The Washington Bus engages tomorrow's leaders on their own terms, and empowers them through education, civic and cultural engagement, and hands-on democracy. We take control of, and responsibility for, our own future by making sure our friends and peers are registered to vote, know the issues, and fill out their ballots.
Statewide
Nick Brown is a former U.S. attorney for Western Washington running to protect the climate, our democracy, and Washingtonians' civil rights. Before his appointment by the Biden Administration in 2021, Brown worked as the general counsel for Gov. Jay Inslee. He also served in the US Army as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer, where he represented soldiers and the Army in legal matters, followed by working as a prosecutor. Brown has also served as chair of the attorney general’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights.
As the first Black U.S. attorney in the state's history, Brown notes that Washington is experiencing the highest number of hate crimes in 20 years. He wants to use the attorney general's office to implement laws that prosecute domestic terrorists, especially the burgeoning white supremacist movements that have threatened local leaders and committed violent hate crimes.
In our interview with Brown, he identified his top three priorities as strengthening the operations of the office, holding local jurisdictions accountable for upholding the law, and enforcing environmental protections. He emphasized his work with the attorney general's office as a special assistant attorney general and said that he would strive to build a more representative office and ensure they resolve problems with legal standards that led to the office receiving a fine last year. One of Brown's biggest accomplishments as an attorney was helping write Initiative 1639, Safe Schools and Safe Communities, which makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to own a semi-automatic rifle. He later defended the law against the NRA. Building on that success, Brown wants to continue to enforce laws against deadly weapons and defend the state against voter suppression, wage theft, and more. Brown also wants to enforce environmental laws strictly and uphold strong consumer protections by, for example, pursuing the ongoing investigation on monopolistic practices by landlords and rental companies to keep prices inflated.
Republican and Pasco attorney Pete Serrano is running to bring a conservative agenda to the attorney general's office. Serrano is the board president and general counsel of an organization that fights commonsense gun laws and public health mandates, and he was recently elected mayor of Pasco. He states that while he disagrees with these laws he will follow the state Constitution, but the Seattle Times also reported that he intended to remain "actively engaged" with the organization in a Facebook video on the organization's page. If elected he promises to "Make Washington Safe Again" and make the office more transparent. Serrano is not a progressive choice in this race.
Brown is the clear choice in the race to be Washington's next attorney general.
Nick Brown is a former U.S. attorney for Western Washington running to protect the climate, our democracy, and Washingtonians' civil rights. Before his appointment by the Biden Administration in 2021, Brown worked as the general counsel for Gov. Jay Inslee. He also served in the US Army as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer, where he represented soldiers and the Army in legal matters, followed by working as a prosecutor. Brown has also served as chair of the attorney general’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights.
As the first Black U.S. attorney in the state's history, Brown notes that Washington is experiencing the highest number of hate crimes in 20 years. He wants to use the attorney general's office to implement laws that prosecute domestic terrorists, especially the burgeoning white supremacist movements that have threatened local leaders and committed violent hate crimes.
In our interview with Brown, he identified his top three priorities as strengthening the operations of the office, holding local jurisdictions accountable for upholding the law, and enforcing environmental protections. He emphasized his work with the attorney general's office as a special assistant attorney general and said that he would strive to build a more representative office and ensure they resolve problems with legal standards that led to the office receiving a fine last year. One of Brown's biggest accomplishments as an attorney was helping write Initiative 1639, Safe Schools and Safe Communities, which makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to own a semi-automatic rifle. He later defended the law against the NRA. Building on that success, Brown wants to continue to enforce laws against deadly weapons and defend the state against voter suppression, wage theft, and more. Brown also wants to enforce environmental laws strictly and uphold strong consumer protections by, for example, pursuing the ongoing investigation on monopolistic practices by landlords and rental companies to keep prices inflated.
Republican and Pasco attorney Pete Serrano is running to bring a conservative agenda to the attorney general's office. Serrano is the board president and general counsel of an organization that fights commonsense gun laws and public health mandates, and he was recently elected mayor of Pasco. He states that while he disagrees with these laws he will follow the state Constitution, but the Seattle Times also reported that he intended to remain "actively engaged" with the organization in a Facebook video on the organization's page. If elected he promises to "Make Washington Safe Again" and make the office more transparent. Serrano is not a progressive choice in this race.
Brown is the clear choice in the race to be Washington's next attorney general.
