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7th 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

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.

4th Congressional District

Doug White is the sole Democrat running for U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District. His platform is focused on protecting the local environment and expanding rural health care. He has worked for multinational businesses and comes from several generations of Central Washington farmers. 

White's focus would be a huge change from incumbent Dan Newhouse's conservative policies as well as the proposals of the MAGA Republicans in this race. He believes that climate change needs to be mitigated by local energy from solar and wind. White believes immigrants need a path forward to citizenship and that more must be done to secure affordable housing for all, provide a safety net for seniors and the vulnerable, and that infrastructure from waterways to broadband internet need to be modernized and rebuilt. Unlike most of his opponents, White also supports passing a law to protect reproductive freedom for all Americans.

White is broadly endorsed by many Democratic organizations, unions, and more. For his willingness to take on the district's and nation's biggest issues, like protecting water and building up communities more equitably, we recommend Doug White for Congress for the 4th District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Doug White is the sole Democrat running for U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District. His platform is focused on protecting the local environment and expanding rural health care. He has worked for multinational businesses and comes from several generations of Central Washington farmers. 

White's focus would be a huge change from incumbent Dan Newhouse's conservative policies as well as the proposals of the MAGA Republicans in this race. He believes that climate change needs to be mitigated by local energy from solar and wind. White believes immigrants need a path forward to citizenship and that more must be done to secure affordable housing for all, provide a safety net for seniors and the vulnerable, and that infrastructure from waterways to broadband internet need to be modernized and rebuilt. Unlike most of his opponents, White also supports passing a law to protect reproductive freedom for all Americans.

White is broadly endorsed by many Democratic organizations, unions, and more. For his willingness to take on the district's and nation's biggest issues, like protecting water and building up communities more equitably, we recommend Doug White for Congress for the 4th District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Other Candidates

The are six Republicans in total in this race. Incumbent Republican Dan Newhouse was first elected in 2014 and previously served as the Washington Director of Agriculture and in the state House of Representatives. He is very conservative, and while Trump was in office he voted with the president 93 percent of the time. While he was one of the few Republicans to support Trump's impeachment in 2021 after the attack on the capitol on January 6th, Newhouse refused to support the $3 trillion relief package passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic and voted against Trump's impeachment in 2020.

Rep. Brad Klippert, who has represented the 8th Legislative District since 2008, is running because Newhouse voted to impeach Trump. Klippert has stood against progress and common sense for years, including voting against age-appropriate sexual health education and threatening the health of students and staff in schools by working against public health orders at the height of the pandemic. He is anti-abortion and opposes gun safety regulations.

Loren Culp will be familiar to many voters as the MAGA Republican who ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Inslee in 2020. The former sole police officer of the town of Republic is now endorsed by Trump in the former president's vendetta against Newhouse for supporting his impeachment. Culp's policy track record is unsurprisingly extreme. He's compared gun reform to the Holocaust and likened the governor's stay-at-home policies to the horrors of Japanese internment during WWII. Culp also wants to build Trump's border wall and to dissolve the Department of Education entirely because he doesn't believe students should learn about sexual health or the history of race in America.

Benancio "Benny" Garcio III is running on an anti-choice platform that tries to whip up fear and divide us on the same election lies peddled to overturn our votes.

Jerrod Sessler is a self-described America-First Conservative Christian whose platform is similar or perhaps worse than many of the other Republican candidates - including moving the country towards Christian nationalism, standing against environmental regulations, and embracing anti-choice policies alongside a refusal to teach students how to protect themselves from pregnancy or learn about respectful consent.

Rounding out the Republican candidates is Corey Gibson, yet another "America-First" candidate who wants to eliminate the Department of Education, as well as impeach Biden, take away our freedom to decide whether and when we grow our families by opposing our right to abortion, and force a vote in Congress to remove any discussion of race from schools and the federal government.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

The are six Republicans in total in this race. Incumbent Republican Dan Newhouse was first elected in 2014 and previously served as the Washington Director of Agriculture and in the state House of Representatives. He is very conservative, and while Trump was in office he voted with the president 93 percent of the time. While he was one of the few Republicans to support Trump's impeachment in 2021 after the attack on the capitol on January 6th, Newhouse refused to support the $3 trillion relief package passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic and voted against Trump's impeachment in 2020.

Rep. Brad Klippert, who has represented the 8th Legislative District since 2008, is running because Newhouse voted to impeach Trump. Klippert has stood against progress and common sense for years, including voting against age-appropriate sexual health education and threatening the health of students and staff in schools by working against public health orders at the height of the pandemic. He is anti-abortion and opposes gun safety regulations.

Loren Culp will be familiar to many voters as the MAGA Republican who ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Inslee in 2020. The former sole police officer of the town of Republic is now endorsed by Trump in the former president's vendetta against Newhouse for supporting his impeachment. Culp's policy track record is unsurprisingly extreme. He's compared gun reform to the Holocaust and likened the governor's stay-at-home policies to the horrors of Japanese internment during WWII. Culp also wants to build Trump's border wall and to dissolve the Department of Education entirely because he doesn't believe students should learn about sexual health or the history of race in America.

Benancio "Benny" Garcio III is running on an anti-choice platform that tries to whip up fear and divide us on the same election lies peddled to overturn our votes.

Jerrod Sessler is a self-described America-First Conservative Christian whose platform is similar or perhaps worse than many of the other Republican candidates - including moving the country towards Christian nationalism, standing against environmental regulations, and embracing anti-choice policies alongside a refusal to teach students how to protect themselves from pregnancy or learn about respectful consent.

Rounding out the Republican candidates is Corey Gibson, yet another "America-First" candidate who wants to eliminate the Department of Education, as well as impeach Biden, take away our freedom to decide whether and when we grow our families by opposing our right to abortion, and force a vote in Congress to remove any discussion of race from schools and the federal government.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

5th Congressional District

Natasha Hill is running for Congress to be a progressive advocate for everyone in the 5th District, not just the wealthy few. She grew up in Spokane utilizing community resources like SNAP and later experienced homelessness and food insecurity while pursuing her law degree. Now Hill wants to ensure that no one should have to struggle through poverty to get their education or thrive in America. Hill currently owns her own law practice and has also served as an adjunct law professor and a member of the Spokane County Redistricting Committee.

Hill is running to focus on addressing the disparities between working people, seniors, and families and the extraordinarily wealthy corporations that have dominated politics and the economy for decades. Hill wants to make the child tax credit permanent, expand rural health care options, and raise the minimum wage so that any American can meet their basic needs on forty hours of work a week. She also wants to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and overturn obstacles to the vote for youth and people of color.

In our Spokane committee's interview with Hill, she expressed strong support for strengthening unions, codifying the right to abortion, and reimagining education, health care, and the criminal justice system. She has been endorsed by the state labor council, two legislative district Democratic organizations, and the county Democrats as well. For her bold and progressive platform in this time of crisis and widening inequity, as well as her broader organizational support, we lean towards Natasha Hill for U.S. Representative of the 5th Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Natasha Hill is running for Congress to be a progressive advocate for everyone in the 5th District, not just the wealthy few. She grew up in Spokane utilizing community resources like SNAP and later experienced homelessness and food insecurity while pursuing her law degree. Now Hill wants to ensure that no one should have to struggle through poverty to get their education or thrive in America. Hill currently owns her own law practice and has also served as an adjunct law professor and a member of the Spokane County Redistricting Committee.

Hill is running to focus on addressing the disparities between working people, seniors, and families and the extraordinarily wealthy corporations that have dominated politics and the economy for decades. Hill wants to make the child tax credit permanent, expand rural health care options, and raise the minimum wage so that any American can meet their basic needs on forty hours of work a week. She also wants to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and overturn obstacles to the vote for youth and people of color.

In our Spokane committee's interview with Hill, she expressed strong support for strengthening unions, codifying the right to abortion, and reimagining education, health care, and the criminal justice system. She has been endorsed by the state labor council, two legislative district Democratic organizations, and the county Democrats as well. For her bold and progressive platform in this time of crisis and widening inequity, as well as her broader organizational support, we lean towards Natasha Hill for U.S. Representative of the 5th Congressional District.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Teamsters Joint Council 28 , WA State Council of Firefighters , Washington State Labor Council , Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

Ann Marie Danimus is running for U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District to develop a more equitable economy for working families. As a double-transplant recipient who has had to navigate the mires of the U.S. health care system, Danimus wants to see improvements at the national level from a representative who will support rural communities. She is an executive board member of the Spokane County Democrats as well as a precinct committee officer. She has served in numerous community organizations, including as founder of Stubborn Girl Fund 4 Arts and Education as well as Raise the Roof.

