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Election Day November 5, 2024
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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2024 November election! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures 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 and vote by November 5!

Statewide Ballot Measures

VOTE NO

Vote NO on I-2066 to keep moving forward on clean energy!

Initiative 2066 is one of four initiatives to be put before voters that is sponsored and funded by millionaire Brian Heywood and a cadre of Washington Republicans. This initiative would raise energy bills and costs for families and businesses by rolling back or eliminating modern standards that make homes more energy efficient. In fact, a study from April found that passing I-2066 could raise the utility bills of gas customers by an average of $150 per year. 

Next to transportation, Washington's buildings are the second largest source of pollution, contributing 25% of emissions. To that end, the state Legislature has required that building construction reduce pollution through energy-efficient electrification and other means, including rebates for electric appliances instead of natural gas-fueled ones. Backed by powerful interest groups who want to make more money off of households’ energy use, I-2066 aims to overturn the parts of the state's building code that incentivize clean energy and clean air.

By rolling back some of these laws, I-2066 would force utility companies to continue to invest in costly outdated technology. It would also jeopardize Puget Sound Energy's ability to provide financial assistance to homeowners switching from natural gas to electrification and potentially end neighborhood electrification programs. Finally, it would prevent towns, cities, and counties from making their own decisions that work best for their communities by forcing them to subsidize the use of natural gas in appliances or buildings.

The fossil fuel industry and wealthy conservatives want to stop energy efficiency and clean energy in order to increase their profits, saddling us with higher energy bills. Don’t let them raise our costs while polluting our air — vote No on I-2066 this year.
 

Last updated: 2024-11-04

Initiative 2066 is one of four initiatives to be put before voters that is sponsored and funded by millionaire Brian Heywood and a cadre of Washington Republicans. This initiative would raise energy bills and costs for families and businesses by rolling back or eliminating modern standards that make homes more energy efficient. In fact, a study from April found that passing I-2066 could raise the utility bills of gas customers by an average of $150 per year. 

Next to transportation, Washington's buildings are the second largest source of pollution, contributing 25% of emissions. To that end, the state Legislature has required that building construction reduce pollution through energy-efficient electrification and other means, including rebates for electric appliances instead of natural gas-fueled ones. Backed by powerful interest groups who want to make more money off of households’ energy use, I-2066 aims to overturn the parts of the state's building code that incentivize clean energy and clean air.

By rolling back some of these laws, I-2066 would force utility companies to continue to invest in costly outdated technology. It would also jeopardize Puget Sound Energy's ability to provide financial assistance to homeowners switching from natural gas to electrification and potentially end neighborhood electrification programs. Finally, it would prevent towns, cities, and counties from making their own decisions that work best for their communities by forcing them to subsidize the use of natural gas in appliances or buildings.

The fossil fuel industry and wealthy conservatives want to stop energy efficiency and clean energy in order to increase their profits, saddling us with higher energy bills. Don’t let them raise our costs while polluting our air — vote No on I-2066 this year.
 

Last updated: 2024-11-04

Opposed By American Federation of Teachers - WA , Fuse , SEIU 775 , SEIU Local 925 , Sierra Club , SEPAC , UFCW 3000 , Washington Conservation Action , Housing Development Consortium of King County, Statewide Poverty Action Network, Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition, WA Build Back Black Alliance, Rewiring America, Climate Solutions, NW Energy Coalition, Restaurants United, Sheet Metal Workers Local 66, REI
VOTE NO

Vote NO on I-2109 to keep the capital gains tax

Washington Initiative 2109 (I-2109) represents a tax break for Washington’s multi-millionaires and billionaires. If passed, the initiative would repeal Washington's current capital gains excise tax on stock market profits greater than $250,000, thereby eliminating more than $2.2 billion in funding for early learning, childcare, K-12 education, and school construction over the next five years.

All of Washington's kids, no matter their zip code or how much money their parents earn, should have the same access to care and early learning. In its first year, Washington’s capital gains tax provided funding for early learning and schools to the tune of nearly $900 million, creating a significant positive impact on kids and schools. Further, the education funding saved Washington’s childcare system from collapse, avoiding the pitfalls that other states are facing. Without the public revenue raised by the tax, childcare programs will be cut, schools will stay underresourced, and much-needed repairs and construction of schools will grind to a halt. This will hurt working families who rely on childcare, students trying to learn with outdated textbooks, and rural communities who need overdue upgrades to crumbling school buildings.

Washington's capital gains tax affects just 0.2% of the population, only the wealthiest sliver of our state community. With exemptions for home sales, retirement accounts, college funds, farm sales, and more, the remaining 99.8% of us will never pay the capital gains tax. In 2023, fewer than 4,000 extremely rich people paid the tax. Nevertheless, some of our state’s wealthiest people have spent the last two years trying to repeal this tax or get it thrown out in court, and they have failed. Now, they’re trying to convince voters to eliminate it for them so they don’t have to pay.

Leading this effort is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who personally spent $6 million to put this measure on the ballot. He and MAGA Republican party chair Jim Walsh would rather deprive our kids of learning opportunities than pay what they actually owe in taxes. 

Vote No on I-2109.

Last updated: 2024-10-23

Washington Initiative 2109 (I-2109) represents a tax break for Washington’s multi-millionaires and billionaires. If passed, the initiative would repeal Washington's current capital gains excise tax on stock market profits greater than $250,000, thereby eliminating more than $2.2 billion in funding for early learning, childcare, K-12 education, and school construction over the next five years.

All of Washington's kids, no matter their zip code or how much money their parents earn, should have the same access to care and early learning. In its first year, Washington’s capital gains tax provided funding for early learning and schools to the tune of nearly $900 million, creating a significant positive impact on kids and schools. Further, the education funding saved Washington’s childcare system from collapse, avoiding the pitfalls that other states are facing. Without the public revenue raised by the tax, childcare programs will be cut, schools will stay underresourced, and much-needed repairs and construction of schools will grind to a halt. This will hurt working families who rely on childcare, students trying to learn with outdated textbooks, and rural communities who need overdue upgrades to crumbling school buildings.

Washington's capital gains tax affects just 0.2% of the population, only the wealthiest sliver of our state community. With exemptions for home sales, retirement accounts, college funds, farm sales, and more, the remaining 99.8% of us will never pay the capital gains tax. In 2023, fewer than 4,000 extremely rich people paid the tax. Nevertheless, some of our state’s wealthiest people have spent the last two years trying to repeal this tax or get it thrown out in court, and they have failed. Now, they’re trying to convince voters to eliminate it for them so they don’t have to pay.

Leading this effort is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who personally spent $6 million to put this measure on the ballot. He and MAGA Republican party chair Jim Walsh would rather deprive our kids of learning opportunities than pay what they actually owe in taxes. 

Vote No on I-2109.

Last updated: 2024-10-23
VOTE NO

Vote NO on I-2117 to keep the CCA in place

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) makes big polluters pay for the harm they cause to our air, water, and communities and creates a roadmap for reducing emissions over time. I-2117 is a multi-millionaire-funded initiative that would eliminate the CCA and ban Washington from ever creating something similar.

Voting no on I-2117 is critical for our environment and communities. Without the funds raised by the CCA, many popular programs would be terminated, threatened, or reduced — including wildfire resilience, school-based bike programs, free bus fare for students, updating our ferry system, restoring fish habitats, and increasing the sustainable supply of water. The revenue from the Climate Commitment Act also creates good-paying, local job opportunities such as making homes more energy-efficient and installing heat pumps and solar panels. Ending the CCA would shift the burden of paying for the impacts of pollution away from polluters and onto our families and communities. 

Behind this initiative is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who has personally spent more than $6 million to put this measure on the ballot. He’s partnered with MAGA Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh to roll back the ways our elected leaders have made life better in Washington in recent years with no care about the damage to our communities he leaves in his wake.

I-2117 would mean more toxic air pollution and wildfires, causing more kids and seniors to suffer from asthma and heart conditions. The Climate Commitment Act is our state's best shot at creating a healthy future for all of us in Washington. Vote no on I-2117 to keep the CCA in place.

Last updated: 2024-10-25

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) makes big polluters pay for the harm they cause to our air, water, and communities and creates a roadmap for reducing emissions over time. I-2117 is a multi-millionaire-funded initiative that would eliminate the CCA and ban Washington from ever creating something similar.

Voting no on I-2117 is critical for our environment and communities. Without the funds raised by the CCA, many popular programs would be terminated, threatened, or reduced — including wildfire resilience, school-based bike programs, free bus fare for students, updating our ferry system, restoring fish habitats, and increasing the sustainable supply of water. The revenue from the Climate Commitment Act also creates good-paying, local job opportunities such as making homes more energy-efficient and installing heat pumps and solar panels. Ending the CCA would shift the burden of paying for the impacts of pollution away from polluters and onto our families and communities. 

Behind this initiative is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who has personally spent more than $6 million to put this measure on the ballot. He’s partnered with MAGA Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh to roll back the ways our elected leaders have made life better in Washington in recent years with no care about the damage to our communities he leaves in his wake.