Incumbent Chris Reykdal is running for a third term in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Reykdal has been a strong champion for public education as superintendent, during his six years in the Legislature, and in 14 years on local school boards and leadership positions at educational institutions.
The superintendent's office provides resources and guidance on language access, student safety, school district budgeting, and student needs to Washington's 295 public school districts and six state-tribal education compact schools. In office, Reykdal has worked to reduce learning gaps, raise educator salaries, increase free meal access, and expand dual and tribal language learning programs.
In our interview, Reykdal acknowledged that the pandemic and declining birth rates have affected enrollment rates in public schools. Despite this challenge, he was proud that districts have made gains in other areas like retaining teachers of color. He identified the decrease in state funding, relative to inflation, as a fundamental challenge facing public schools. He reiterated his commitment to advocating for the Legislature to increase funding per student and allow districts to fund special education. He also expressed his commitment to keeping schools public, rejecting vouchers, and improving mental health support for students. This year, OSPI offered legislation to increase paraeducator pay to attract and retain these critical classroom supports. Finally, he cited his experience running a large state agency for the last eight years as a key strength compared to his less experienced opponent.
Gig Harbor School Board member David Olson is challenging Reykdal on a reactionary right-wing platform. Like many conservative school board directors, he welcomes conservative, politically motivated censorship that would block access to books and multicultural programming. Olson also wants to employ strict guidelines in our schools that penalize students who are struggling the most. According to The Seattle Times, he told the Washington Republican Party convention "that if every high school graduate opted for the skilled trades instead of pursuing a four-year degree, universities 'could all go bankrupt and that would save America.'" Olson's extremism and conspiracy theories are completely disqualifying for someone looking to lead our state's public education system.
Reykdal has strong support from educators across the state and has earned your vote for re-election.
Incumbent Chris Reykdal is running for a third term in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Reykdal has been a strong champion for public education as superintendent, during his six years in the Legislature, and in 14 years on local school boards and leadership positions at educational institutions.
The superintendent's office provides resources and guidance on language access, student safety, school district budgeting, and student needs to Washington's 295 public school districts and six state-tribal education compact schools. In office, Reykdal has worked to reduce learning gaps, raise educator salaries, increase free meal access, and expand dual and tribal language learning programs.
In our interview, Reykdal acknowledged that the pandemic and declining birth rates have affected enrollment rates in public schools. Despite this challenge, he was proud that districts have made gains in other areas like retaining teachers of color. He identified the decrease in state funding, relative to inflation, as a fundamental challenge facing public schools. He reiterated his commitment to advocating for the Legislature to increase funding per student and allow districts to fund special education. He also expressed his commitment to keeping schools public, rejecting vouchers, and improving mental health support for students. This year, OSPI offered legislation to increase paraeducator pay to attract and retain these critical classroom supports. Finally, he cited his experience running a large state agency for the last eight years as a key strength compared to his less experienced opponent.
Gig Harbor School Board member David Olson is challenging Reykdal on a reactionary right-wing platform. Like many conservative school board directors, he welcomes conservative, politically motivated censorship that would block access to books and multicultural programming. Olson also wants to employ strict guidelines in our schools that penalize students who are struggling the most. According to The Seattle Times, he told the Washington Republican Party convention "that if every high school graduate opted for the skilled trades instead of pursuing a four-year degree, universities 'could all go bankrupt and that would save America.'" Olson's extremism and conspiracy theories are completely disqualifying for someone looking to lead our state's public education system.
Reykdal has strong support from educators across the state and has earned your vote for re-election.
State senator and attorney Patty Kuderer is running for Washington insurance commissioner. She has served the 48th Legislative District since 2015 when she was appointed to the state House before being appointed to fill the Senate seat vacancy in 2017.
Kuderer has been one of the most active sponsors of progressive bills in the Legislature. This year, she was the primary sponsor of a successful bill to ensure Narcan is available in Washington schools. As a secondary sponsor, she helped to pass a slate of progressive bills, including ensuring that valid ballots are not unduly rejected, limiting the ability to bring firearms to public places like zoos, transit stations, and libraries, and aligning state and federal financial aid programs. Kuderer is now campaigning for insurance commissioner on a progressive platform that includes exploring universal health care, reducing auto insurance costs, expanding cancer screening for firefighters, and improving access to climate change insurance for homeowners and businesses.
Republican state Senator Phil Fortunato is also running for the commissioner position. Fortunato was first elected to serve the 31st Legislative District in Olympia in 2016 as a representative before being immediately appointed to an open Senate seat. Outside public service, his professional background is in erosion control and stormwater management. In the Legislature, Fortunato was the primary sponsor of many far-right bills, including legislation to strip abortion rights for some Washingtonians and to oppose commonsense gun safety policy. If he's elected insurance commissioner, Fortunato wants to remove regulations that keep health care costs lower. He is vehemently opposed to universal health care policies that would allow all Washingtonians, regardless of income status, to access the care and medicine they need.
We recommend Patty Kuderer for Washington insurance commissioner because of her strong background in public service and clear vision for the office.
State senator and attorney Patty Kuderer is running for Washington insurance commissioner. She has served the 48th Legislative District since 2015 when she was appointed to the state House before being appointed to fill the Senate seat vacancy in 2017.
Kuderer has been one of the most active sponsors of progressive bills in the Legislature. This year, she was the primary sponsor of a successful bill to ensure Narcan is available in Washington schools. As a secondary sponsor, she helped to pass a slate of progressive bills, including ensuring that valid ballots are not unduly rejected, limiting the ability to bring firearms to public places like zoos, transit stations, and libraries, and aligning state and federal financial aid programs. Kuderer is now campaigning for insurance commissioner on a progressive platform that includes exploring universal health care, reducing auto insurance costs, expanding cancer screening for firefighters, and improving access to climate change insurance for homeowners and businesses.
Republican state Senator Phil Fortunato is also running for the commissioner position. Fortunato was first elected to serve the 31st Legislative District in Olympia in 2016 as a representative before being immediately appointed to an open Senate seat. Outside public service, his professional background is in erosion control and stormwater management. In the Legislature, Fortunato was the primary sponsor of many far-right bills, including legislation to strip abortion rights for some Washingtonians and to oppose commonsense gun safety policy. If he's elected insurance commissioner, Fortunato wants to remove regulations that keep health care costs lower. He is vehemently opposed to universal health care policies that would allow all Washingtonians, regardless of income status, to access the care and medicine they need.
We recommend Patty Kuderer for Washington insurance commissioner because of her strong background in public service and clear vision for the office.
County Council District Races
Pierce County, District 4
Metro Parks Tacoma Commissioner Rosie Ayala is running for the Pierce County Council, District 4 position. Incumbent Ryan Mello vacated this seat to run for Pierce County Executive. Ayala works for the Foundation for Tacoma Students as the director of operations. Previously, she served as the Tacoma Arts Commission chair and on the Park Board.
Ayala is running on a progressive platform informed by her experience as a first-generation college student born to immigrant farmworker parents. Ayala wants to invest in affordable housing and services to help those struggling with housing insecurity find reliable shelter and get back on their feet. She also wants to support workforce development and create good-paying jobs. Ayala believes in building community safety, and to that end, she wants to improve health equity, fight for environmental justice, and fund social emotional and mental health services. Ayala has earned many progressive endorsements in this race, including Mello.
We lean toward Rosie Ayala to maintain strong progressive leadership for Pierce County Council District 4.
Metro Parks Tacoma Commissioner Rosie Ayala is running for the Pierce County Council, District 4 position. Incumbent Ryan Mello vacated this seat to run for Pierce County Executive. Ayala works for the Foundation for Tacoma Students as the director of operations. Previously, she served as the Tacoma Arts Commission chair and on the Park Board.
Ayala is running on a progressive platform informed by her experience as a first-generation college student born to immigrant farmworker parents. Ayala wants to invest in affordable housing and services to help those struggling with housing insecurity find reliable shelter and get back on their feet. She also wants to support workforce development and create good-paying jobs. Ayala believes in building community safety, and to that end, she wants to improve health equity, fight for environmental justice, and fund social emotional and mental health services. Ayala has earned many progressive endorsements in this race, including Mello.
We lean toward Rosie Ayala to maintain strong progressive leadership for Pierce County Council District 4.
Yakima County, District 2
Susan Soto Palmer, the former Yakima County Democratic Party chair, is challenging Republican incumbent Kyle Curtis in this race for Yakima County Commission, District 2. Palmer is a paralegal and legal assistant with 30 years of experience, and she has worked on important voting rights cases in her roles.