Compared to Hill, more of Danimus' focus is on small businesses and rural jobs. She wants to regionalize sustainable farming, create federal grants for localized meat production, and reduce greenhouse gases in transport. She also supports single-payer health care and wants to draft bills to reduce veteran suicide. In our questionnaire from Danimus, she also highlighted the need for federal tax reform and her desire to expand the U.S. House so elected officials could better represent and advocate for their districts.

Danimus has pledged to take no money from corporations, corporate PACs, or corporate lobbyists, and is endorsed by one county and one legislative district Democratic group.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Ann Marie Danimus is running for U.S. Representative in the 5th Congressional District to develop a more equitable economy for working families. As a double-transplant recipient who has had to navigate the mires of the U.S. health care system, Danimus wants to see improvements at the national level from a representative who will support rural communities. She is an executive board member of the Spokane County Democrats as well as a precinct committee officer. She has served in numerous community organizations, including as founder of Stubborn Girl Fund 4 Arts and Education as well as Raise the Roof.

Compared to Hill, more of Danimus' focus is on small businesses and rural jobs. She wants to regionalize sustainable farming, create federal grants for localized meat production, and reduce greenhouse gases in transport. She also supports single-payer health care and wants to draft bills to reduce veteran suicide. In our questionnaire from Danimus, she also highlighted the need for federal tax reform and her desire to expand the U.S. House so elected officials could better represent and advocate for their districts.

Danimus has pledged to take no money from corporations, corporate PACs, or corporate lobbyists, and is endorsed by one county and one legislative district Democratic group.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Other Candidates

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is running for re-election to the office she has held since 2005.

With a 95 percent record of voting with Trump during his presidency, McMorris Rodgers is one of the most damaging lawmakers in Washington. She has voted yes on Trump's border wall, supported his trillion-dollar corporate tax cut, and was the only representative from Washington to vote for Trump's bill to cut $800 billion from Medicaid. She voted against raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and has refused on multiple occasions to hold town halls to answer to her constituents for her votes.

McMorris Rodgers has consistently stood in the way of abortion rights, including attempting to defund Planned Parenthood and its many services to the community. She has a 5 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters for her many attempts to deregulate environmental protections. Voting McMorris Rodgers out of office would be a big step towards progress on the environment, workers' rights, reproductive freedom, and much more.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is running for re-election to the office she has held since 2005.

With a 95 percent record of voting with Trump during his presidency, McMorris Rodgers is one of the most damaging lawmakers in Washington. She has voted yes on Trump's border wall, supported his trillion-dollar corporate tax cut, and was the only representative from Washington to vote for Trump's bill to cut $800 billion from Medicaid. She voted against raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and has refused on multiple occasions to hold town halls to answer to her constituents for her votes.

McMorris Rodgers has consistently stood in the way of abortion rights, including attempting to defund Planned Parenthood and its many services to the community. She has a 5 percent lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters for her many attempts to deregulate environmental protections. Voting McMorris Rodgers out of office would be a big step towards progress on the environment, workers' rights, reproductive freedom, and much more.

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

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

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

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

7th Legislative District

Republican Sen. Shelly Short is running to remain in the state Senate representing the 7th Legislative District. She is the Republican floor leader and has served in the Senate since winning the 2017 special election to replace Brian Dansel.

This session, Short opposed a bill to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and voted against legislation to require access to an attorney for juveniles being detained or questioned by law enforcement. Though she ranks the environment as a top priority, she also voted against bills this session to establish an environmental justice council and to require the state to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Short hasn't shared a detailed campaign platform as of mid-July.

Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice in this race.

Republican Sen. Shelly Short is running to remain in the state Senate representing the 7th Legislative District. She is the Republican floor leader and has served in the Senate since winning the 2017 special election to replace Brian Dansel.

This session, Short opposed a bill to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and voted against legislation to require access to an attorney for juveniles being detained or questioned by law enforcement. Though she ranks the environment as a top priority, she also voted against bills this session to establish an environmental justice council and to require the state to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Short hasn't shared a detailed campaign platform as of mid-July.

Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice in this race.

There are no progressive choices in this race for state House in the 7th Legislative District.

Incumbent Republican Jacquelin Maycumber has been a staunch conservative in the Legislature since first being appointed in 2017. This session, she voted against commonsense legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence, including bills to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and to prohibit open carry in some election and school settings. If re-elected, Maycumber wants to cut funding from essential community services that help all Washingtonians access the basics like stable housing, health care, and prescriptions, and instead she would funnel more dollars to militarizing and expanding police forces.

Also in this race is Lonny Ray Williams, an Army veteran and the editor of a conservative online publication. Williams is running on a reactionary platform to oppose legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence and to fund community services that give us all a chance to succeed. He wants to erase some of our communities from the history books and teach our kids incomplete and inaccurate curriculums that only serve to divide us.

Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for the Legislature.

There are no progressive choices in this race for state House in the 7th Legislative District.

Incumbent Republican Jacquelin Maycumber has been a staunch conservative in the Legislature since first being appointed in 2017. This session, she voted against commonsense legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence, including bills to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and to prohibit open carry in some election and school settings. If re-elected, Maycumber wants to cut funding from essential community services that help all Washingtonians access the basics like stable housing, health care, and prescriptions, and instead she would funnel more dollars to militarizing and expanding police forces.

Also in this race is Lonny Ray Williams, an Army veteran and the editor of a conservative online publication. Williams is running on a reactionary platform to oppose legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence and to fund community services that give us all a chance to succeed. He wants to erase some of our communities from the history books and teach our kids incomplete and inaccurate curriculums that only serve to divide us.

Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for the Legislature.

Conservative incumbent Rep. Kretz is running for re-election to House Position 2 in the 7th Legislative District. Previously, Kretz has worked with the Okanogan Farm Bureau and the National Rifle Association.

Earlier this year when coronavirus cases were on the rise, Kretz and a handful of his Republican colleagues falsely implied that masks were more detrimental to students’ lives than COVID-19. Despite the urgent need to keep our communities safe from gun violence, he recently made a flippant and insensitive defense of assault rifles.

Residents of Kretz’s district deserve a representative who is more in touch with the needs of Washington families. Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for this race.

Conservative incumbent Rep. Kretz is running for re-election to House Position 2 in the 7th Legislative District. Previously, Kretz has worked with the Okanogan Farm Bureau and the National Rifle Association.

Earlier this year when coronavirus cases were on the rise, Kretz and a handful of his Republican colleagues falsely implied that masks were more detrimental to students’ lives than COVID-19. Despite the urgent need to keep our communities safe from gun violence, he recently made a flippant and insensitive defense of assault rifles.

Residents of Kretz’s district deserve a representative who is more in touch with the needs of Washington families. Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice for this race.

Spokane County

Depending on where you live, you may have the below county races on your ballot.

Vicky Dalton is seeking re-election to remain the Spokane County auditor, a role she has served in for more than 20 years. She oversees election integrity and voter protection, recording and vehicle licensing processing, and county financial services.

Since assuming the position in 1999, Dalton has proven her commitment to transparency, integrity, accountability, and efficiency in office. She has exceptional credentials, leading the state on a number of auditing commissions and committees. She also serves the community as a member of the Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners board.

Dalton faces a challenge from MAGA Republican Bob McCaslin. He is a conservative state Representative for Legislative District 4 who is retiring from the Legislature this year to run for the auditor seat. McCaslin’s campaign platform is full of Republican rhetoric and shares his intention to cut community investments if elected. In 2020, McCaslin joined Trump-aligned extremists casting doubt over the election results. He supported a petition to audit the results in Spokane County, which demonstrated a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an auditor.

In a time of rampant right-wing lies about election fraud, we need consistent, proven leaders like Vicky Dalton to protect our elections and uphold voter rights. She has earned your trust and your vote for Spokane County auditor.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Vicky Dalton is seeking re-election to remain the Spokane County auditor, a role she has served in for more than 20 years. She oversees election integrity and voter protection, recording and vehicle licensing processing, and county financial services.

Since assuming the position in 1999, Dalton has proven her commitment to transparency, integrity, accountability, and efficiency in office. She has exceptional credentials, leading the state on a number of auditing commissions and committees. She also serves the community as a member of the Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners board.