I-2117 would mean more toxic air pollution and wildfires, causing more kids and seniors to suffer from asthma and heart conditions. The Climate Commitment Act is our state's best shot at creating a healthy future for all of us in Washington. Vote no on I-2117 to keep the CCA in place.

Last updated: 2024-10-25
VOTE NO

Vote NO on I-2124 to reject this attempt to take away long-term care insurance

If passed, Washington Initiative 2124 (I-2124) would eliminate long-term care coverage for nearly 4 million of us, costing all of us more. I-2124 will drive more people, disproportionately women, to leave their jobs to provide unpaid care for loved ones who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or are aging. 

I-2124 is misleading. Experts say it will cause a "death spiral" and quickly bankrupt Washington's insurance funds. I-2124 only benefits the private insurance industry, which charges women more, routinely jacks up premiums without warning, and denies coverage to those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, or high blood pressure. Less than 5% of us have private long-term care insurance, and I-2124 will send more people into debt or onto Medicaid as they have no choice but to pay for long-term care costs out of their own pockets.

Leading the effort to sabotage long-term care is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who has personally spent more than $6 million to put four initiatives on the ballot, alongside MAGA Republican Party Chair Rep. Jim Walsh. Their continued efforts to repeal any source of funding for public needs like health care are not just deeply cynical but dangerous for the majority of us. 

An estimated 70% of Washingtonians will need long-term care assistance at some point in our lives due to an injury, illness, disability, or aging. This short-sighted, millionaire-backed effort will leave most of us without a choice. Vote no on I-2124 and reject this attempt to eliminate Washington's long-term care insurance program.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

If passed, Washington Initiative 2124 (I-2124) would eliminate long-term care coverage for nearly 4 million of us, costing all of us more. I-2124 will drive more people, disproportionately women, to leave their jobs to provide unpaid care for loved ones who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or are aging. 

I-2124 is misleading. Experts say it will cause a "death spiral" and quickly bankrupt Washington's insurance funds. I-2124 only benefits the private insurance industry, which charges women more, routinely jacks up premiums without warning, and denies coverage to those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, or high blood pressure. Less than 5% of us have private long-term care insurance, and I-2124 will send more people into debt or onto Medicaid as they have no choice but to pay for long-term care costs out of their own pockets.

Leading the effort to sabotage long-term care is Republican mega-donor and hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, who has personally spent more than $6 million to put four initiatives on the ballot, alongside MAGA Republican Party Chair Rep. Jim Walsh. Their continued efforts to repeal any source of funding for public needs like health care are not just deeply cynical but dangerous for the majority of us. 

An estimated 70% of Washingtonians will need long-term care assistance at some point in our lives due to an injury, illness, disability, or aging. This short-sighted, millionaire-backed effort will leave most of us without a choice. Vote no on I-2124 and reject this attempt to eliminate Washington's long-term care insurance program.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

Federal

In this pivotal election, Vice President Kamala Harris embodies a hopeful vision of unity, freedom, and progress for our country’s future. Harris has worked closely with President Biden to implement a broad and impressive agenda. Before that, she had a strong track record, ranging from leading the nation on recidivism reduction as San Francisco district attorney to fighting for marriage equality as California’s first woman attorney general to her hard-fought progressive victories in the U.S. Senate.

Throughout her public service career, Harris has demonstrated integrity, leadership, and tenacity in fighting for regular Americans. Her 2024 campaign priorities include ensuring American billionaires pay what they owe in taxes while alleviating the burden on middle-class families, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, restoring and protecting reproductive health care across the country, defending civil rights against the authoritarian vision of MAGA Project 2025, making housing, childcare, and education more affordable for all Americans, and more.

Joining Harris as a running mate on the Democratic ticket is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a champion of working families and former high school teacher. Walz’s community leadership experience ranges from serving as a local football coach to representing a primarily Republican district as a Democrat in the U.S. House. Walz’s priorities are firmly rooted in his Midwestern upbringing, union membership, and Army veteran background. He worked to lower the prescription cost of insulin to $35 for many Minnesotans. Walz believes in responsible gun ownership, uplifting rural farmers, and protecting LGBTQ+ kids.

While we can continue to push Kamala Harris’ platform towards even more progressive goals, it is clear that she is the best choice to make history as our next president of the United States.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

In this pivotal election, Vice President Kamala Harris embodies a hopeful vision of unity, freedom, and progress for our country’s future. Harris has worked closely with President Biden to implement a broad and impressive agenda. Before that, she had a strong track record, ranging from leading the nation on recidivism reduction as San Francisco district attorney to fighting for marriage equality as California’s first woman attorney general to her hard-fought progressive victories in the U.S. Senate.

Throughout her public service career, Harris has demonstrated integrity, leadership, and tenacity in fighting for regular Americans. Her 2024 campaign priorities include ensuring American billionaires pay what they owe in taxes while alleviating the burden on middle-class families, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, restoring and protecting reproductive health care across the country, defending civil rights against the authoritarian vision of MAGA Project 2025, making housing, childcare, and education more affordable for all Americans, and more.

Joining Harris as a running mate on the Democratic ticket is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a champion of working families and former high school teacher. Walz’s community leadership experience ranges from serving as a local football coach to representing a primarily Republican district as a Democrat in the U.S. House. Walz’s priorities are firmly rooted in his Midwestern upbringing, union membership, and Army veteran background. He worked to lower the prescription cost of insulin to $35 for many Minnesotans. Walz believes in responsible gun ownership, uplifting rural farmers, and protecting LGBTQ+ kids.

While we can continue to push Kamala Harris’ platform towards even more progressive goals, it is clear that she is the best choice to make history as our next president of the United States.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

Other Candidates

Harris is running against former President Donald Trump in this election. Since the last presidential election, he has incited a coup to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, been convicted of 34 felony counts of falsified business records, and continued to amplify white nationalist rhetoric. Donald Trump’s explicit goal with another term is to further dismantle our democratic institutions. His leaked MAGA Project 2025 would lead to an unprecedented rollback of basic civil rights and freedoms that we all enjoy. In his single term, Trump mishandled the national coronavirus response, separated thousands of immigrant children from their families and locked them in cages, sought to strip millions of Americans of health care, and eliminated climate protections that safeguard our air and water. Despite losing the 2020 election, the effects of his catastrophic presidency are still unfolding, most notably with the Supreme Court justices he installed overturning our reproductive freedoms. Trump’s running mate Ohio Governor JD Vance previously described Trump as “a total fraud that is exploiting [his base]” but is now running as another dangerously extremist figurehead. We cannot afford the damage and division of another Trump term.

There are a number of third-party candidates in this race. Perennial Green Party candidate Jill Stein is seeking the presidency again in this race. She sought the party nomination after Cornel West left the party to run separately. Her top priorities include climate policy that is even more aggressive on climate change than the Green New Deal, withdrawing American support of Israel and Ukraine, reforming the size and term limits of the Supreme Court, and securing free education from pre-K through college.

Decorated scholar, author, and professor Cornel West is running as a Justice For All Party candidate. Alongside his running mate Professor Melina Abdullah, West is campaigning against Biden’s strong support for the Israeli military in the ongoing war in Gaza. The rest of his platform is strongly justice-focused, viewing issues Americans face in the full context of their history and attempting to right historical wrongs while building community safety and prosperity.

Libertarian Chase Oliver represents more moderate Libertarian leadership in the face of a rising far-right faction within the party. He is an openly gay candidate and first discovered the Libertarian Party at an Atlanta Pride event. He is running with Mike ter Maat, a George H.W. Bush administration economist and retired “pro-reform” police officer, to decriminalize marijuana, withdraw aid to Ukraine and Israel, streamline citizenship pathways, defend NRA gun ideals, eliminate the Federal Reserve, and more.

Also in this race is Socialism and Liberation Party candidate Claudia De la Cruz running on an anti-capitalist platform. De la Cruz is an educator, working mother, organizer, and theologian from the South Bronx. Her running mate Karina Garcia is a Chicana organizer, working mother, and educator. Together the socialist candidates have a leftist view of what will empower working people and our country, including the nationalization of America’s top 100 largest companies, cutting the U.S. military budget by 90% to fight for a peace agenda, reproductive freedom for all, reparations for Black Americans, and criminalizing corporate lobbying, amongst many other priorities.

Former Baltimore resident Rachele Fruit is running as a pro-Israel, pro-working class candidate with the Socialist Workers Party candidate. Fruit believes that the major parties are too capitalist while other socialist movements do not stand against anti-semitism. The pillar of her campaign is upholding the state of Israel as a refuge for the Jewish diaspora from rising anti-Jewish hatred, and she believes strongly in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vision, which includes settlement expansion, Palestinian displacement, and the eradication of Hamas. Her single-issue views are on the more extreme side of this debate.

Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party, is running with Trotskyist Jerry White on the party’s ticket in this election. Kishore’s platform is that of his party which seeks to mobilize the global working class against international, late-stage capitalism. It criticizes the United States’ support of Israel’s war in Gaza, warns of the rise of fascism within Trumpism, and advocates for the nationalization of major corporations, amongst other socialist goals.

Nirvana bassist and co-founder Krist Novoselić recently created his own new, Washington-based party called the Cascade Party to serve as a centrist option. Some priorities of the party include protecting family farming, reforming the judicial appointment process to include voters, environmental conservation and protection, and creating a hypercompetitive health care market where hospitals can reference credit scores when evaluating a patient’s ability to pay.

Finally, Independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai is a known anti-vaccine activist who faced controversy when he claimed to have invented email as we know it when he was a teenager. He lacks a campaign platform in this race but his past Senate run seems to misunderstand progressive priorities adopted by the Democratic party in recent elections.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Harris is running against former President Donald Trump in this election. Since the last presidential election, he has incited a coup to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, been convicted of 34 felony counts of falsified business records, and continued to amplify white nationalist rhetoric. Donald Trump’s explicit goal with another term is to further dismantle our democratic institutions. His leaked MAGA Project 2025 would lead to an unprecedented rollback of basic civil rights and freedoms that we all enjoy. In his single term, Trump mishandled the national coronavirus response, separated thousands of immigrant children from their families and locked them in cages, sought to strip millions of Americans of health care, and eliminated climate protections that safeguard our air and water. Despite losing the 2020 election, the effects of his catastrophic presidency are still unfolding, most notably with the Supreme Court justices he installed overturning our reproductive freedoms. Trump’s running mate Ohio Governor JD Vance previously described Trump as “a total fraud that is exploiting [his base]” but is now running as another dangerously extremist figurehead. We cannot afford the damage and division of another Trump term.

There are a number of third-party candidates in this race. Perennial Green Party candidate Jill Stein is seeking the presidency again in this race. She sought the party nomination after Cornel West left the party to run separately. Her top priorities include climate policy that is even more aggressive on climate change than the Green New Deal, withdrawing American support of Israel and Ukraine, reforming the size and term limits of the Supreme Court, and securing free education from pre-K through college.

Decorated scholar, author, and professor Cornel West is running as a Justice For All Party candidate. Alongside his running mate Professor Melina Abdullah, West is campaigning against Biden’s strong support for the Israeli military in the ongoing war in Gaza. The rest of his platform is strongly justice-focused, viewing issues Americans face in the full context of their history and attempting to right historical wrongs while building community safety and prosperity.

Libertarian Chase Oliver represents more moderate Libertarian leadership in the face of a rising far-right faction within the party. He is an openly gay candidate and first discovered the Libertarian Party at an Atlanta Pride event. He is running with Mike ter Maat, a George H.W. Bush administration economist and retired “pro-reform” police officer, to decriminalize marijuana, withdraw aid to Ukraine and Israel, streamline citizenship pathways, defend NRA gun ideals, eliminate the Federal Reserve, and more.

Also in this race is Socialism and Liberation Party candidate Claudia De la Cruz running on an anti-capitalist platform. De la Cruz is an educator, working mother, organizer, and theologian from the South Bronx. Her running mate Karina Garcia is a Chicana organizer, working mother, and educator. Together the socialist candidates have a leftist view of what will empower working people and our country, including the nationalization of America’s top 100 largest companies, cutting the U.S. military budget by 90% to fight for a peace agenda, reproductive freedom for all, reparations for Black Americans, and criminalizing corporate lobbying, amongst many other priorities.

Former Baltimore resident Rachele Fruit is running as a pro-Israel, pro-working class candidate with the Socialist Workers Party candidate. Fruit believes that the major parties are too capitalist while other socialist movements do not stand against anti-semitism. The pillar of her campaign is upholding the state of Israel as a refuge for the Jewish diaspora from rising anti-Jewish hatred, and she believes strongly in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vision, which includes settlement expansion, Palestinian displacement, and the eradication of Hamas. Her single-issue views are on the more extreme side of this debate.

Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party, is running with Trotskyist Jerry White on the party’s ticket in this election. Kishore’s platform is that of his party which seeks to mobilize the global working class against international, late-stage capitalism. It criticizes the United States’ support of Israel’s war in Gaza, warns of the rise of fascism within Trumpism, and advocates for the nationalization of major corporations, amongst other socialist goals.

Nirvana bassist and co-founder Krist Novoselić recently created his own new, Washington-based party called the Cascade Party to serve as a centrist option. Some priorities of the party include protecting family farming, reforming the judicial appointment process to include voters, environmental conservation and protection, and creating a hypercompetitive health care market where hospitals can reference credit scores when evaluating a patient’s ability to pay.

Finally, Independent candidate Shiva Ayyadurai is a known anti-vaccine activist who faced controversy when he claimed to have invented email as we know it when he was a teenager. He lacks a campaign platform in this race but his past Senate run seems to misunderstand progressive priorities adopted by the Democratic party in recent elections.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Maria Cantwell is running for another term in the U.S. Senate, where she has served the state of Washington since 2001. Before that, she served in the state Legislature and had a successful career in the private sector, leading marketing efforts for a large tech company.

In Congress, Cantwell has been a strong advocate for environmental protections and clean energy. She recently sponsored bills to protect waterways while promoting clean energy and strengthening tribal involvement in matters relating to conservation and land management. This spring, Cantwell partnered with Sen. Patty Murray to secure $28 million in funding to replace lead pipes in Washington and ensure safe drinking water across the state. In this race, she is running on a broad and detailed platform to address Washington’s most pressing issues, including protecting and restoring reproductive health access, increasing funding for K-12 and student loans, and expanding the affordable housing tax credit and other housing solutions.

Dr. Raul Garcia is the Republican challenger for the U.S. Senate seat. After initially announcing a campaign for governor, he is now running to install conservative leadership in one of Washington’s senate seats. Dr. Garcia is a Yakima-based doctor and hospital medical director who previously ran for governor in 2020. He has served in leadership positions across medical institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses. Garcia has received support from some of Washington’s most prominent conservatives.

Cantwell has been a thoughtful and hard-working advocate for the people of Washington. She has earned your vote for another term in the U.S. Senate.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Maria Cantwell is running for another term in the U.S. Senate, where she has served the state of Washington since 2001. Before that, she served in the state Legislature and had a successful career in the private sector, leading marketing efforts for a large tech company.

In Congress, Cantwell has been a strong advocate for environmental protections and clean energy. She recently sponsored bills to protect waterways while promoting clean energy and strengthening tribal involvement in matters relating to conservation and land management. This spring, Cantwell partnered with Sen. Patty Murray to secure $28 million in funding to replace lead pipes in Washington and ensure safe drinking water across the state. In this race, she is running on a broad and detailed platform to address Washington’s most pressing issues, including protecting and restoring reproductive health access, increasing funding for K-12 and student loans, and expanding the affordable housing tax credit and other housing solutions.

Dr. Raul Garcia is the Republican challenger for the U.S. Senate seat. After initially announcing a campaign for governor, he is now running to install conservative leadership in one of Washington’s senate seats. Dr. Garcia is a Yakima-based doctor and hospital medical director who previously ran for governor in 2020. He has served in leadership positions across medical institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses. Garcia has received support from some of Washington’s most prominent conservatives.

Cantwell has been a thoughtful and hard-working advocate for the people of Washington. She has earned your vote for another term in the U.S. Senate.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Congress

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

1st Congressional District

Rep. Suzan DelBene is seeking another term representing Washington Congressional District 1 in the U.S. House. DelBene has been a staunch advocate for working families, consumer protections and data privacy, health care, technology, and small businesses since she was first elected to the position in 2012. She also serves on the Pro-Choice Caucus. Professionally, her background is in tech, including working at Microsoft and leading a handful of local startups. In addition, she worked as the director of the Washington State Department of Revenue before joining Congress.

Some of DelBene’s greatest accomplishments in office include expanding the low-income housing and child tax credits, increasing access to baby formula across the country, funding job-training opportunities (resulting in $22 million for Washington state alone), and securing programs to support Americans struggling with substance abuse issues. In this race, she boasts a detailed, thoughtful platform that includes priorities to defend reproductive freedom, reduce the cost of living for working families, increase access to affordable health care, safeguard our local ecosystems and natural resources, strengthen the Social Security program, support Washington farms and food security, and more.

Her opponent Jeb Brewer works in program management and construction services. In 2022, Brewer challenged progressive Sen. John Lovick in Washington’s 44th Legislative District. Now, in his bid for Congress, Brewer is running on a moderately conservative platform. He says he wants to streamline the tax payment system but offers no ideas about how to balance our tax code so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Brewer shares support for health care affordability and environmental protections but criticizes the type of bold actions that can actually create progress on these issues.

DelBene is a strong Democratic voice in Congress who deserves your vote to continue advocating for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Suzan DelBene is seeking another term representing Washington Congressional District 1 in the U.S. House. DelBene has been a staunch advocate for working families, consumer protections and data privacy, health care, technology, and small businesses since she was first elected to the position in 2012. She also serves on the Pro-Choice Caucus. Professionally, her background is in tech, including working at Microsoft and leading a handful of local startups. In addition, she worked as the director of the Washington State Department of Revenue before joining Congress.