Palmer is running to close the gap in resource access between the county's most and least privileged so that everyone can lead a life of opportunity, safety, and dignity. She wants to increase broadband access, promote environmental policy, improve health care affordability, invest in education, and engage the community through public forums. In this race, she has earned endorsements from progressive organizations.
Soto is challenging Republican commissioner and corporate executive Kyle Curtis. He has served on the commission for two years and he is also involved in the Chamber of Commerce and the Yakima County Homeless Coalition. While more moderate than many of his fellow Republicans on the ballot this year, he nevertheless brings a conservative lens to his policymaking that is out of step with the needs of our community.
We recommend Susan Soto Palmer in this race for Yakima County Commissioner for District 2 to bring equitable progress to the county.
Susan Soto Palmer, the former Yakima County Democratic Party chair, is challenging Republican incumbent Kyle Curtis in this race for Yakima County Commission, District 2. Palmer is a paralegal and legal assistant with 30 years of experience, and she has worked on important voting rights cases in her roles.
Palmer is running to close the gap in resource access between the county's most and least privileged so that everyone can lead a life of opportunity, safety, and dignity. She wants to increase broadband access, promote environmental policy, improve health care affordability, invest in education, and engage the community through public forums. In this race, she has earned endorsements from progressive organizations.
Soto is challenging Republican commissioner and corporate executive Kyle Curtis. He has served on the commission for two years and he is also involved in the Chamber of Commerce and the Yakima County Homeless Coalition. While more moderate than many of his fellow Republicans on the ballot this year, he nevertheless brings a conservative lens to his policymaking that is out of step with the needs of our community.
We recommend Susan Soto Palmer in this race for Yakima County Commissioner for District 2 to bring equitable progress to the county.
Spokane County, District 5
Depending on where you live, you may have the following county races on your ballot.
Moderate Democrat Molly Marshall, a retired member of Washington’s Air National Guard, is challenging Republican Al French for the Spokane County Commission, District 5 position. After spending 30 years in the Air Force, Marshall transitioned to community advocacy work, co-founding the Citizen Action for Latah Valley Coalition to ensure development is safe for the community. She has also served the community as an elections office worker and on the Spokane Community Assembly Land Use Executive Committee, among many local volunteer positions.
Marshall is running to ensure Spokane is safe and healthy for generations to come. Her top priorities include addressing "forever chemicals" such as PFAS, preventing and mitigating wildfires, investing in transit infrastructure, and strengthening public safety. While Marshall supports the construction of a new jail, she also believes in the need for prevention and judicial reform to address issues in our criminal legal system. She connects the issue of road infrastructure with mitigating the consequences of wildfires by emphasizing the need for better and more effective evacuation routes.
Marshall is challenging longtime Republican incumbent Al French, who has been in this office since 2010. French also previously served on the Spokane City Council and is the chair of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. French has faced criticism recently for his opposition to cleaning up the local water supply. In early 2020, local officials called on French to support cleaning up poisonous PFAS that's poisoning the drinking water of thousands of community members in West Plains and Airway Heights. Unfortunately, he intervened twice in two years to block state funding to study how to solve the issue. In addition to his consistently conservative voting record, French has clearly lost touch with the families in the district he's supposed to represent.
This race is particularly important because a win by Marshall could flip control of the commission after many years of Republican control. Molly Marshall's longtime record of public service and thoughtful approach to policymaking make her the clear choice for Spokane County Commission representing District 5.
Moderate Democrat Molly Marshall, a retired member of Washington’s Air National Guard, is challenging Republican Al French for the Spokane County Commission, District 5 position. After spending 30 years in the Air Force, Marshall transitioned to community advocacy work, co-founding the Citizen Action for Latah Valley Coalition to ensure development is safe for the community. She has also served the community as an elections office worker and on the Spokane Community Assembly Land Use Executive Committee, among many local volunteer positions.
Marshall is running to ensure Spokane is safe and healthy for generations to come. Her top priorities include addressing "forever chemicals" such as PFAS, preventing and mitigating wildfires, investing in transit infrastructure, and strengthening public safety. While Marshall supports the construction of a new jail, she also believes in the need for prevention and judicial reform to address issues in our criminal legal system. She connects the issue of road infrastructure with mitigating the consequences of wildfires by emphasizing the need for better and more effective evacuation routes.
