12th Legislative District
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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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
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
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
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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Congress
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below congressional districts on your ballot.
1st Congressional District
Rep. Suzan DelBene is running for re-election to the U.S. House representing Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Since first being elected in 2012, DelBene has been a champion for working families, small businesses, and data privacy and consumer protections. This year, she served as the chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, a 98-member congressional caucus that seeks to find solutions that bring Democrats and Republicans together. She brings private sector experience from her background in tech, working at Microsoft early on and then leading a number of local startups.
DelBene has been a staunch advocate for bills in the U.S. House to help Washingtonians and the rest of our country achieve stable housing, living affordability, family-wage jobs, and accessible health care. She has leveraged her tech background to balance consumer rights with innovation to create protections that benefit us all. DelBene was a key legislator in getting the Child Tax Credit passed and leads the effort to expand it going forward in order to keep putting cash back in the hands of working families and reducing child poverty across the country. She also recently supported the bipartisan infrastructure law which sent federal funding to Washington to upgrade public roads, ports, broadband, and more. Now, she is running to keep protecting social security, medicare, reproductive freedom, and community investments that help Americans afford the basics.
DelBene is a pragmatic and hardworking Democratic leader who will continue to make progress at the federal level if she is re-elected. She deserves your vote to represent Washington’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Rep. Suzan DelBene is running for re-election to the U.S. House representing Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Since first being elected in 2012, DelBene has been a champion for working families, small businesses, and data privacy and consumer protections. This year, she served as the chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, a 98-member congressional caucus that seeks to find solutions that bring Democrats and Republicans together. She brings private sector experience from her background in tech, working at Microsoft early on and then leading a number of local startups.
DelBene has been a staunch advocate for bills in the U.S. House to help Washingtonians and the rest of our country achieve stable housing, living affordability, family-wage jobs, and accessible health care. She has leveraged her tech background to balance consumer rights with innovation to create protections that benefit us all. DelBene was a key legislator in getting the Child Tax Credit passed and leads the effort to expand it going forward in order to keep putting cash back in the hands of working families and reducing child poverty across the country. She also recently supported the bipartisan infrastructure law which sent federal funding to Washington to upgrade public roads, ports, broadband, and more. Now, she is running to keep protecting social security, medicare, reproductive freedom, and community investments that help Americans afford the basics.
DelBene is a pragmatic and hardworking Democratic leader who will continue to make progress at the federal level if she is re-elected. She deserves your vote to represent Washington’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Rep. Suzan DelBene is running for re-election to the U.S. House representing Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Since first being elected in 2012, DelBene has been a champion for working families, small businesses, and data privacy and consumer protections. This year, she served as the chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, a 98-member congressional caucus that seeks to find solutions that bring Democrats and Republicans together. She brings private sector experience from her background in tech, working at Microsoft early on and then leading a number of local startups.
DelBene has been a staunch advocate for bills in the U.S. House to help Washingtonians and the rest of our country achieve stable housing, living affordability, family-wage jobs, and accessible health care. She has leveraged her tech background to balance consumer rights with innovation to create protections that benefit us all. DelBene was a key legislator in getting the Child Tax Credit passed and leads the effort to expand it going forward in order to keep putting cash back in the hands of working families and reducing child poverty across the country. She also recently supported the bipartisan infrastructure law which sent federal funding to Washington to upgrade public roads, ports, broadband, and more. Now, she is running to keep protecting social security, medicare, reproductive freedom, and community investments that help Americans afford the basics.
DelBene is a pragmatic and hardworking Democratic leader who will continue to make progress at the federal level if she is re-elected. She deserves your vote to represent Washington’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Other Candidates
DelBene has four conservative challengers in this race. Tom Spears, a marine veteran and general contractor, is running without party affiliation on a conservative platform to threaten reproductive freedom, withdraw funding from community investments, pour more money into defense spending, and oppose efforts to make our country more equitable.
Mill Creek City Council member and sheriff deputy Vincent Cavaleri wants to expand militarized police forces and send more people to Washington’s expensive and overpopulated prisons. Instead of Cavaleri's failed positions, we need greater investments in community solutions that compassionately address addiction, housing insecurity, and mental health so that we can all thrive.
Derek Chartrand is another Republican candidate in this race who works as a regional manufacturing representative and former president of the Washington Trucking Association. He has run for the 1st Congressional District seat before and is in this race to block progress in Congress.
