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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2022 primary election! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
Federal
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 higher 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, pass abortion rights 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. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.
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 higher 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, pass abortion rights 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. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.
Other Candidates
Sen. Murray faces more than a dozen challengers this year. The most prominent among them is 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 platform aims to divide us while she cuts funding from our most essential services and repurposes 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. Murray faces more than a dozen challengers this year. The most prominent among them is 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 platform aims to divide us while she cuts funding from our most essential services and repurposes 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.
3rd Congressional District
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to represent Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Perez identifies as a working-class Washingtonian and she co-owns a family auto repair shop with her husband. She also serves as the executive director of the Stevenson Downtown Association, which is a part of the Main Street America coalition to bring economic vitality to all communities. Additionally, Perez serves as an elected member of the Underwood Soil and Water Conservation District board.
Perez is running on a progressive platform to champion the needs of working families and improve the quality of life for all her constituents, particularly those in rural areas. As a working mom and small business owner, she is especially passionate about making health care and child care more accessible to all Americans. If elected, she also wants to protect reproductive freedom, represent the needs of rural residents, invest in clean energy, strengthen workers’ rights, and address the rising cost of living so that we can all afford the basics like rent, gas, and groceries.
Perez is the clear choice in this crowded race. She deserves your vote to represent the 3rd Congressional District and fight for progressive change at the federal level.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to represent Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Perez identifies as a working-class Washingtonian and she co-owns a family auto repair shop with her husband. She also serves as the executive director of the Stevenson Downtown Association, which is a part of the Main Street America coalition to bring economic vitality to all communities. Additionally, Perez serves as an elected member of the Underwood Soil and Water Conservation District board.
Perez is running on a progressive platform to champion the needs of working families and improve the quality of life for all her constituents, particularly those in rural areas. As a working mom and small business owner, she is especially passionate about making health care and child care more accessible to all Americans. If elected, she also wants to protect reproductive freedom, represent the needs of rural residents, invest in clean energy, strengthen workers’ rights, and address the rising cost of living so that we can all afford the basics like rent, gas, and groceries.
Perez is the clear choice in this crowded race. She deserves your vote to represent the 3rd Congressional District and fight for progressive change at the federal level.
Other Candidates
This race has attracted several of the most extreme Republicans on the ballot this year challenging Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who is seeking her seventh term in the seat.
Herrera Beutler is a conservative Republican who voted with Trump more than 80 percent of the time. Despite taking a few key votes to appear more moderate, Herrera Beutler is actually very conservative. She has stated she wants to overturn the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to millions of Americans. Herrera Beutler was also the only member of Congress from Washington to support the Trump administration's cruel immigration bill and she refused to vote for the Voting Rights Advancement Act. Despite this very conservative record, numerous Republicans have challenged her because of her vote to impeach Donald Trump after the January 6th insurrection.
Joe Kent is Trump’s pick to represent the 3rd Congressional District and he is running on a divisive, MAGA platform. Kent is an Army veteran and a frequent Tucker Carlson Tonight show guest who lists impeaching President Biden and Vice President Harris as one of his top priorities in this race. He joins some of the most far-right candidates across the country who want to steal power and undermine American voters through the lie that the 2020 election results were fraudulent. Now, he is running to challenge an incumbent from his own party who Kent thinks is not extreme enough.
Also running is Republican state Rep. Vicki Kraft. She worked for the virulently anti-worker Freedom Foundation and spent the early months of the pandemic trying to remove state health safety measures months before public health experts said it was safe. Kraft also has one of the most far-right voting records in the state House. She was a leading opponent of comprehensive sex education and broader vaccination of students. Kraft is zealously opposed to abortion and voted against legislation requiring insurance companies to cover all reproductive health care. Kraft has been a loud proponent of conspiracy theories that seek to overturn the will of the people in the 2020 election.
Heidi St. John is another Republican challenger in this race who runs a Bible-based homeschooling business. Her right-wing agenda includes divisive rhetoric and typical conservative positions against reproductive freedom and gun violence prevention. Leslie French is a MAGA Republican and gymnastics gym owner who is campaigning to cast doubt on election results that don’t favor Republicans with conspiracy theories and extremist lies.
There are several other candidates running in this crowded race. Davy Ray is a moderate Democrat and planning commissioner for the city of Stevenson who is running to protect democracy and ensure that all Americans have a real chance to succeed, not just the wealthy. Oliver Black, a high school teacher, is running with the American Solidarity Party on a platform to support workers’ rights, take action on climate change, and protect our democracy from corporate influence. Unfortunately, Black wants to take away Washingtonian’s freedom to decide whether and when we grow our families by opposing our right to abortion. Social studies teacher and Independent Chris Byrd is in this race to critique the political climate of Congress. However, Byrd doesn’t have any concrete policy suggestions for making Washington a better place for us all to live and work.
