Pierce County

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Gig Harbor City Council member Robyn Denson is running for Pierce County Council in District 7. She is campaigning to fill Derek Young’s seat when he leaves the council this year because of term limits. Denson has been an active and effective council member in Gig Harbor. She is also a small business owner who works in real estate, hosts a local radio show, and has served on a number of community boards focusing on schools, parks, and equity.

Denson has worked hard to build equitable economic opportunity in the county. One of her top priorities is addressing the housing crisis, where she plans to draw on her experience as a nonpartisan housing analyst in the state House to implement real solutions. Denson is also running to protect our environment, bring municipal broadband to the region, invest in public transit, and increase access to mental health resources.

Denson is the clear choice for Pierce County Council, District 7 in this crowded race.