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  • Democrat

    Emijah Smith

  • Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District. As a deeply rooted community organizer, 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 with Smith, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District inspired her to become an advocate for her community. After years of working with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, she 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.

    If elected, Smith wants to prioritize flexible after-school programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable child care. While Smith and Bulale share an emphasis on public education, Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Her experience in advocating for her own children in local district meetings - which led to bigger investments for marginalized students - is unique in this race.

    Among the candidates, Smith also had the most to say about combating gentrification 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.

    If you are looking for a candidate with the longest record of work in the community and who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and local knowledge, Smith is a great choice.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Emijah Smith

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District.

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District. As a deeply rooted community organizer, 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 with Smith, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District inspired her to become an advocate for her community. After years of working with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, she 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.

    If elected, Smith wants to prioritize flexible after-school programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable child care. While Smith and Bulale share an emphasis on public education, Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Her experience in advocating for her own children in local district meetings - which led to bigger investments for marginalized students - is unique in this race.

    Among the candidates, Smith also had the most to say about combating gentrification 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.

    If you are looking for a candidate with the longest record of work in the community and who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and local knowledge, Smith is a great choice.

    Emijah Smith

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th 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 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.

    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 higher 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 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.

    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 higher quality of life in Washington and beyond.

Other Candidates

Other Candidates - Tiffany Smiley

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.

Other Candidates - Tiffany Smiley

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.

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. 

     

    Jayapal is responsive to her constituents and has held over 100 town halls during her time in Congress. She is the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has been one of the strongest progressive advocates in Washington for the needs of all in this country. Pramila Jayapal has earned your vote.

    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. 

     

    Jayapal is responsive to her constituents and has held over 100 town halls during her time in Congress. She is the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has been one of the strongest progressive advocates in Washington for the needs of all in this country. Pramila Jayapal has earned your vote.

    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.

  • Endorsed By: Equal Rights Washington, OneAmerica Votes, The Stranger, Washington State Labor Council, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, League of Conservation Voters, NARAL, Black Lives Matter PAC, Everytown for Gun Safety Fund

Other Candidates

CD 7 other candidates

Jayapal faces three challengers this year. Republican Cliff Moon is an oceanographer who states that he's running against "political correctness" and for American freedom. His website is unavailable as of July 13.

CD 7 other candidates

Jayapal faces three challengers this year. Republican Cliff Moon is an oceanographer who states that he's running against "political correctness" and for American freedom. His website is unavailable as of July 13.

  • 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.

    Smith has been a reliable Democratic vote in Congress on issues from taxation to immigration reform. Last year, Smith supported both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Build Back Better, President Biden's more ambitious effort to fund clean energy, child tax credits, and other progressive priorities. Unlike some of his moderate colleagues, Smith sponsored both the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act last year. In previous years, he supported the pandemic relief package and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to dramatically increase accountability and transparency.

    Smith is the chair of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, having served on the committee since 1997. Some progressives, including his opponent Stephanie Gallardo, have criticized Smith for his more hawkish foreign policy stances. In this role, Smith wrote and introduced the annual defense spending bill, which reached a record $768 billion in 2022.

    Smith is running for re-election focused on creating jobs and expanding access to health care. He pledges to continue fighting for Medicare for All and wants to protect and expand Social Security.

    Smith's seniority and experience make him an influential voice for us in the other Washington. He's a good choice for steady, thoughtful leadership representing our communities.

    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.

    Smith has been a reliable Democratic vote in Congress on issues from taxation to immigration reform. Last year, Smith supported both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and Build Back Better, President Biden's more ambitious effort to fund clean energy, child tax credits, and other progressive priorities. Unlike some of his moderate colleagues, Smith sponsored both the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act last year. In previous years, he supported the pandemic relief package and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to dramatically increase accountability and transparency.

    Smith is the chair of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, having served on the committee since 1997. Some progressives, including his opponent Stephanie Gallardo, have criticized Smith for his more hawkish foreign policy stances. In this role, Smith wrote and introduced the annual defense spending bill, which reached a record $768 billion in 2022.

    Smith is running for re-election focused on creating jobs and expanding access to health care. He pledges to continue fighting for Medicare for All and wants to protect and expand Social Security.