This race has attracted several of the most extreme Republicans on the ballot this year challenging Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, who is seeking her seventh term in the seat.
Herrera Beutler is a conservative Republican who voted with Trump more than 80 percent of the time. Despite taking a few key votes to appear more moderate, Herrera Beutler is actually very conservative. She has stated she wants to overturn the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to millions of Americans. Herrera Beutler was also the only member of Congress from Washington to support the Trump administration's cruel immigration bill and she refused to vote for the Voting Rights Advancement Act. Despite this very conservative record, numerous Republicans have challenged her because of her vote to impeach Donald Trump after the January 6th insurrection.
Joe Kent is Trump’s pick to represent the 3rd Congressional District and he is running on a divisive, MAGA platform. Kent is an Army veteran and a frequent Tucker Carlson Tonight show guest who lists impeaching President Biden and Vice President Harris as one of his top priorities in this race. He joins some of the most far-right candidates across the country who want to steal power and undermine American voters through the lie that the 2020 election results were fraudulent. Now, he is running to challenge an incumbent from his own party who Kent thinks is not extreme enough.
Also running is Republican state Rep. Vicki Kraft. She worked for the virulently anti-worker Freedom Foundation and spent the early months of the pandemic trying to remove state health safety measures months before public health experts said it was safe. Kraft also has one of the most far-right voting records in the state House. She was a leading opponent of comprehensive sex education and broader vaccination of students. Kraft is zealously opposed to abortion and voted against legislation requiring insurance companies to cover all reproductive health care. Kraft has been a loud proponent of conspiracy theories that seek to overturn the will of the people in the 2020 election.
Heidi St. John is another Republican challenger in this race who runs a Bible-based homeschooling business. Her right-wing agenda includes divisive rhetoric and typical conservative positions against reproductive freedom and gun violence prevention. Leslie French is a MAGA Republican and gymnastics gym owner who is campaigning to cast doubt on election results that don’t favor Republicans with conspiracy theories and extremist lies.
There are several other candidates running in this crowded race. Davy Ray is a moderate Democrat and planning commissioner for the city of Stevenson who is running to protect democracy and ensure that all Americans have a real chance to succeed, not just the wealthy. Oliver Black, a high school teacher, is running with the American Solidarity Party on a platform to support workers’ rights, take action on climate change, and protect our democracy from corporate influence. Unfortunately, Black wants to take away Washingtonian’s freedom to decide whether and when we grow our families by opposing our right to abortion. Social studies teacher and Independent Chris Byrd is in this race to critique the political climate of Congress. However, Byrd doesn’t have any concrete policy suggestions for making Washington a better place for us all to live and work.
Statewide
There are two good candidates running for secretary of state who would bring different priorities and professional experience to the job: Steve Hobbs and Julie Anderson. Both are committed to increasing voter participation. Hobbs has earned the support of more elected officials and Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations.
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 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 more conservative on taxes, environmental issues, and workers' rights.
During his first eight 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 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 many things re-open from the pandemic, 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. He is particularly 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.
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 national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.
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 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 more conservative on taxes, environmental issues, and workers' rights.
During his first eight 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 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 many things re-open from the pandemic, 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. He is particularly 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.
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 national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.
Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as a nonpartisan candidate to bring an independent 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 as a nonpartisan candidate 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 nonpartisan, 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.
While Hobbs spoke more about using cybersecurity to protect our elections, Anderson leaned on her professional expertise to describe ways to expand our democracy. She believes, for example, that the state should redouble its efforts to reach voters with disabilities. By using a secure, expert-vetted electronic ballot similar to those used for overseas military voters, Anderson sees a path forward to reach those who don't always have access to vote.
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. She supports grants for local jurisdictions that are interested in trying ranked choice voting so that it's not unduly expensive for local governments, and so that auditors can learn more about how to manage and implement it.
Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for an independent to administer our state's elections.
Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as a nonpartisan candidate to bring an independent 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 as a nonpartisan candidate 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 nonpartisan, 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.
While Hobbs spoke more about using cybersecurity to protect our elections, Anderson leaned on her professional expertise to describe ways to expand our democracy. She believes, for example, that the state should redouble its efforts to reach voters with disabilities. By using a secure, expert-vetted electronic ballot similar to those used for overseas military voters, Anderson sees a path forward to reach those who don't always have access to vote.
