29th Legislative District

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.

Rep. Derek Kilmer is running for re-election in the 6th Congressional District. He is a moderate Democrat who is a reliable supporter of creating jobs, improving infrastructure, developing small businesses, expanding health care access, reforming campaign financing, and protecting Puget Sound.

In office this term, he voted for both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Build Back Better, President Biden's sweeping legislation to fund clean energy, child tax credits, and other progressive priorities. He also wrote the Tiny Homes for Veterans Act of 2021, which would establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to build tiny home villages for veterans experiencing homelessness. Now, Kilmer is running for re-election to continue helping middle-class families, creating living-wage jobs, and supporting small businesses that were hurt in the pandemic. He supported the Women's Health Protection Act and pledges to keep fighting to codify abortion rights in federal law.

Also in this race is former education researcher Elizabeth Kreiselmaier. She is running on a MAGA Republican platform that prioritizes dismantling the Affordable Care Act in the middle of a global pandemic, defunding Planned Parenthood, and removing equitable access to education by privatizing our schools. Kreiselmaier has promoted many far-right conspiracy theories, including supporting those seeking to overturn the will of the voters in the 2020 election to install Trump back in power.

Kilmer is the clear choice in this race to continue bringing steady leadership rooted in the district during these tumultuous times.

Rep. Marilyn Strickland is seeking re-election to Washington’s 10th District in the U.S. House. Strickland previously served as the mayor of Tacoma and on the city’s council before joining Congress in 2021, when she became the first African American and Korean American representative from Washington. She also formerly led both the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Pierce Transit.

In her years serving the public, Strickland has been a champion for working people in Washington and beyond. She has worked to lower the cost of prescription medicine, recover social security and veterans' benefits, and make corporations pay their share. Strickland also advocated for strong investments in public infrastructure like clean water, broadband, roadways, and parks. If re-elected, she will continue to fight for reproductive freedom, accessible health care, stable housing, and voting rights.

Keith Swank is a police officer and SWAT member who joined this race on a MAGA Republican platform to undo the progress Rep. Strickland has made. Swank is stoking fears by promising that our communities will be safer if we just put more people in our overcrowded prisons and send more militarized police forces into our neighborhoods. At the same time, he wants to oppose investments in affordable health care, food and gas, rent, and education that actually make our communities safer in order to favor wealthy corporations. In this campaign, he has criticized the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, parroted Trump's conspiracy theories, and defended the fossil fuel industry which continues to prioritize profits above the health of our planet and our families.

Strickland is the clear choice in this race.

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.

Sen. Steve Conway is running for re-election to the 29th Legislative District. He served for 18 years in the state House before moving to the Senate in 2011.

Conway is a longtime advocate for working people, including raising the minimum wage and improving access to union apprenticeships. In recent sessions, he has sponsored legislation to give first responders compensation for PTSD suffered while on the job as well as a wealth tax that would finally require Washington's extremely wealthy individuals to pay their share for the resources we all use.

His opponent is former Republican district leader Terry Harder, a perennial candidate who has run for office eight times since 2008. Harder's disjointed agenda displays some of the worst of recent conservative talking points, including MAGA rhetoric about increasing militarized police, reducing police accountability measures, and pushing fossil fuels. He also wants to repeal age-appropriate sexual health education for students, opposes changes to the tax code to make the ultrawealthy finally pay their share, and wants to reduce environmental regulations on carbon emissions. Harder's complete lack of policy details as of late October marks him as an unserious candidate for Legislature.

Sen. Steve Conway is the clear choice in this race.

Rep. Melanie Morgan is running for re-election for the 29th Legislative District, House Position 1. Morgan is an Army veteran who was elected to the Franklin-Pierce School Board in 2015 and worked with Young Life to create a mentorship group for young Black men, focusing on participation in STEM fields. Since 2018, she has been an advocate for representation and equity in Olympia where she has served as the deputy majority floor leader.

In previous legislative sessions, Morgan was the lead sponsor of legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination, preventing gun violence, and establishing the Washington State Office of Equity. More recently, Morgan helped ensure that $200 million was invested in the community for violence prevention programs, legal aid, and reentry support, especially for communities hurt by the war on drugs. Morgan has secured funding for a new Parkland/Spanaway homeless shelter, rental assistance, and charity care for those who need medical services but are struggling to afford them. As someone who has personally experienced homelessness, she was an important sponsor of this year's middle housing bill, which would have increased housing options around transit if passed.

We are concerned about recent reports that Morgan "engaged in abusive and bullying conduct" while in office. Leaders of the House Democrats are waiting for the completion of her appeal before taking any action.

Also in this race is Republican Brett Johnson, an Air Force veteran and sawmill and furniture business owner who has also served on the Sound Transit Citizen Oversight Panel, among other roles. Johnson also ran unsuccessfully last year against Kiara Daniels for Tacoma City Council,  As of late October, Johnson has still not released a detailed platform or list of priorities if elected. 

Voters deserve more transparency than Johnson has offered about how he would represent them in Olympia. Morgan has earned strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations and is the best choice in this race. 

Sharlett Mena is running for the open 29th Legislative District, House Position 2 seat. Though she lost after a formidable run in the 2020 election to the current representative, Steve Kirby, his retirement after 21 years in the Legislature brings a new opportunity for her impressive candidacy.

Mena has a deep background in both public service and community organizing. She currently serves as Special Assistant to the Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology and has also worked in the governor's office. She co-created Voter Turnup in 2021, an organization led by people of color to spur voter turnout and civic engagement. Notably, she also serves on the boards of Progreso, Planned Parenthood, and Fuse Washington, which produces this guide.

Mena wants to take bold action to combat the climate crisis equitably, reduce homelessness, invest in transportation, and increase affordable housing. She sees reforming our upside-down tax code to finally make the wealthy pay their share as a key to our state's future.

Running against Mena is nurse practitioner David Figuracion. He does not have elected or community leadership experience and is running on a standard conservative agenda. His campaign materials focus on stoking fears of lawlessness, repealing age-appropriate sexual health education, and opposing making the wealthy finally pay their share with legislation like the wealth tax. His only endorsement is one from an anti-choice PAC fighting against reproductive freedom for all Washingtonians.

Sharlett Mena has strong progressive credentials and is ready to hit the ground running in Olympia. She is the best choice in the 29th Legislative District.

Lakewood City Council member Linda Farmer is running for Pierce County auditor. Outside city council work, Farmer is the chief communications officer for the state’s Department of Enterprise Services and previously worked for the county library system. She is an active community leader serving on the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners board and Washington’s Sex Offender Policy Board.

Farmer is running to ensure the auditor’s office operates as efficiently and transparently as possible. She wants to expand voter access through increased drop box availability, multi-language services, and civic engagement education. Farmer also wants to modernize the office so that records and license services can be as quick and efficient as possible for residents.

Farmer is running against Deryl McCarty, the former deputy county auditor. He is a conservative who has the endorsement of the Pierce County Republican Party in this nonpartisan race. McCarty’s platform is based on MAGA conspiracies of election fraud and he dangerously stokes mistrust in our democratic institutions.

We recommend Linda Farmer in this race because of her experience in public service and her support from elected leaders.

Incumbent Pierce County prosecutor Mary Robnett is running unopposed for re-election. Robnett was first elected to the role in 2018 but has spent a combined total of 28 years in the county office and attorney general’s office. Before that, she worked in emergency dispatch. Now, she serves as board president of the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County.

Robnett is running to continue putting her experience to use to make Pierce County a safer place for everyone despite the effects of the opioid epidemic and a rise in felony cases. Though she is a nonpartisan candidate with support from both sides of the aisle and a more moderate platform, she has earned endorsements from a number of local Democratic organizations in this race.

Mary Robnett is a fair and committed public servant who will bring nonpartisan leadership as the Pierce County prosecuting attorney. She deserves your vote for another term.

Democrat Marty Campbell is seeking re-election to continue serving District 5 on the Pierce County Council. Before joining the county council in 2019, Campbell served on the Tacoma City Council, including time as the city’s deputy mayor. He has run two small businesses and previously chaired the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, which provides support for survivors of abuse and sexual violence.

If re-elected, Campbell wants to continue fighting for affordable housing, community safety, electric public transit, and essential services for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. He fought for federal small business support to help with the pandemic recovery and has been a strong advocate for investments in stable housing options in the county. He believes adding mental health professionals to law enforcement responses will make our communities safer. His vision is for everyone in the county to have access to stable housing, reliable public transportation, and living-wage jobs.

Republican Nancy Dailey Slotnick is challenging Campbell in this race. Slotnick is an Army veteran and owns a consulting business with her husband focused on security and risk assessment. She is running to cut the county budget, which will undermine working people’s access to prescription medications, health care services, food, and rent. However, she also lists giving more funding to law enforcement as her top priority in this race.

Marty Campbell is the best choice for District 5 on the Pierce County Council.

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.

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.

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.

Dee Sonntag is running for Tacoma Municipal Court, Position 1. Sonntag currently works as a lawyer with the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel in the felony division. Sonntag previously worked in the Seattle City attorney’s office, and outside of official public service, she is a co-founder and co-director of Lawyers Against Systemic Racism.

If elected, Sonntag would bring progressive, compassionate leadership to the criminal legal system. She has worked to improve the Felony Drug Court Program and believes that treatment and prevention approaches make our communities safer. In this race, Sonntag is endorsed by the county Democrats, a handful of local unions, and a number of progressive leaders.

The other candidate in this race is Reed Speir, an administrative law judge for the state Office of Administrative Hearings. Speir is in favor of investing in pretrial diversion and therapeutic courts to reduce costly and unnecessary incarceration as well as working to make the court more accessible to all community members, particularly through expanded hours.

Dee Sonntag would bring progressive and just leadership to the Tacoma Municipal Court. She deserves your vote to serve as a judge in Position 1.

Auburn city prosecutor Sergio Flores is running for judge in Tacoma Municipal Court, Position 3 to bring his experience in prosecuting and his community values to the bench. Previously, Flores worked as a Tacoma City prosecutor and earlier as the King County director to Senator Patty Murray. His experience as a gay Latino immigrant has guided his belief in the importance of courts and our legal system to ensure that we all have a fair chance to thrive.

Flores is running with a judicial philosophy built on collaboration, compassion, and accountability. He was a co-founder of the Auburn Community Court and one of his top campaign priorities is to invest in diversion and therapeutic programs and preventative social services that strike at the root causes of crime in our community. In doing so, he hopes to reduce costly and ineffective incarcerations for non-violent offenders while strengthening our community and giving people a second chance. Flores is endorsed by an impressive number of progressive and judicial leaders in this race.

The other candidate in this race is Steve Krupa, a civil legal aid and veterans project attorney with Northwest Justice Project. In addition to his work as an attorney, Krupa also serves as a pro tem judge for the court. He is running to bring that experience to the bench. Though he agrees with his opponent on the importance of diversion programs and alternative courts, he has not shared as clear of a platform for the community as Flores.

We recommend Sergio Flores in this race because of his progressive vision of justice and community safety.