    Smith's seniority and experience make him an influential voice for us in the other Washington. He's a good choice for steady, thoughtful leadership representing our communities.

    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.

  • Stephanie Gallardo is a progressive teacher and first-generation Chilean American challenging Rep. Smith this year. She lived on the University of Washington campus until she was 10 years old while her parents were finishing their education. She has taught history in the Tukwila School District and was elected to serve on the Washington Education Association board.

    Gallardo's lived experience has shaped her platform and campaign for office. She supports Rep. Jamaal Bowman's Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, which would invest billions in green retrofits for school buildings, hire hundreds of thousands of new educators, and improve accessibility on campuses. She would also back Sen. Cory Booker's legislation to provide comprehensive and medically accurate sexual health education for all students.

    Foreign policy is Gallardo's other top priority. During our interview, she stated that her family's escape from Chile as political refugees showed the danger of our country's "expansionist foreign policy." If elected, she would add her name to Rep. Jayapal's bill to prohibit the U.S. from aiding Saudi Arabia in their war with Yemen. She also wants to redirect some of the historically large defense budget that Smith writes to invest in education and fighting climate change. On community safety, Gallardo expressed support for revoking immunity for gun manufacturers, banning assault weapons, and prohibiting the military from transferring powerful equipment to law enforcement.

    Gallardo's platform and experience offer a clear contrast for voters looking for a progressive alternative, particularly on foreign policy, to Rep. Smith.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Stephanie Gallardo

    Stephanie Gallardo is a progressive teacher and first-generation Chilean American challenging Rep. Smith this year. She lived on the University of Washington campus until she was 10 years old while her parents were finishing their education.

    Stephanie Gallardo is a progressive teacher and first-generation Chilean American challenging Rep. Smith this year. She lived on the University of Washington campus until she was 10 years old while her parents were finishing their education. She has taught history in the Tukwila School District and was elected to serve on the Washington Education Association board.

    Gallardo's lived experience has shaped her platform and campaign for office. She supports Rep. Jamaal Bowman's Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, which would invest billions in green retrofits for school buildings, hire hundreds of thousands of new educators, and improve accessibility on campuses. She would also back Sen. Cory Booker's legislation to provide comprehensive and medically accurate sexual health education for all students.

    Foreign policy is Gallardo's other top priority. During our interview, she stated that her family's escape from Chile as political refugees showed the danger of our country's "expansionist foreign policy." If elected, she would add her name to Rep. Jayapal's bill to prohibit the U.S. from aiding Saudi Arabia in their war with Yemen. She also wants to redirect some of the historically large defense budget that Smith writes to invest in education and fighting climate change. On community safety, Gallardo expressed support for revoking immunity for gun manufacturers, banning assault weapons, and prohibiting the military from transferring powerful equipment to law enforcement.

    Gallardo's platform and experience offer a clear contrast for voters looking for a progressive alternative, particularly on foreign policy, to Rep. Smith.

    Stephanie Gallardo

    Stephanie Gallardo is a progressive teacher and first-generation Chilean American challenging Rep. Smith this year. She lived on the University of Washington campus until she was 10 years old while her parents were finishing their education.

  • Endorsed By: The Urbanist

Other Candidates

CD 9 Other Candidates - Doug Basler

This race also attracted a handful of conservative challengers to Smith. Sea Chan is a first-generation Chinese American and Navy veteran running on a relatively moderate platform.

CD 9 Other Candidates - Doug Basler

This race also attracted a handful of conservative challengers to Smith. Sea Chan is a first-generation Chinese American and Navy veteran running on a relatively moderate platform.

  • 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.

    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 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.

    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 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.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Julie Anderson

    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.

    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.

    Julie Anderson

    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.

  • Endorsed By: Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility
  • Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is running unopposed for re-election to continue representing Legislative District 37 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 Legislative District 37 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 Legislative District 37 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 Legislative District 37 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 Legislative District 37, 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 justice 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 Legislative District 37, 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 Legislative District 37, 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 justice 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 Legislative District 37, Position 1. Santos formerly worked in banking, politics, and nonprofit management before joining the Legislature in 1998.

  • Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District. As a deeply rooted community organizer, 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 with Smith, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District inspired her to become an advocate for her community. After years of working with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, she 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.

    If elected, Smith wants to prioritize flexible after-school programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable child care. While Smith and Bulale share an emphasis on public education, Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Her experience in advocating for her own children in local district meetings - which led to bigger investments for marginalized students - is unique in this race.

    Among the candidates, Smith also had the most to say about combating gentrification 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.

    If you are looking for a candidate with the longest record of work in the community and who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and local knowledge, Smith is a great choice.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Emijah Smith

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District.

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District. As a deeply rooted community organizer, 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 with Smith, she spoke of how the war on drugs in the Central District inspired her to become an advocate for her community. After years of working with the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, she 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.

    If elected, Smith wants to prioritize flexible after-school programs, access to addiction services, and truly affordable child care. While Smith and Bulale share an emphasis on public education, Smith has served as PTSA president and vice president of the Seattle Public Schools PTSA. Her experience in advocating for her own children in local district meetings - which led to bigger investments for marginalized students - is unique in this race.

    Among the candidates, Smith also had the most to say about combating gentrification 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.

    If you are looking for a candidate with the longest record of work in the community and who centers Black liberation, self-determination, and local knowledge, Smith is a great choice.

    Emijah Smith

    Emijah Smith's decades-long record of advocacy shows her commitment to the people of the 37th District.

  • Chipalo Street is running to improve education, expand economic opportunities, 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 Democratic Future, which trains up-and-coming Democratic civic leaders, and is the co-founder of the Teacher Scientist Partnership at Technology Access Foundation Academy, which teaches a computer science curriculum in south Seattle.

    In our interview with Street, he was unique among the candidates in his focus on technology education. 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 is also a landlord who believes that tenants and owners should work in partnership. He 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 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 in his small business, civic leadership, and values around housing.

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

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Chipalo Street

    Chipalo Street is running to improve education, expand economic opportunities, 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 to improve education, expand economic opportunities, 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 Democratic Future, which trains up-and-coming Democratic civic leaders, and is the co-founder of the Teacher Scientist Partnership at Technology Access Foundation Academy, which teaches a computer science curriculum in south Seattle.

    In our interview with Street, he was unique among the candidates in his focus on technology education. 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 is also a landlord who believes that tenants and owners should work in partnership. He 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 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 in his small business, civic leadership, and values around housing.

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

    Chipalo Street

    Chipalo Street is running to improve education, expand economic opportunities, and close the digital divide. He works in Microsoft's office of the CTO as a senior leader on emerging technology.

  • Endorsed By: The Stranger, The Urbanist
  • Flight attendant Andrew Ashiofu is running to bring relief to working people who have struggled before, during, and after the pandemic. As a frontline worker, he saw a 60 percent reduction in his income during the pandemic and wants to harness that experience to create more economic opportunities for families in the district and beyond. He serves on the King County HIV Planning Council, the Harborview Madison Clinic Community Advisory Board, and the Washington State Department of Health COVID Vaccine Implementation Council.

    Having experienced homelessness in his youth when he came out as gay and lost his job, Ashiofu agrees with his fellow candidates on many housing policies. Specifically, he opposes zoning laws that limit housing to single-family homes and he supports increasing housing choices near transit. He believes that a New Deal-sized housing plan should be the way forward in Washington and that the state should be looking beyond just shelters at this point and creating more homes with wraparound mental health services.

    In our interview with Ashiofu, he described how his experience as an HIV-positive patient exposed the flaws in our medical system. He saw the dangers of having health care be tied to our jobs and the limits on when free and reduced services can be accessed. Like other candidates in this race, Ashiofu is determined to invest in better mental health care, as well as health care that can be accessed no matter your race, job status, or what zip code you live in. Notable endorsements for Ashiofu include former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, Nicole Thomas Kennedy, and the King County Young Democrats.

    Ashiofu's focus and experience in healthcare stand out in this race. If you are looking for a candidate with lived experience around healthcare accessibility for intersectional communities and a determination to expand it, Ashiofu would be a good choice.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Andrew Ashiofu

    Flight attendant Andrew Ashiofu is running to bring relief to working people who have struggled before, during, and after the pandemic.