Marshall is challenging longtime Republican incumbent Al French, who has been in this office since 2010. French also previously served on the Spokane City Council and is the chair of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. French has faced criticism recently for his opposition to cleaning up the local water supply. In early 2020, local officials called on French to support cleaning up poisonous PFAS that's poisoning the drinking water of thousands of community members in West Plains and Airway Heights. Unfortunately, he intervened twice in two years to block state funding to study how to solve the issue. In addition to his consistently conservative voting record, French has clearly lost touch with the families in the district he's supposed to represent.
This race is particularly important because a win by Marshall could flip control of the commission after many years of Republican control. Molly Marshall's longtime record of public service and thoughtful approach to policymaking make her the clear choice for Spokane County Commission representing District 5.
Seattle City Council
Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck would bring a strong mix of professional and lived experience to the Seattle City Council in Position 8. She currently works for the University of Washington as the assistant director for policy, planning, and state operations. She also previously served on the board of Fuse Washington, which produces this guide. Rinck worked her way through college, becoming a community organizer against the Trump Administration and raising money for Planned Parenthood door-to-door.
Rinck is running for city council with a bold, optimistic vision for uplifting our diverse community. Her family members experienced incarceration, substance use disorder, and homelessness during her childhood, profoundly shaping her outlook and advocacy for our social safety net. Some of Rinck's top priorities include addressing the housing crisis, mitigating the effects of climate change on our city, investing in pathways to higher education, and increasing community safety, including through policing alternatives and gun violence prevention. Rinck is a strong advocate of clean energy, electrification infrastructure, and transit investments, among other green improvements to the city. In this race, she has outshined her opponent with broad community endorsements from unions, local Democrats, and progressive elected leaders in Seattle.
Incumbent council member Tanya Woo is running for a full term. Woo was first appointed to the council this January to fill Teresa Mosqueda’s vacant seat after losing her race against Tammy Morales last year. In her first year on the council, Woo has been a vocal advocate for rolling back numerous hard-fought progressive victories. She opposed a plan to build more affordable housing in Rainier Valley and joined an effort to withhold funding for equitable development. Like last year, her campaign is funded by large corporate donors that want to reduce the minimum wage and avoid paying what they owe in taxes. She has previously faced criticism for failing to vote, including in the critical 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Woo's conservative-leaning positions and perspectives are not a good fit to solve Seattle's current challenges and are currently overrepresented on the city council. Rinck would add progressive balance to a council that is relatively conservative and oriented towards business interests.
We recommend Alexis Mercedes Rinck for Seattle City Council, Position 8 because of her strong support from our partner organizations and her progressive vision for the city.
Alexis Mercedes Rinck would bring a strong mix of professional and lived experience to the Seattle City Council in Position 8. She currently works for the University of Washington as the assistant director for policy, planning, and state operations. She also previously served on the board of Fuse Washington, which produces this guide. Rinck worked her way through college, becoming a community organizer against the Trump Administration and raising money for Planned Parenthood door-to-door.
Rinck is running for city council with a bold, optimistic vision for uplifting our diverse community. Her family members experienced incarceration, substance use disorder, and homelessness during her childhood, profoundly shaping her outlook and advocacy for our social safety net. Some of Rinck's top priorities include addressing the housing crisis, mitigating the effects of climate change on our city, investing in pathways to higher education, and increasing community safety, including through policing alternatives and gun violence prevention. Rinck is a strong advocate of clean energy, electrification infrastructure, and transit investments, among other green improvements to the city. In this race, she has outshined her opponent with broad community endorsements from unions, local Democrats, and progressive elected leaders in Seattle.
Incumbent council member Tanya Woo is running for a full term. Woo was first appointed to the council this January to fill Teresa Mosqueda’s vacant seat after losing her race against Tammy Morales last year. In her first year on the council, Woo has been a vocal advocate for rolling back numerous hard-fought progressive victories. She opposed a plan to build more affordable housing in Rainier Valley and joined an effort to withhold funding for equitable development. Like last year, her campaign is funded by large corporate donors that want to reduce the minimum wage and avoid paying what they owe in taxes. She has previously faced criticism for failing to vote, including in the critical 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Woo's conservative-leaning positions and perspectives are not a good fit to solve Seattle's current challenges and are currently overrepresented on the city council. Rinck would add progressive balance to a council that is relatively conservative and oriented towards business interests.
We recommend Alexis Mercedes Rinck for Seattle City Council, Position 8 because of her strong support from our partner organizations and her progressive vision for the city.