45th Legislative District

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci has served District 6 (Bellevue and East King County) since 2015. She began her career as a public interest lawyer fighting for women and LGBTQ+ people. She was a neighborhood organizer who went on to serve on the Bellevue City Council, including for a term as mayor. Balducci has served as chair of the county council and serves as vice chair of the Sound Transit Board of Directors, where she successfully advocated for an early opening of the "starter line" in East King County.

In her nearly two decades of public service, Balducci has prioritized progressive solutions to the issues facing our region, including improving transportation options, promoting affordable housing, enhancing community safety, addressing climate action, and supporting arts and culture. Her track record is strong in all of these areas, including an arts levy to invest in science, heritage, arts, and cultural organizations, as well as legislation to keep “forever chemicals” out of our local environment. She was a tenacious advocate for the East Link light rail and the 10-station, 14-mile expansion plan slated for completion in early 2026.

Balducci is running for the executive position with a vision of an inclusive, vibrant, and climate-friendly county where all residents can thrive. She emphasizes her track record of effective leadership at the city and county levels that has delivered results for her communities. As a bus and bike commuter, Balducci is an avid supporter of expanding transit options, particularly light rail and bus routes. Additionally, she is an advocate for transit-oriented housing as a means of improving affordability, as well as cutting red tape to expedite the construction of badly needed housing in our region. Furthermore, she has outlined thoughtful plans to reduce gun violence, expand mental health and addiction treatment services, and youth prevention programs.

Incumbent Rod Dembowsk is seeking another term representing District 1 on the King County Council, where he has served since 2013. Dembowski is an attorney who spent over a decade at a local litigation firm before his council work. His public service outside the council has included providing pro bono counsel to King County Superior Court judges, serving as a policy analyst in the county executive’s office, and joining the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee.

Dembowski has been a solid supporter of progressive reforms on the council. His top priorities have included protecting clear air and water, enhancing local government efficiency, improving regional transportation, and creating equitable opportunities so that all county residents can achieve prosperous futures. On the council, he protected King County Metro from attempted cuts, established the King County Youth Action Plan, and worked to secure paid parental leave for King County employees. In this race, he is once again running on an optimistic platform that emphasizes investing in human services, public transportation, climate solutions, and community safety.

Rod Dembowski is running unopposed in this race and will continue to make progressive change on the King County Council.

Incumbent Sarah Perry is running for another term representing District 3 on the King County Council. Perry was first elected in 2021 when she challenged an incumbent on a hopeful platform. Her professional background is in financial consulting for community entities, including nonprofits and universities, in the Puget Sound region.

Perry is a collaborative, community-minded, and practical leader who has worked to improve the quality of life in King County. During her term, she has advocated for farmers and rural workforce development, approved numerous strategies to increase affordable housing and alleviate the homelessness crisis, and supported local public services, including food access, mental health treatments, and senior services. Recently, she helped pass a policy to provide relief to help bomb cyclone victims get back on their feet. Now, Perry is running on a platform to continue building environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, and robust public services in King County.

We recommend re-electing Sarah Perry to serve another term representing District 3 on the King County Council.
 

Incumbent Commissioner Ryan Calkins is running for re-election for Port of Seattle, Commissioner Position 1, where he has served since 2017. He works for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as an advisor on offshore wind and maritime infrastructure. Previously, Calkins also ran a successful import and distribution company and started a local nonprofit focused on supporting small business entrepreneurship. His background in business, maritime infrastructure, and public service makes him a highly qualified voice on the commission.

The Port of Seattle oversees public assets in travel, trade, and commerce for the region. Over the last eight years, Calkins has helped push the commission in a more progressive direction. He advocates for equity, sustainability, and prosperity to port leadership, and he has supported measures to protect our port’s local ecosystem, fight for workers’ rights, and improve local immigration policy. Calkins is campaigning on a platform that emphasizes environmental justice, sustainable economic development, and creating living-wage jobs

Ryan Calkins deserves your vote for another term in Position 1 on the Seattle Port Commission.

Incumbent Hamdi Mohamed is running unopposed for re-election for Commissioner Position 3 on the Port of Seattle. Mohamed was first elected to the position in 2021 on a visionary progressive platform, making her the first Black woman to serve on the commission. Mohamed’s mother worked for the airport when her family first settled in SeaTac as Somali refugees – an upbringing that has deepened her knowledge of the port’s community importance. She is the department director for Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and previously worked as a policy advisor for the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice. She is currently the only commissioner who resides in South King County.

Mohamed is a leader in people-focused policy, taking seriously the real impact of port commission decisions on the local community, ecosystem, and economy. On the commission, she has prioritized economic development to create good-paying local jobs, support workers’ rights, and help small businesses flourish. She has also been a strong voice for addressing airport noise disruptions, reducing port pollution that impacts the South King County communities, and promoting renewable energy solutions.

We recommend Hamdi Mohamed for another term as Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 3, to continue bringing strong, progressive leadership to the to the region.

Commission president Toshiko Grace Hasegawa is running for re-election to Commissioner Position 4 on the Port of Seattle. Hasegawa was first elected to the position in 2021, becoming one of the first women of color to serve on the commission, alongside her colleague Hamdi Mohamed. Hasegawa is the former executive director of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA), an advocacy organization that advises government agencies on issues affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She currently serves on the boards of Densho and the Seattle chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, both organizations that uplift the city’s Japanese American community.

