unimpeachable reputation and has been rated “exceptionally well qualified” by a number of key bar associations. On the court, she has been a voice for equal justice and upholding the rights of all. Now, she is running with endorsements from all of her fellow justices as well as a number of retired justices from the court.

    Justice Yu deserves your vote to continue serving as one of Washington’s state Supreme Court justices.

    Mary Yu

    Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016.
  • Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992. During her time on the court, her fellow justices elected her the 55th chief justice of the court – a position she held for 7 years.

    Having spent her career in both prosecution and public defense, Madsen has extensive knowledge of the criminal legal system and a passion for serving her community. Her re-election has been endorsed by each of her fellow justices and a wide range of other judicial leaders and community organizations.

    Justice Madsen has served the state with fair and equal justice. She deserves your vote to remain in her seat on Washington’s Supreme Court.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Barbara Madsen

    Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992.

    Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992. During her time on the court, her fellow justices elected her the 55th chief justice of the court – a position she held for 7 years.

    Having spent her career in both prosecution and public defense, Madsen has extensive knowledge of the criminal legal system and a passion for serving her community. Her re-election has been endorsed by each of her fellow justices and a wide range of other judicial leaders and community organizations.

    Justice Madsen has served the state with fair and equal justice. She deserves your vote to remain in her seat on Washington’s Supreme Court.

    Barbara Madsen

    Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992.

  • Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee. Later that year, she won her election to fill the remainder of the term. Prior to joining the Washington Supreme Court, Whitener served on the Pierce County Superior Court and worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney before becoming a judge.

    Justice Whitener is both a Trinidadian immigrant and openly gay, and has worked to be a representative voice for justice for all in the state’s highest court. In this race, she has earned the endorsement of each one of her fellow justices as well as some retired justices. Whitener has been rated as "exceptionally well-qualified" by a number of bar associations and has done an exceptional job since joining the court.

    Whitener is an important voice on the State Supreme Court and deserves your voice to continue serving as a justice in Position 6.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    G. Helen Whitener

    Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee.
    Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee. Later that year, she won her election to fill the remainder of the term. Prior to joining the Washington Supreme Court, Whitener served on the Pierce County Superior Court and worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney before becoming a judge.

    Justice Whitener is both a Trinidadian immigrant and openly gay, and has worked to be a representative voice for justice for all in the state’s highest court. In this race, she has earned the endorsement of each one of her fellow justices as well as some retired justices. Whitener has been rated as "exceptionally well-qualified" by a number of bar associations and has done an exceptional job since joining the court.

    Whitener is an important voice on the State Supreme Court and deserves your voice to continue serving as a justice in Position 6.

    G. Helen Whitener

    Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee.
  • Pooja Vaddadi is currently an adjunct professor of legal writing at Seattle University. Prior to joining the staff, she served as a public defender with the Northwest Defenders Division (NDD) of the King County Department of Public Defense. Vaddadi’s career as a public defender gives her a rare and valuable perspective that most judges - who come from prosecutorial or corporate law - don’t have. She has seen firsthand the deterioration and crisis at our prisons while working with clients who are unhoused or suffering from mental illness. 

    More so than Eisenberg, Vaddadi approaches justice from the angle that there’s no amount of incarceration that’s going to fix crimes of poverty or desperation that she sees daily. Vaddadi is serious about the ways in which she would implement restorative justice from the bench, and speaks of how these efforts need to be sustained carefully over time because there’s no quick fix. If elected, she would be a counterweight to the more heavy-handed and prosecution-friendly judges and city officials in her efforts to treat everyone fairly with respect towards the law. She has a strong set of endorsements from Democratic organizations and progressive elected officials.

    This is a somewhat tricky race, as experienced judges are critical in the post-COVID restrictions courts. But we lean towards Vaddadi because we believe she would add valuable perspectives to the bench, and because of her vision for restorative justice and criminal justice reform.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Pooja Vaddadi

    Submitted by stephanie on

    Pooja Vaddadi is currently an adjunct professor of legal writing at Seattle University. Prior to joining the staff, she served as a public defender with the Northwest Defenders Division (NDD) of the King County Department of Public Defense. Vaddadi’s career as a public defender gives her a rare and valuable perspective that most judges - who come from prosecutorial or corporate law - don’t have.

    Pooja Vaddadi is currently an adjunct professor of legal writing at Seattle University. Prior to joining the staff, she served as a public defender with the Northwest Defenders Division (NDD) of the King County Department of Public Defense. Vaddadi’s career as a public defender gives her a rare and valuable perspective that most judges - who come from prosecutorial or corporate law - don’t have. She has seen firsthand the deterioration and crisis at our prisons while working with clients who are unhoused or suffering from mental illness. 

    More so than Eisenberg, Vaddadi approaches justice from the angle that there’s no amount of incarceration that’s going to fix crimes of poverty or desperation that she sees daily. Vaddadi is serious about the ways in which she would implement restorative justice from the bench, and speaks of how these efforts need to be sustained carefully over time because there’s no quick fix. If elected, she would be a counterweight to the more heavy-handed and prosecution-friendly judges and city officials in her efforts to treat everyone fairly with respect towards the law. She has a strong set of endorsements from Democratic organizations and progressive elected officials.

    This is a somewhat tricky race, as experienced judges are critical in the post-COVID restrictions courts. But we lean towards Vaddadi because we believe she would add valuable perspectives to the bench, and because of her vision for restorative justice and criminal justice reform.

    Pooja Vaddadi

    Submitted by stephanie on

    Pooja Vaddadi is currently an adjunct professor of legal writing at Seattle University. Prior to joining the staff, she served as a public defender with the Northwest Defenders Division (NDD) of the King County Department of Public Defense. Vaddadi’s career as a public defender gives her a rare and valuable perspective that most judges - who come from prosecutorial or corporate law - don’t have.

  • Endorsed By: Sage Leaders, The Stranger
  • Prior to becoming a judge, Adam Eisenberg worked in various legal roles since 1992, including as a civil trial attorney and a criminal prosecutor. He was chosen by his colleagues to be the Presiding Judge on the Seattle Municipal Court. He was appointed to the court in 2017, and has been rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by several bar associations. Eisenberg is particularly focused on domestic violence, and helped create and currently serves on the steering committee for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project. Eisenberg also speaks to expanding access to the courts through virtual hearings and the importance of equality and justice to him personally as a gay and Jewish judge. His supporters point to the need for experienced judges like Eisbenberg to work through the backlog of cases from the pandemic quickly and fairly. He has earned the endorsement of many of his fellow judges, as well as some Democratic leaders.

    However, Eisenberg has also been called out for some issues from the bench, including complaints of failing to be impartial. In particular, he was criticized for implementing a “trial tax” on a defendant who went to trial rather than accept a plea deal. Furthermore, Eisenberg signed on to City Attorney Ann Davison’s controversial effort to exclude over 100 “high utilizers” from community court.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Adam Eisenberg

    Submitted by stephanie on

    Prior to becoming a judge, Adam Eisenberg worked in various legal roles since 1992, including as a civil trial attorney and a criminal prosecutor. He was chosen by his colleagues to be the Presiding Judge on the Seattle Municipal Court. He was appointed to the court in 2017, and has been rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by several bar associations. Eisenberg is particularly focused on domestic violence, and helped create and currently serves on the steering committee for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project.

    Prior to becoming a judge, Adam Eisenberg worked in various legal roles since 1992, including as a civil trial attorney and a criminal prosecutor. He was chosen by his colleagues to be the Presiding Judge on the Seattle Municipal Court. He was appointed to the court in 2017, and has been rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by several bar associations. Eisenberg is particularly focused on domestic violence, and helped create and currently serves on the steering committee for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project. Eisenberg also speaks to expanding access to the courts through virtual hearings and the importance of equality and justice to him personally as a gay and Jewish judge. His supporters point to the need for experienced judges like Eisbenberg to work through the backlog of cases from the pandemic quickly and fairly. He has earned the endorsement of many of his fellow judges, as well as some Democratic leaders.

    However, Eisenberg has also been called out for some issues from the bench, including complaints of failing to be impartial. In particular, he was criticized for implementing a “trial tax” on a defendant who went to trial rather than accept a plea deal. Furthermore, Eisenberg signed on to City Attorney Ann Davison’s controversial effort to exclude over 100 “high utilizers” from community court.

    Adam Eisenberg

    Submitted by stephanie on

    Prior to becoming a judge, Adam Eisenberg worked in various legal roles since 1992, including as a civil trial attorney and a criminal prosecutor. He was chosen by his colleagues to be the Presiding Judge on the Seattle Municipal Court. He was appointed to the court in 2017, and has been rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by several bar associations. Eisenberg is particularly focused on domestic violence, and helped create and currently serves on the steering committee for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project.

  • Incumbent Judge Damon Shadid is running for re-election to his Position 7 seat on the Seattle Municipal Court. Shadid was first elected to the court in 2014 and has been a strong voice for treatment, support, and accountability on the bench. Previously, he worked in legal defense for women facing abusers in court as well as refugees and other non-citizen defendants. Shadid has also been a community leader in working towards racial justice in our legal system including founding the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington and serving on multiple equity-focused committees and projects.

    Shadid has a progressive vision for the criminal legal system: delivering justice that keeps our community safe and connecting people with the resources and services they need to get out of the criminal legal system. He helped re-establish the city’s mental health court and has fought to involve case workers in court in a more effective, collaborative way. His judicial track record and commitment to progressive alternatives have earned him an impressive list of endorsements in this race including all Seattle-based Democratic organizations, local progressive officials, and key judicial leaders.

    Assistant City Attorney Nyjat Rose-Atkins is challenging Shadid in this race. Outside the city attorney’s office where she has worked for more than a decade, Rose-Atkins works as a pro tem judge for the district court. She is running with a somewhat more conservative approach to the criminal legal system, including wanting to roll back diversion programs and alternatives that reduce prison overcrowding and help community members get the resources they need.

    Shadid has been an exceptional leader in the court and is helping build a safer and more resilient Seattle. He deserves your vote for another term on the city’s municipal court.
    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Damon Shadid

    Submitted by alexwhite on
    Incumbent Judge Damon Shadid is running for re-election to his Position 7 seat on the Seattle Municipal Court. Shadid was first elected to the court in 2014 and has been a strong voice for treatment, support, and accountability on the bench. Previously, he worked in legal defense for women facing abusers in court as well as refugees and other non-citizen defendants.
    Incumbent Judge Damon Shadid is running for re-election to his Position 7 seat on the Seattle Municipal Court. Shadid was first elected to the court in 2014 and has been a strong voice for treatment, support, and accountability on the bench. Previously, he worked in legal defense for women facing abusers in court as well as refugees and other non-citizen defendants. Shadid has also been a community leader in working towards racial justice in our legal system including founding the Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington and serving on multiple equity-focused committees and projects.

    Shadid has a progressive vision for the criminal legal system: delivering justice that keeps our community safe and connecting people with the resources and services they need to get out of the criminal legal system. He helped re-establish the city’s mental health court and has fought to involve case workers in court in a more effective, collaborative way. His judicial track record and commitment to progressive alternatives have earned him an impressive list of endorsements in this race including all Seattle-based Democratic organizations, local progressive officials, and key judicial leaders.

    Assistant City Attorney Nyjat Rose-Atkins is challenging Shadid in this race. Outside the city attorney’s office where she has worked for more than a decade, Rose-Atkins works as a pro tem judge for the district court. She is running with a somewhat more conservative approach to the criminal legal system, including wanting to roll back diversion programs and alternatives that reduce prison overcrowding and help community members get the resources they need.

    Shadid has been an exceptional leader in the court and is helping build a safer and more resilient Seattle. He deserves your vote for another term on the city’s municipal court.

    Damon Shadid

    Submitted by alexwhite on
    Incumbent Judge Damon Shadid is running for re-election to his Position 7 seat on the Seattle Municipal Court. Shadid was first elected to the court in 2014 and has been a strong voice for treatment, support, and accountability on the bench. Previously, he worked in legal defense for women facing abusers in court as well as refugees and other non-citizen defendants.

Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.

  • VOTE YES

    Vote Yes to introduce ranked choice voting for Seattle elections

  • We recommend voting Yes on Question 1 and voting for Proposition 1B on Question 2.

    More than ever before, voters are looking for meaningful choices in elections, with a strong desire to make campaigns less toxic and ensure that our voices are heard. To that end, two propositions appear on the ballot together this year: Seattle Propositions 1A and 1B. While both offer alternatives to the single-choice voting system currently used in Seattle primary elections, Proposition 1B, which offers ranked choice voting, is the most effective and most thoroughly tested method for increasing representation.

    This ballot measure first asks whether either of the propositions should be approved and second asks you to choose between the two, regardless of whether you believe either should be enacted. If the first question passes with a simple majority, the proposition with the most votes from the second question will be approved.

    Proposition 1A refers to Initiative Petition 134 to introduce "approval voting," a method by which voters vote for any and all candidates they approve of. In this system, the two candidates receiving the most total votes for office will continue on to the general election. Some community leaders have voiced concern over the legality of this system and whether it violates the one person, one vote principle. In places where this has been tried, some voters still choose to vote for one candidate so that they don't dilute support for their favorite candidate.

    Ranked choice voting is backed by much more extensive data and research than approval voting. Ranked choice voting has already been implemented in 26 U.S. cities and states, including New York City, Maine, Alaska, and many organizations and countries around the world, compared to just two cities - Fargo and St. Louis - for approval voting. In addition, progressives have raised concern about whether approval voting will give an outsized electoral say to wealthier and whiter primary voters due to its design, which can allow smaller, more homogenous groups of voters to choose both candidates that advance to the general election.

    Ranked choice voting is simple - voters rank candidates in order of preference, and can rank as many candidates as they choose without hurting the chances of their favored candidate. If there is no majority winner, meaning no candidate receives more than half of the first choices, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and any voter who picked that candidate as their top choice will have their next choice counted, until a majority winner emerges.

    Vote "Yes" on Question 1 and vote for Proposition 1B on Question 2 to bring ranked choice voting to Seattle primary elections. 

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    We recommend voting Yes on Question 1 and voting for Proposition 1B on Question 2.

    More than ever before, voters are looking for meaningful choices in elections, with a strong desire to make campaigns less toxic and ensure that our voices are heard. To that end, two propositions appear on the ballot together this year: Seattle Propositions 1A and 1B. While both offer alternatives to the single-choice voting system currently used in Seattle primary elections, Proposition 1B, which offers ranked choice voting, is the most effective and most thoroughly tested method for increasing representation.

    This ballot measure first asks whether either of the propositions should be approved and second asks you to choose between the two, regardless of whether you believe either should be enacted. If the first question passes with a simple majority, the proposition with the most votes from the second question will be approved.

    Proposition 1A refers to Initiative Petition 134 to introduce "approval voting," a method by which voters vote for any and all candidates they approve of. In this system, the two candidates receiving the most total votes for office will continue on to the general election. Some community leaders have voiced concern over the legality of this system and whether it violates the one person, one vote principle. In places where this has been tried, some voters still choose to vote for one candidate so that they don't dilute support for their favorite candidate.

    Ranked choice voting is backed by much more extensive data and research than approval voting. Ranked choice voting has already been implemented in 26 U.S. cities and states, including New York City, Maine, Alaska, and many organizations and countries around the world, compared to just two cities - Fargo and St. Louis - for approval voting. In addition, progressives have raised concern about whether approval voting will give an outsized electoral say to wealthier and whiter primary voters due to its design, which can allow smaller, more homogenous groups of voters to choose both candidates that advance to the general election.

    Ranked choice voting is simple - voters rank candidates in order of preference, and can rank as many candidates as they choose without hurting the chances of their favored candidate. If there is no majority winner, meaning no candidate receives more than half of the first choices, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and any voter who picked that candidate as their top choice will have their next choice counted, until a majority winner emerges.

    Vote "Yes" on Question 1 and vote for Proposition 1B on Question 2 to bring ranked choice voting to Seattle primary elections. 

    We recommend voting Yes on Question 1 and voting for Proposition 1B on Question 2.

    More than ever before, voters are looking for meaningful choices in elections, with a strong desire to make campaigns less toxic and ensure that our voices are heard. To that end, two propositions appear on the ballot together this year: Seattle Propositions 1A and 1B. While both offer alternatives to the single-choice voting system currently used in Seattle primary elections, Proposition 1B, which offers ranked choice voting, is the most effective and most thoroughly tested method for increasing representation.

    This ballot measure first asks whether either of the propositions should be approved and second asks you to choose between the two, regardless of whether you believe either should be enacted. If the first question passes with a simple majority, the proposition with the most votes from the second question will be approved.

    Proposition 1A refers to Initiative Petition 134 to introduce "approval voting," a method by which voters vote for any and all candidates they approve of. In this system, the two candidates receiving the most total votes for office will continue on to the general election. Some community leaders have voiced concern over the legality of this system and whether it violates the one person, one vote principle. In places where this has been tried, some voters still choose to vote for one candidate so that they don't dilute support for their favorite candidate.

    Ranked choice voting is backed by much more extensive data and research than approval voting. Ranked choice voting has already been implemented in 26 U.S. cities and states, including New York City, Maine, Alaska, and many organizations and countries around the world, compared to just two cities - Fargo and St. Louis - for approval voting. In addition, progressives have raised concern about whether approval voting will give an outsized electoral say to wealthier and whiter primary voters due to its design, which can allow smaller, more homogenous groups of voters to choose both candidates that advance to the general election.

    Ranked choice voting is simple - voters rank candidates in order of preference, and can rank as many candidates as they choose without hurting the chances of their favored candidate. If there is no majority winner, meaning no candidate receives more than half of the first choices, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and any voter who picked that candidate as their top choice will have their next choice counted, until a majority winner emerges.

    Vote "Yes" on Question 1 and vote for Proposition 1B on Question 2 to bring ranked choice voting to Seattle primary elections. 

  • Endorsed By The Washington Bus, Fuse, Sierra Club, The Urbanist, Washington CAN!, Washington Conservation Action, FairVote Washington, King County Democrats, Washington Community Alliance