Matthew Heines, a veteran and local author, is the final candidate in this race. Heines is running on an extremist, divisive, and conspiracy-driven platform that ignores the most pressing needs of 1st Congressional District residents and instead focuses on far-fetched narratives of corruption. Earlier this year, he challenged Gov. Inslee to a “duel” at his own rally to arrest the governor.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
DelBene has four conservative challengers in this race. Tom Spears, a marine veteran and general contractor, is running without party affiliation on a conservative platform to threaten reproductive freedom, withdraw funding from community investments, pour more money into defense spending, and oppose efforts to make our country more equitable.
Mill Creek City Council member and sheriff deputy Vincent Cavaleri wants to expand militarized police forces and send more people to Washington’s expensive and overpopulated prisons. Instead of Cavaleri's failed positions, we need greater investments in community solutions that compassionately address addiction, housing insecurity, and mental health so that we can all thrive.
Derek Chartrand is another Republican candidate in this race who works as a regional manufacturing representative and former president of the Washington Trucking Association. He has run for the 1st Congressional District seat before and is in this race to block progress in Congress.
Matthew Heines, a veteran and local author, is the final candidate in this race. Heines is running on an extremist, divisive, and conspiracy-driven platform that ignores the most pressing needs of 1st Congressional District residents and instead focuses on far-fetched narratives of corruption. Earlier this year, he challenged Gov. Inslee to a “duel” at his own rally to arrest the governor.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
8th Congressional District
Dr. Kim Schrier is seeking re-election to her seat in the U.S. House representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Before serving two terms in Congress, she worked as a pediatrician and ran a local pediatric practice in Issaquah caring for kids and families across the region.
Elected in 2018 as the first Democrat to hold the seat, Schrier has consistently brought her community values and professional health expertise to Congress. Unlike her Republican opponents, Schrier would support a federal law protecting reproductive freedom for all Americans. This term, Schrier supported the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will provide essential funding to improve local roads and bridges, as well as $19 million dollars for pedestrian safety projects in the 8th District alone. She also voted for Build Back Better, which would provide funding for early education, extend the child tax credit, reduce the cost of child care, and combat climate change. If re-elected, Schrier wants to prioritize the everyday needs of working families as well as be a compelling changemaker on public health issues like affordable prescriptions, gun violence prevention, clean air, and fresh groceries.
Schrier has been a standout member of Congress working across party lines to get things done for her district. She has earned your vote for re-election.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Dr. Kim Schrier is seeking re-election to her seat in the U.S. House representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Before serving two terms in Congress, she worked as a pediatrician and ran a local pediatric practice in Issaquah caring for kids and families across the region.
Elected in 2018 as the first Democrat to hold the seat, Schrier has consistently brought her community values and professional health expertise to Congress. Unlike her Republican opponents, Schrier would support a federal law protecting reproductive freedom for all Americans. This term, Schrier supported the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will provide essential funding to improve local roads and bridges, as well as $19 million dollars for pedestrian safety projects in the 8th District alone. She also voted for Build Back Better, which would provide funding for early education, extend the child tax credit, reduce the cost of child care, and combat climate change. If re-elected, Schrier wants to prioritize the everyday needs of working families as well as be a compelling changemaker on public health issues like affordable prescriptions, gun violence prevention, clean air, and fresh groceries.
Schrier has been a standout member of Congress working across party lines to get things done for her district. She has earned your vote for re-election.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Dr. Kim Schrier is seeking re-election to her seat in the U.S. House representing Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Before serving two terms in Congress, she worked as a pediatrician and ran a local pediatric practice in Issaquah caring for kids and families across the region.
Elected in 2018 as the first Democrat to hold the seat, Schrier has consistently brought her community values and professional health expertise to Congress. Unlike her Republican opponents, Schrier would support a federal law protecting reproductive freedom for all Americans. This term, Schrier supported the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will provide essential funding to improve local roads and bridges, as well as $19 million dollars for pedestrian safety projects in the 8th District alone. She also voted for Build Back Better, which would provide funding for early education, extend the child tax credit, reduce the cost of child care, and combat climate change. If re-elected, Schrier wants to prioritize the everyday needs of working families as well as be a compelling changemaker on public health issues like affordable prescriptions, gun violence prevention, clean air, and fresh groceries.