On the commission, Hasegawa has been a voice for community empowerment, equitable prosperity, and regional sustainability. She was a critical advocate protecting North SeaTac Park, led efforts to increase childcare and health care for airport employees, helped set ambitious goals to decarbonize the cruise industry, expanded the South King County Community Impact Fund, and more. If re–elected, Hasegawa will continue her tireless work to fight for clean water and air, strong workers' protections, and economic development that benefits local communities first in her progressive vision for the commission.

We recommend Hasegawa for a second term on the Seattle Port Commission.

Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold is running for re-election to the Kirkland City Council, Position 1. Prior to joining the council in 2013, Arnold served on the Kirkland Planning Commission for five years and co-chaired the campaign to provide dedicated funding for Kirkland parks. He also served on the boards of the environmental organizations Futurewise and Spark Northwest. Arnold is also a part-time technology consultant at Fuse, which produces this voter guide. He was not involved in this recommendation.

Since his first term, Anrold has been a leader in improving Kirkland's transportation, sustainability, and inclusiveness. He has supported efforts to strengthen safe routes to schools, improve transit options, reduce congestion, and provide co-responders for mental health calls to the police. His re-election campaign focuses on continued improvements to the community, including the construction of more sidewalks and the expansion of transportation connectivity as the Eastside light rail continues to expand.

Arnold has been a thoughtful, responsive, and innovative leader throughout his tenure on the council. He has earned your vote for re-election to Kirkland City Council, Position 1.

Shilpa Prem is running for Kirkland City Council, Position 3. Prem is an accomplished candidate, having worked as both an attorney and an engineer. She is currently on the board of Emerge Washington, an organization that trains and prepares Democratic women running for office. Furthermore, Prem is also a board member of the South Asian Bar Association, which supports South Asian women in the legal field.

Prem's campaign is focusing on community involvement, improved transportation services, and public safety. She is an advocate for more affordable and varied housing. She is also a supporter of the Community Responder Program and wants to implement policies to prevent gun violence. If elected, Prem aims to enhance and expand sustainable transportation options, including transit access and prioritizing walkable neighborhoods.

Due to her extensive professional background and clear passion for progressive solutions, we recommend voting for Shilpa Prem for Kirkland City Council, Position 3.

Neal Black is running for re-election for Kirkland City Council, Position 5. Black is an attorney with extensive professional experience in law, education, and public policy.

Black's re-election campaign priorities include improving the affordable housing supply, increasing safe and effective transit options, and providing high-quality public services for the community. He is an advocate for gun violence prevention, supporting legislation to end open carry in parks. Black garnered impressive support from several progressive organizations, indicating a continued commitment to implementing progressive solutions in Kirkland.

Throughout his time on the city council, Black has been a thoughtful and compassionate leader in Kirkland. We recommend voting for Neal Black for Kirkland City Council, Position 6, to continue his impressive service to the city.

Kurt Dresner is running for Kirkland City Council, Position 7. Dresner is a resident of the Everest neighborhood and Vice-Chair of its neighborhood association. He is an active member of the Kirkland community, cofounding the nonprofit Liveable Kirkland, which advocates for various progressive issues. Through Liveable Kirkland, Dresner helped implement community programs, including a volunteer bike valet program, a new tool-lending library, and a weekly morning coffee gathering. He is also a frequent attendee of Kirkland City Council meetings.

Dresner's campaign platform is focused on improving housing affordability, expanding transportation options, and maintaining Kirkland's excellent parks and recreation spaces. He supports policies that would make it easier and less expensive to build new homes, thereby alleviating Kirkland's severe housing shortage. He hopes to improve transit options by increasing the frequency of public transportation and creating more walker- and biker-friendly spaces.

Kurt Dresner is someone who clearly cares deeply about our community and is well-versed in the issues facing residents. We enthusiastically recommend voting for Kurt Dresner for Kirkland City Council, Position 7.

Melissa Stuart is running to retain Position 4 on the Redmond City Council. Prior to joining the council in 2022, Stuart worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and Youth Eastside Services. She also served on the board of Zero Waste Washington and volunteered as a Climate Justice Steward with the Alliance for Jobs & Clean Energy.

During her tenure on the council, Stuart advocated for increased community connection through public listening sessions held throughout Redmond. As a council member, she also championed housing affordability through zoning changes and incentive packages. She plans to continue advocating for affordable housing solutions if re-elected. Furthermore, Stuart leveraged her background in climate justice to advocate for greener practices in Redmond, including promoting development near transit hubs and supporting efforts to divert construction waste from landfills.

Due to her previous background in climate justice, as well as multiple endorsements from our partner organizations, we recommend Melissa Stuart for re-election to the Redmond City Council, Position 4.

Amy Lam is running for re-election for Sammamish City Council, Position 1. Lam has been on the council since 2021 and is both the first Asian-American and woman of color elected to the Sammamish City Council. Professionally, she works as a graphic designer at the Washington State Department of Health.

Environmental protections are at the forefront of Lam's re-election campaign, along with developing affordable housing options to meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act. Emergency preparedness is embedded in her public safety plan, noting the imminent effects of climate change. She is an advocate for community education, the development of an overnight emergency shelter, and evacuation awareness. To address the affordable housing crisis, Lam supports the Town Center Plan, which aims to include 2,000 market-rate and affordable housing units, while striking a balance between sustainable development.

We recommend re-electing Amy Lam for Sammamish City Council, