City of Sumner
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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 General Election! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family, and remind them to vote by November 4!
Statewide Ballot Measures
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
Last updated: 2025-10-09
Charter Review Commission Pierce County, District 2
The Charter Review Commission is elected every 10 years and is responsible for writing the rules for how the government operates, much like a county constitution. Depending on where you live you may have the following races on your ballot.
Billy Jo Hetherington is running against Tyron J. Christopherson for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 1. We are confident Hetherington is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
Billy Jo Hetherington is running against Tyron J. Christopherson for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 1. We are confident Hetherington is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
Billy Jo Hetherington is running against Tyron J. Christopherson for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 1. We are confident Hetherington is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
Marianna Hyke is running against Brenda Milewski for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 2. Hyke is currently the chair of the Pierce County Democrats. As a union carpenter, she will fight for working families and work to expand apprenticeship opportunities.
We are confident she is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Marianna Hyke is running against Brenda Milewski for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 2. Hyke is currently the chair of the Pierce County Democrats. As a union carpenter, she will fight for working families and work to expand apprenticeship opportunities.
We are confident she is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Marianna Hyke is running against Brenda Milewski for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 2. Hyke is currently the chair of the Pierce County Democrats. As a union carpenter, she will fight for working families and work to expand apprenticeship opportunities.
We are confident she is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Teresa Maston is running against Elizabeth Herrera for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 3. We are confident Maston is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Teresa Maston is running against Elizabeth Herrera for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 3. We are confident Maston is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Teresa Maston is running against Elizabeth Herrera for Pierce County Charter Review Commission, District 2, Position 3. We are confident Maston is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Puyallup School Board
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.
Melissa Bedford is running for Puyallup School Board, Position 1. She previously served on the Spokane Public Schools Board before resigning in 2024. She holds both a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Education and works as a public school teacher.
Bedford was a progressive leader on the Spokane Public Schools Board and continues to lead with her values. Her campaign is prioritizing fully funding education, planning for the future, and transparency and collaboration. Bedford has experience advocating against school funding cuts, lobbying in Olympia and meeting with legislators. She hopes to further invest in high-quality facilities to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
Melissa Bedford is the leading progressive candidate in this race and has certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Melissa Bedford is running for Puyallup School Board, Position 1. She previously served on the Spokane Public Schools Board before resigning in 2024. She holds both a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Education and works as a public school teacher.
Bedford was a progressive leader on the Spokane Public Schools Board and continues to lead with her values. Her campaign is prioritizing fully funding education, planning for the future, and transparency and collaboration. Bedford has experience advocating against school funding cuts, lobbying in Olympia and meeting with legislators. She hopes to further invest in high-quality facilities to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
Melissa Bedford is the leading progressive candidate in this race and has certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Melissa Bedford is running for Puyallup School Board, Position 1. She previously served on the Spokane Public Schools Board before resigning in 2024. She holds both a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Education and works as a public school teacher.
Bedford was a progressive leader on the Spokane Public Schools Board and continues to lead with her values. Her campaign is prioritizing fully funding education, planning for the future, and transparency and collaboration. Bedford has experience advocating against school funding cuts, lobbying in Olympia and meeting with legislators. She hopes to further invest in high-quality facilities to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
Melissa Bedford is the leading progressive candidate in this race and has certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-10-13
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Other Candidates
Ellen Aronson is running for Puyallup School Board Director. Aronson is an active PTA member and hopes to improve the quality of education in the area. Aronson has been heavily involved in the school district, serving as a vocal advocate on the 2024 Puyallup Bond Advisory Committee and as co-chair of the 2025 Vote Yes for Puyallup Schools Committee.
Aronson's campaign prioritizes support for teachers, fostering meaningful relationships, ensuring efficient funding, and championing students. Although her platform could benefit from more specific proposals and solutions for the district, Ellen Aronson is clearly committed to enhancing the district's educational quality for students and fostering a sense of community.
While we appreciate Aronson's experience and commitment to the district, we are concerned that she has been publicly touting her endorsement from Republican Bruce Dammeier.
We instead recommend Melissa Bedford for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-10-16
Ellen Aronson is running for Puyallup School Board Director. Aronson is an active PTA member and hopes to improve the quality of education in the area. Aronson has been heavily involved in the school district, serving as a vocal advocate on the 2024 Puyallup Bond Advisory Committee and as co-chair of the 2025 Vote Yes for Puyallup Schools Committee.
Aronson's campaign prioritizes support for teachers, fostering meaningful relationships, ensuring efficient funding, and championing students. Although her platform could benefit from more specific proposals and solutions for the district, Ellen Aronson is clearly committed to enhancing the district's educational quality for students and fostering a sense of community.
While we appreciate Aronson's experience and commitment to the district, we are concerned that she has been publicly touting her endorsement from Republican Bruce Dammeier.
We instead recommend Melissa Bedford for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-10-16
David Berg is running for re-election for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4. Berg is a parent of three district graduates and is an advocate for public education. He previously served on the Puyallup PTA and the Washington State PTA.
Berg is an inclusive leader who prioritizes the success of all students in the district. Berg is a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, saying, "inclusion in our schools is essential." During his time on the board, he helped increase Career and Technical Education opportunities as well as enrollment rates for Advanced Placement (AP) classes. On the issue of overcrowding in schools, Berg supports introducing a bond measure to voters while controlling the budget. In his interview with the News Tribune Editorial Board, he demonstrated a "detailed grasp of the issues and a willingness to take ownership of his choices."
David Berg is a thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to serve another term on the Puyallup School Board in Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
David Berg is running for re-election for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4. Berg is a parent of three district graduates and is an advocate for public education. He previously served on the Puyallup PTA and the Washington State PTA.
Berg is an inclusive leader who prioritizes the success of all students in the district. Berg is a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, saying, "inclusion in our schools is essential." During his time on the board, he helped increase Career and Technical Education opportunities as well as enrollment rates for Advanced Placement (AP) classes. On the issue of overcrowding in schools, Berg supports introducing a bond measure to voters while controlling the budget. In his interview with the News Tribune Editorial Board, he demonstrated a "detailed grasp of the issues and a willingness to take ownership of his choices."
David Berg is a thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to serve another term on the Puyallup School Board in Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
Endorsed By: Pierce County Central Labor Council, Washington Education Association
David Berg is running for re-election for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4. Berg is a parent of three district graduates and is an advocate for public education. He previously served on the Puyallup PTA and the Washington State PTA.
Berg is an inclusive leader who prioritizes the success of all students in the district. Berg is a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, saying, "inclusion in our schools is essential." During his time on the board, he helped increase Career and Technical Education opportunities as well as enrollment rates for Advanced Placement (AP) classes. On the issue of overcrowding in schools, Berg supports introducing a bond measure to voters while controlling the budget. In his interview with the News Tribune Editorial Board, he demonstrated a "detailed grasp of the issues and a willingness to take ownership of his choices."
David Berg is a thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to serve another term on the Puyallup School Board in Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
Endorsed By: Pierce County Central Labor Council, Washington Education Association
Other Candidates
WIlliam Rowland is running for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4. Rowland is a veteran, business owner, and self-proclaimed "Conservative Christian."
Rowland is running a conservative campaign that is primarily focused on reducing diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. He falsely paints DEI initiatives as an amorphous threat to "free dialogue and critical thinking" in schools. Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are proven to foster belonging and unity, particularly for marginalized students who historically faced systemic oppression.
He is also a proud supporter of the right-wing parental rights movement, which is a ploy for conservatives to control what students are learning in schools. Rowland's platform is filled with platitudes and talking points rather than tangible solutions that actually benefit students, such as free and reduced lunch programs or after-school activities.
William Rowland is another conservative candidate deeply out of touch with the needs of students. Instead, we recommend David Berg for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-10-22
WIlliam Rowland is running for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4. Rowland is a veteran, business owner, and self-proclaimed "Conservative Christian."
Rowland is running a conservative campaign that is primarily focused on reducing diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. He falsely paints DEI initiatives as an amorphous threat to "free dialogue and critical thinking" in schools. Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are proven to foster belonging and unity, particularly for marginalized students who historically faced systemic oppression.
He is also a proud supporter of the right-wing parental rights movement, which is a ploy for conservatives to control what students are learning in schools. Rowland's platform is filled with platitudes and talking points rather than tangible solutions that actually benefit students, such as free and reduced lunch programs or after-school activities.
William Rowland is another conservative candidate deeply out of touch with the needs of students. Instead, we recommend David Berg for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-10-22