Dalton faces a challenge from MAGA Republican Bob McCaslin. He is a conservative state Representative for Legislative District 4 who is retiring from the Legislature this year to run for the auditor seat. McCaslin’s campaign platform is full of Republican rhetoric and shares his intention to cut community investments if elected. In 2020, McCaslin joined Trump-aligned extremists casting doubt over the election results. He supported a petition to audit the results in Spokane County, which demonstrated a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an auditor.

In a time of rampant right-wing lies about election fraud, we need consistent, proven leaders like Vicky Dalton to protect our elections and uphold voter rights. She has earned your trust and your vote for Spokane County auditor.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Pastor and former deputy prosecuting attorney in Clallam County Deb Conklin is running for Spokane County prosecutor. Conklin also formerly chaired the Spokane office of the Police Ombudsman Commission. Running with the “Non-Partisan Party,” Conklin is the only non-Republican to vie for the prosecutor seat in this race.

If elected, one of Conklin’s priorities will be to make sure that the prosecuting attorney's office is not overcharging people in our community. She correctly points out that this leads to further crowding in jails and prisons, costs more, and makes our system less just. She wants to restore integrity and transparency to the office after some controversies in its recent history, including questions about current prosecutor Larry Haskell’s potential racial bias.

In this race with no progressive options, we recommend Deb Conklin for Spokane County prosecuting attorney because of her support from our partner organizations and her focus on preventative solutions to community safety.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Pastor and former deputy prosecuting attorney in Clallam County Deb Conklin is running for Spokane County prosecutor. Conklin also formerly chaired the Spokane office of the Police Ombudsman Commission. Running with the “Non-Partisan Party,” Conklin is the only non-Republican to vie for the prosecutor seat in this race.

If elected, one of Conklin’s priorities will be to make sure that the prosecuting attorney's office is not overcharging people in our community. She correctly points out that this leads to further crowding in jails and prisons, costs more, and makes our system less just. She wants to restore integrity and transparency to the office after some controversies in its recent history, including questions about current prosecutor Larry Haskell’s potential racial bias.

In this race with no progressive options, we recommend Deb Conklin for Spokane County prosecuting attorney because of her support from our partner organizations and her focus on preventative solutions to community safety.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW , Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Spokane Firefighters Union IAFF L29

Other Candidates

Incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell is running for a third term. Haskell previously served on the Airway Heights City Council and the Cheney School Board. 

If re-elected, he wants to use the office to put pressure on the Legislature to increase law enforcement budgets in order to send militarized police forces into our neighborhoods. This year, Haskell’s wife was exposed as having used multiple racial slurs on social media and identified herself as a “proud white nationalist” – beliefs that have no place in our communities and especially not in our justice system.

Deputy county prosecutor Stefanie Collins, who works directly for Haskell, is challenging him as a fellow Republican in this race. If elected, she wants to put more people behind bars which is an ineffective, costly, unsustainable approach to reducing crime that doesn’t really make our communities safer. 

Republican Stephanie Olsen is the current assistant attorney general and the final candidate in this race. She previously worked in the county prosecutor’s office. Olsen is running on a vague conservative platform that advocates incarceration as a solution to all social problems and professes unequivocal support for militarizing and expanding law enforcement reach.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Incumbent Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell is running for a third term. Haskell previously served on the Airway Heights City Council and the Cheney School Board. 

If re-elected, he wants to use the office to put pressure on the Legislature to increase law enforcement budgets in order to send militarized police forces into our neighborhoods. This year, Haskell’s wife was exposed as having used multiple racial slurs on social media and identified herself as a “proud white nationalist” – beliefs that have no place in our communities and especially not in our justice system.

Deputy county prosecutor Stefanie Collins, who works directly for Haskell, is challenging him as a fellow Republican in this race. If elected, she wants to put more people behind bars which is an ineffective, costly, unsustainable approach to reducing crime that doesn’t really make our communities safer. 

Republican Stephanie Olsen is the current assistant attorney general and the final candidate in this race. She previously worked in the county prosecutor’s office. Olsen is running on a vague conservative platform that advocates incarceration as a solution to all social problems and professes unequivocal support for militarizing and expanding law enforcement reach.

Last updated: 2023-04-05