Schrier has been a standout member of Congress working across party lines to get things done for her district. She has earned your vote for re-election.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Other Candidates
This race has attracted a slate of Republicans who are all running to win the support of the conservative base in the primary.
Republican King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn is challenging Schrier for the seat his mother once held. Over the last 17 years, Dunn has been a consistent obstacle to progress on the council. This May, Dunn cast the sole “no” vote on a resolution expressing the council's opposition to overturning Roe v. Wade and support for abortion rights. During the height of the pandemic, Dunn voted against hazard pay for essential workers and opposed protections for renters who were on the verge of losing their homes.
Republican Jesse Jensen is running to challenge Rep. Schrier for a second time. He is an Army veteran and works at a national real estate software corporation. Jensen’s divisive campaign priorities include tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, dehumanizing border policies, and inaccurate school curriculums that erase some of us from the history books. Jensen wants to cut the community investments that help keep working families afloat and improve the quality of life for us all.
Also in this race is former Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Matt Larkin. Like Jensen, Larkin is running on a MAGA Republican platform to erase Washington’s diverse communities from our students’ history books, increase the militarization and reach of police forces into our neighborhoods, and scapegoat those struggling the most in our communities instead of supporting policies that help us meet our basic needs and have the chance to succeed.
At this critical moment for reproductive freedom, our economy, and our country, these extreme Republicans would drag our district backward instead of bringing us together to find common solutions.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
This race has attracted a slate of Republicans who are all running to win the support of the conservative base in the primary.
Republican King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn is challenging Schrier for the seat his mother once held. Over the last 17 years, Dunn has been a consistent obstacle to progress on the council. This May, Dunn cast the sole “no” vote on a resolution expressing the council's opposition to overturning Roe v. Wade and support for abortion rights. During the height of the pandemic, Dunn voted against hazard pay for essential workers and opposed protections for renters who were on the verge of losing their homes.
Republican Jesse Jensen is running to challenge Rep. Schrier for a second time. He is an Army veteran and works at a national real estate software corporation. Jensen’s divisive campaign priorities include tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, dehumanizing border policies, and inaccurate school curriculums that erase some of us from the history books. Jensen wants to cut the community investments that help keep working families afloat and improve the quality of life for us all.
Also in this race is former Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Matt Larkin. Like Jensen, Larkin is running on a MAGA Republican platform to erase Washington’s diverse communities from our students’ history books, increase the militarization and reach of police forces into our neighborhoods, and scapegoat those struggling the most in our communities instead of supporting policies that help us meet our basic needs and have the chance to succeed.
At this critical moment for reproductive freedom, our economy, and our country, these extreme Republicans would drag our district backward instead of bringing us together to find common solutions.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
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
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
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
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
Endorsed By: Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility
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
Endorsed By: Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility
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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
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.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
12th Legislative District
Republican Rep. Keith Goehner is running for re-election to Position 1 representing the 12th Legislative District.
First elected in 2018, Rep. Goehner has pursued a typically conservative agenda of cutting social services and decreasing investment in public infrastructure, even in times of community need. This past session, he opposed the historic Move Ahead Washington plan proposed by Democrats to upgrade transportation infrastructure while making it more accessible to all. If re-elected, he wants to take our state backward on police accountability efforts and prioritize businesses above people.
In this race with no progressive option, write in a candidate of your choice for Legislative District 12, Position 1.
Republican Rep. Keith Goehner is running for re-election to Position 1 representing the 12th Legislative District.
First elected in 2018, Rep. Goehner has pursued a typically conservative agenda of cutting social services and decreasing investment in public infrastructure, even in times of community need. This past session, he opposed the historic Move Ahead Washington plan proposed by Democrats to upgrade transportation infrastructure while making it more accessible to all. If re-elected, he wants to take our state backward on police accountability efforts and prioritize businesses above people.
In this race with no progressive option, write in a candidate of your choice for Legislative District 12, Position 1.
There are no good choices on the ballot for Position 2 in the 12th Legislative District. Conservative Rep. Mike Steele is running for re-election to the position he has held since 2017. Outside the Legislature, he serves as the executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce.
This session, Steele voted alongside his fellow Republicans to block progress on climate solutions and commonsense gun legislation. Earlier this year, he worked to exclude youth members of the Washington State Board of Education from voting on board members.