Some of DelBene’s greatest accomplishments in office include expanding the low-income housing and child tax credits, increasing access to baby formula across the country, funding job-training opportunities (resulting in $22 million for Washington state alone), and securing programs to support Americans struggling with substance abuse issues. In this race, she boasts a detailed, thoughtful platform that includes priorities to defend reproductive freedom, reduce the cost of living for working families, increase access to affordable health care, safeguard our local ecosystems and natural resources, strengthen the Social Security program, support Washington farms and food security, and more.

Her opponent Jeb Brewer works in program management and construction services. In 2022, Brewer challenged progressive Sen. John Lovick in Washington’s 44th Legislative District. Now, in his bid for Congress, Brewer is running on a moderately conservative platform. He says he wants to streamline the tax payment system but offers no ideas about how to balance our tax code so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Brewer shares support for health care affordability and environmental protections but criticizes the type of bold actions that can actually create progress on these issues.

DelBene is a strong Democratic voice in Congress who deserves your vote to continue advocating for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

9th Congressional District

Rep. Adam Smith is running for his 14th term in the U.S. House representing Congressional District 9. Smith has a long track record of advocacy and government work, including as a former lawyer, City of Seattle prosecutor, and Washington state senator. In Congress, Smith serves on the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Caucus. His district is the state’s most diverse – with a strong immigrant population and sizable Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities – and he has shown a demonstrated commitment to uplifting all residents in the district.

Smith is an influential voice in Congress and has previously supported some ambitious progressive bills such as the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. This term, he sponsored bills to curtail hedge fund buy-ups of single-family homes, bring better job opportunities to foreign-trained, skilled medical professionals, and create more pathways to economic security for Americans without college degrees. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, Smith has been criticized for his more hawkish foreign policy stances – including supporting a larger U.S. role in the growing conflict in the Middle East. His top priorities in this race include, amongst others, reforming our criminal justice system, protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights, strengthening gun violence prevention, and pushing strong multi-industry approaches to addressing climate change.

We would like to see Smith continue to leverage his experience in office to pass bold, progressive policies in another term representing Congressional District 9, and we believe he is the best choice to do so.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Adam Smith is running for his 14th term in the U.S. House representing Congressional District 9. Smith has a long track record of advocacy and government work, including as a former lawyer, City of Seattle prosecutor, and Washington state senator. In Congress, Smith serves on the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Caucus. His district is the state’s most diverse – with a strong immigrant population and sizable Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities – and he has shown a demonstrated commitment to uplifting all residents in the district.

Smith is an influential voice in Congress and has previously supported some ambitious progressive bills such as the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. This term, he sponsored bills to curtail hedge fund buy-ups of single-family homes, bring better job opportunities to foreign-trained, skilled medical professionals, and create more pathways to economic security for Americans without college degrees. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, Smith has been criticized for his more hawkish foreign policy stances – including supporting a larger U.S. role in the growing conflict in the Middle East. His top priorities in this race include, amongst others, reforming our criminal justice system, protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights, strengthening gun violence prevention, and pushing strong multi-industry approaches to addressing climate change.

We would like to see Smith continue to leverage his experience in office to pass bold, progressive policies in another term representing Congressional District 9, and we believe he is the best choice to do so.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Melissa Chaudhry is mounting a grassroots challenge to Adam Smith in this race. Chaudhry has a strong background in community service. She has worked on international environmental initiatives as well as local housing and sustainable agriculture projects. Currently, Chaudhry works for a nonprofit that delivers hygiene products, like baby wipes and soap, across Washington to those who need them.

As a mother with a husband who is a disabled veteran, Chaudhry grounds her campaign and progressive values in personal experience. Chaudhry is running on a platform that centers on peace, at the local and global levels. Chaudhry says she is aligned with Rep. Pramila Jayapal and supported a ceasefire in Gaza within weeks of the initial attack. If elected, she wants to defend civil rights, take climate action, and ensure all Americans can afford the basics, like shelter, groceries, gas, prescriptions, quality education, and childcare. As a challenger to a sitting Democrat, her endorsements in this race are impressive. While she faces an uphill fight against Smith, this is a safe Democratic district and Chaudhry is a reasonable alternative if you're looking for a very progressive voice for peace.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Melissa Chaudhry is mounting a grassroots challenge to Adam Smith in this race. Chaudhry has a strong background in community service. She has worked on international environmental initiatives as well as local housing and sustainable agriculture projects. Currently, Chaudhry works for a nonprofit that delivers hygiene products, like baby wipes and soap, across Washington to those who need them.

As a mother with a husband who is a disabled veteran, Chaudhry grounds her campaign and progressive values in personal experience. Chaudhry is running on a platform that centers on peace, at the local and global levels. Chaudhry says she is aligned with Rep. Pramila Jayapal and supported a ceasefire in Gaza within weeks of the initial attack. If elected, she wants to defend civil rights, take climate action, and ensure all Americans can afford the basics, like shelter, groceries, gas, prescriptions, quality education, and childcare. As a challenger to a sitting Democrat, her endorsements in this race are impressive. While she faces an uphill fight against Smith, this is a safe Democratic district and Chaudhry is a reasonable alternative if you're looking for a very progressive voice for peace.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Endorsed By: The Stranger

Statewide

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running for governor on his impressive record as an advocate for all Washingtonians. He has served as attorney general since 2012 and has won some of the biggest and most consequential legal cases in Washington's history during that time.

Ferguson has a record of success in litigating against the Trump administration and greedy corporations. When Donald Trump attacked access to contraception, Ferguson took him to court and won. Ferguson has sued the federal government to clean up the Hanford nuclear facility more quickly and has defended the Affordable Care Act from the Trump Administration, helping preserve care for 825,000 Washingtonians. Other wins include protecting statewide water quality from Trump's pro-pollution environmental policies, securing over $1 billion from opioid manufacturers to fund treatment, and fighting back against child detention laws.

All of these wins echo Ferguson's priorities in running for governor: to continue fighting to improve health care access, protect consumers, and strengthen the rights of working families in Washington. If elected, he plans to scale up behavioral health care. Recognizing that currently "our jails are collectively our largest mental health provider," he is committed to a large number of interventions in our communities including prevention, adding more health providers, and more peer service support. He's also committed to breaking up corporate monopolies and reducing the cost of living, establishing Washington as a clean energy hub, and exploring high-speed rail infrastructure.

Republican and former U.S. Representative Dave Reichert is running against Ferguson. Reichert served Washington’s 8th Congressional District in the House for 14 years. During that time, he took some bad votes against climate protections and health care affordability and voted for a national abortion ban, among other anti-abortion votes. He also previously served as the elected King County sheriff, and worked on the prominent Green River Killer case.

While Reichert is adept at sounding more moderate than some of his MAGA colleagues, his policy positions tell the truth, particularly when speaking to friendly crowds of Republicans behind closed doors. Earlier this year, Reichert said that he opposes marriage equality, which Washington voters passed in 2012 and became the law nationwide in 2015. More recently, Reichert finally admitted that he plans to vote for Trump this November and cited his signed MAGA hat as evidence of his Republican credentials. Finally, Reichert questioned humans' impact on climate change, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus. Reichert is clearly out of step with the values of most Washingtonians.

Bob Ferguson is an accomplished progressive who leads with integrity and grit. He is the best choice to be the next governor of Washington.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running for governor on his impressive record as an advocate for all Washingtonians. He has served as attorney general since 2012 and has won some of the biggest and most consequential legal cases in Washington's history during that time.

Ferguson has a record of success in litigating against the Trump administration and greedy corporations. When Donald Trump attacked access to contraception, Ferguson took him to court and won. Ferguson has sued the federal government to clean up the Hanford nuclear facility more quickly and has defended the Affordable Care Act from the Trump Administration, helping preserve care for 825,000 Washingtonians. Other wins include protecting statewide water quality from Trump's pro-pollution environmental policies, securing over $1 billion from opioid manufacturers to fund treatment, and fighting back against child detention laws.

All of these wins echo Ferguson's priorities in running for governor: to continue fighting to improve health care access, protect consumers, and strengthen the rights of working families in Washington. If elected, he plans to scale up behavioral health care. Recognizing that currently "our jails are collectively our largest mental health provider," he is committed to a large number of interventions in our communities including prevention, adding more health providers, and more peer service support. He's also committed to breaking up corporate monopolies and reducing the cost of living, establishing Washington as a clean energy hub, and exploring high-speed rail infrastructure.

Republican and former U.S. Representative Dave Reichert is running against Ferguson. Reichert served Washington’s 8th Congressional District in the House for 14 years. During that time, he took some bad votes against climate protections and health care affordability and voted for a national abortion ban, among other anti-abortion votes. He also previously served as the elected King County sheriff, and worked on the prominent Green River Killer case.

While Reichert is adept at sounding more moderate than some of his MAGA colleagues, his policy positions tell the truth, particularly when speaking to friendly crowds of Republicans behind closed doors. Earlier this year, Reichert said that he opposes marriage equality, which Washington voters passed in 2012 and became the law nationwide in 2015. More recently, Reichert finally admitted that he plans to vote for Trump this November and cited his signed MAGA hat as evidence of his Republican credentials. Finally, Reichert questioned humans' impact on climate change, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus. Reichert is clearly out of step with the values of most Washingtonians.

Bob Ferguson is an accomplished progressive who leads with integrity and grit. He is the best choice to be the next governor of Washington.

Last updated: 2024-10-24

Democrat Denny Heck is running for a second term as Washington’s lieutenant governor. Heck is a former representative who served the 10th Congressional District from 2013 until 2021. His professional background also includes serving five terms representing Legislative District 17 in the state House, starting small businesses in his community, serving as the chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner, and founding one of the nation’s largest statewide public affairs networks.

Heck has fought for a number of Democratic priorities, including rebalancing our upside-down tax code, investing in public infrastructure, reducing health care costs, increasing workforce development and employment opportunities, and making college more affordable. He's running to continue fighting for affordability, health and safety, and opportunity for all Washingtonians.

Heck is running against Republican Dan Matthews, a veteran and former school board member running to deprioritize public schools in favor of private education, cut spending on social services, and roll back laws that hold corporations accountable. He is not a progressive choice and doesn't represent the needs of our communities.

We recommend Denny Heck for another term as the state’s lieutenant governor.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Denny Heck is running for a second term as Washington’s lieutenant governor. Heck is a former representative who served the 10th Congressional District from 2013 until 2021. His professional background also includes serving five terms representing Legislative District 17 in the state House, starting small businesses in his community, serving as the chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner, and founding one of the nation’s largest statewide public affairs networks.

Heck has fought for a number of Democratic priorities, including rebalancing our upside-down tax code, investing in public infrastructure, reducing health care costs, increasing workforce development and employment opportunities, and making college more affordable. He's running to continue fighting for affordability, health and safety, and opportunity for all Washingtonians.

Heck is running against Republican Dan Matthews, a veteran and former school board member running to deprioritize public schools in favor of private education, cut spending on social services, and roll back laws that hold corporations accountable. He is not a progressive choice and doesn't represent the needs of our communities.

We recommend Denny Heck for another term as the state’s lieutenant governor.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Steve Hobbs is running for another term as Washington's secretary of state. He first joined the office when he was appointed in 2021 and was retained by voters in 2022. Hobbs, a first-generation Japanese American, previously served as a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard and a four-term state senator for the 44th Legislative District.

In office, Hobbs has pursued a progressive set of priorities to ensure Washington’s election integrity, making the state safe from attacks and accessible to all Washington voters. He has worked on strengthening digital security, preventing the spread of misinformation, and promoting voter outreach. Unfortunately, in the last election, he expressed concerns about implementing ranked-choice voting for fear of the fragility of public trust and the accessibility of it to non-English-speaking voters.

In this race, Hobbs’ top two priorities are to ensure our elections remain both secure and accessible for every eligible voter. While he has and will continue to pursue security measures – such as cybersecurity investments and improvement grants, Hobbs also believes it’s his job to restore community trust in him and his office. He has also taken great strides to reach eligible voters from historically disenfranchised communities, including formerly incarcerated voters.

Republican Dale Whitaker, who owns a small tax business, is also in this race. Whitaker serves as the executive director of We Believe We Vote, which claims to educate Christian voters by supporting conservatives with some of the most extreme views in the state, including strong anti-abortion stances, homophobic positions, and a belief that the Christian Bible should be the ultimate guiding text for leaders. In this race, Whitaker’s top priority is election transparency and security. Unfortunately, the greatest threat to our democratic, electoral processes has been incursions from the far-right, of which Whitaker is affiliated. Washington voters deserve a secretary of state who is above divisive, conspiracy-based politics.

Hobbs is the best choice for Washington's secretary of state.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democrat Steve Hobbs is running for another term as Washington's secretary of state. He first joined the office when he was appointed in 2021 and was retained by voters in 2022. Hobbs, a first-generation Japanese American, previously served as a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard and a four-term state senator for the 44th Legislative District.

In office, Hobbs has pursued a progressive set of priorities to ensure Washington’s election integrity, making the state safe from attacks and accessible to all Washington voters. He has worked on strengthening digital security, preventing the spread of misinformation, and promoting voter outreach. Unfortunately, in the last election, he expressed concerns about implementing ranked-choice voting for fear of the fragility of public trust and the accessibility of it to non-English-speaking voters.

In this race, Hobbs’ top two priorities are to ensure our elections remain both secure and accessible for every eligible voter. While he has and will continue to pursue security measures – such as cybersecurity investments and improvement grants, Hobbs also believes it’s his job to restore community trust in him and his office. He has also taken great strides to reach eligible voters from historically disenfranchised communities, including formerly incarcerated voters.

Republican Dale Whitaker, who owns a small tax business, is also in this race. Whitaker serves as the executive director of We Believe We Vote, which claims to educate Christian voters by supporting conservatives with some of the most extreme views in the state, including strong anti-abortion stances, homophobic positions, and a belief that the Christian Bible should be the ultimate guiding text for leaders. In this race, Whitaker’s top priority is election transparency and security. Unfortunately, the greatest threat to our democratic, electoral processes has been incursions from the far-right, of which Whitaker is affiliated. Washington voters deserve a secretary of state who is above divisive, conspiracy-based politics.

Hobbs is the best choice for Washington's secretary of state.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democratic incumbent Mike Pellicciotti is running for re-election to Washington state treasurer. Pellicciotti was first elected to the position in 2020. Before that, Pellicciotti served as a representative for Legislative District 30 in the state House, an assistant state attorney general, and a deputy prosecuting attorney for King County.

In public office, he has advocated for transparency and public accountability. He has never accepted corporate campaign donations and previously worked to make the Legislature’s records open for public view. As a treasurer, he has prioritized economic security and prosperity for all, especially working families and retirees. In office, he has worked to strengthen budget reserves, increase pension funds, and manage debt costs.

Republican Sharon Hanek is challenging Pellicciotti in this race. Hanek is a certified public accountant and serves as the vice chair of the Pierce County Planning Commission. Hanek has run for office unsuccessfully several times before, including losing by more than 17% statewide in her 2012 run for state Treasurer. Hanek is the founder of My Family My Choice, a far-right group aligned with Moms for Liberty that wants to ban books and promotes conspiracy theories about public schools. We can't afford to give Hanek a statewide platform for her dangerous, far-right agenda.

Pellicciotti has been a reliable Democratic leader in the Washington state treasurer’s office and he has earned your vote for another term.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democratic incumbent Mike Pellicciotti is running for re-election to Washington state treasurer. Pellicciotti was first elected to the position in 2020. Before that, Pellicciotti served as a representative for Legislative District 30 in the state House, an assistant state attorney general, and a deputy prosecuting attorney for King County.

In public office, he has advocated for transparency and public accountability. He has never accepted corporate campaign donations and previously worked to make the Legislature’s records open for public view. As a treasurer, he has prioritized economic security and prosperity for all, especially working families and retirees. In office, he has worked to strengthen budget reserves, increase pension funds, and manage debt costs.

Republican Sharon Hanek is challenging Pellicciotti in this race. Hanek is a certified public accountant and serves as the vice chair of the Pierce County Planning Commission. Hanek has run for office unsuccessfully several times before, including losing by more than 17% statewide in her 2012 run for state Treasurer. Hanek is the founder of My Family My Choice, a far-right group aligned with Moms for Liberty that wants to ban books and promotes conspiracy theories about public schools. We can't afford to give Hanek a statewide platform for her dangerous, far-right agenda.

Pellicciotti has been a reliable Democratic leader in the Washington state treasurer’s office and he has earned your vote for another term.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Incumbent Democrat Pat McCarthy is running for a third term as Washington state auditor. McCarthy made history as the state’s first woman auditor when she took office in 2017. Before that, she served Pierce County in the elected roles of both executive and auditor and was previously a member of the Tacoma School Board, including as board president. She serves in multiple community leadership positions including on the Asian Pacific Cultural Center Advisory Board and with the Pierce County Sexual Assault Center.

In her first two terms, McCarthy has worked hard to bring accountability and transparency to the auditor’s office. She previously launched important investigations into both white-collar crime and unemployment benefit cases and even oversaw the largest fraud case in state history pertaining to misappropriated local housing funds. Looking towards another term, McCarthy wants to prioritize public and private sector integrity, responsible resource use, and advancing the office’s technology infrastructure to serve the public better.

Spokane County Republican Party leader Matt Hawkins is challenging incumbent McCarthy in this race. Hawkins created the We The People interactive calendar, which details events in U.S. history that he deems important. He has run for elected office before including vying for the top Republican Party job in the state last year, as well as the Washington state Senate in 2018. In this race, Hawkins boasts a typically conservative platform which includes continuing to cast doubt on the security of our local elections and worsening the imbalance in our state’s tax code.

McCarthy has earned your vote for another term as Washington's state auditor.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Incumbent Democrat Pat McCarthy is running for a third term as Washington state auditor. McCarthy made history as the state’s first woman auditor when she took office in 2017. Before that, she served Pierce County in the elected roles of both executive and auditor and was previously a member of the Tacoma School Board, including as board president. She serves in multiple community leadership positions including on the Asian Pacific Cultural Center Advisory Board and with the Pierce County Sexual Assault Center.

In her first two terms, McCarthy has worked hard to bring accountability and transparency to the auditor’s office. She previously launched important investigations into both white-collar crime and unemployment benefit cases and even oversaw the largest fraud case in state history pertaining to misappropriated local housing funds. Looking towards another term, McCarthy wants to prioritize public and private sector integrity, responsible resource use, and advancing the office’s technology infrastructure to serve the public better.

Spokane County Republican Party leader Matt Hawkins is challenging incumbent McCarthy in this race. Hawkins created the We The People interactive calendar, which details events in U.S. history that he deems important. He has run for elected office before including vying for the top Republican Party job in the state last year, as well as the Washington state Senate in 2018. In this race, Hawkins boasts a typically conservative platform which includes continuing to cast doubt on the security of our local elections and worsening the imbalance in our state’s tax code.

McCarthy has earned your vote for another term as Washington's state auditor.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove is running for commissioner of public lands to fill the vacancy left by Hilary Franz. Upthegrove previously served in the Legislature for five terms, where he made history as the first openly gay representative from outside of Seattle. He joined the King County Council in 2013, where he has been a strong advocate for climate concerns and environmental protections. 

Upthegrove has an inclusive vision for using the office to improve the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Upthegrove wants to mitigate the damage of wildfire seasons, bring good jobs and services to rural Washington, preserve mature legacy forests, expand recreational opportunities on public lands, and center the idea of environmental justice to guide policy. While he lauds the incumbent Franz for her work on wildfire prevention, Upthegrove wants to be more ambitious when it comes to reforming forestry policies. He believes the department needs a more honest accounting of the carbon impacts of forestry and timber work, which he is well positioned to lead having managed King County's forest carbon program. Upthegrove also wants to use his experience and relationships in the Legislature to help pass laws and increase funding for the department's conservation work.

Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is back on the ballot this election. In 2022, she lost her re-election primary to ultra-conservative Joe Kent and current Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80% of the time, though she has received criticism from her party after voting to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection. Herrera Beutler has overwhelmingly opposed bills that protect our environment including the 2021 Build Back Better Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which contained bold policies to alleviate the climate crisis. She lacks a detailed campaign platform in this race but mentions wildfire mitigation, habitat preservation, and public land use as top issues.

The race for this open seat will determine whether our state will be a leader in fighting climate change, protecting our forests, and preventing forest fires or bow to the demands of big timber companies. Upthegrove's environmental track record in office and endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, the Sierra Club, and other environmental champions make him the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2024-10-25

King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove is running for commissioner of public lands to fill the vacancy left by Hilary Franz. Upthegrove previously served in the Legislature for five terms, where he made history as the first openly gay representative from outside of Seattle. He joined the King County Council in 2013, where he has been a strong advocate for climate concerns and environmental protections. 

Upthegrove has an inclusive vision for using the office to improve the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Upthegrove wants to mitigate the damage of wildfire seasons, bring good jobs and services to rural Washington, preserve mature legacy forests, expand recreational opportunities on public lands, and center the idea of environmental justice to guide policy. While he lauds the incumbent Franz for her work on wildfire prevention, Upthegrove wants to be more ambitious when it comes to reforming forestry policies. He believes the department needs a more honest accounting of the carbon impacts of forestry and timber work, which he is well positioned to lead having managed King County's forest carbon program. Upthegrove also wants to use his experience and relationships in the Legislature to help pass laws and increase funding for the department's conservation work.

Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is back on the ballot this election. In 2022, she lost her re-election primary to ultra-conservative Joe Kent and current Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80% of the time, though she has received criticism from her party after voting to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection. Herrera Beutler has overwhelmingly opposed bills that protect our environment including the 2021 Build Back Better Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which contained bold policies to alleviate the climate crisis. She lacks a detailed campaign platform in this race but mentions wildfire mitigation, habitat preservation, and public land use as top issues.

The race for this open seat will determine whether our state will be a leader in fighting climate change, protecting our forests, and preventing forest fires or bow to the demands of big timber companies. Upthegrove's environmental track record in office and endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, the Sierra Club, and other environmental champions make him the clear choice in this race.

Last updated: 2024-10-25

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

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.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Legislative Races

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

41st Legislative District

Sen. Lisa Wellman is running for re-election to the Senate from the 41st Legislative District. Before running for Legislature, Wellman worked as a public school teacher and in the private sector at a technology company.

First elected to the Senate in 2016, Wellman has spent her second term supporting youth, students, and education. This year, she was the primary sponsor of a large number of education bills, including one that passed that ensured no-cost enrollment for courses in high school where students can get college credits. Wellman also recently passed bills to fund special education, student transportation, and rural broadband support. Outside of her education priorities, Wellman has been a champion for reproductive rights and progressive technology policies, including legislation that she has sponsored establishing regulations for facial-recognition technology and mitigating the climate crisis. Wellman has been more reluctant when it comes to improving housing affordability by increasing density. We hope she embraces greater housing density in her next term as an essential tool for reducing the cost of living in the district.

Challenging Wellman is Republican Jaskaran Singh Sarao, who has chaired the Bellevue Human Services Commission. Recently, Sarao has partnered with the far-right media personality Jonathan Choe to harass one of his tenants who was behind on rent. Sarao opposes the Climate Commitment Act, which makes the state's biggest polluters pay their share and funds clean energy projects, ferry electrification, energy efficiency upgrades to universities, and much more.

Wellman is the best choice in the race for state Senate from the 41st District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Sen. Lisa Wellman is running for re-election to the Senate from the 41st Legislative District. Before running for Legislature, Wellman worked as a public school teacher and in the private sector at a technology company.

First elected to the Senate in 2016, Wellman has spent her second term supporting youth, students, and education. This year, she was the primary sponsor of a large number of education bills, including one that passed that ensured no-cost enrollment for courses in high school where students can get college credits. Wellman also recently passed bills to fund special education, student transportation, and rural broadband support. Outside of her education priorities, Wellman has been a champion for reproductive rights and progressive technology policies, including legislation that she has sponsored establishing regulations for facial-recognition technology and mitigating the climate crisis. Wellman has been more reluctant when it comes to improving housing affordability by increasing density. We hope she embraces greater housing density in her next term as an essential tool for reducing the cost of living in the district.

Challenging Wellman is Republican Jaskaran Singh Sarao, who has chaired the Bellevue Human Services Commission. Recently, Sarao has partnered with the far-right media personality Jonathan Choe to harass one of his tenants who was behind on rent. Sarao opposes the Climate Commitment Act, which makes the state's biggest polluters pay their share and funds clean energy projects, ferry electrification, energy efficiency upgrades to universities, and much more.

Wellman is the best choice in the race for state Senate from the 41st District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Tana Senn is running for re-election to the 41st Legislative District in Position 1, where she has served since 2013. As a working mother, Senn has aimed to be a champion for Washington’s families and currently chairs the Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee.

Senn has been a strong advocate for preventing gun violence, making childcare more affordable, supporting a healthy environment, and expanding mental health services and resources. Locally, she's helped fund the Eastside Early Childhood Center at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, restore habitat at Luther Burbank Park, and improve facilities at Bellevue College. In the Legislature, Senn has voted for legislation to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and a bill to set new state carbon reduction goals. She has also sponsored legislation to establish the Washington State Office of Equity and require the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, pointing our state in the right direction to fight climate change.

Though Senn's progressive track record is impressive, we hope that she will become more of a leader in increasing housing density to reduce the cost of living. The 41st District has some of the highest housing prices in the state, which makes it difficult for young people to buy their first house and for seniors to remain in their homes. Last year, Senn was one of the Democratic holdouts on the Missing Middle housing bill, though she ultimately did vote for it after introducing amendments that, for example, reduced the ability to increase housing density near parks.

Emily Tadlock, Senn's challenger in this race, is chair of the 41st Legislative District Republicans. Despite trying to appear more moderate, Tadlock was featured in the Seattle Times in 2022 for doorbelling homes and questioning voters at the behest of conservative activist Glen Morgan. As they grilled voters about their signatures and immigration status, Tadlock's group drew complaints of voter intimidation and a warning from the Washington Secretary of State. Her platform is full of typical Republican talking points that do not reflect the needs of Legislative District 41.

Rep. Senn has been a strong advocate for her district and is the clear choice in this race for House Position 1.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Tana Senn is running for re-election to the 41st Legislative District in Position 1, where she has served since 2013. As a working mother, Senn has aimed to be a champion for Washington’s families and currently chairs the Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee.

Senn has been a strong advocate for preventing gun violence, making childcare more affordable, supporting a healthy environment, and expanding mental health services and resources. Locally, she's helped fund the Eastside Early Childhood Center at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, restore habitat at Luther Burbank Park, and improve facilities at Bellevue College. In the Legislature, Senn has voted for legislation to prohibit the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines and a bill to set new state carbon reduction goals. She has also sponsored legislation to establish the Washington State Office of Equity and require the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, pointing our state in the right direction to fight climate change.

Though Senn's progressive track record is impressive, we hope that she will become more of a leader in increasing housing density to reduce the cost of living. The 41st District has some of the highest housing prices in the state, which makes it difficult for young people to buy their first house and for seniors to remain in their homes. Last year, Senn was one of the Democratic holdouts on the Missing Middle housing bill, though she ultimately did vote for it after introducing amendments that, for example, reduced the ability to increase housing density near parks.

Emily Tadlock, Senn's challenger in this race, is chair of the 41st Legislative District Republicans. Despite trying to appear more moderate, Tadlock was featured in the Seattle Times in 2022 for doorbelling homes and questioning voters at the behest of conservative activist Glen Morgan. As they grilled voters about their signatures and immigration status, Tadlock's group drew complaints of voter intimidation and a warning from the Washington Secretary of State. Her platform is full of typical Republican talking points that do not reflect the needs of Legislative District 41.

Rep. Senn has been a strong advocate for her district and is the clear choice in this race for House Position 1.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democratic incumbent Rep. My-Linh Thai is seeking her fourth term representing the 41st Legislative District in the state House. Before joining the Legislature, Thai served as the president of the Bellevue School District and as the vice president of the Washington State School Board Directors Association. She was the first refugee elected to the state House and is now the deputy majority leader.

This year, Thai sponsored an impressive number of bills in the House aimed at improving the lives of Washingtonians, including some to reduce plastic pollution, expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit, and protect consumer health data. She also led in making the Lunar New Year a state holiday. If re-elected, Thai wants to continue her work protecting the environment and making our communities safer and more affordable.

She faces a challenge from Republican Al Rosenthal, who also ran (and lost) against Thai in 2022. A retired Boeing engineer, Rosenthal has no elected or community leadership experience. His campaign hinges on policies like forcing people struggling with addiction into compulsory treatment or jail, banning third-trimester abortions even if the mother's life is in danger, and sending anyone who is homeless and has a mental health issue to languish forever in an "isolated facility," essentially incarcerating our neighbors struggling the most.

Thai's outstanding track record in Olympia has earned her another term representing the 41st Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Democratic incumbent Rep. My-Linh Thai is seeking her fourth term representing the 41st Legislative District in the state House. Before joining the Legislature, Thai served as the president of the Bellevue School District and as the vice president of the Washington State School Board Directors Association. She was the first refugee elected to the state House and is now the deputy majority leader.

This year, Thai sponsored an impressive number of bills in the House aimed at improving the lives of Washingtonians, including some to reduce plastic pollution, expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit, and protect consumer health data. She also led in making the Lunar New Year a state holiday. If re-elected, Thai wants to continue her work protecting the environment and making our communities safer and more affordable.

She faces a challenge from Republican Al Rosenthal, who also ran (and lost) against Thai in 2022. A retired Boeing engineer, Rosenthal has no elected or community leadership experience. His campaign hinges on policies like forcing people struggling with addiction into compulsory treatment or jail, banning third-trimester abortions even if the mother's life is in danger, and sending anyone who is homeless and has a mental health issue to languish forever in an "isolated facility," essentially incarcerating our neighbors struggling the most.

Thai's outstanding track record in Olympia has earned her another term representing the 41st Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

48th Legislative District

Rep. Vandana Slatter is running for re-election to Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Prior to running for the Legislature, Slatter was Bellevue's first Indian-American city council member. She has served on the boards of several organizations and nonprofits, including the Children's Institute for Learning Differences, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Global Social Business Partners, and the Cancer Center at Overlake Hospital Foundation.

Slatter's bills this past session focused on supporting students and working people. She sponsored a bill to remove eligibility barriers for low-income high school students to access the Washington College Grant and another bill to improve access to public service loan forgiveness for people who work in fields like education, health care, and more. Other successful bills she sponsored include funding zero-emission school buses, improving public access to professional counseling services, and enhancing food assistance programs for people in need.

Slatter faces a challenge from Republican Lynn Trinh, who has served on Redmond’s Arts and Cultural Commission and is the founder of the Seattle Chapter of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs. Unfortunately, Trinh also serves as a board member for King County Moms for Liberty, a branch of the far-right national group that promotes book bans and efforts to eliminate historically accurate, racially diverse curricula in schools. The policies listed on her campaign site are mostly devoid of any concrete or detailed policies to take to Olympia.

Rep. Vandana Slatter is the clear choice for state House representing the 48th Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Vandana Slatter is running for re-election to Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Prior to running for the Legislature, Slatter was Bellevue's first Indian-American city council member. She has served on the boards of several organizations and nonprofits, including the Children's Institute for Learning Differences, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Global Social Business Partners, and the Cancer Center at Overlake Hospital Foundation.

Slatter's bills this past session focused on supporting students and working people. She sponsored a bill to remove eligibility barriers for low-income high school students to access the Washington College Grant and another bill to improve access to public service loan forgiveness for people who work in fields like education, health care, and more. Other successful bills she sponsored include funding zero-emission school buses, improving public access to professional counseling services, and enhancing food assistance programs for people in need.

Slatter faces a challenge from Republican Lynn Trinh, who has served on Redmond’s Arts and Cultural Commission and is the founder of the Seattle Chapter of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs. Unfortunately, Trinh also serves as a board member for King County Moms for Liberty, a branch of the far-right national group that promotes book bans and efforts to eliminate historically accurate, racially diverse curricula in schools. The policies listed on her campaign site are mostly devoid of any concrete or detailed policies to take to Olympia.

Rep. Vandana Slatter is the clear choice for state House representing the 48th Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Amy Walen is running unopposed for re-election to the 48th Legislative District in House Position 2. Walen served five years on the Kirkland City Council before becoming the mayor from 2014 to 2019 and winning her race for Legislature in 2018.

This year, Walen was the primary sponsor of legislation that will ensure that gun shops fully secure and monitor their stores. In addition, she sponsored a bill to prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals as well as legislation to protect Washingtonians from predatory loans.

Amy Walen has earned your vote for another term in Position 2 for the 48th Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Rep. Amy Walen is running unopposed for re-election to the 48th Legislative District in House Position 2. Walen served five years on the Kirkland City Council before becoming the mayor from 2014 to 2019 and winning her race for Legislature in 2018.

This year, Walen was the primary sponsor of legislation that will ensure that gun shops fully secure and monitor their stores. In addition, she sponsored a bill to prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals as well as legislation to protect Washingtonians from predatory loans.

Amy Walen has earned your vote for another term in Position 2 for the 48th Legislative District.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

State Supreme Court

Sal Mungia is an awarded and experienced local attorney running for retiring Justice Susan Owens’ Position 2 on the state Supreme Court. Mungia is a partner at a Tacoma- and Seattle-based firm where he works in trial and appellate law primarily focused on injury law and medical malpractice. He has a long history of leadership and service including, among other experiences, as the former president of the Washington State Bar Association, former chair of the Equal Justice Coalition, and a cooperating attorney with the ACLU of Washington.

Mungia’s career has been strongly community-oriented. He has done significant pro bono legal work while working to improve our criminal legal system. Now, he has earned wide and impressive support in his bid for the court including from sitting Supreme Court Justice Yu and Chief Justice González.

Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson is also in this race. Before joining the Municipal Court, Larson worked as a trial attorney. Larson is the endorsed candidate by Washington state's MAGA Republican Party, known for its far-right positions and aggressive opposition to abortion access. Progressives are backing Mungia in this race.

We recommend Sal Mungia in this race to bring trusted, just, and community-minded leadership to Washington’s Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2024-10-14

Sal Mungia is an awarded and experienced local attorney running for retiring Justice Susan Owens’ Position 2 on the state Supreme Court. Mungia is a partner at a Tacoma- and Seattle-based firm where he works in trial and appellate law primarily focused on injury law and medical malpractice. He has a long history of leadership and service including, among other experiences, as the former president of the Washington State Bar Association, former chair of the Equal Justice Coalition, and a cooperating attorney with the ACLU of Washington.

Mungia’s career has been strongly community-oriented. He has done significant pro bono legal work while working to improve our criminal legal system. Now, he has earned wide and impressive support in his bid for the court including from sitting Supreme Court Justice Yu and Chief Justice González.

Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson is also in this race. Before joining the Municipal Court, Larson worked as a trial attorney. Larson is the endorsed candidate by Washington state's MAGA Republican Party, known for its far-right positions and aggressive opposition to abortion access. Progressives are backing Mungia in this race.

We recommend Sal Mungia in this race to bring trusted, just, and community-minded leadership to Washington’s Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2024-10-14

Chief Justice Steven González is running unopposed for re-election to Position 8 on the Washington Supreme Court. González was first appointed to the bench in 2012 and was chosen by his peers to serve in the chief justice position in 2021, making him Washington’s first chief justice of color. Before becoming a judge, González’s law career ranged from international business law and terrorism prosecution to civil rights pro bono work. He serves on the board of the Washington Leadership Institute to provide opportunities and support for legal professionals from backgrounds and identities that have previously been excluded from legal spaces.

In his leadership role on the state’s top court, González has sought to make the legal system a place for justice and dignity for all Washingtonians. He worked to make our courts more accessible to non-English speakers. González has received bipartisan support in past races but consistently received support from some of the state’s top progressive leaders. González has been ranked highly by some of the state’s most progressive bar associations including QLaw, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, Washington Women Lawyers, and more.

We recommend Justice Steven González for another term in Position 8 on Washington's Supreme Court to continue bringing just and experienced judicial leadership to our top court.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Chief Justice Steven González is running unopposed for re-election to Position 8 on the Washington Supreme Court. González was first appointed to the bench in 2012 and was chosen by his peers to serve in the chief justice position in 2021, making him Washington’s first chief justice of color. Before becoming a judge, González’s law career ranged from international business law and terrorism prosecution to civil rights pro bono work. He serves on the board of the Washington Leadership Institute to provide opportunities and support for legal professionals from backgrounds and identities that have previously been excluded from legal spaces.

In his leadership role on the state’s top court, González has sought to make the legal system a place for justice and dignity for all Washingtonians. He worked to make our courts more accessible to non-English speakers. González has received bipartisan support in past races but consistently received support from some of the state’s top progressive leaders. González has been ranked highly by some of the state’s most progressive bar associations including QLaw, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, Washington Women Lawyers, and more.

We recommend Justice Steven González for another term in Position 8 on Washington's Supreme Court to continue bringing just and experienced judicial leadership to our top court.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Justice Sheryl McCloud is running unopposed for re-election to Position 9 on the Washington Supreme Court. McCloud is a former public defender who has served on Washington’s top court since 2013. She co-chairs the court’s Gender & Justice Commission and serves as the liaison to the state bar's Council on Public Defense. On the bench, Justice McCloud’s top areas of attention include constitutional and individual rights, and she authored the 2017 opinion barring a private business open to the general public from refusing to serve a gay couple. She was the founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.

In this election, her focus is on protecting constitutional rights. She has been rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by a number of the state’s top bar associations, including the King County Bar Association, QLaw, and the Washington Women Lawyers. These organizations ensure that our justices are treating all Washingtonians fairly and protecting constitutionally outlined civil rights.

Justice McCloud deserves your vote to continue bringing fair and experienced leadership to the state Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Justice Sheryl McCloud is running unopposed for re-election to Position 9 on the Washington Supreme Court. McCloud is a former public defender who has served on Washington’s top court since 2013. She co-chairs the court’s Gender & Justice Commission and serves as the liaison to the state bar's Council on Public Defense. On the bench, Justice McCloud’s top areas of attention include constitutional and individual rights, and she authored the 2017 opinion barring a private business open to the general public from refusing to serve a gay couple. She was the founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.

In this election, her focus is on protecting constitutional rights. She has been rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by a number of the state’s top bar associations, including the King County Bar Association, QLaw, and the Washington Women Lawyers. These organizations ensure that our justices are treating all Washingtonians fairly and protecting constitutionally outlined civil rights.

Justice McCloud deserves your vote to continue bringing fair and experienced leadership to the state Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Court of Appeals, Division One, District One

Incumbent Judge Leonard Feldman is running unopposed for re-election to the Court of Appeals in Division 1, District 1, Judge Position 4. Feldman was originally appointed to the role by Gov. Inslee and was retained by voters last year. Prior to joining the court, Feldman worked as an appellate attorney arguing across a range of case fields that introduced him to the procedures of the court. He also serves as a law professor at Seattle University.

Feldman has brought his longstanding commitment to public service to the Court of Appeals where he has been a fair, impartial, and measured judge, earning the respect of his legal peers. He will continue to bring good leadership and judgments to his courtroom in his next term. Feldman’s uncontested run is supported by local and county Democratic organizations as well as other judicial leaders.

Judge Feldman has earned your vote for another term on the bench.

Last updated: 2024-10-23

Incumbent Judge Leonard Feldman is running unopposed for re-election to the Court of Appeals in Division 1, District 1, Judge Position 4. Feldman was originally appointed to the role by Gov. Inslee and was retained by voters last year. Prior to joining the court, Feldman worked as an appellate attorney arguing across a range of case fields that introduced him to the procedures of the court. He also serves as a law professor at Seattle University.

Feldman has brought his longstanding commitment to public service to the Court of Appeals where he has been a fair, impartial, and measured judge, earning the respect of his legal peers. He will continue to bring good leadership and judgments to his courtroom in his next term. Feldman’s uncontested run is supported by local and county Democratic organizations as well as other judicial leaders.

Judge Feldman has earned your vote for another term on the bench.

Last updated: 2024-10-23

Judge Janet Chung is running unopposed for re-election to the Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 7. Chung has dedicated her legal career to being a strong advocate for others including in civil legal aid as the advocacy director of Columbia Legal Services, as the legal and legislative counsel for a gender justice nonprofit, and in her other diverse legal experience. She has also served on the City of Seattle Gender Equity in Pay Task Force and the board of Washington Women Lawyers.

Judge Chung joined the Court of Appeals in 2022 where she has brought a vision of equitable justice so that every person who comes before the court has access to a fair legal process, regardless of their access to resources. She has been recognized and awarded for her commitment to reducing legal barriers for the most marginalized.

We recommend Janet Chung for another term on the judicial bench of the Court of Appeals to bring the community leadership we need in our courtrooms.

Last updated: 2024-10-23

Judge Janet Chung is running unopposed for re-election to the Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1, Position 7. Chung has dedicated her legal career to being a strong advocate for others including in civil legal aid as the advocacy director of Columbia Legal Services, as the legal and legislative counsel for a gender justice nonprofit, and in her other diverse legal experience. She has also served on the City of Seattle Gender Equity in Pay Task Force and the board of Washington Women Lawyers.

Judge Chung joined the Court of Appeals in 2022 where she has brought a vision of equitable justice so that every person who comes before the court has access to a fair legal process, regardless of their access to resources. She has been recognized and awarded for her commitment to reducing legal barriers for the most marginalized.

We recommend Janet Chung for another term on the judicial bench of the Court of Appeals to bring the community leadership we need in our courtrooms.

Last updated: 2024-10-23

King County Superior Court

Judge Paul Crisalli is running to be retained on the King County Superior Court. Crisalli was first appointed last year by Governor Jay Inslee. Before that, he spent more than ten years as the state’s assistant attorney general, beginning his tenure arguing for worker compensation and safety in Washington courts. The long view of his career is marked by impressive judicial experience and public service, including a clerkship for Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst and a stint as chair of the King County Bar Association’s appellate section.

Crisalli has already proven himself to be a fair, thoughtful, and competent judge in his first year on the King County Superior Court. He has earned the respect of many judicial leaders for his record. Crisalli was rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by the Latino/a Bar Association of Washington and Well Qualified by a handful of other local bar associations. He is endorsed by the King County Democrats, a number of local legislative district Democratic groups, the current attorney general Bob Ferguson, progressive state lawmakers, and each sitting Washington State Supreme Court justice.

Crisalli is running against Judge Andrew Schach who serves as an administrative law judge and pro bono immigration attorney. Shach has earned accolades in his legal career including the 2024 Washington Rising Stars list. However, he lacks the comparative experience and qualifications of Judge Crisalli.

Judge Paul Crisalli has earned your vote to be retained on the King County Superior Court in Judge Position 41 to continue his impartial and qualified judicial leadership.

Last updated: 2024-10-22

Judge Paul Crisalli is running to be retained on the King County Superior Court. Crisalli was first appointed last year by Governor Jay Inslee. Before that, he spent more than ten years as the state’s assistant attorney general, beginning his tenure arguing for worker compensation and safety in Washington courts. The long view of his career is marked by impressive judicial experience and public service, including a clerkship for Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst and a stint as chair of the King County Bar Association’s appellate section.

Crisalli has already proven himself to be a fair, thoughtful, and competent judge in his first year on the King County Superior Court. He has earned the respect of many judicial leaders for his record. Crisalli was rated Exceptionally Well Qualified by the Latino/a Bar Association of Washington and Well Qualified by a handful of other local bar associations. He is endorsed by the King County Democrats, a number of local legislative district Democratic groups, the current attorney general Bob Ferguson, progressive state lawmakers, and each sitting Washington State Supreme Court justice.

Crisalli is running against Judge Andrew Schach who serves as an administrative law judge and pro bono immigration attorney. Shach has earned accolades in his legal career including the 2024 Washington Rising Stars list. However, he lacks the comparative experience and qualifications of Judge Crisalli.

Judge Paul Crisalli has earned your vote to be retained on the King County Superior Court in Judge Position 41 to continue his impartial and qualified judicial leadership.

Last updated: 2024-10-22