2nd Congressional District
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Welcome to Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2024 Primary Election! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
Federal
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Candidates
A host of candidates are running against Sen. Cantwell this year, though none appear to be competitive.
Dr. Raul Garcia is the leading Republican challenger for the U.S. Senate. 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. Despite his vague platform, he has already received support from some of Washington’s most prominent conservatives.
Paul Lawrence Giesick is running as a Democrat even though he self-identifies as a “Catholic, Libertarian-leaning conservative” and is campaigning on a platform indistinguishable from many right-wing candidates. A Marine veteran, Giesick has worked in aerospace, municipal administration, and production management. His platform emphasizes racist border policies, oil production, and cuts to crucial public services that Americans rely on. Giesick frequently uses religious language in his campaign and even boasts a “pledge a prayer” section.
David Tilton is running a non-partisan challenge to Cantwell. Tilton works for Microsoft as an associate manager and lacks community leadership or public service experience. He is running on a moderate platform to support local economies, invest in public education, ensure affordable health care, increase funding for militarized policing, and cut some public services.
Mel Ram, another Republican challenger for the Senate seat, is running an incoherent, spiritual, conspiracy-based campaign. She blames black mold for our nation’s social unrest and refers to a conspiracy called the “smart lie” as the reason she wants to enact massive education reforms.
Far-right candidate Isaac Holyk has some of the most extreme views in this race. He has stated that he believes the country is Christian in nature and that he does not believe in leading for “the greater good.” Recently, he came out against the Trump verdict, criticizing the fair ruling by a jury of Americans and in doing so undermining our criminal legal system. Like many MAGA Republicans, his platform consists of scapegoating people at the border, blaming Biden for economic insecurity caused by Trump policies, and promoting conspiracy theories about public education curriculums, including calling for a ban on any diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within schools.
Seattle Republican Scott Nazarino works in estate and retirement planning. Nazarino has only a vague campaign platform in this primary. He states that in order to keep our school-age children safe, he wants to bring armed guards to elementary schools – but we know that more guns do not make us safer.
Three additional candidates - Independent Thor Amundson, Independent Chuck Jackson, and "Socialist Workers" candidate Henry Clay Dennison - have minimal, unrelated, or no campaign website or information available as of mid-July. We will continue to monitor this race and update their information if it becomes available.
Perennial conservative challenger, Goodspaceguy, has also filed in this race. He regularly mounts empty, unserious challenges to seats across the state.
A host of candidates are running against Sen. Cantwell this year, though none appear to be competitive.
Dr. Raul Garcia is the leading Republican challenger for the U.S. Senate. 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. Despite his vague platform, he has already received support from some of Washington’s most prominent conservatives.
Paul Lawrence Giesick is running as a Democrat even though he self-identifies as a “Catholic, Libertarian-leaning conservative” and is campaigning on a platform indistinguishable from many right-wing candidates. A Marine veteran, Giesick has worked in aerospace, municipal administration, and production management. His platform emphasizes racist border policies, oil production, and cuts to crucial public services that Americans rely on. Giesick frequently uses religious language in his campaign and even boasts a “pledge a prayer” section.
David Tilton is running a non-partisan challenge to Cantwell. Tilton works for Microsoft as an associate manager and lacks community leadership or public service experience. He is running on a moderate platform to support local economies, invest in public education, ensure affordable health care, increase funding for militarized policing, and cut some public services.
Mel Ram, another Republican challenger for the Senate seat, is running an incoherent, spiritual, conspiracy-based campaign. She blames black mold for our nation’s social unrest and refers to a conspiracy called the “smart lie” as the reason she wants to enact massive education reforms.
Far-right candidate Isaac Holyk has some of the most extreme views in this race. He has stated that he believes the country is Christian in nature and that he does not believe in leading for “the greater good.” Recently, he came out against the Trump verdict, criticizing the fair ruling by a jury of Americans and in doing so undermining our criminal legal system. Like many MAGA Republicans, his platform consists of scapegoating people at the border, blaming Biden for economic insecurity caused by Trump policies, and promoting conspiracy theories about public education curriculums, including calling for a ban on any diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within schools.
Seattle Republican Scott Nazarino works in estate and retirement planning. Nazarino has only a vague campaign platform in this primary. He states that in order to keep our school-age children safe, he wants to bring armed guards to elementary schools – but we know that more guns do not make us safer.
Three additional candidates - Independent Thor Amundson, Independent Chuck Jackson, and "Socialist Workers" candidate Henry Clay Dennison - have minimal, unrelated, or no campaign website or information available as of mid-July. We will continue to monitor this race and update their information if it becomes available.
Perennial conservative challenger, Goodspaceguy, has also filed in this race. He regularly mounts empty, unserious challenges to seats across the state.
2nd Congressional District
Congressman Rick Larsen is running for re-election to the U.S. House in Washington's 2nd Congressional District. Larsen is a moderate Democrat who is serving his twelfth term in Congress and previously worked as a Snohomish County Council member. In office, he has specialized in areas of global trade, environmental conservation, and transportation and infrastructure, a committee on which he is the lead Democrat.
In office, Larsen has helped to make historic investments to address climate change, modernize infrastructure, and combat the opioid epidemic by giving Americans struggling with substance abuse the support they need. He is a reliable vote with the Biden administration’s priorities such as child tax credits, lowering prescription medication costs, voting rights, student loan reduction, and clean energy. He continues to be a more moderate voice in this race, rather than a leader for bold progress. If re-elected, Larsen wants to support working families and small businesses, address climate change, support reproductive freedom, prevent gun violence, and expand affordable health care so that everyone, regardless of income, can access the care and medication they need.
Congressman Rick Larsen is running for re-election to the U.S. House in Washington's 2nd Congressional District. Larsen is a moderate Democrat who is serving his twelfth term in Congress and previously worked as a Snohomish County Council member. In office, he has specialized in areas of global trade, environmental conservation, and transportation and infrastructure, a committee on which he is the lead Democrat.
In office, Larsen has helped to make historic investments to address climate change, modernize infrastructure, and combat the opioid epidemic by giving Americans struggling with substance abuse the support they need. He is a reliable vote with the Biden administration’s priorities such as child tax credits, lowering prescription medication costs, voting rights, student loan reduction, and clean energy. He continues to be a more moderate voice in this race, rather than a leader for bold progress. If re-elected, Larsen wants to support working families and small businesses, address climate change, support reproductive freedom, prevent gun violence, and expand affordable health care so that everyone, regardless of income, can access the care and medication they need.
Other Progressive Candidates
Larsen faces several challengers in this race from his left.
Josh Binda became the youngest Black man to win office in Washington when he was elected to the Lynnwood City Council in 2021. On the Lynnwood City Council, Binda helped secure funding for Parkland Recreation and mental health counseling for Lynnwood students. In this campaign, he boasts a progressive platform. Binda’s top priorities include Medicare and housing for all, combating climate change, funding high-quality K-12 education and canceling student debt, investing in public transit, and gun violence prevention. Binda's term on the council has been somewhat controversial. He faced allegations of missing campaign funds, which he has since rectified, and some recent press materials that more conservative voices have claimed are inappropriate, which led to an unsuccessful recall effort this year. Despite this, in our interview with Binda, he pointed to the unsuccessful recall as part of a conservative attempt to overthrow a Black progressive. As a renter, leader of color, and a child of immigrants, Binda believes he is a true representative of the 2nd Congressional District’s constituents.
Progressive entrepreneur Devin Hermanson is running on a very optimistic platform to bring bold change to Congress while countering the far-right’s infringement on our democracy. His business background is in online commerce start-ups and he has spent more than 15 years in nonprofit leadership, particularly focused on gender equity. He is the founder of MOYO Media Lab which he continues to run today as well as a newer project titled TrueUSA, which targets MAGA disinformation.
Hermanson is running for Congress to bring a vision of equitable prosperity and justice to our country. His progressive platform includes protecting abortion rights, enacting the Green New Deal, passing Medicare for All, fighting for the freedom and safety of queer Americans, ensuring that companies and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, strengthening our public education system, and more. Hermanson also wants to put an end to the far-right degradation of our democracy through disinformation and corruption. The core tenet of his campaign is the idea of hope, a reflection of his strong belief that progressives can win seats and make historic strides in improving life for all Americans.
Green Party candidate Jason Call is challenging Rep. Rick Larsen once again. Call ran a close race against Rick Larsen in 2022 as a fellow Democrat, but switched to the Green Party in 2023 to align better with his ecosocialist values. He has a long track record of progressive activism including protesting the Iraq War, previously working as a high school math teacher, and serving on the board of a universal health care advocacy organization, Whole Washington. His top concern in this race is placing people and the planet above corporate profits. Call differentiates himself from Larsen with his bold policy proposals, such as Medicare for All, free college tuition, strong workers’ rights, support for Palestinian liberation, and the Green New Deal. His views and priorities skew significantly farther left than Larsen in this race, and his candidacy represents a strong departure from the moderate status quo of this seat.
Larsen faces several challengers in this race from his left.
Josh Binda became the youngest Black man to win office in Washington when he was elected to the Lynnwood City Council in 2021. On the Lynnwood City Council, Binda helped secure funding for Parkland Recreation and mental health counseling for Lynnwood students. In this campaign, he boasts a progressive platform. Binda’s top priorities include Medicare and housing for all, combating climate change, funding high-quality K-12 education and canceling student debt, investing in public transit, and gun violence prevention. Binda's term on the council has been somewhat controversial. He faced allegations of missing campaign funds, which he has since rectified, and some recent press materials that more conservative voices have claimed are inappropriate, which led to an unsuccessful recall effort this year. Despite this, in our interview with Binda, he pointed to the unsuccessful recall as part of a conservative attempt to overthrow a Black progressive. As a renter, leader of color, and a child of immigrants, Binda believes he is a true representative of the 2nd Congressional District’s constituents.
Progressive entrepreneur Devin Hermanson is running on a very optimistic platform to bring bold change to Congress while countering the far-right’s infringement on our democracy. His business background is in online commerce start-ups and he has spent more than 15 years in nonprofit leadership, particularly focused on gender equity. He is the founder of MOYO Media Lab which he continues to run today as well as a newer project titled TrueUSA, which targets MAGA disinformation.
Hermanson is running for Congress to bring a vision of equitable prosperity and justice to our country. His progressive platform includes protecting abortion rights, enacting the Green New Deal, passing Medicare for All, fighting for the freedom and safety of queer Americans, ensuring that companies and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, strengthening our public education system, and more. Hermanson also wants to put an end to the far-right degradation of our democracy through disinformation and corruption. The core tenet of his campaign is the idea of hope, a reflection of his strong belief that progressives can win seats and make historic strides in improving life for all Americans.
Green Party candidate Jason Call is challenging Rep. Rick Larsen once again. Call ran a close race against Rick Larsen in 2022 as a fellow Democrat, but switched to the Green Party in 2023 to align better with his ecosocialist values. He has a long track record of progressive activism including protesting the Iraq War, previously working as a high school math teacher, and serving on the board of a universal health care advocacy organization, Whole Washington. His top concern in this race is placing people and the planet above corporate profits. Call differentiates himself from Larsen with his bold policy proposals, such as Medicare for All, free college tuition, strong workers’ rights, support for Palestinian liberation, and the Green New Deal. His views and priorities skew significantly farther left than Larsen in this race, and his candidacy represents a strong departure from the moderate status quo of this seat.
Other Candidates
Physician and medical professional Edwin Stickle has served his community for decades from delivering babies, providing nursing home care, and teaching the next generation of providers. While lacking public service experience, Stickle points to his five-year term as the Skagit Valley Hospital’s chief of staff as a leadership credential.
Stickle’s platform primarily centers on reforming Medicare and our health care system so everyone can afford the medication and care they need. He also lists student loan reform, infrastructure investments, and affordable housing as top priorities. Stickle has yet to post any organization or party endorsements as of mid-July, but he has earned support from some locals in this race.
Republican Leif Johnson is a manufacturing engineer and business owner who previously ran for Rick Larsen’s seat in 2022. In this race, he is running on a typically conservative platform that aligns with Trump’s MAGA agenda. If elected, Johnson wants to employ inhumane border policies, cut funding for social programs and public infrastructure, and strengthen far-right attacks on our historically accurate and science-based public education curriculums. Johnson is out of touch with the biggest challenges facing residents of the 2nd Congressional District and would try to take us backward on key progressive wins if elected to the U.S. House.
Conservative Cody Hart is also in this race with the familiar tagline to “Make America Great Again.” Hart is a civil engineer and Navy veteran who is using this campaign to espouse far-right ideas and conspiracy theories that only serve to distract from the issues facing the district. If elected, he wants to enact extremely restrictive laws on reproductive health care access, eliminate gun violence prevention policies, and prevent students from learning age-appropriate sexual health education.
SAG-AFTRA actor Daniel Miller is another Republican challenger in this race. Miller’s voters' statement is riddled with errors including a broken website link to the main page of Facebook. He does not have a focused, coherent platform in this race, and it is clear he will not bring progressive solutions to the district.
Physician and medical professional Edwin Stickle has served his community for decades from delivering babies, providing nursing home care, and teaching the next generation of providers. While lacking public service experience, Stickle points to his five-year term as the Skagit Valley Hospital’s chief of staff as a leadership credential.
Stickle’s platform primarily centers on reforming Medicare and our health care system so everyone can afford the medication and care they need. He also lists student loan reform, infrastructure investments, and affordable housing as top priorities. Stickle has yet to post any organization or party endorsements as of mid-July, but he has earned support from some locals in this race.
Republican Leif Johnson is a manufacturing engineer and business owner who previously ran for Rick Larsen’s seat in 2022. In this race, he is running on a typically conservative platform that aligns with Trump’s MAGA agenda. If elected, Johnson wants to employ inhumane border policies, cut funding for social programs and public infrastructure, and strengthen far-right attacks on our historically accurate and science-based public education curriculums. Johnson is out of touch with the biggest challenges facing residents of the 2nd Congressional District and would try to take us backward on key progressive wins if elected to the U.S. House.
Conservative Cody Hart is also in this race with the familiar tagline to “Make America Great Again.” Hart is a civil engineer and Navy veteran who is using this campaign to espouse far-right ideas and conspiracy theories that only serve to distract from the issues facing the district. If elected, he wants to enact extremely restrictive laws on reproductive health care access, eliminate gun violence prevention policies, and prevent students from learning age-appropriate sexual health education.
SAG-AFTRA actor Daniel Miller is another Republican challenger in this race. Miller’s voters' statement is riddled with errors including a broken website link to the main page of Facebook. He does not have a focused, coherent platform in this race, and it is clear he will not bring progressive solutions to the district.
Statewide
Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running for governor on his impressive record of advocating 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 long record of success in litigating against the Trump administration and greedy corporations. When Donald Trump attacked contraception access, 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.
Bob Ferguson is an accomplished progressive who leads with integrity and grit. He is the best choice to be the next governor of Washington.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson is running for governor on his impressive record of advocating 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 long record of success in litigating against the Trump administration and greedy corporations. When Donald Trump attacked contraception access, 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.
Bob Ferguson is an accomplished progressive who leads with integrity and grit. He is the best choice to be the next governor of Washington.
Other Candidates
State Sen. Mark Mullet is a conservative Democrat who would be a step backward for Washington. For example, his votes were part of the reason that rent stabilization failed in the Legislature this year, denying Washingtonians the safety of more stable, affordable housing. Mullet also voted against the progressive capital gains tax, which taxes the ultra-wealthiest Washingtonians to fund education and early learning. Mullet's stances against bills like the wealth tax and the Climate Commitment Act make it clear that he would prioritize the powerful few over working families.
Former U.S. House Representative Dave Reichert is the leading Republican in the crowded gubernatorial race to replace retiring governor Jay Inslee. Reichert served Washington’s 8th Congressional District in the House for 14 years, where 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.
Another Republican in the race for retiring Gov. Inslee’s seat is Semi Bird, a recently ousted Richland School Board member. Bird has served in a number of leadership positions including as a senior advisor to the ambassador of Bangladesh, a former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Energy, and as the executive director of a consulting firm.
Last August, Bird was recalled from the Richland School Board after his controversial vote to defy Washington’s indoor mask mandate during the height of the pandemic. In this race, he has defined himself as a “constitutional Christian conservative” and made concerning comments about the role of religion in government. Bird is in favor of expanding our overcrowded criminal legal system, further militarizing our police, allowing far-right groups control over public education, and eliminating policies that keep neighbors dealing with substance abuse safer. If elected, he would not represent the values or needs of average Washingtonians.
State Sen. Mark Mullet is a conservative Democrat who would be a step backward for Washington. For example, his votes were part of the reason that rent stabilization failed in the Legislature this year, denying Washingtonians the safety of more stable, affordable housing. Mullet also voted against the progressive capital gains tax, which taxes the ultra-wealthiest Washingtonians to fund education and early learning. Mullet's stances against bills like the wealth tax and the Climate Commitment Act make it clear that he would prioritize the powerful few over working families.
Former U.S. House Representative Dave Reichert is the leading Republican in the crowded gubernatorial race to replace retiring governor Jay Inslee. Reichert served Washington’s 8th Congressional District in the House for 14 years, where 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.
Another Republican in the race for retiring Gov. Inslee’s seat is Semi Bird, a recently ousted Richland School Board member. Bird has served in a number of leadership positions including as a senior advisor to the ambassador of Bangladesh, a former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Energy, and as the executive director of a consulting firm.
Last August, Bird was recalled from the Richland School Board after his controversial vote to defy Washington’s indoor mask mandate during the height of the pandemic. In this race, he has defined himself as a “constitutional Christian conservative” and made concerning comments about the role of religion in government. Bird is in favor of expanding our overcrowded criminal legal system, further militarizing our police, allowing far-right groups control over public education, and eliminating policies that keep neighbors dealing with substance abuse safer. If elected, he would not represent the values or needs of average Washingtonians.
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.
We recommend Denny Heck for another term as the state’s lieutenant governor.
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.
We recommend Denny Heck for another term as the state’s lieutenant governor.
Other Candidates
Heck faces several opponents this year, none of whom appear to be running competitive campaigns.
Republican Bob Hagglund is an IT professional with data science credentials. Previously, Hagglund joined some of the country's biggest MAGA conservatives in lying about the results of the 2020 elections in an effort to illegally install Trump as president. He has spent most of this campaign criticizing elected Democrats rather than offering his own ideas for improving the office. He has an identical platform to Rep. Mike Kelly, who is running for a state Senate seat. Like Kelly, Hagglund has shared transphobic and misogynistic rhetoric about protecting the so-called “very essence of womanhood.” Hagglund is not a leader and his views do not represent our state’s values.
Navy veteran and retiree Patrick Harman is also in this race. Harman previously ran an unsuccessful bid for Oak Harbor mayor in 2019. Now, he is running in support of typically conservative fiscal policy with more moderate social positions, including supporting reproductive freedom and commonsense gun safety policy. However, he has no detailed campaign information or website as of mid-July.
Republican Dan Matthews is a veteran and former school board member running to deprioritize public schools in favor of private education, cut spending on social services, and limit regulations on businesses and corporations.
Democratic challenger David Griffin has a minimal campaign website that promises to support government transparency, "embrace change" in leadership, and support reproductive rights. He lists no elected or community leadership experience.
Heck faces several opponents this year, none of whom appear to be running competitive campaigns.
Republican Bob Hagglund is an IT professional with data science credentials. Previously, Hagglund joined some of the country's biggest MAGA conservatives in lying about the results of the 2020 elections in an effort to illegally install Trump as president. He has spent most of this campaign criticizing elected Democrats rather than offering his own ideas for improving the office. He has an identical platform to Rep. Mike Kelly, who is running for a state Senate seat. Like Kelly, Hagglund has shared transphobic and misogynistic rhetoric about protecting the so-called “very essence of womanhood.” Hagglund is not a leader and his views do not represent our state’s values.
Navy veteran and retiree Patrick Harman is also in this race. Harman previously ran an unsuccessful bid for Oak Harbor mayor in 2019. Now, he is running in support of typically conservative fiscal policy with more moderate social positions, including supporting reproductive freedom and commonsense gun safety policy. However, he has no detailed campaign information or website as of mid-July.
Republican Dan Matthews is a veteran and former school board member running to deprioritize public schools in favor of private education, cut spending on social services, and limit regulations on businesses and corporations.
Democratic challenger David Griffin has a minimal campaign website that promises to support government transparency, "embrace change" in leadership, and support reproductive rights. He lists no elected or community leadership experience.
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 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.
Hobbs is the best choice for Washington's secretary of state.
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 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.
Hobbs is the best choice for Washington's secretary of state.
Other Candidates
Hobbs is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Marquez Tiggs, a finance professional and veteran. In a volunteer capacity, Tiggs has been involved in community organizations such as POCAAN Seattle, which delivers social services for people of color. The pillars of his campaign include community empowerment, voter education, election security, and strengthening public trust in the electoral process. Tiggs’ ultimate goal is to build an inclusive, secure democracy where everyone’s voice can be heard and counted. In comparison to Hobbs, Tiggs appears to lack a track record of community leadership and strong endorsements in this race.
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.
Damon Townsend is running without party affiliation – what he calls “No Labels” – in this race. Townsend previously worked as Pierce County’s elections specialist and supervisor before resigning in 2019 after a “disruptive” personnel dispute where he displayed unprofessional conduct. In 2022, he ran to earn the county seat back but was unsuccessful. This election cycle, he has set his sights on the state’s highest elections position, campaigning on a platform to improve confidence in Washington elections, increase office transparency, improve voter privacy, and strengthen contingency planning for election emergencies.
Hobbs is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Marquez Tiggs, a finance professional and veteran. In a volunteer capacity, Tiggs has been involved in community organizations such as POCAAN Seattle, which delivers social services for people of color. The pillars of his campaign include community empowerment, voter education, election security, and strengthening public trust in the electoral process. Tiggs’ ultimate goal is to build an inclusive, secure democracy where everyone’s voice can be heard and counted. In comparison to Hobbs, Tiggs appears to lack a track record of community leadership and strong endorsements in this race.
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.
Damon Townsend is running without party affiliation – what he calls “No Labels” – in this race. Townsend previously worked as Pierce County’s elections specialist and supervisor before resigning in 2019 after a “disruptive” personnel dispute where he displayed unprofessional conduct. In 2022, he ran to earn the county seat back but was unsuccessful. This election cycle, he has set his sights on the state’s highest elections position, campaigning on a platform to improve confidence in Washington elections, increase office transparency, improve voter privacy, and strengthen contingency planning for election emergencies.
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 percent 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.
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 percent 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.
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.
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.
Democrat Manka Dhingra is a state senator and former prosecuting attorney. First elected in 2017, she is currently the deputy majority leader of the Senate and chair of the Law and Justice Committee. Previously, she served as a King County senior deputy prosecuting attorney for 20 years and helped found API Chaya, a community nonprofit fighting gender-based violence.
In Olympia, Dhingra has proven herself as a strong leader who will do the right thing on challenging issues. She has been an effective advocate for addressing gender-based violence. She sponsored bills to establish a task force dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women’s cases and to strengthen legal procedures in sexual assault cases, and she successfully passed one to expand protections and services for victims of human trafficking. As a secondary sponsor, she was also critical in helping to pass a slate of progressive bills, including legislation to ensure valid ballots aren’t rejected unfairly and to extend the crisis center resource model to minors.
As Attorney General, Dhingra hopes to keep fighting for Washingtonians. In our interview with Dhingra, she emphasized that her top priority was building on Ferguson's track record of transparency and ensuring that the office collaborates with the governor and legislature. She wants to create strong environmental enforcement that holds polluters accountable, penalizes fraud, and promotes consumer protections.
As for the differences between the candidates, Dhingra and Brown are likely to agree on the vast majority of issues the office handles. The primary differences between the candidates lay in experience and track record.
As a legislator, Dhingra has a track record of leading and passing progressive bills that have made a difference in the lives of Washingtonians. This includes improving worker safety, expanding substance use treatment, and providing mental health crisis support for minors. Her experience as the former chair of the Therapeutic Alternative Unit, where she supervised the Regional Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and the Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion program, is another example of her legal and lawmaking background working well together. She helped create the 40-hour crisis intervention training for law enforcement, was a trainer at the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and led the Coordinated Crisis Intervention Response meetings where she collaborated with all King County law enforcement officers to find creative solutions and coordinate responses to help individuals with mental illness.
Dhingra's proven track record has earned her an impressive list of endorsements from our progressive partner organizations. She is a good choice for attorney general.
Democrat Manka Dhingra is a state senator and former prosecuting attorney. First elected in 2017, she is currently the deputy majority leader of the Senate and chair of the Law and Justice Committee. Previously, she served as a King County senior deputy prosecuting attorney for 20 years and helped found API Chaya, a community nonprofit fighting gender-based violence.
In Olympia, Dhingra has proven herself as a strong leader who will do the right thing on challenging issues. She has been an effective advocate for addressing gender-based violence. She sponsored bills to establish a task force dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women’s cases and to strengthen legal procedures in sexual assault cases, and she successfully passed one to expand protections and services for victims of human trafficking. As a secondary sponsor, she was also critical in helping to pass a slate of progressive bills, including legislation to ensure valid ballots aren’t rejected unfairly and to extend the crisis center resource model to minors.
As Attorney General, Dhingra hopes to keep fighting for Washingtonians. In our interview with Dhingra, she emphasized that her top priority was building on Ferguson's track record of transparency and ensuring that the office collaborates with the governor and legislature. She wants to create strong environmental enforcement that holds polluters accountable, penalizes fraud, and promotes consumer protections.
As for the differences between the candidates, Dhingra and Brown are likely to agree on the vast majority of issues the office handles. The primary differences between the candidates lay in experience and track record.
As a legislator, Dhingra has a track record of leading and passing progressive bills that have made a difference in the lives of Washingtonians. This includes improving worker safety, expanding substance use treatment, and providing mental health crisis support for minors. Her experience as the former chair of the Therapeutic Alternative Unit, where she supervised the Regional Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and the Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion program, is another example of her legal and lawmaking background working well together. She helped create the 40-hour crisis intervention training for law enforcement, was a trainer at the Criminal Justice Training Commission, and led the Coordinated Crisis Intervention Response meetings where she collaborated with all King County law enforcement officers to find creative solutions and coordinate responses to help individuals with mental illness.
Dhingra's proven track record has earned her an impressive list of endorsements from our progressive partner organizations. She is a good choice for attorney general.
Nick Brown is a former U.S. attorney for Western Washington running to protect the climate, our democracy, and Washingtonians' civil rights. Before his appointment by the Biden Administration in 2021, Brown worked as the general counsel for Gov. Jay Inslee. He also served in the US Army as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer, where he represented soldiers and the Army in legal matters, followed by working as a prosecutor. Brown has also served as chair of the attorney general’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights.
As the first Black U.S. attorney in the state's history, Brown notes that Washington is experiencing the highest number of hate crimes in 20 years. He wants to use the attorney general's office to implement laws that prosecute domestic terrorists, especially the burgeoning white supremacist movements that have threatened local leaders and committed violent hate crimes.
In our interview with Brown, he identified his top three priorities as strengthening the operations of the office, holding local jurisdictions accountable for upholding the law, and environmental enforcement. 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 from that success, Brown wants to continue to enforce laws against deadly weapons and defend the state against voter suppression, wage theft, and more.
We found that differences between the candidates in policy are smaller than overall differences in experience and direction. Like Dhingra, 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.
Many organizations have endorsed both candidates and Brown is a good choice if you want to prioritize his experience running a large office of prosecuting attorneys.
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 environmental enforcement. 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 from that success, Brown wants to continue to enforce laws against deadly weapons and defend the state against voter suppression, wage theft, and more.
We found that differences between the candidates in policy are smaller than overall differences in experience and direction. Like Dhingra, 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.
Many organizations have endorsed both candidates and Brown is a good choice if you want to prioritize his experience running a large office of prosecuting attorneys.
Other Candidates
Republican and Pasco attorney Pete Serrano is running to bring a conservative agenda to the attorney general's office. Serrano, the board president and general counsel of an organization that fights commonsense gun laws and public health mandates, was recently elected as 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.
Republican and Pasco attorney Pete Serrano is running to bring a conservative agenda to the attorney general's office. Serrano, the board president and general counsel of an organization that fights commonsense gun laws and public health mandates, was recently elected as 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Candidates
Patrick DePoe, the tribal relations director for the state’s Department of Natural Resources, is running to become the first Native candidate to win a statewide position. DePoe is a member of the Makah Tribe who grew up on the Neah Bay reservation. In addition to his DNR job, he works with a number of groups at the intersection of environmental sustainability and Indigenous land use, including the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, the Environmental Justice Council, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. DePoe has also served on the Makah Tribal Council, including as vice chairman.
In this race, DePoe is running to manage public lands in a way that maximizes environmental sustainability while balancing building a stronger economy of well-paying jobs. He believes he can build a widespread climate coalition to engage all community stakeholders in efforts towards a green future. DePoe also wants to improve forest health while preventing and fighting increasingly dangerous wildfire seasons. Finally, he is committed to being a representative for rural communities who often serve as the frontline of environmental issues in our state. However, DePoe lacks Upthegrove’s experience in elected office as well as his demonstrated track record of writing and passing environmental legislation.
Also in this crowded race is state Senator Kevin Van De Wege. Van de Wege served five terms in the House before joining the Senate in 2016. Before that, he served as a firefighter and paramedic. His voting record makes it clear he would not be a progressive choice in this race. Van De Wege broke ranks with his party to vote against the critical 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which enables the state’s Department of Ecology to make headway on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and engages an environmental justice approach to make sure no community is left behind in climate mitigation, among other key policies. As a hindrance, rather than a leader, on addressing climate change within his own party, Van De Wege is not the best choice to take the bold action our communities need from the next public lands commissioner.
Firefighter and ecologist Allen Lebovitz is another Democrat in this race who is running to lead the public lands office with core values of sustainability and respect for the land. Lebovitz has worked for the state’s Department of Natural Resources in a number of roles since 2011, including aquation restoration ecologist and most recently wildland fire and forest resilience liaison. His experience spans policy, science, and frontline work to protect our public lands from environmental degradation, wildfires, habitat loss, and climate change.
Lebovitz is running with a progressive, sustainable vision for the office. If elected, he wants to invest in fire-resilient forest management techniques, ensuring public lands benefit all Washingtonians equitably, strengthening rural economies, and valuing healthy forests above time volume. His goals for office revolve around effective crisis management and a strategic, optimistic plan for a sustainable future.
Redmond City Council member Jeralee Anderson is another Democrat in this race. Anderson first joined the city council in 2018, and she also co-founded and serves as president of a globally recognized nonprofit focused on helping to make our transportation systems more sustainable. Her training is as a civil engineer, and her work has been recognized at many levels including as one of President Obama’s White House Transportation Champions of Change.
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 Pérez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80 percent 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 which, both 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.
Also in this race is Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, a retired environmental and power analyst who has worked for Seattle City Lights and the Grays Harbor Public Utility District. Pederson previously ran for this seat in 2020. Despite the growing climate crisis and the need to build a sustainable Washington future, Pederson’s focus lies in criticizing the Democratic incumbent and prioritizing revenue from the sale of timber from public forests.
Patrick DePoe, the tribal relations director for the state’s Department of Natural Resources, is running to become the first Native candidate to win a statewide position. DePoe is a member of the Makah Tribe who grew up on the Neah Bay reservation. In addition to his DNR job, he works with a number of groups at the intersection of environmental sustainability and Indigenous land use, including the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, the Environmental Justice Council, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. DePoe has also served on the Makah Tribal Council, including as vice chairman.
In this race, DePoe is running to manage public lands in a way that maximizes environmental sustainability while balancing building a stronger economy of well-paying jobs. He believes he can build a widespread climate coalition to engage all community stakeholders in efforts towards a green future. DePoe also wants to improve forest health while preventing and fighting increasingly dangerous wildfire seasons. Finally, he is committed to being a representative for rural communities who often serve as the frontline of environmental issues in our state. However, DePoe lacks Upthegrove’s experience in elected office as well as his demonstrated track record of writing and passing environmental legislation.
Also in this crowded race is state Senator Kevin Van De Wege. Van de Wege served five terms in the House before joining the Senate in 2016. Before that, he served as a firefighter and paramedic. His voting record makes it clear he would not be a progressive choice in this race. Van De Wege broke ranks with his party to vote against the critical 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which enables the state’s Department of Ecology to make headway on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and engages an environmental justice approach to make sure no community is left behind in climate mitigation, among other key policies. As a hindrance, rather than a leader, on addressing climate change within his own party, Van De Wege is not the best choice to take the bold action our communities need from the next public lands commissioner.
Firefighter and ecologist Allen Lebovitz is another Democrat in this race who is running to lead the public lands office with core values of sustainability and respect for the land. Lebovitz has worked for the state’s Department of Natural Resources in a number of roles since 2011, including aquation restoration ecologist and most recently wildland fire and forest resilience liaison. His experience spans policy, science, and frontline work to protect our public lands from environmental degradation, wildfires, habitat loss, and climate change.
Lebovitz is running with a progressive, sustainable vision for the office. If elected, he wants to invest in fire-resilient forest management techniques, ensuring public lands benefit all Washingtonians equitably, strengthening rural economies, and valuing healthy forests above time volume. His goals for office revolve around effective crisis management and a strategic, optimistic plan for a sustainable future.
Redmond City Council member Jeralee Anderson is another Democrat in this race. Anderson first joined the city council in 2018, and she also co-founded and serves as president of a globally recognized nonprofit focused on helping to make our transportation systems more sustainable. Her training is as a civil engineer, and her work has been recognized at many levels including as one of President Obama’s White House Transportation Champions of Change.
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 Pérez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80 percent 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 which, both 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.
Also in this race is Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, a retired environmental and power analyst who has worked for Seattle City Lights and the Grays Harbor Public Utility District. Pederson previously ran for this seat in 2020. Despite the growing climate crisis and the need to build a sustainable Washington future, Pederson’s focus lies in criticizing the Democratic incumbent and prioritizing revenue from the sale of timber from public forests.
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 or in leadership positions at educational institutions.
The superintendent's office provides resources and guidance on language access, student safety, school district budgeting, and meeting student needs to Washington's 295 public school districts and 6 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 with his less experienced opponents.
Reykdal has strong support from educators across the state and earned your vote for re-election.
Incumbent Chris Reykdal is running for a third term in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Reykdal has been a strong champion for public education as superintendent, during his six years in the Legislature, and in 14 years on local school boards or in leadership positions at educational institutions.
The superintendent's office provides resources and guidance on language access, student safety, school district budgeting, and meeting student needs to Washington's 295 public school districts and 6 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 with his less experienced opponents.
Reykdal has strong support from educators across the state and earned your vote for re-election.
Local teacher and nonprofit leader Reid Saaris is challenging Chris Reykdal in this race. Saaris is a fourth-generation Washington public educator who has taught at Rainier Beach High School. He founded and spent 12 years as CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools, an organization dedicated to connecting marginalized students with college-level learning opportunities.
Saaris is running for office on an optimistic platform to bridge learning gaps, prioritize the health and wellness of students, and prepare all students for bright futures. If elected, he wants to increase tutoring and instructional resources for schools, invest in mental health supports for students, including community and parent-led services, and support diverse paths to post-high-school success. Saaris would lead with data and evidence-based solutions to address challenges in our public schools.
It's important to note that the public superintendent largely plays an assistance and implementation role for school districts, and can't directly increase funding or change curriculum. During our interview, Saaris reiterated his commitment to public schools and using data to drive decision-making that will close learning gaps and improve outcomes for students. He wants to leverage the office to share proven best practices with districts across the state. While he praises many of Reykdal's actions, he believes the superintendent can play a larger role in pushing the legislature and school districts to distribute resources more equitably. In response to questions about whether he was ready to take on such a large state office, Saaris responded that he had built and managed a large non-profit and that as an educator, he would bring a fresh, collaborative perspective to the office.
Saaris' endorsements include The Seattle Times and many current and former elected office officials.
Local teacher and nonprofit leader Reid Saaris is challenging Chris Reykdal in this race. Saaris is a fourth-generation Washington public educator who has taught at Rainier Beach High School. He founded and spent 12 years as CEO of Equal Opportunity Schools, an organization dedicated to connecting marginalized students with college-level learning opportunities.
Saaris is running for office on an optimistic platform to bridge learning gaps, prioritize the health and wellness of students, and prepare all students for bright futures. If elected, he wants to increase tutoring and instructional resources for schools, invest in mental health supports for students, including community and parent-led services, and support diverse paths to post-high-school success. Saaris would lead with data and evidence-based solutions to address challenges in our public schools.
It's important to note that the public superintendent largely plays an assistance and implementation role for school districts, and can't directly increase funding or change curriculum. During our interview, Saaris reiterated his commitment to public schools and using data to drive decision-making that will close learning gaps and improve outcomes for students. He wants to leverage the office to share proven best practices with districts across the state. While he praises many of Reykdal's actions, he believes the superintendent can play a larger role in pushing the legislature and school districts to distribute resources more equitably. In response to questions about whether he was ready to take on such a large state office, Saaris responded that he had built and managed a large non-profit and that as an educator, he would bring a fresh, collaborative perspective to the office.
Saaris' endorsements include The Seattle Times and many current and former elected office officials.
Other Candidates
Gig Harbor School Board member David Olson is running on a reactionary platform. Olson wants to increase special education budgets, engage parental intervention, and double down on letter grade systems. Like many conservative school board directors, he wants to expand local control of curriculums and schools. Olson wants to employ strict guidelines in our schools that penalize students struggling the most.
Former Vashon School Board member John Patterson Blair is also in this nonpartisan race to challenge Reykdal. Blair previously ran for the state superintendent position in 2016 on a platform centered on individualizing Washington student experiences. As of mid-July, he lacks a campaign website and he previously failed to attend a community campaign event for candidates in this race.
Gig Harbor School Board member David Olson is running on a reactionary platform. Olson wants to increase special education budgets, engage parental intervention, and double down on letter grade systems. Like many conservative school board directors, he wants to expand local control of curriculums and schools. Olson wants to employ strict guidelines in our schools that penalize students struggling the most.
Former Vashon School Board member John Patterson Blair is also in this nonpartisan race to challenge Reykdal. Blair previously ran for the state superintendent position in 2016 on a platform centered on individualizing Washington student experiences. As of mid-July, he lacks a campaign website and he previously failed to attend a community campaign event for candidates in this race.
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.
We recommend Patty Kuderer for Washington Insurance Commissioner because of her strong background in public service and clear vision for the office.
State Senator and attorney Patty Kuderer is running for Washington Insurance Commissioner. She has served the 48th Legislative District since 2015 when she was appointed to the state House before being appointed to fill the Senate seat vacancy in 2017.
Kuderer has been one of the most active sponsors of progressive bills in the Legislature. This year, she was the primary sponsor of a successful bill to ensure NARCAN is available in Washington schools. As a secondary sponsor, she helped to pass a slate of progressive bills, including ensuring that valid ballots are not unduly rejected, limiting the ability to bring firearms to public places like zoos, transit stations, and libraries, and aligning state and federal financial aid programs. Kuderer is now campaigning for insurance commissioner on a progressive platform that includes exploring universal health care, reducing auto insurance costs, expanding cancer screening for firefighters, and improving access to climate change insurance for homeowners and businesses.
We recommend Patty Kuderer for Washington Insurance Commissioner because of her strong background in public service and clear vision for the office.
Other Candidates
Bill Boyd is the other Democratic candidate in this race. Boyd has worked in insurance for more than three decades and has spent nearly all of his industry experience at his own company, Boyd Insurance Brokerage. He is highly involved in his community as a church leader, youth sports coach, and league treasurer. Boyd is campaigning to expand health care options and take climate change into account in insurance coverage. However, he supports privatizing the workers’ compensation program, which the voters opposed in 2010 because it would undermine benefits for working people and their families.
Republican state Senator Phil Fortunato is also running for insurance commissioner. Fortunato was first elected to represent 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 health care and medicine they need. He is not a progressive choice in this race.
Democrat Chris Chung has no campaign website as of mid-July. His official voters guide statement is very vague and offers Washingtonians no real insight into how he would run the office. Fellow Democrat John Pestinger is a veteran who has worked for five years as a project manager in the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Insurance professional Jonathan Hendrix is running without a party preference in this race. Hendrix recently finished an eight-year stint with Premera Blue Cross and has previously worked for Aetna and United Dental Care. He believes his experience in the industry will allow him to better prioritize customer service. Unfortunately, he also supports deregulation of the industry. We know that left unregulated in the pursuit of profit, the insurance prices for customers soar while service quality declines. Washingtonians need a strong leader who is unafraid to hold private insurance corporations accountable.
Deer Park mayor Tim Verzal, who is running without a party preference, and Republican Justin Murta have no campaign website or information available as of mid-June. We will continue to monitor this race and update their information if it becomes available.
Bill Boyd is the other Democratic candidate in this race. Boyd has worked in insurance for more than three decades and has spent nearly all of his industry experience at his own company, Boyd Insurance Brokerage. He is highly involved in his community as a church leader, youth sports coach, and league treasurer. Boyd is campaigning to expand health care options and take climate change into account in insurance coverage. However, he supports privatizing the workers’ compensation program, which the voters opposed in 2010 because it would undermine benefits for working people and their families.
Republican state Senator Phil Fortunato is also running for insurance commissioner. Fortunato was first elected to represent 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 health care and medicine they need. He is not a progressive choice in this race.
Democrat Chris Chung has no campaign website as of mid-July. His official voters guide statement is very vague and offers Washingtonians no real insight into how he would run the office. Fellow Democrat John Pestinger is a veteran who has worked for five years as a project manager in the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Insurance professional Jonathan Hendrix is running without a party preference in this race. Hendrix recently finished an eight-year stint with Premera Blue Cross and has previously worked for Aetna and United Dental Care. He believes his experience in the industry will allow him to better prioritize customer service. Unfortunately, he also supports deregulation of the industry. We know that left unregulated in the pursuit of profit, the insurance prices for customers soar while service quality declines. Washingtonians need a strong leader who is unafraid to hold private insurance corporations accountable.
Deer Park mayor Tim Verzal, who is running without a party preference, and Republican Justin Murta have no campaign website or information available as of mid-June. We will continue to monitor this race and update their information if it becomes available.
Legislative Races
10th Legislative District
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair is challenging Republican incumbent Ron Muzzal for the Legislative District 10 Senate seat. St. Clair has served as a county commissioner since 2018 and has spent her three-decade-long career in social work, including as a director of large social service organizations. She is also a proud volunteer foster parent.
On the Island County Commission, St. Clair has been a strong advocate for affordability and environmental protections so that county residents of all income levels can build sustainable futures. She is running on a pragmatic Democratic platform in this race while continuing to value bipartisanship, affordability, and community service. St. Clair’s top priorities include reducing corporate price gouging, advocating for reproductive freedom, ensuring prescription drugs and health care are affordable, protecting air, water, and local ecosystems, and supporting veterans. St. Clair also wants to bridge first responder and law enforcement resources to address the fentanyl crisis with compassion.
Ron Muzzall, the Republican incumbent, is running for another term in the state Senate. He was first elected in 2019 and works in the agriculture industry as a farm owner and manager. In his first year in office, Muzzall failed to provide strong leadership during the coronavirus pandemic and the following economic downturn. Last year, he voted against an abortion shield law that protects Washington state health care workers when they provide abortion care to patients from Washington and from out of state. In the 2024 legislative session, he voted against key bills to protect consumer data privacy and opposed bills that would reduce gun violence through stronger background checks.
Democrat Denny Sandberg has no campaign website and little information available as of mid July. We will continue to monitor this race and update Sandberg's information if it becomes available.
We recommend Janet St. Clair for the state Senate position representing the 10th Legislative District to continue leading with community needs at the state level.
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair is challenging Republican incumbent Ron Muzzal for the Legislative District 10 Senate seat. St. Clair has served as a county commissioner since 2018 and has spent her three-decade-long career in social work, including as a director of large social service organizations. She is also a proud volunteer foster parent.
On the Island County Commission, St. Clair has been a strong advocate for affordability and environmental protections so that county residents of all income levels can build sustainable futures. She is running on a pragmatic Democratic platform in this race while continuing to value bipartisanship, affordability, and community service. St. Clair’s top priorities include reducing corporate price gouging, advocating for reproductive freedom, ensuring prescription drugs and health care are affordable, protecting air, water, and local ecosystems, and supporting veterans. St. Clair also wants to bridge first responder and law enforcement resources to address the fentanyl crisis with compassion.
Ron Muzzall, the Republican incumbent, is running for another term in the state Senate. He was first elected in 2019 and works in the agriculture industry as a farm owner and manager. In his first year in office, Muzzall failed to provide strong leadership during the coronavirus pandemic and the following economic downturn. Last year, he voted against an abortion shield law that protects Washington state health care workers when they provide abortion care to patients from Washington and from out of state. In the 2024 legislative session, he voted against key bills to protect consumer data privacy and opposed bills that would reduce gun violence through stronger background checks.
Democrat Denny Sandberg has no campaign website and little information available as of mid July. We will continue to monitor this race and update Sandberg's information if it becomes available.
We recommend Janet St. Clair for the state Senate position representing the 10th Legislative District to continue leading with community needs at the state level.
Clyde Shavers is running for re-election as state representative for the 10th Legislative District in Position 1. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who previously served as a public affairs officer and now works as a reserve officer.
In his first term, Rep. Shavers focused on several of the big issues he campaigned on, including addressing the housing crisis and prioritizing environmental sustainability. He was the prime sponsor for a successful bill that loosened limits on food bank funding for necessary items like diapers and menstrual products. Shavers also sponsored bills to expand hydrogen and fusion power to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels.
Shavers is a member of the Capital Budget committee and states that he's proud to have supported a budget that funds clean drinking water infrastructure in Island County, the Camano Lutheran Childcare Center, and housing services for people with developmental disabilities.
While Shavers faced some controversy during his previous hard-fought campaign, his solid track record during his first term in Olympia has earned your vote for re-election.
Clyde Shavers is running for re-election as state representative for the 10th Legislative District in Position 1. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who previously served as a public affairs officer and now works as a reserve officer.
In his first term, Rep. Shavers focused on several of the big issues he campaigned on, including addressing the housing crisis and prioritizing environmental sustainability. He was the prime sponsor for a successful bill that loosened limits on food bank funding for necessary items like diapers and menstrual products. Shavers also sponsored bills to expand hydrogen and fusion power to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels.
Shavers is a member of the Capital Budget committee and states that he's proud to have supported a budget that funds clean drinking water infrastructure in Island County, the Camano Lutheran Childcare Center, and housing services for people with developmental disabilities.
While Shavers faced some controversy during his previous hard-fought campaign, his solid track record during his first term in Olympia has earned your vote for re-election.
Other Candidates
Republican Yvonne Gallardo is challenging Democratic incumbent Clyde Shavers for Position 1 representing the 10th Legislative District in Olympia. In 2022, she was appointed to Arlington’s city council and last year ran successfully to retain her seat. Gallardo also formerly served as a city planning commissioner, the executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, and an electronics technician for the Navy. Outside of elected office, she currently works for the Snohomish Conservation District as a grants and contracts lead.
Despite running on a seemingly moderate platform that extolls the virtues of strengthening community, Gallardo is a typical Republican who wants to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Washingtonians and prioritize business interests above community needs. Residents of the 10th Legislative District deserve a representative who will support the community not just in campaign rhetoric but in policies that help us all pay rent, put food on the table, and afford health care.
Conservative Carrie Kennedy is another conservative challenger in this race. Kennedy is a self-described “Navy wife” who previously ran for the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. Her campaign website contains no platform details in this race as of early June, but her 2022 campaign included disavowals of both racial justice and COVID safety policy. With her lack of community leadership experience and strong MAGA alignment, it is clear Kennedy is not a good choice.
Republican Yvonne Gallardo is challenging Democratic incumbent Clyde Shavers for Position 1 representing the 10th Legislative District in Olympia. In 2022, she was appointed to Arlington’s city council and last year ran successfully to retain her seat. Gallardo also formerly served as a city planning commissioner, the executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, and an electronics technician for the Navy. Outside of elected office, she currently works for the Snohomish Conservation District as a grants and contracts lead.
Despite running on a seemingly moderate platform that extolls the virtues of strengthening community, Gallardo is a typical Republican who wants to give tax breaks to the wealthiest Washingtonians and prioritize business interests above community needs. Residents of the 10th Legislative District deserve a representative who will support the community not just in campaign rhetoric but in policies that help us all pay rent, put food on the table, and afford health care.
Conservative Carrie Kennedy is another conservative challenger in this race. Kennedy is a self-described “Navy wife” who previously ran for the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. Her campaign website contains no platform details in this race as of early June, but her 2022 campaign included disavowals of both racial justice and COVID safety policy. With her lack of community leadership experience and strong MAGA alignment, it is clear Kennedy is not a good choice.
Democratic Rep. Dave Paul is running for re-election in the 10th Legislative District for Position 2. He joined the Legislature in 2019 after working for Skagit Valley College for more than a decade. As a member of the Transportation and Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committees, Paul has worked hard to improve Washingtonians' career opportunities and connectivity to work, play, and school around the state.
This year, Paul led efforts to cap the cost of life-saving inhalers and epinephrine injectors at $35 a month and to implement the 988 behavioral health crisis and suicide prevention system. Locally, Paul helped secure funding for the Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue's new station as well as outreach and services for rural youth mental health in Island County.
Paul has been one of the most thoughtful leaders in Olympia during his first two terms, reaching across the aisle to get things done for the district. We enthusiastically recommend Paul to continue representing the 10th Legislative District with strong community-centered leadership in the House.
Democratic Rep. Dave Paul is running for re-election in the 10th Legislative District for Position 2. He joined the Legislature in 2019 after working for Skagit Valley College for more than a decade. As a member of the Transportation and Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committees, Paul has worked hard to improve Washingtonians' career opportunities and connectivity to work, play, and school around the state.
This year, Paul led efforts to cap the cost of life-saving inhalers and epinephrine injectors at $35 a month and to implement the 988 behavioral health crisis and suicide prevention system. Locally, Paul helped secure funding for the Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue's new station as well as outreach and services for rural youth mental health in Island County.
Paul has been one of the most thoughtful leaders in Olympia during his first two terms, reaching across the aisle to get things done for the district. We enthusiastically recommend Paul to continue representing the 10th Legislative District with strong community-centered leadership in the House.
Other Candidates
Republican Gary Wray is challenging Paul for state House. Wray is the immediate past president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, a conservative group that advocates for big developers and opposes protections for working people. Wray's platform repeats many of the usual Republican Party talking points about attacking the LGBTQ+ community and fear-mongering about crime. He is not a progressive choice in this race.
Republican Gary Wray is challenging Paul for state House. Wray is the immediate past president of the Building Industry Association of Washington, a conservative group that advocates for big developers and opposes protections for working people. Wray's platform repeats many of the usual Republican Party talking points about attacking the LGBTQ+ community and fear-mongering about crime. He is not a progressive choice in this race.
21st Legislative District
Democratic Rep. Strom Peterson is running for re-election to represent the 21st Legislative District in House Position 1. Prior to joining the Legislature, Peterson served on the Edmonds City Council for six years and now serves on the Snohomish County Council.
In Olympia, Peterson has had a hand in passing several important progressive bills, including sponsoring legislation to limit the sale of ghost guns and to provide meals for hungry students through the Breakfast Before the Bell program. He was also the primary sponsor of the Secure Drug Take-Back Act. This year, Peterson sponsored important bills to strengthen the Voting Rights Act and to create a basic income pilot program. He is proud to have been the primary sponsor of the successful Economic Security for All program, which allocates grants to families and individuals below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to uplift individuals and families to self-sufficiency, especially people of color and rural residents.
Peterson's platform includes bold action on housing to establish permanent supportive shelters, fund workforce housing, and invest in affordable options for all income levels. He also wants to protect reproductive freedom, increase behavioral health support, strengthen gun violence prevention laws, and expand addiction treatment options.
Peterson's progressive track record and support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations make him the best choice in this race.
Democratic Rep. Strom Peterson is running for re-election to represent the 21st Legislative District in House Position 1. Prior to joining the Legislature, Peterson served on the Edmonds City Council for six years and now serves on the Snohomish County Council.
In Olympia, Peterson has had a hand in passing several important progressive bills, including sponsoring legislation to limit the sale of ghost guns and to provide meals for hungry students through the Breakfast Before the Bell program. He was also the primary sponsor of the Secure Drug Take-Back Act. This year, Peterson sponsored important bills to strengthen the Voting Rights Act and to create a basic income pilot program. He is proud to have been the primary sponsor of the successful Economic Security for All program, which allocates grants to families and individuals below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to uplift individuals and families to self-sufficiency, especially people of color and rural residents.
Peterson's platform includes bold action on housing to establish permanent supportive shelters, fund workforce housing, and invest in affordable options for all income levels. He also wants to protect reproductive freedom, increase behavioral health support, strengthen gun violence prevention laws, and expand addiction treatment options.
Peterson's progressive track record and support from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations make him the best choice in this race.
Other Candidates
Also in this race is Jason Moon, who has served on several commissions, including the city of Mukilteo's Public Safety Commission, their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and the North Central Advisory Committee.
Despite being a Democrat, Jason Moon seems to be running against Rep. Peterson from a much more moderate angle. He writes that he doesn't believe the legislature should "force density" at a time when our representatives have passed several hugely important bills to alleviate the housing crisis, including "missing middle" housing that would allow denser housing around transit options. He also makes vague statements about "empowering officers" and holding all residents accountable. Moon also makes incorrect statements about public health efforts like needle exchanges, stating that he wouldn't support them despite the fact that the CDC says that people who use exchange programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment programs. His agenda is not as progressive or detailed as Peterson's.
Former Democrat Riaz Khan has crossed party lines and registered as a Republican this year, stating in an interview with the Everett Herald that "his values no longer align with the Democratic Party." Khan is a former Mukilteo City Council member and resigned from his seat as vice-chair of the 21st District Democrats right before filing as a Republican this year. He has no active website or campaign priorities available as of mid-June, though in the same article, he mentions equipping the police to do something about drug use, promoting single-family housing, and lowering prices at the grocery by pushing back against the 2021 law banning single-use plastic bags.
Also in this race is Jason Moon, who has served on several commissions, including the city of Mukilteo's Public Safety Commission, their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and the North Central Advisory Committee.
Despite being a Democrat, Jason Moon seems to be running against Rep. Peterson from a much more moderate angle. He writes that he doesn't believe the legislature should "force density" at a time when our representatives have passed several hugely important bills to alleviate the housing crisis, including "missing middle" housing that would allow denser housing around transit options. He also makes vague statements about "empowering officers" and holding all residents accountable. Moon also makes incorrect statements about public health efforts like needle exchanges, stating that he wouldn't support them despite the fact that the CDC says that people who use exchange programs are five times more likely to enter drug treatment programs. His agenda is not as progressive or detailed as Peterson's.
Former Democrat Riaz Khan has crossed party lines and registered as a Republican this year, stating in an interview with the Everett Herald that "his values no longer align with the Democratic Party." Khan is a former Mukilteo City Council member and resigned from his seat as vice-chair of the 21st District Democrats right before filing as a Republican this year. He has no active website or campaign priorities available as of mid-June, though in the same article, he mentions equipping the police to do something about drug use, promoting single-family housing, and lowering prices at the grocery by pushing back against the 2021 law banning single-use plastic bags.
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self is running for re-election to the 21st Legislative District, House Position 2. She has served families and children throughout her career as the regional coordinator for the Illinois State Board of Education and former director and founder of the Comunidad Unida Project, a center for Latino families and youth. Ortiz-Self also serves as chair of the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus and secretary of the executive committee of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.
Since joining the House in 2015, Ortiz-Self has put her expertise to work improving the lives of students and workers in her district and beyond. This year she was the primary sponsor for successful bills to help workers who've filed wage complaints and to provide dual and tribal language education. Ortiz-Self also sponsored bills to enhance the College Bound Scholarship program, provide free school meals for all students, remove barriers to hiring paraeducators, and more.
Over the years Ortiz-Self has spearheaded many efforts to secure more resources for students, prevent gun violence, and lead in the House. She is the best choice in the race for Position 2.
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self is running for re-election to the 21st Legislative District, House Position 2. She has served families and children throughout her career as the regional coordinator for the Illinois State Board of Education and former director and founder of the Comunidad Unida Project, a center for Latino families and youth. Ortiz-Self also serves as chair of the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus and secretary of the executive committee of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.
Since joining the House in 2015, Ortiz-Self has put her expertise to work improving the lives of students and workers in her district and beyond. This year she was the primary sponsor for successful bills to help workers who've filed wage complaints and to provide dual and tribal language education. Ortiz-Self also sponsored bills to enhance the College Bound Scholarship program, provide free school meals for all students, remove barriers to hiring paraeducators, and more.
Over the years Ortiz-Self has spearheaded many efforts to secure more resources for students, prevent gun violence, and lead in the House. She is the best choice in the race for Position 2.
Other Candidates
Republican Kristina Mitchell is also in the running in this race. She has no working website or available policy proposals available as of early June.
The third candidate in this race is Libertarian Bruce Guthrie, who ran unsuccessfully for the 21st LD House seat in 2016 and school district director in 2019. His candidate website is inoperable as of mid-June.
Republican Kristina Mitchell is also in the running in this race. She has no working website or available policy proposals available as of early June.
The third candidate in this race is Libertarian Bruce Guthrie, who ran unsuccessfully for the 21st LD House seat in 2016 and school district director in 2019. His candidate website is inoperable as of mid-June.
32nd Legislative District
Democratic incumbent Cindy Ryu is running for another term in House Position 1 representing the 32nd District. She joined the Legislature in 2011, becoming the first Korean American to serve in the state Legislature. Before that, she became the first Korean American woman mayor in the country when she was elected mayor of Shoreline. Outside of elected office, Ryu runs a property management business.
Ryu is a reliable Democratic voice in Olympia with top policy focuses on public education, the climate, transit infrastructure, and small businesses. As a secondary sponsor, Ryu helped pass a slate of progressive bills this past session, including bills to strengthen voting processes, support professional licensing for undocumented Washingtonians, and enact the Nothing About Us Without Us Act to promote disability justice.
Republican Lisa Rezac is challenging Ryu in this race. Rezac has attempted to paint herself as a moderate by pointing to her previous Democratic voting record. However, she actually chairs the 32nd Legislative District Republicans, leading the conservative agenda for the area. Like other right-wing candidates in this election, Rezac is running on a divisive platform that prioritizes business interests and misinformation.
Ryu is the best choice in this race.
Democratic incumbent Cindy Ryu is running for another term in House Position 1 representing the 32nd District. She joined the Legislature in 2011, becoming the first Korean American to serve in the state Legislature. Before that, she became the first Korean American woman mayor in the country when she was elected mayor of Shoreline. Outside of elected office, Ryu runs a property management business.
Ryu is a reliable Democratic voice in Olympia with top policy focuses on public education, the climate, transit infrastructure, and small businesses. As a secondary sponsor, Ryu helped pass a slate of progressive bills this past session, including bills to strengthen voting processes, support professional licensing for undocumented Washingtonians, and enact the Nothing About Us Without Us Act to promote disability justice.
Republican Lisa Rezac is challenging Ryu in this race. Rezac has attempted to paint herself as a moderate by pointing to her previous Democratic voting record. However, she actually chairs the 32nd Legislative District Republicans, leading the conservative agenda for the area. Like other right-wing candidates in this election, Rezac is running on a divisive platform that prioritizes business interests and misinformation.
Ryu is the best choice in this race.
Democrat Rep. Lauren Davis is running for another term in Legislative District 32, House Position 2. Davis has served in the state Legislature since 2019 and serves as the strategy director of the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit supporting those experiencing addiction and mental illness that she helped found.
Davis has made gun violence prevention, addiction recovery, public education, and affordable housing her top priorities in office. In the most recent session, she supported several successful progressive bills, including legislation to strengthen protections against gun violence, authorize professional licenses for undocumented Washingtonians, and expand wage anti-discrimination protections.
Davis has earned your vote for another term representing the 32nd Legislative District.
Democrat Rep. Lauren Davis is running for another term in Legislative District 32, House Position 2. Davis has served in the state Legislature since 2019 and serves as the strategy director of the Washington Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit supporting those experiencing addiction and mental illness that she helped found.
Davis has made gun violence prevention, addiction recovery, public education, and affordable housing her top priorities in office. In the most recent session, she supported several successful progressive bills, including legislation to strengthen protections against gun violence, authorize professional licenses for undocumented Washingtonians, and expand wage anti-discrimination protections.
Davis has earned your vote for another term representing the 32nd Legislative District.
Other Candidates
Fellow Democrat Dunia Wabenga is challenging Rep. Davis in this race to be an advocate for the residents of Legislative District 32. Wabenga’s personal experience - as a veteran raised by a single mother who spent part of his childhood in a refugee camp before emigrating to the United States - has shaped his priorities and vision for office.
In this race, Wabenga is campaigning to represent all district voices, particularly the most marginalized, while working to increase affordable housing, build up community safety, create job opportunities, and raise the quality of public education. He wants to ensure the government is working first and foremost to uplift working families at the local level. The rest of Wabenga’s platform offers bold and progressive ideas to reform our regressive tax system, to hold private prison and detention corporations accountable, and to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. However, Wabenga has not earned as much support as Davis from community leaders and our progressive partner organizations.
Republican Lori Theis is running on a conservative that echoes some of the MAGA movement's conspiracy theories. She claims to be running because of what she perceives to be corruption and "criminal enterprises" but fails to offer specific details or solutions.
Fellow Democrat Dunia Wabenga is challenging Rep. Davis in this race to be an advocate for the residents of Legislative District 32. Wabenga’s personal experience - as a veteran raised by a single mother who spent part of his childhood in a refugee camp before emigrating to the United States - has shaped his priorities and vision for office.
In this race, Wabenga is campaigning to represent all district voices, particularly the most marginalized, while working to increase affordable housing, build up community safety, create job opportunities, and raise the quality of public education. He wants to ensure the government is working first and foremost to uplift working families at the local level. The rest of Wabenga’s platform offers bold and progressive ideas to reform our regressive tax system, to hold private prison and detention corporations accountable, and to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. However, Wabenga has not earned as much support as Davis from community leaders and our progressive partner organizations.
Republican Lori Theis is running on a conservative that echoes some of the MAGA movement's conspiracy theories. She claims to be running because of what she perceives to be corruption and "criminal enterprises" but fails to offer specific details or solutions.
38th Legislative District
Progressive Rep. Julio Cortes is seeking a second term in Legislative District 38, Position 1. Outside of the Legislature, Cortes manages communications and marketing for the City of Everett. He is a strong community leader who currently serves on the Everett Arena Public Facilities District board and previously worked with Cocoon House to support families and children experiencing housing insecurity.
Rep. Cortes has led with a thoughtful understanding of the root causes of community issues and a commitment to addressing them compassionately and effectively. This session, he helped to pass a number of critical bills as a secondary sponsor, including legislation to provide 100% clean energy school buses, expand the wage discrimination protections in the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, and streamline access to early learning and childcare programs for low-income and working Washington families.
Now, Cortes is campaigning to invest in workforce development and small businesses, expand affordable housing, provide wraparound services to Washingtonians struggling the most, and address our upside-down tax code so everyone pays their share. We recommend Julio Cortes for another term in Legislative District 38, Position 1.
Progressive Rep. Julio Cortes is seeking a second term in Legislative District 38, Position 1. Outside of the Legislature, Cortes manages communications and marketing for the City of Everett. He is a strong community leader who currently serves on the Everett Arena Public Facilities District board and previously worked with Cocoon House to support families and children experiencing housing insecurity.
Rep. Cortes has led with a thoughtful understanding of the root causes of community issues and a commitment to addressing them compassionately and effectively. This session, he helped to pass a number of critical bills as a secondary sponsor, including legislation to provide 100% clean energy school buses, expand the wage discrimination protections in the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, and streamline access to early learning and childcare programs for low-income and working Washington families.
Now, Cortes is campaigning to invest in workforce development and small businesses, expand affordable housing, provide wraparound services to Washingtonians struggling the most, and address our upside-down tax code so everyone pays their share. We recommend Julio Cortes for another term in Legislative District 38, Position 1.
Other Candidates
Rep. Cortes faces two Democratic challengers in this race.
Annie Fitzgerald is a disability activist and private investigator. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and has grown up with disabilities that she says shaped her life. As of early June, the policies section of her campaign website was empty, but Fitzgerald states that she holds progressive political views and wants to bring about change if elected.
Also in this race is Bryce Nickel, who identifies as an autistic self-advocate conducting post-graduate work on the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence. Nickel wants to draw on their personal experience of homelessness and housing insecurity to bring a unique perspective to Olympia. Their ultimate goal in this campaign is to build a Washington where people can not only access the basics to survive but also achieve a high quality of life full of opportunity. In the face of a rising cost of living across Washington, Nickel believes in the need for rising wages, union support, and something akin to a universal basic income.
Rep. Cortes faces two Democratic challengers in this race.
Annie Fitzgerald is a disability activist and private investigator. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and has grown up with disabilities that she says shaped her life. As of early June, the policies section of her campaign website was empty, but Fitzgerald states that she holds progressive political views and wants to bring about change if elected.
Also in this race is Bryce Nickel, who identifies as an autistic self-advocate conducting post-graduate work on the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence. Nickel wants to draw on their personal experience of homelessness and housing insecurity to bring a unique perspective to Olympia. Their ultimate goal in this campaign is to build a Washington where people can not only access the basics to survive but also achieve a high quality of life full of opportunity. In the face of a rising cost of living across Washington, Nickel believes in the need for rising wages, union support, and something akin to a universal basic income.
Democratic Rep. Mary Fosse is running for re-election to Legislation Position 38, House Position 2. Prior to her first term in office, she served as a member of the Everett City Council, advocating for the city’s underserved Delta neighborhood, and as a chair of the Delta Neighborhood Association. She also runs a local plant nursery which involves teaching community plant workshops.
Fosse is a strong community advocate who has worked tirelessly to bring opportunity and prosperity to her constituents. As a secondary sponsor, she helped pass bills to streamline the voter address change process to reduce barriers to voting, enable working people to access professional licensing regardless of immigration status, and strengthen wage discrimination protections to ensure all workers are paid fairly. If re-elected, Fosse will continue prioritizing housing for all, accessible health care, workers' rights, and an economy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy.
Republican Marnie Claywell is challenging Fosse in this race. Claywell serves as the director of operations for a nonprofit focused on providing housing for community members who are low-income and/or have disabilities. Her platform in this race is typically right-wing, and she wants to eliminate abortion and reproductive health care access. If elected, Claywell wants to defend “God-given rights” in Olympia while pushing far-right policy in the Legislature. Her views are not representative of the district.
Mary Fosse has worked hard in her first term to bring progress to Legislative District 38 and she has earned another term in Olympia.
Democratic Rep. Mary Fosse is running for re-election to Legislation Position 38, House Position 2. Prior to her first term in office, she served as a member of the Everett City Council, advocating for the city’s underserved Delta neighborhood, and as a chair of the Delta Neighborhood Association. She also runs a local plant nursery which involves teaching community plant workshops.
Fosse is a strong community advocate who has worked tirelessly to bring opportunity and prosperity to her constituents. As a secondary sponsor, she helped pass bills to streamline the voter address change process to reduce barriers to voting, enable working people to access professional licensing regardless of immigration status, and strengthen wage discrimination protections to ensure all workers are paid fairly. If re-elected, Fosse will continue prioritizing housing for all, accessible health care, workers' rights, and an economy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy.
Republican Marnie Claywell is challenging Fosse in this race. Claywell serves as the director of operations for a nonprofit focused on providing housing for community members who are low-income and/or have disabilities. Her platform in this race is typically right-wing, and she wants to eliminate abortion and reproductive health care access. If elected, Claywell wants to defend “God-given rights” in Olympia while pushing far-right policy in the Legislature. Her views are not representative of the district.
Mary Fosse has worked hard in her first term to bring progress to Legislative District 38 and she has earned another term in Olympia.
39th Legislative District
Democrat John Snow is a U.S. Navy veteran who is running to make a difference in the lives of 39th Legislative District residents. Snow supports reforms that empower working Washingtonians, including supporting the right to unionize, rebalancing the state's tax code to make the wealthiest finally pay their share, and increasing wages. He also supports funding public education so that teachers no longer struggle to survive. Unlike the incumbent, Snow also supports the right to abortion care. His platform has earned him the endorsement of three local Democratic organizations.
Snow is challenging conservative incumbent Sen. Keith Wagoner. Wagoner is a Navy veteran and a former Sedro-Woolley mayor who has served in the state Senate since 2018. He has supported a right-wing agenda in Olympia. Last year, he was the face of opposition to a Democrat-proposed bill requiring anyone purchasing a firearm to take a safety course beforehand. In the Senate, Wagoner also recently voted against bills to continue assistance programs to keep working families on their feet, to expand reproductive health access for all Washingtonians, and to provide the basic needs for our students.
Also in this race is Democrat Tim McDonald, a director on the Arlington School Board. McDonald is a retired airline pilot who has worked in a number of industries and even served in the Vietnam War. He is a moderate Democrat with a conservative fiscal policy that would restrict key community investments to make our community more equitable, sustainable, and safe. However, McDonald does support housing affordability measures, public greenspace access, and corporate accountability.
Snow is by far the best choice in this race.
Democrat John Snow is a U.S. Navy veteran who is running to make a difference in the lives of 39th Legislative District residents. Snow supports reforms that empower working Washingtonians, including supporting the right to unionize, rebalancing the state's tax code to make the wealthiest finally pay their share, and increasing wages. He also supports funding public education so that teachers no longer struggle to survive. Unlike the incumbent, Snow also supports the right to abortion care. His platform has earned him the endorsement of three local Democratic organizations.
Snow is challenging conservative incumbent Sen. Keith Wagoner. Wagoner is a Navy veteran and a former Sedro-Woolley mayor who has served in the state Senate since 2018. He has supported a right-wing agenda in Olympia. Last year, he was the face of opposition to a Democrat-proposed bill requiring anyone purchasing a firearm to take a safety course beforehand. In the Senate, Wagoner also recently voted against bills to continue assistance programs to keep working families on their feet, to expand reproductive health access for all Washingtonians, and to provide the basic needs for our students.
Also in this race is Democrat Tim McDonald, a director on the Arlington School Board. McDonald is a retired airline pilot who has worked in a number of industries and even served in the Vietnam War. He is a moderate Democrat with a conservative fiscal policy that would restrict key community investments to make our community more equitable, sustainable, and safe. However, McDonald does support housing affordability measures, public greenspace access, and corporate accountability.
Snow is by far the best choice in this race.
Progressive Independent Kathryn Lewandowsky is a working parent and nurse who is challenging Republican Rep. Sam Low in this race for state House from the 39th District. Lewandowsky serves as vice-chair of the board of Whole Washington, a grassroots organization fighting for universal healthcare in Washington, and is the former local unit chair for the state nurses’ union.
Lewandowsky has a strong foundation in progressive values and community leadership. In this race, they have taken a "patients over profits" pledge, limiting what donations they will accept from Big Pharma and the corporate health care industry. Lewandowsky’s platform centers on the issues of housing, health care, and climate change. They want to improve the health and safety of the district by increasing access to prescription medicine, clean air and water, stable housing, and nutritious food, among other basics. Lewandowsky has earned endorsements by local, progressive organizations in this campaign.
Progressive Independent Kathryn Lewandowsky is a working parent and nurse who is challenging Republican Rep. Sam Low in this race for state House from the 39th District. Lewandowsky serves as vice-chair of the board of Whole Washington, a grassroots organization fighting for universal healthcare in Washington, and is the former local unit chair for the state nurses’ union.
Lewandowsky has a strong foundation in progressive values and community leadership. In this race, they have taken a "patients over profits" pledge, limiting what donations they will accept from Big Pharma and the corporate health care industry. Lewandowsky’s platform centers on the issues of housing, health care, and climate change. They want to improve the health and safety of the district by increasing access to prescription medicine, clean air and water, stable housing, and nutritious food, among other basics. Lewandowsky has earned endorsements by local, progressive organizations in this campaign.
Republican incumbent Sam Low is running for another term in Position 1 serving Legislative District 39 in the state House. Low previously served on both the Lake Stevens City Council and Snohomish County Council before joining the Legislature in 2023.
This past year, he largely voted along typical Republican lines against bills to increase reproductive health access and fund the basic needs of Washington students. However, his positions on family-wage jobs and farmland preservation plans made him a better choice than his ultra-conservative MAGA opponent.
While we disagree with Low on many important issues, he would be a far better representative than Sutherland in this very conservative district.
Republican incumbent Sam Low is running for another term in Position 1 serving Legislative District 39 in the state House. Low previously served on both the Lake Stevens City Council and Snohomish County Council before joining the Legislature in 2023.
This past year, he largely voted along typical Republican lines against bills to increase reproductive health access and fund the basic needs of Washington students. However, his positions on family-wage jobs and farmland preservation plans made him a better choice than his ultra-conservative MAGA opponent.
While we disagree with Low on many important issues, he would be a far better representative than Sutherland in this very conservative district.
Other Candidates
Zephaniah Borynack, a metal fabricator, is running as a Democrat in this race. He has not released any campaign information or a website as of early June, nor does he appear to have community leadership experience.
Former Rep. Robert Sutherland is also running again for this seat. Sutherland is a biochemist and former U.S. Air Force aircraft mechanic who served in the state House from 2019 to 2023. He was succeeded by Sam Low and is now seeking his old seat back in this election. Sutherland is echoing the talking points of some of the most extremist conservatives who want to promote divisive and inaccurate information in our public school curriculums. He ran unsuccessfully for Snohomish County auditor despite denying the results of the 2020 election. Sutherland is not fit to hold elected office.
Zephaniah Borynack, a metal fabricator, is running as a Democrat in this race. He has not released any campaign information or a website as of early June, nor does he appear to have community leadership experience.
Former Rep. Robert Sutherland is also running again for this seat. Sutherland is a biochemist and former U.S. Air Force aircraft mechanic who served in the state House from 2019 to 2023. He was succeeded by Sam Low and is now seeking his old seat back in this election. Sutherland is echoing the talking points of some of the most extremist conservatives who want to promote divisive and inaccurate information in our public school curriculums. He ran unsuccessfully for Snohomish County auditor despite denying the results of the 2020 election. Sutherland is not fit to hold elected office.
There are no good choices in this race. Republican Rep. Carolyn Eslick is running for another term in Legislative District 39, Position 2. Eslick has been in office since she was first appointed in 2017 and served as the mayor of Sultan before that. She also previously worked in restaurant ownership and has a strong business bent in the Legislature.
Eslick has not released a campaign platform in this race but it is fair to assume she won’t bring progressive priorities to another term. Recently, she voted against bills to require the state’s private prisons to respect human rights. Eslick has also opposed the last three bills to protect access to reproductive health care access despite widespread support for the right of everyone to make their own personal medical decisions.
Republican challenger Jackie Huey has no campaign website or information available as of early June. We will continue to monitor this race and update Huey's information if it becomes available.
Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice.
There are no good choices in this race. Republican Rep. Carolyn Eslick is running for another term in Legislative District 39, Position 2. Eslick has been in office since she was first appointed in 2017 and served as the mayor of Sultan before that. She also previously worked in restaurant ownership and has a strong business bent in the Legislature.
Eslick has not released a campaign platform in this race but it is fair to assume she won’t bring progressive priorities to another term. Recently, she voted against bills to require the state’s private prisons to respect human rights. Eslick has also opposed the last three bills to protect access to reproductive health care access despite widespread support for the right of everyone to make their own personal medical decisions.
Republican challenger Jackie Huey has no campaign website or information available as of early June. We will continue to monitor this race and update Huey's information if it becomes available.
Write in a more progressive candidate of your choice.
40th Legislative District
Sen. Liz Lovelett is running for re-election in Legislative District 40. Lovelett is a fifth-generation Anacortes resident who previously served on the Anacortes City Council. In her time in office, Lovelett has prioritized passing bills that support environmental conservation. This year, she was the prime sponsor of a bill to explore geothermal energy in the state and has helped secure local funding for ferries, addressed chemical pollutants (PFAS) in the water supply in the San Juans, and supported the construction of the new Lopez Food Center. She has also played a key role in passing legislation protecting orcas and the Salish Sea. If re-elected this November, Lovelett wants to continue her work expanding investments in the ferry system, increasing access to nutritious food and housing for residents in need, and addressing climate-critical projects.
Lovelett faces a challenge from Republican Charles Carrell, who ran against her in 2020 and lost by nearly 40 points. Though he has no website or campaign information available as of mid July, his 2020 campaign focused almost entirely on the vague promise of eliminating government redundancy without any specific path or experience that he would use to achieve that.
Lovelett has earned your vote for state Senate from the 40th District.
Sen. Liz Lovelett is running for re-election in Legislative District 40. Lovelett is a fifth-generation Anacortes resident who previously served on the Anacortes City Council. In her time in office, Lovelett has prioritized passing bills that support environmental conservation. This year, she was the prime sponsor of a bill to explore geothermal energy in the state and has helped secure local funding for ferries, addressed chemical pollutants (PFAS) in the water supply in the San Juans, and supported the construction of the new Lopez Food Center. She has also played a key role in passing legislation protecting orcas and the Salish Sea. If re-elected this November, Lovelett wants to continue her work expanding investments in the ferry system, increasing access to nutritious food and housing for residents in need, and addressing climate-critical projects.
Lovelett faces a challenge from Republican Charles Carrell, who ran against her in 2020 and lost by nearly 40 points. Though he has no website or campaign information available as of mid July, his 2020 campaign focused almost entirely on the vague promise of eliminating government redundancy without any specific path or experience that he would use to achieve that.
Lovelett has earned your vote for state Senate from the 40th District.
Rep. Debra Lekanoff is running unopposed for re-election to Legislative District 40, Position 1. Lekanoff is currently the only Native American woman in the Washington Legislature. She formerly worked for the Swinomish Tribe as the governmental affairs director and now serves as vice chair of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.
In her last term, Lekanoff was the prime sponsor of historic legislation that created the country’s first alert system for missing Indigenous women. This year, she was the prime sponsor for a bill to improve coordination between Washington's behavioral health system and the Indian behavioral health system. Lekanoff has also sponsored and supported bills that would expand much-needed middle housing to Washington (like triplexes and duplexes), fund food relief programs for people in need, and form rapid care teams to help children in crisis. In addition, Lekanoff recently spoke about her past challenges with addiction as a way to motivate the community to be proactive about dealing with substance abuse and how we can come together to solve them.
Lekanoff is a strong progressive who will continue to prioritize the environment, tribal representation, and community economic security. She has earned your vote for Position 1 representing the 40th Legislative District.
Rep. Debra Lekanoff is running unopposed for re-election to Legislative District 40, Position 1. Lekanoff is currently the only Native American woman in the Washington Legislature. She formerly worked for the Swinomish Tribe as the governmental affairs director and now serves as vice chair of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.
In her last term, Lekanoff was the prime sponsor of historic legislation that created the country’s first alert system for missing Indigenous women. This year, she was the prime sponsor for a bill to improve coordination between Washington's behavioral health system and the Indian behavioral health system. Lekanoff has also sponsored and supported bills that would expand much-needed middle housing to Washington (like triplexes and duplexes), fund food relief programs for people in need, and form rapid care teams to help children in crisis. In addition, Lekanoff recently spoke about her past challenges with addiction as a way to motivate the community to be proactive about dealing with substance abuse and how we can come together to solve them.
Lekanoff is a strong progressive who will continue to prioritize the environment, tribal representation, and community economic security. She has earned your vote for Position 1 representing the 40th Legislative District.
Rep. Alex Ramel is running unopposed for re-election to Position 2 in the 40th Legislative District. Ramel has been a strong progressive leader in the Legislature since his appointment in 2020 and re-election in 2022. He previously served on the board of the Whatcom chapter of Washington Conservation Voters and now works as a climate policy advisor for an environmental nonprofit.
As a climate expert and former environmental organizer, Ramel has worked hard to protect Washington's clean air and water. This year, Ramel sponsored bills to upgrade the districts' energy systems in state-owned buildings and mitigate wildfire risk through electric utility planning. He also supported last year's successful bill to expand "middle housing" options like duplexes and triplexes to alleviate the state's immense need for affordable homes. Finally, he helped secure millions in funding for local projects like the Lopez Island Food Hub.
Ramel has been an outstanding advocate for progressive causes and has more than earned your vote to continue serving the 40th Legislative District.
Rep. Alex Ramel is running unopposed for re-election to Position 2 in the 40th Legislative District. Ramel has been a strong progressive leader in the Legislature since his appointment in 2020 and re-election in 2022. He previously served on the board of the Whatcom chapter of Washington Conservation Voters and now works as a climate policy advisor for an environmental nonprofit.
As a climate expert and former environmental organizer, Ramel has worked hard to protect Washington's clean air and water. This year, Ramel sponsored bills to upgrade the districts' energy systems in state-owned buildings and mitigate wildfire risk through electric utility planning. He also supported last year's successful bill to expand "middle housing" options like duplexes and triplexes to alleviate the state's immense need for affordable homes. Finally, he helped secure millions in funding for local projects like the Lopez Island Food Hub.
Ramel has been an outstanding advocate for progressive causes and has more than earned your vote to continue serving the 40th Legislative District.
42nd Legislative District
Incumbent Alicia Rule is running for re-election to House Position 1 for the 42nd Legislative District. A legislator since 2020, Rule owns a mental health practice and previously served on the Blaine City Council and as president of the Blaine Downtown Development Association.
Rule brought her expertise in counseling to the Legislature in her first two terms by focusing on health care and youth services. Locally, she helped bring in over $23 million in funding for the Whatcom County 23-Hour Relief Center and 211 Washington, a call center to connect people with local human resources. In Olympia, Rule sponsored a particularly high number of bills this session. Some of her successful bills will assist students who are homeless or in foster care, protect children from family violence, and create an advisory group on local food and agricultural products. If re-elected, Rule says that she will focus on homelessness, increasing support for behavioral health resources, and improving public safety.
That being said, Rule has also faced criticism for her more moderate votes on some important issues. She has opposed legislation to ban assault weapons and strengthen gun background checks, expand the state's climate change efforts, and hold the super-wealthy accountable to pay their share to fund community needs. We hope she will vote more progressively in another term.
Alicia Rule is the best choice for Legislative District 42, House Position 1.
Incumbent Alicia Rule is running for re-election to House Position 1 for the 42nd Legislative District. A legislator since 2020, Rule owns a mental health practice and previously served on the Blaine City Council and as president of the Blaine Downtown Development Association.
Rule brought her expertise in counseling to the Legislature in her first two terms by focusing on health care and youth services. Locally, she helped bring in over $23 million in funding for the Whatcom County 23-Hour Relief Center and 211 Washington, a call center to connect people with local human resources. In Olympia, Rule sponsored a particularly high number of bills this session. Some of her successful bills will assist students who are homeless or in foster care, protect children from family violence, and create an advisory group on local food and agricultural products. If re-elected, Rule says that she will focus on homelessness, increasing support for behavioral health resources, and improving public safety.
That being said, Rule has also faced criticism for her more moderate votes on some important issues. She has opposed legislation to ban assault weapons and strengthen gun background checks, expand the state's climate change efforts, and hold the super-wealthy accountable to pay their share to fund community needs. We hope she will vote more progressively in another term.
Alicia Rule is the best choice for Legislative District 42, House Position 1.
Other Progressive Candidates
Challenging Rep. Rule is Janet Melman, an advocate for health care access and LGBTQ+ rights. Melman is running on behalf of those she feels are left out of power in the district, and is proposing a progressive platform that supports a clean climate, reproductive freedom, and civil rights. If elected, Melman would be the first openly trans person to serve in the state legislature.
During our interview, Melman advocated for change in district policy in order to ban chokeholds, assault weapons, and more - changes that Rule has taken the opposite stance on in her voting record. Melman stated that she wanted to see anti-discrimination laws enshrined in the state constitution, de-escalation prioritized in policing, and an increase in outreach and resources to those without housing. While Melman hasn't held elected office, and some of her ideas are unlikely to become state policy (like migrating Washington's utility lines underground), she does provide a clear platform for those who are looking for an alternate to Rule.
Challenging Rep. Rule is Janet Melman, an advocate for health care access and LGBTQ+ rights. Melman is running on behalf of those she feels are left out of power in the district, and is proposing a progressive platform that supports a clean climate, reproductive freedom, and civil rights. If elected, Melman would be the first openly trans person to serve in the state legislature.
During our interview, Melman advocated for change in district policy in order to ban chokeholds, assault weapons, and more - changes that Rule has taken the opposite stance on in her voting record. Melman stated that she wanted to see anti-discrimination laws enshrined in the state constitution, de-escalation prioritized in policing, and an increase in outreach and resources to those without housing. While Melman hasn't held elected office, and some of her ideas are unlikely to become state policy (like migrating Washington's utility lines underground), she does provide a clear platform for those who are looking for an alternate to Rule.
Other Candidates
Republican and past Whatcom County Association of Realtors president Raymond Pelletti is challenging Rep. Rule from the right. He has a bullet point lists of issues on his website, including cutting down the right to abortion. The rest of the bullet points are vague and without detail or direction, including "affordable housing" and "improving schools."
Republican and past Whatcom County Association of Realtors president Raymond Pelletti is challenging Rep. Rule from the right. He has a bullet point lists of issues on his website, including cutting down the right to abortion. The rest of the bullet points are vague and without detail or direction, including "affordable housing" and "improving schools."
Democrat and first-term representative Joe Timmons is running again for Position 2 representing the 42nd Legislative District. Before his election in 2022, Timmons worked in the governor's office as the regional outreach representative for Whatcom and neighboring counties.
Timmons was the prime sponsor for two bills this session - one that assists seniors by clarifying that meals in senior living communities are not subject to sales tax as part of their rental agreement and another that establishes a state medical reserve corps, which can assist across all communities in the event of a public health crisis or natural disaster. He also passed two bills last session to create a low-interest student loan program for students looking for advanced degrees in industries short on workers. Locally, Timmons worked to secure funding for the Whatcom Alternative Response Team program, a 24-hour crisis relief center in Bellingham, and other investments.
Running against Timmons is Republican Kamal Bhachu. This is Bhachu's third run for office in recent years. He ran unsuccessfully for the 42nd House seat in 2022 and for Whatcom County Council in 2021. As of mid-July, his site lists two priorities: repealing police accountability legislation and a vague mention of the function of schools. He has not listed any elected or community leadership experience.
Timmons' legislative record proves him to be an advocate for helping working families and neighbors in need in the district. He's the best choice for Position 2 in the 42nd Legislative District.
Democrat and first-term representative Joe Timmons is running again for Position 2 representing the 42nd Legislative District. Before his election in 2022, Timmons worked in the governor's office as the regional outreach representative for Whatcom and neighboring counties.
Timmons was the prime sponsor for two bills this session - one that assists seniors by clarifying that meals in senior living communities are not subject to sales tax as part of their rental agreement and another that establishes a state medical reserve corps, which can assist across all communities in the event of a public health crisis or natural disaster. He also passed two bills last session to create a low-interest student loan program for students looking for advanced degrees in industries short on workers. Locally, Timmons worked to secure funding for the Whatcom Alternative Response Team program, a 24-hour crisis relief center in Bellingham, and other investments.
Running against Timmons is Republican Kamal Bhachu. This is Bhachu's third run for office in recent years. He ran unsuccessfully for the 42nd House seat in 2022 and for Whatcom County Council in 2021. As of mid-July, his site lists two priorities: repealing police accountability legislation and a vague mention of the function of schools. He has not listed any elected or community leadership experience.
Timmons' legislative record proves him to be an advocate for helping working families and neighbors in need in the district. He's the best choice for Position 2 in the 42nd Legislative District.
44th Legislative District
Incumbent Rep. Brandy Donaghy is running unopposed for a second term representing Position 1 in the 44th District. She was appointed to the House by the Snohomish County Council in late 2021 when former representative John Lovick moved to the Senate and she was retained by voters in 2022. She is a Navy veteran and community organizer who has been involved in emergency preparedness training.
In her first term, Donaghy sponsored legislation to address safe staffing levels for health care workers in order to improve health and safety for patients and practitioners alike. This year, she has sponsored legislation to reduce the record-high number of recent driving deaths by reinvesting speeding ticket fines from traffic cameras into better traffic safety measures. With speeding being the second most common risk factor in fatal crashes in our state, Donaghy hopes to save lives on the road. She was also the prime sponsor for a bill that applies a consistent set of resources and training for paraeducators across school districts, giving educators the skills and confidence to more effectively teach their students.
Donaghy has earned your vote for another term in the House representing Legislative District 44.
Incumbent Rep. Brandy Donaghy is running unopposed for a second term representing Position 1 in the 44th District. She was appointed to the House by the Snohomish County Council in late 2021 when former representative John Lovick moved to the Senate and she was retained by voters in 2022. She is a Navy veteran and community organizer who has been involved in emergency preparedness training.
In her first term, Donaghy sponsored legislation to address safe staffing levels for health care workers in order to improve health and safety for patients and practitioners alike. This year, she has sponsored legislation to reduce the record-high number of recent driving deaths by reinvesting speeding ticket fines from traffic cameras into better traffic safety measures. With speeding being the second most common risk factor in fatal crashes in our state, Donaghy hopes to save lives on the road. She was also the prime sponsor for a bill that applies a consistent set of resources and training for paraeducators across school districts, giving educators the skills and confidence to more effectively teach their students.
Donaghy has earned your vote for another term in the House representing Legislative District 44.
Rep. April Berg is running for re-election to the 44th Legislative District, House Position 2. She is a former small business owner, director at the Everett School District, and a planning commissioner for the City of Mill Creek. She currently serves as chair of the Finance Committee in the House, where she plays a lead role in working to close tax loopholes and balance our state's upside-down tax code.
First elected to the House in 2020, Berg spent her second term continuing her advocacy for youth, families, and an affordable Washington. This year she was the prime sponsor for Yori's Law, which aims to reduce child drowning deaths through increased access to swimming lessons and water safety awareness. She also sponsored bills to fund special education and worked previously to modernize transit, eliminate lunch co-pays for hungry students, and make menstrual products available for free in public school bathrooms.
Berg is running against Sam Sim, the Snohomish County Republican Party's Community Outreach chair. Sim owns a teriyaki business along with an app-based food delivery service and a sauce line. In this campaign, he opposes the capital gains tax, which only applies to fewer than 3,000 wealthiest people in the state who make more than $250,000 in profits from the sales of stocks and bonds. He also mentions supporting "parental rights," a catchall term that conservatives in Washington have been using to remove any discussion of race from schools and to ban books.
April Berg has earned your vote for state House from the 44th Legislative District.
Rep. April Berg is running for re-election to the 44th Legislative District, House Position 2. She is a former small business owner, director at the Everett School District, and a planning commissioner for the City of Mill Creek. She currently serves as chair of the Finance Committee in the House, where she plays a lead role in working to close tax loopholes and balance our state's upside-down tax code.
First elected to the House in 2020, Berg spent her second term continuing her advocacy for youth, families, and an affordable Washington. This year she was the prime sponsor for Yori's Law, which aims to reduce child drowning deaths through increased access to swimming lessons and water safety awareness. She also sponsored bills to fund special education and worked previously to modernize transit, eliminate lunch co-pays for hungry students, and make menstrual products available for free in public school bathrooms.
Berg is running against Sam Sim, the Snohomish County Republican Party's Community Outreach chair. Sim owns a teriyaki business along with an app-based food delivery service and a sauce line. In this campaign, he opposes the capital gains tax, which only applies to fewer than 3,000 wealthiest people in the state who make more than $250,000 in profits from the sales of stocks and bonds. He also mentions supporting "parental rights," a catchall term that conservatives in Washington have been using to remove any discussion of race from schools and to ban books.
April Berg has earned your vote for state House from the 44th Legislative District.
Skagit County, District 2
Depending on the county district you live in, you may have the following races on your ballot.
Mount Vernon City Council member Richard Brocksmith is challenging incumbent Peter Browning to represent District 2 on the Skagit County Commission. Brocksmith is the principal at his own consulting firm and works for the Skagit Watershed Council as the executive director. Beyond his two terms on the Mount Vernon City Council, he has strong public service experience including as the founding director of the Skagit Housing Consortium.
Brocksmith is running for Skagit County Commission with a grassroots vision to unite the county and create opportunity for all. If elected, he wants to support community-driven density rather than the recent movement for Fully Contained Communities that proposes private developments on farmlands. Brocksmith also wants to strengthen relationships between local Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous farmers to create a shared vision for the region. His other top priorities are investments in county infrastructure, more good-wage jobs and workforce development, and protections for our local ecosystems to support environmental health and sustainable economic growth.
Brocksmith is challenging incumbent Peter Browning, who is running for a second term. Before that, Browning served on the Skagit Regional Health Public Hospital Commission for four years. His professional background is in business leadership and public health, and he has previously served as the director of public health for Skagit County and ran a number of small businesses. Browning wants to continue to address homelessness, engage Indigenous leaders in county planning, protect our natural environment, and support a tourist economy. However, he has yet to release a detailed campaign platform on his website as of mid-July.
We recommend Richard Brocksmith in this race for Skagit County Commission, District 2 because of his optimistic vision and the strong community endorsements he has earned.
Mount Vernon City Council member Richard Brocksmith is challenging incumbent Peter Browning to represent District 2 on the Skagit County Commission. Brocksmith is the principal at his own consulting firm and works for the Skagit Watershed Council as the executive director. Beyond his two terms on the Mount Vernon City Council, he has strong public service experience including as the founding director of the Skagit Housing Consortium.
Brocksmith is running for Skagit County Commission with a grassroots vision to unite the county and create opportunity for all. If elected, he wants to support community-driven density rather than the recent movement for Fully Contained Communities that proposes private developments on farmlands. Brocksmith also wants to strengthen relationships between local Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous farmers to create a shared vision for the region. His other top priorities are investments in county infrastructure, more good-wage jobs and workforce development, and protections for our local ecosystems to support environmental health and sustainable economic growth.
Brocksmith is challenging incumbent Peter Browning, who is running for a second term. Before that, Browning served on the Skagit Regional Health Public Hospital Commission for four years. His professional background is in business leadership and public health, and he has previously served as the director of public health for Skagit County and ran a number of small businesses. Browning wants to continue to address homelessness, engage Indigenous leaders in county planning, protect our natural environment, and support a tourist economy. However, he has yet to release a detailed campaign platform on his website as of mid-July.
We recommend Richard Brocksmith in this race for Skagit County Commission, District 2 because of his optimistic vision and the strong community endorsements he has earned.
County Commission
Island County, District 1
Democrat Marie Shimada, the manager of Ebey’s Reserve, is challenging incumbent Melanie Bacon for Island County Commission, District 1. Previously, Shimada served as the executive director of Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance. She has spent her career managing a diverse staff, building connections between community members and local government, and preserving public land for generations to enjoy. She also serves on the county’s Economic Development Council.
Shimada is running for the commission to address the most pressing issues facing county residents. If elected, she wants to improve housing affordability to ensure that residents at any income level can find a home in the county, and not be pushed out by rising prices. Shimada supports affordable health care resources across the county and believes access to reproductive health care is a right. She is also campaigning to fight for clean air and water, an improved ferry system, and better working terms for county public servants. Shimada has earned impressive endorsements from some of our partner organizations in this race.
Democrat Marie Shimada, the manager of Ebey’s Reserve, is challenging incumbent Melanie Bacon for Island County Commission, District 1. Previously, Shimada served as the executive director of Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance. She has spent her career managing a diverse staff, building connections between community members and local government, and preserving public land for generations to enjoy. She also serves on the county’s Economic Development Council.
Shimada is running for the commission to address the most pressing issues facing county residents. If elected, she wants to improve housing affordability to ensure that residents at any income level can find a home in the county, and not be pushed out by rising prices. Shimada supports affordable health care resources across the county and believes access to reproductive health care is a right. She is also campaigning to fight for clean air and water, an improved ferry system, and better working terms for county public servants. Shimada has earned impressive endorsements from some of our partner organizations in this race.
Incumbent Melanie Bacon has served on the county commission since 2021. She led a successful career in management in the private sector before first joining the county government as a human resources director. Bacons serves as the chair of both the Island County Council of Governments and the Island County Board of Health.
As a commissioner, Bacon worked hard to pass the climate resiliency resolution and secure six new affordable housing projects. In her re-election campaign, she is focused on including climate, health, economic, and infrastructure issues in the county’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan. Bacon’s top four campaign priorities include creating more affordable housing options, increasing the transparency of local government, protecting the health of local ecosystems, and water resources. She has earned support from longstanding Democratic establishments at local and national levels.
Incumbent Melanie Bacon has served on the county commission since 2021. She led a successful career in management in the private sector before first joining the county government as a human resources director. Bacons serves as the chair of both the Island County Council of Governments and the Island County Board of Health.
As a commissioner, Bacon worked hard to pass the climate resiliency resolution and secure six new affordable housing projects. In her re-election campaign, she is focused on including climate, health, economic, and infrastructure issues in the county’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan. Bacon’s top four campaign priorities include creating more affordable housing options, increasing the transparency of local government, protecting the health of local ecosystems, and water resources. She has earned support from longstanding Democratic establishments at local and national levels.
Other Candidates
Former Island County treasurer Wanda Grone is challenging Commissioner Bacon as a Republican. She is a finance professional who has worked in accounting, fraud examination, and municipal finance government. Grone’s goals include expanding housing options, collaborating with unions and employees to ensure county public servants are cared for, and reducing progressive revenue for public services that strengthen our county. While her platform offers positive ideas for the Island County community, Grone does not have progressive policy solutions to achieve these goals.
Republican Steven Myres is also challenging Bacon in this race. Myres is a construction professional who has spent decades in public works construction on projects such as hospitals and ferry terminals. He is a moderate conservative promoting the values of transparency, efficiency, and prudence when it comes to the county public works budget. He offers no bold vision for the county, nor does he make reference to any of the most significant issues that Island County residents are facing. While he has worked on large-scale construction projects, Myres lacks community leadership experience.
Former Island County treasurer Wanda Grone is challenging Commissioner Bacon as a Republican. She is a finance professional who has worked in accounting, fraud examination, and municipal finance government. Grone’s goals include expanding housing options, collaborating with unions and employees to ensure county public servants are cared for, and reducing progressive revenue for public services that strengthen our county. While her platform offers positive ideas for the Island County community, Grone does not have progressive policy solutions to achieve these goals.
Republican Steven Myres is also challenging Bacon in this race. Myres is a construction professional who has spent decades in public works construction on projects such as hospitals and ferry terminals. He is a moderate conservative promoting the values of transparency, efficiency, and prudence when it comes to the county public works budget. He offers no bold vision for the county, nor does he make reference to any of the most significant issues that Island County residents are facing. While he has worked on large-scale construction projects, Myres lacks community leadership experience.
Island County, District 2
Attorney and small business owner Christina Elliott is challenging Republican incumbent Jill Johnson for the Island County Commission, District 2 seat. Elliott works in intellectual property law. She founded and later sold her own company, LegalTech, and now runs her own firm focused on trademark protection. She worked with her HOA to improve the service for homeowners and volunteers with the PNW Naval Air Museum.
Elliott is running to address the challenges she witnesses every day in Island County, such as the lack of affordable housing and the cost to commuters. She wants to strengthen partnerships with Whidbey Public Health to expand health resources in the county. Included in Elliott’s vision for the county’s health care are her strong convictions about defending reproductive freedom at all levels of government. If elected, Elliott would also seek to strengthen the county’s emergency preparedness and support the small business community.
Incumbent commissioner Jill Johnson has served since 2013 and is currently the commission chair. Additionally, Johnson works as the director of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. She is running on a Republican, status-quo platform that doesn’t reflect the growing needs of the Island County. Johnson has not shared a detailed platform or campaign website in this race and seems to be running primarily on name recognition from her time in office.
Phil Collier was raised on the island’s Naval Air Station and self-describes as a business leader. His thin platform emphasizes property rights, cutting funding from public services, and exacerbating our upside-down tax code. He is running a low-profile campaign that does not reflect progressive values.
We recommend Christina Elliott for the Island County Commission, District 2 position.
Attorney and small business owner Christina Elliott is challenging Republican incumbent Jill Johnson for the Island County Commission, District 2 seat. Elliott works in intellectual property law. She founded and later sold her own company, LegalTech, and now runs her own firm focused on trademark protection. She worked with her HOA to improve the service for homeowners and volunteers with the PNW Naval Air Museum.
Elliott is running to address the challenges she witnesses every day in Island County, such as the lack of affordable housing and the cost to commuters. She wants to strengthen partnerships with Whidbey Public Health to expand health resources in the county. Included in Elliott’s vision for the county’s health care are her strong convictions about defending reproductive freedom at all levels of government. If elected, Elliott would also seek to strengthen the county’s emergency preparedness and support the small business community.
Incumbent commissioner Jill Johnson has served since 2013 and is currently the commission chair. Additionally, Johnson works as the director of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. She is running on a Republican, status-quo platform that doesn’t reflect the growing needs of the Island County. Johnson has not shared a detailed platform or campaign website in this race and seems to be running primarily on name recognition from her time in office.
Phil Collier was raised on the island’s Naval Air Station and self-describes as a business leader. His thin platform emphasizes property rights, cutting funding from public services, and exacerbating our upside-down tax code. He is running a low-profile campaign that does not reflect progressive values.
We recommend Christina Elliott for the Island County Commission, District 2 position.
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.
We recommend Sal Mungia in this race to bring trusted, just, and community-minded leadership to Washington’s 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.
We recommend Sal Mungia in this race to bring trusted, just, and community-minded leadership to Washington’s Supreme Court.
Other Candidates
Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson is also in this race. Larson has spent 16 years as a judge, and 23 years before that as a trial attorney. He claims to have bipartisan support and wants to serve as a “balance” if elected. Yet unfortunately, Larson perpetuates fears of rising crime rates as a reason for his candidacy even though judges are meant to be impartial arbiters and the state’s highest court deals more with large cases that affect all Washingtonians rather than individual instances of nonviolent crime. He has not listed any endorsements as of mid-July but it is clear that progressives are backing Mungia in this race.
Tacoma attorney David Shelvey is also in this race. Shelvey has practiced in the areas of family law, estate planning, and taxes, and most recently worked as a tax preparer at H&R Block. On his resume, he lists many degrees including PhDs supposedly earned in a year or less. He lacks judicial leadership experiences in professional or service capacities, and his campaign website shares somewhat scattered thoughts about various legal precedents. He stated in that interview that he decided to run for the Supreme Court after initially setting his sights on a local judicial seat because he was inspired by one of the court’s recent cases defending the rights of some of Washington’s most marginalized residents.
Tax and finance advisor Todd A. Bloom is also in this race. Bloom previously ran for Congress in 2016 as a Republican. While Bloom has a law degree and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, his professional experience is in financial planning. He appears to have little direct experience with our state’s criminal legal system and offers only vague statements about service and judicial integrity in his campaign. His website is filled with what appears to be filler content from an unrelated architectural firm as of mid-July.
Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson is also in this race. Larson has spent 16 years as a judge, and 23 years before that as a trial attorney. He claims to have bipartisan support and wants to serve as a “balance” if elected. Yet unfortunately, Larson perpetuates fears of rising crime rates as a reason for his candidacy even though judges are meant to be impartial arbiters and the state’s highest court deals more with large cases that affect all Washingtonians rather than individual instances of nonviolent crime. He has not listed any endorsements as of mid-July but it is clear that progressives are backing Mungia in this race.
Tacoma attorney David Shelvey is also in this race. Shelvey has practiced in the areas of family law, estate planning, and taxes, and most recently worked as a tax preparer at H&R Block. On his resume, he lists many degrees including PhDs supposedly earned in a year or less. He lacks judicial leadership experiences in professional or service capacities, and his campaign website shares somewhat scattered thoughts about various legal precedents. He stated in that interview that he decided to run for the Supreme Court after initially setting his sights on a local judicial seat because he was inspired by one of the court’s recent cases defending the rights of some of Washington’s most marginalized residents.
Tax and finance advisor Todd A. Bloom is also in this race. Bloom previously ran for Congress in 2016 as a Republican. While Bloom has a law degree and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, his professional experience is in financial planning. He appears to have little direct experience with our state’s criminal legal system and offers only vague statements about service and judicial integrity in his campaign. His website is filled with what appears to be filler content from an unrelated architectural firm as of mid-July.