Republican Robert Amenn served on the Gold Bar City Council in 2003 and lost his bid for mayor of Gold Bar in 2005. His website is inoperable as of mid-July and his sole priority is to usher in a conservative majority in Olympia.
Write in a progressive candidate of your choice for the 12th Legislative District, Position 2.
There are no good choices on the ballot for Position 2 in the 12th Legislative District. Conservative Rep. Mike Steele is running for re-election to the position he has held since 2017. Outside the Legislature, he serves as the executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce.
This session, Steele voted alongside his fellow Republicans to block progress on climate solutions and commonsense gun legislation. Earlier this year, he worked to exclude youth members of the Washington State Board of Education from voting on board members.
Republican Robert Amenn served on the Gold Bar City Council in 2003 and lost his bid for mayor of Gold Bar in 2005. His website is inoperable as of mid-July and his sole priority is to usher in a conservative majority in Olympia.
Write in a progressive candidate of your choice for the 12th Legislative District, Position 2.
Snohomish County
Depending on where you live, you may have the below county races on your ballot.
Jason Cummings is running to serve Snohomish County as the county prosecuting attorney. Cummings has worked in the Snohomish County prosecutor’s office since 1999 and, for the last 14 years, has been the chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney there. He has spent his free time in a number of community leadership positions including as president of the Imagine Children’s Museum board.
Cummings wants to lead the prosecutor’s office with transparency and integrity. As a lead on the Data Collective Initiative, he also has a strong focus on understanding racial and ethnic disparities in Snohomish so that the prosecuting office can deliver equitable and accurate legal services for all residents. In this race, Cummings has received many local and statewide endorsements to bring his extensive experience and a strong sense of justice to the seat.
Brett Rogers is a lawyer and former Seattle Police Department officer who is also running for prosecuting attorney. Like many of his fellow Republicans, Rogers wants to use police, jails, and prisons as a catchall solution for the social issues facing our communities, which is both more expensive and less effective. His views on crime and punishment echo antiquated, right-wing beliefs that don’t make our communities safer.
Jason Cummings is the best choice in this race. He deserves your vote for Snohomish County prosecuting attorney.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Jason Cummings is running to serve Snohomish County as the county prosecuting attorney. Cummings has worked in the Snohomish County prosecutor’s office since 1999 and, for the last 14 years, has been the chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney there. He has spent his free time in a number of community leadership positions including as president of the Imagine Children’s Museum board.
Cummings wants to lead the prosecutor’s office with transparency and integrity. As a lead on the Data Collective Initiative, he also has a strong focus on understanding racial and ethnic disparities in Snohomish so that the prosecuting office can deliver equitable and accurate legal services for all residents. In this race, Cummings has received many local and statewide endorsements to bring his extensive experience and a strong sense of justice to the seat.
Brett Rogers is a lawyer and former Seattle Police Department officer who is also running for prosecuting attorney. Like many of his fellow Republicans, Rogers wants to use police, jails, and prisons as a catchall solution for the social issues facing our communities, which is both more expensive and less effective. His views on crime and punishment echo antiquated, right-wing beliefs that don’t make our communities safer.
Jason Cummings is the best choice in this race. He deserves your vote for Snohomish County prosecuting attorney.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Jason Cummings is running to serve Snohomish County as the county prosecuting attorney. Cummings has worked in the Snohomish County prosecutor’s office since 1999 and, for the last 14 years, has been the chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney there. He has spent his free time in a number of community leadership positions including as president of the Imagine Children’s Museum board.
Cummings wants to lead the prosecutor’s office with transparency and integrity. As a lead on the Data Collective Initiative, he also has a strong focus on understanding racial and ethnic disparities in Snohomish so that the prosecuting office can deliver equitable and accurate legal services for all residents. In this race, Cummings has received many local and statewide endorsements to bring his extensive experience and a strong sense of justice to the seat.
Brett Rogers is a lawyer and former Seattle Police Department officer who is also running for prosecuting attorney. Like many of his fellow Republicans, Rogers wants to use police, jails, and prisons as a catchall solution for the social issues facing our communities, which is both more expensive and less effective. His views on crime and punishment echo antiquated, right-wing beliefs that don’t make our communities safer.
Jason Cummings is the best choice in this race. He deserves your vote for Snohomish County prosecuting attorney.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Snohomish County Public Utilities
Gold Bar City Council member Jordan Sears is running on a climate-focused platform for Snohomish County PUD commissioner in District 3. Sears is an openly LGBTQ+ candidate and became the youngest city council member in the state when he was first appointed in 2019. Last year, voters elected him to retain the city council seat and, outside of the office, Sears works for a credit union and serves as president for the local Democrats.
Sears is running to prioritize working families and climate solutions as PUD commissioner. His platform is progressive and responsive to the most pressing environmental concerns of the district, including investing in energy alternatives, beginning the process to remove the snake river dams, and connecting with schools to build environmental learning. Sears also wants to make sure that the office has the funding it needs to carry out its responsibilities and continue leading on climate action. He has earned endorsements from environmental, progressive, and Democratic groups and elected officials in this race.
Incumbent commissioner Tanya (Toni) Olson is running to continue serving District 3 on the county PUD. Olson has been in this seat for 18 years and also serves as a member of the American Public Power Association and Northwest Public Power Council. She does not share the same progressive vision as Sears for the office.
The other candidate in this race is Ken Maertens, a Navy veteran and mechanical engineer. Maertens says that one of the reasons he is running for this seat is that “[he has] time on my hands.” His platform emphasizes the ideal of planning for the future, however, he doesn’t have a focus on environmental sustainability nor any concrete policy suggestions yet in this race.
Jordan Sears is the best choice to represent Snohomish County’s District 3 as a Public Utility District commissioner.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Gold Bar City Council member Jordan Sears is running on a climate-focused platform for Snohomish County PUD commissioner in District 3. Sears is an openly LGBTQ+ candidate and became the youngest city council member in the state when he was first appointed in 2019. Last year, voters elected him to retain the city council seat and, outside of the office, Sears works for a credit union and serves as president for the local Democrats.
Sears is running to prioritize working families and climate solutions as PUD commissioner. His platform is progressive and responsive to the most pressing environmental concerns of the district, including investing in energy alternatives, beginning the process to remove the snake river dams, and connecting with schools to build environmental learning. Sears also wants to make sure that the office has the funding it needs to carry out its responsibilities and continue leading on climate action. He has earned endorsements from environmental, progressive, and Democratic groups and elected officials in this race.
Incumbent commissioner Tanya (Toni) Olson is running to continue serving District 3 on the county PUD. Olson has been in this seat for 18 years and also serves as a member of the American Public Power Association and Northwest Public Power Council. She does not share the same progressive vision as Sears for the office.
The other candidate in this race is Ken Maertens, a Navy veteran and mechanical engineer. Maertens says that one of the reasons he is running for this seat is that “[he has] time on my hands.” His platform emphasizes the ideal of planning for the future, however, he doesn’t have a focus on environmental sustainability nor any concrete policy suggestions yet in this race.
Jordan Sears is the best choice to represent Snohomish County’s District 3 as a Public Utility District commissioner.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
Gold Bar City Council member Jordan Sears is running on a climate-focused platform for Snohomish County PUD commissioner in District 3. Sears is an openly LGBTQ+ candidate and became the youngest city council member in the state when he was first appointed in 2019. Last year, voters elected him to retain the city council seat and, outside of the office, Sears works for a credit union and serves as president for the local Democrats.
Sears is running to prioritize working families and climate solutions as PUD commissioner. His platform is progressive and responsive to the most pressing environmental concerns of the district, including investing in energy alternatives, beginning the process to remove the snake river dams, and connecting with schools to build environmental learning. Sears also wants to make sure that the office has the funding it needs to carry out its responsibilities and continue leading on climate action. He has earned endorsements from environmental, progressive, and Democratic groups and elected officials in this race.
Incumbent commissioner Tanya (Toni) Olson is running to continue serving District 3 on the county PUD. Olson has been in this seat for 18 years and also serves as a member of the American Public Power Association and Northwest Public Power Council. She does not share the same progressive vision as Sears for the office.
The other candidate in this race is Ken Maertens, a Navy veteran and mechanical engineer. Maertens says that one of the reasons he is running for this seat is that “[he has] time on my hands.” His platform emphasizes the ideal of planning for the future, however, he doesn’t have a focus on environmental sustainability nor any concrete policy suggestions yet in this race.
Jordan Sears is the best choice to represent Snohomish County’s District 3 as a Public Utility District commissioner.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
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.