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. She supports grants for local jurisdictions that are interested in trying ranked choice voting so that it's not unduly expensive for local governments, and so that auditors can learn more about how to manage and implement it.
Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for an independent to administer our state's elections.
Other Candidates
Hobbs and Anderson face a handful of other candidates that includes some of the most extreme people on the ballot in Washington this year.
Former Republican state legislator Republican Mark Miloscia is running for office again after losing his race for state auditor in 2016. Until recently, Miloscia was the executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, where he advocated for hardline policies against marriage equality and reproductive freedom. Miloscia's public statements have become unhinged in recent years, including describing Democrats, the news media, and public colleges as minions of Satan. He has also promoted election conspiracies that seek to overturn the will of the people.
Republican Keith Wagoner is running for secretary of state because he believes the state needs balance in parties among the statewide elected officials. Wagoner does not appear to be running a robust campaign.
Former Berniecrat Tamborine Borrelli is now running for office under the "American First (R)" party label. She has fully embraced the most dangerous conspiracy theories about the 2020 election that seek to overturn the will of the people.
Bob Hagglund leads the 39th District Republicans and is running to eliminate mail-in voting and require picture ID to vote. Democrat Marques Tiggs and "Union" party member Kurtis Engle do not appear to be running competitive campaigns.
Hobbs and Anderson face a handful of other candidates that includes some of the most extreme people on the ballot in Washington this year.
Former Republican state legislator Republican Mark Miloscia is running for office again after losing his race for state auditor in 2016. Until recently, Miloscia was the executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, where he advocated for hardline policies against marriage equality and reproductive freedom. Miloscia's public statements have become unhinged in recent years, including describing Democrats, the news media, and public colleges as minions of Satan. He has also promoted election conspiracies that seek to overturn the will of the people.
Republican Keith Wagoner is running for secretary of state because he believes the state needs balance in parties among the statewide elected officials. Wagoner does not appear to be running a robust campaign.
Former Berniecrat Tamborine Borrelli is now running for office under the "American First (R)" party label. She has fully embraced the most dangerous conspiracy theories about the 2020 election that seek to overturn the will of the people.
Bob Hagglund leads the 39th District Republicans and is running to eliminate mail-in voting and require picture ID to vote. Democrat Marques Tiggs and "Union" party member Kurtis Engle do not appear to be running competitive campaigns.
20th Legislative District
Republican incumbent Rep. Peter Abbarno is running for re-election to continue representing the 20th Legislative District in House Position 1. Abbarno is an attorney who has pushed a conservative agenda in the Legislature since joining in 2021. Recently, he opposed bills to reduce our state’s carbon emissions and prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines. Now Abbarno is running on the NRA-backed message that further arming our citizens is the only way to prevent gun violence. If re-elected, he will work to cut funding to social services and public infrastructure and take our state backward on police accountability.
Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for this race.
Republican incumbent Rep. Peter Abbarno is running for re-election to continue representing the 20th Legislative District in House Position 1. Abbarno is an attorney who has pushed a conservative agenda in the Legislature since joining in 2021. Recently, he opposed bills to reduce our state’s carbon emissions and prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines. Now Abbarno is running on the NRA-backed message that further arming our citizens is the only way to prevent gun violence. If re-elected, he will work to cut funding to social services and public infrastructure and take our state backward on police accountability.
Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for this race.
Republican Rep. Ed Orcutt is a forestry consultant running for re-election to House Position 2 in the 20th Legislative District.
In office, Orcutt has been an obstacle to reforming Washington’s upside-down tax code. He is a strong opponent of police accountability efforts in our state and recently voted against a bill to establish independent investigations of deadly use of force. If re-elected to an 11th term, Orcutt will continue to advocate for cutting funding for social services and public infrastructure projects while prioritizing private sector interests.
Write in a more progressive candidate of choice in this race.
Republican Rep. Ed Orcutt is a forestry consultant running for re-election to House Position 2 in the 20th Legislative District.
In office, Orcutt has been an obstacle to reforming Washington’s upside-down tax code. He is a strong opponent of police accountability efforts in our state and recently voted against a bill to establish independent investigations of deadly use of force. If re-elected to an 11th term, Orcutt will continue to advocate for cutting funding for social services and public infrastructure projects while prioritizing private sector interests.
Write in a more progressive candidate of choice in this race.
There are two good candidates running for secretary of state who would bring different priorities and professional experience to the job: Steve Hobbs and Julie Anderson. Both are committed to increasing voter participation. Hobbs has earned the support of more elected officials and Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations.