Skip to main content

SEIU Local 6

Founded by a group of Seattle theater janitors, SEIU Local 6 became one of the original locals of the Service Employees International Union in 1921. Today SEIU6 Property Services NW represents more than 7,000 janitors, security officers, airport passenger service workers and allied industries workers in Washington state.

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

  • Sam Cho is running unopposed for re-election for Seattle Port Commissioner, Position 2. Before his election in 2019, he served on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and previously worked on trade issues for a member of Congress. Aside from his work on the commission, Cho also serves on the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Council on International Trade.

    Cho has been a standout on the commission in his first term. When Cho became commission president in 2022, he was the first Asian American to serve in the role in port history. As the son of South Korean immigrants and a fluent Korean speaker, Cho has led several international trade efforts with Korea, including creating a green trade corridor with the Port of Busan and working with Hyundai and KIA to make the Port of Seattle the exclusive importer of their cars.

    Cho deserves your vote for Position 2 on the Seattle Port Commission. 

    Last updated: 2023-10-18

    Sam Cho

    Submitted by airtable on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 15:34

    Sam Cho is running unopposed for re-election for Seattle Port Commissioner, Position 2. Before his election in 2019, he served on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and previously worked on trade issues for a member of Congress.

    Sam Cho is running unopposed for re-election for Seattle Port Commissioner, Position 2. Before his election in 2019, he served on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and previously worked on trade issues for a member of Congress. Aside from his work on the commission, Cho also serves on the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and the Washington Council on International Trade.

    Cho has been a standout on the commission in his first term. When Cho became commission president in 2022, he was the first Asian American to serve in the role in port history. As the son of South Korean immigrants and a fluent Korean speaker, Cho has led several international trade efforts with Korea, including creating a green trade corridor with the Port of Busan and working with Hyundai and KIA to make the Port of Seattle the exclusive importer of their cars.

    Cho deserves your vote for Position 2 on the Seattle Port Commission. 

    Sam Cho

    Submitted by airtable on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 15:34

    Sam Cho is running unopposed for re-election for Seattle Port Commissioner, Position 2. Before his election in 2019, he served on Gov. Jay Inslee’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and previously worked on trade issues for a member of Congress.

  • Incumbent Fred Felleman is an environmental consultant and marine biologist. He is running for re-election to the Seattle Port Commission, Position 5, as the senior member of the commission, having served since 2016. With his science background, Felleman has pledged to continue supporting environmentally friendly reforms at the port.

    As commissioner, Felleman has focused on fighting climate change and increasing the port's green energy jobs. He has been a leader on the commission when it comes to protecting orcas, publicly opposing the dangerous Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, and advocating for well-paying jobs. Elected commission president in 2021, he has recently supported more efficient and greener policies at the port to reduce pollution, including adding solar panels to the Fishermen's Terminal's net shed and powering new docks so ships don't have to idle and burn additional fuel. Felleman often supports social causes as well, including condemning Trump's Muslim ban and government agencies’ response at the airport, as well as welcoming Ukrainian refugees, with Washington hosting 16,000 refugees, the third most among U.S. states.

    Challenging Felleman is Jesse Tam, the managing director for Mega Pacific Investments, a strategic development consulting firm. He is a former parks commissioner for the city of Newcastle, as well as past president and current board director for the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, among other roles. 

    Tam states that he's running to use his business experience to source well-paying union jobs, negotiate business deals, and lead on climate change. While we agree with Tam's listed priorities, Felleman has been an excellent environmental advocate and scientific mind on the board, and we don't see a strong case for how Tam would bring progressive change to the port. 

    Felleman has earned your vote for re-election to the Port of Seattle, Position #5. 

    Last updated: 2023-10-19

    Fred Felleman

    Submitted by airtable on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 15:34

    Incumbent Fred Felleman is an environmental consultant and marine biologist. He is running for re-election to the Seattle Port Commission, Position 5, as the senior member of the commission, having served since 2016.

    Incumbent Fred Felleman is an environmental consultant and marine biologist. He is running for re-election to the Seattle Port Commission, Position 5, as the senior member of the commission, having served since 2016. With his science background, Felleman has pledged to continue supporting environmentally friendly reforms at the port.

    As commissioner, Felleman has focused on fighting climate change and increasing the port's green energy jobs. He has been a leader on the commission when it comes to protecting orcas, publicly opposing the dangerous Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, and advocating for well-paying jobs. Elected commission president in 2021, he has recently supported more efficient and greener policies at the port to reduce pollution, including adding solar panels to the Fishermen's Terminal's net shed and powering new docks so ships don't have to idle and burn additional fuel. Felleman often supports social causes as well, including condemning Trump's Muslim ban and government agencies’ response at the airport, as well as welcoming Ukrainian refugees, with Washington hosting 16,000 refugees, the third most among U.S. states.

    Challenging Felleman is Jesse Tam, the managing director for Mega Pacific Investments, a strategic development consulting firm. He is a former parks commissioner for the city of Newcastle, as well as past president and current board director for the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, among other roles. 

    Tam states that he's running to use his business experience to source well-paying union jobs, negotiate business deals, and lead on climate change. While we agree with Tam's listed priorities, Felleman has been an excellent environmental advocate and scientific mind on the board, and we don't see a strong case for how Tam would bring progressive change to the port. 

    Felleman has earned your vote for re-election to the Port of Seattle, Position #5. 

    Fred Felleman

    Submitted by airtable on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 15:34

    Incumbent Fred Felleman is an environmental consultant and marine biologist. He is running for re-election to the Seattle Port Commission, Position 5, as the senior member of the commission, having served since 2016.

City Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.

  • Lisa Brown is a former state representative, senate majority leader, and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. She has also served as the Washington State Director of Commerce. Brown has spent many years advocating for and volunteering in Spokane, including organizing the first Take Back the Night rally to bring awareness to victims of domestic violence.

    She wants to use her experience to see the city invest in improving the quality of life for all residents. According to Brown, one of the most pressing issues is balancing the city's budget crisis while making sure that residents have the opportunity to safely live, work, and play in Spokane.

    A keystone of her campaign is increasing affordable housing to help the many residents who are struggling to find shelter or stay in their homes with housing cost increases. Some of the strategies she wants to implement include making sure that the city has fully applied for available affordable housing funds from the federal and state government, and expanding "missing middle housing," or the mid-cost housing that many professionals like teachers or firefighters need to stay in the community. Brown wants to improve community safety by investing in proven strategies like expanding mental health services, offering job apprenticeships, and building more affordable housing.

    Brown is running against incumbent and former news anchor Nadine Woodward, whose conservative platform includes prioritizing her big-dollar donors and trying to make us fear those turning to cars and tents for shelter while she makes it impossible for many of us to afford any place to live.

    Like many conservative incumbents running this year, Woodward has taken the stance that public safety has declined under her watch. But in this year’s budget, police have again received the most funding, with 32 percent going to police, compared to 4 percent for libraries or just 2 percent going to housing and human services. At the same time, Woodward has refused to authorize an investigation into Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl's relationship with wealthy downtown business owners with whom he shared non-public information to attack his political opponents, potentially a violation of state and local law. 

    On top of this, Woodard faced calls for her resignation and widespread condemnation for her decision this August to join far-right former state representative Matt Shea at an event. A state House investigation deemed Shea a domestic terrorist for provoking a civil war, intimidating political opponents, and writing violent religious manifestos. Despite this clear record, Woodard accepted his blessing and endorsement as she stood with him onstage at the event.

    Spokane has had conservative mayors for the last twelve years and Brown offers the chance to transform city and local government in Spokane. Vote for Lisa Brown for a more compassionate and affordable Spokane. 

    Last updated: 2023-10-19

    Lisa Brown

    Lisa Brown is a former state representative, senate majority leader, and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. She has also served as the Washington State Director of Commerce.

    Lisa Brown is a former state representative, senate majority leader, and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. She has also served as the Washington State Director of Commerce. Brown has spent many years advocating for and volunteering in Spokane, including organizing the first Take Back the Night rally to bring awareness to victims of domestic violence.

    She wants to use her experience to see the city invest in improving the quality of life for all residents. According to Brown, one of the most pressing issues is balancing the city's budget crisis while making sure that residents have the opportunity to safely live, work, and play in Spokane.

    A keystone of her campaign is increasing affordable housing to help the many residents who are struggling to find shelter or stay in their homes with housing cost increases. Some of the strategies she wants to implement include making sure that the city has fully applied for available affordable housing funds from the federal and state government, and expanding "missing middle housing," or the mid-cost housing that many professionals like teachers or firefighters need to stay in the community. Brown wants to improve community safety by investing in proven strategies like expanding mental health services, offering job apprenticeships, and building more affordable housing.

    Brown is running against incumbent and former news anchor Nadine Woodward, whose conservative platform includes prioritizing her big-dollar donors and trying to make us fear those turning to cars and tents for shelter while she makes it impossible for many of us to afford any place to live.

    Like many conservative incumbents running this year, Woodward has taken the stance that public safety has declined under her watch. But in this year’s budget, police have again received the most funding, with 32 percent going to police, compared to 4 percent for libraries or just 2 percent going to housing and human services. At the same time, Woodward has refused to authorize an investigation into Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl's relationship with wealthy downtown business owners with whom he shared non-public information to attack his political opponents, potentially a violation of state and local law. 

    On top of this, Woodard faced calls for her resignation and widespread condemnation for her decision this August to join far-right former state representative Matt Shea at an event. A state House investigation deemed Shea a domestic terrorist for provoking a civil war, intimidating political opponents, and writing violent religious manifestos. Despite this clear record, Woodard accepted his blessing and endorsement as she stood with him onstage at the event.

    Spokane has had conservative mayors for the last twelve years and Brown offers the chance to transform city and local government in Spokane. Vote for Lisa Brown for a more compassionate and affordable Spokane. 

    Lisa Brown

    Lisa Brown is a former state representative, senate majority leader, and chancellor of Washington State University Spokane. She has also served as the Washington State Director of Commerce.

  • Spokane City Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson is running for council president to unite the city in a vision of collaboration and equity. She was appointed to the city council to replace Breean Beggs when he became council president in 2020. Only the second Black woman to ever serve on the council, if Wilkerson is elected this year she would become the first-ever Black president of the Spokane City Council. 

    Wilkerson is no stranger to serving the community. She is the former president of the Women Helping Women Fund and the Junior League of Spokane. Currently, Wilkerson is the board president for the Carl Maxey Center and runs Moore's Boarding Home Assisted Living.

    In our local questionnaire and interview with Wilkerson, the councilmember said she was most excited to make it easier and more affordable to build homes. That means fast-tracking permits, encouraging remodels instead of tear-downs to lower pollution, and making zoning reforms. She spoke about how homeownership builds wealth, and amid the housing crisis wants to encourage homeownership for families of color with more accessible down payment assistance and educational programs to address racial disparities.

    Her positions in support of keeping everyone in our community safe, boosting resources for alleviating homelessness, and providing a safety net demonstrate she is a candidate who will ensure that we all thrive. Wilkerson's many progressive endorsements demonstrate her solid record in the community and on the council as a capable and collaborative leader. 

    Her opponent is Republican Kim Plese, who ran for Spokane County Commissioner in 2022 and lost to Democrat Chris Jordan. This year, the former printing company owner is running for this nonpartisan position on a familiar platform. Plese was motivated to run in part because she's disappointed that the current council has supported statewide police accountability measures. Plese also states that she will work with regional partners to build more housing - an effort already underway through the regional homelessness coalition.

    In contrast to her opponent, Wilkerson defends the importance of having independent police oversight. She agrees with community members who have asked for this authority because the Spokane Police Department is allegedly the third deadliest police force in the country per population. Wilkerson wants to pair mental health responders with law enforcement in applicable calls and make sure that all in the city are treated fairly when dealing with police.

    Betsy Wilkerson is the clear choice for Spokane City Council President.
     

    Last updated: 2023-10-19

    Betsy Wilkerson

    Spokane City Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson is running for council president to unite the city in a vision of collaboration and equity. She was appointed to the city council to replace Breean Beggs when he became council president in 2020.

    Spokane City Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson is running for council president to unite the city in a vision of collaboration and equity. She was appointed to the city council to replace Breean Beggs when he became council president in 2020. Only the second Black woman to ever serve on the council, if Wilkerson is elected this year she would become the first-ever Black president of the Spokane City Council. 

    Wilkerson is no stranger to serving the community. She is the former president of the Women Helping Women Fund and the Junior League of Spokane. Currently, Wilkerson is the board president for the Carl Maxey Center and runs Moore's Boarding Home Assisted Living.

    In our local questionnaire and interview with Wilkerson, the councilmember said she was most excited to make it easier and more affordable to build homes. That means fast-tracking permits, encouraging remodels instead of tear-downs to lower pollution, and making zoning reforms. She spoke about how homeownership builds wealth, and amid the housing crisis wants to encourage homeownership for families of color with more accessible down payment assistance and educational programs to address racial disparities.

    Her positions in support of keeping everyone in our community safe, boosting resources for alleviating homelessness, and providing a safety net demonstrate she is a candidate who will ensure that we all thrive. Wilkerson's many progressive endorsements demonstrate her solid record in the community and on the council as a capable and collaborative leader. 

    Her opponent is Republican Kim Plese, who ran for Spokane County Commissioner in 2022 and lost to Democrat Chris Jordan. This year, the former printing company owner is running for this nonpartisan position on a familiar platform. Plese was motivated to run in part because she's disappointed that the current council has supported statewide police accountability measures. Plese also states that she will work with regional partners to build more housing - an effort already underway through the regional homelessness coalition.

    In contrast to her opponent, Wilkerson defends the importance of having independent police oversight. She agrees with community members who have asked for this authority because the Spokane Police Department is allegedly the third deadliest police force in the country per population. Wilkerson wants to pair mental health responders with law enforcement in applicable calls and make sure that all in the city are treated fairly when dealing with police.

    Betsy Wilkerson is the clear choice for Spokane City Council President.
     

    Betsy Wilkerson

    Spokane City Councilmember Betsy Wilkerson is running for council president to unite the city in a vision of collaboration and equity. She was appointed to the city council to replace Breean Beggs when he became council president in 2020.

  • Lindsey Shaw is running for Spokane City Council in District 1 to advocate for the residents of Northeast Spokane. Shaw served as chair of the Logan Neighborhood Council for five years and sees a chance in her candidacy to bring light to issues in District 1, like the North-South Freeway and the Children of the Sun Trail development, as well as making Spokane a better place to live for all across the city.

    Shaw wants to usher in a citywide affordable childcare program to help families in the years of early childhood and boost the local economy. She states that low-barrier youth programs, young adult skill development, and other interventions are crucial for communities to thrive. On public safety, Shaw wants to see the city clean up neighborhoods, invest in substance abuse treatment and behavioral health programs, provide more affordable housing options so that no one is forced to live on the street, and make upstream investments before anyone is put into the criminal legal system.

    Shaw is running against incumbent Michael Cathcart, who has served on the Spokane City Council since 2020. Previously, he was an aide for the far-right state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, who voters may remember for his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances. As former executive director of the pro-business Better Spokane, Cathcart's campaign coffers and agenda are flooded with big developer money. He takes a conservative and hypocritical stance on issues like the possibility of a new jail, stating that "jail is going to make you a better criminal," but also advocating for building an expensive new one.

    In the years since he lost his run for Spokane County Council, Cathcart has voted against a local Pride crosswalk and opposed a resolution that would prevent any Spokane city employee, including law enforcement, from aiding prosecution and investigations against abortion care providers or patients. Cathcart will continue to be an obstacle to progress on the council if re-elected.

    Shaw's much stronger agenda and care for all residents of Spokane shows her commitment to the city, and she is the best choice for Spokane City Council, District 1. 

    Last updated: 2023-10-19

    Lindsey Shaw

    Lindsey Shaw is running for Spokane City Council in District 1 to advocate for the residents of Northeast Spokane.

    Lindsey Shaw is running for Spokane City Council in District 1 to advocate for the residents of Northeast Spokane. Shaw served as chair of the Logan Neighborhood Council for five years and sees a chance in her candidacy to bring light to issues in District 1, like the North-South Freeway and the Children of the Sun Trail development, as well as making Spokane a better place to live for all across the city.

    Shaw wants to usher in a citywide affordable childcare program to help families in the years of early childhood and boost the local economy. She states that low-barrier youth programs, young adult skill development, and other interventions are crucial for communities to thrive. On public safety, Shaw wants to see the city clean up neighborhoods, invest in substance abuse treatment and behavioral health programs, provide more affordable housing options so that no one is forced to live on the street, and make upstream investments before anyone is put into the criminal legal system.

    Shaw is running against incumbent Michael Cathcart, who has served on the Spokane City Council since 2020. Previously, he was an aide for the far-right state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, who voters may remember for his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances. As former executive director of the pro-business Better Spokane, Cathcart's campaign coffers and agenda are flooded with big developer money. He takes a conservative and hypocritical stance on issues like the possibility of a new jail, stating that "jail is going to make you a better criminal," but also advocating for building an expensive new one.

    In the years since he lost his run for Spokane County Council, Cathcart has voted against a local Pride crosswalk and opposed a resolution that would prevent any Spokane city employee, including law enforcement, from aiding prosecution and investigations against abortion care providers or patients. Cathcart will continue to be an obstacle to progress on the council if re-elected.

    Shaw's much stronger agenda and care for all residents of Spokane shows her commitment to the city, and she is the best choice for Spokane City Council, District 1. 

    Lindsey Shaw

    Lindsey Shaw is running for Spokane City Council in District 1 to advocate for the residents of Northeast Spokane.