    Flight attendant Andrew Ashiofu is running to bring relief to working people who have struggled before, during, and after the pandemic. As a frontline worker, he saw a 60 percent reduction in his income during the pandemic and wants to harness that experience to create more economic opportunities for families in the district and beyond. He serves on the King County HIV Planning Council, the Harborview Madison Clinic Community Advisory Board, and the Washington State Department of Health COVID Vaccine Implementation Council.

    Having experienced homelessness in his youth when he came out as gay and lost his job, Ashiofu agrees with his fellow candidates on many housing policies. Specifically, he opposes zoning laws that limit housing to single-family homes and he supports increasing housing choices near transit. He believes that a New Deal-sized housing plan should be the way forward in Washington and that the state should be looking beyond just shelters at this point and creating more homes with wraparound mental health services.

    In our interview with Ashiofu, he described how his experience as an HIV-positive patient exposed the flaws in our medical system. He saw the dangers of having health care be tied to our jobs and the limits on when free and reduced services can be accessed. Like other candidates in this race, Ashiofu is determined to invest in better mental health care, as well as health care that can be accessed no matter your race, job status, or what zip code you live in. Notable endorsements for Ashiofu include former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, Nicole Thomas Kennedy, and the King County Young Democrats.

    Ashiofu's focus and experience in healthcare stand out in this race. If you are looking for a candidate with lived experience around healthcare accessibility for intersectional communities and a determination to expand it, Ashiofu would be a good choice.

    Andrew Ashiofu

    Flight attendant Andrew Ashiofu is running to bring relief to working people who have struggled before, during, and after the pandemic.

  • Adjunct professor Nimco Bulale is running to prioritize affordable housing and make education more inclusive for all students. As a refugee from Somalia and the child of a single mother, Bulale has emphasized the need for schools and social services to work for everyone, no matter what community you come from.

    Bulale has previously worked as a program director at the East African Community Services, a consultant for the city of Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and an education organizer with OneAmerica. She also serves on the executive board of the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission.

    As an expert in education policy, Bulale is an advocate for inclusive education, including bilingual education at the state level. In our interview, Bulale noted the many ways that overlapping identities affect the district's residents. For many, housing is only affordable in intergenerational households, childcare providers are predominantly immigrant women, and many Black families are being pushed out of the majority of zip codes in major cities due to unaffordability. If elected, Bulale wants to address all this and more with a commitment to increasing green jobs, preventing the exploitation of working people and making communities safer with more laws for gun violence prevention. Her notable endorsements include a sole recommendation from the 37th District Democrats and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

    If you are looking for a candidate with direct experience advocating for immigrant communities and education policy, Bulale would be a great choice.

    Last updated: 2023-04-05

    Nimco Bulale

    Adjunct professor Nimco Bulale is running to prioritize affordable housing and make education more inclusive for all students.

    Adjunct professor Nimco Bulale is running to prioritize affordable housing and make education more inclusive for all students. As a refugee from Somalia and the child of a single mother, Bulale has emphasized the need for schools and social services to work for everyone, no matter what community you come from.

    Bulale has previously worked as a program director at the East African Community Services, a consultant for the city of Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and an education organizer with OneAmerica. She also serves on the executive board of the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission.

    As an expert in education policy, Bulale is an advocate for inclusive education, including bilingual education at the state level. In our interview, Bulale noted the many ways that overlapping identities affect the district's residents. For many, housing is only affordable in intergenerational households, childcare providers are predominantly immigrant women, and many Black families are being pushed out of the majority of zip codes in major cities due to unaffordability. If elected, Bulale wants to address all this and more with a commitment to increasing green jobs, preventing the exploitation of working people and making communities safer with more laws for gun violence prevention. Her notable endorsements include a sole recommendation from the 37th District Democrats and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

    If you are looking for a candidate with direct experience advocating for immigrant communities and education policy, Bulale would be a great choice.

    Nimco Bulale

    Adjunct professor Nimco Bulale is running to prioritize affordable housing and make education more inclusive for all students.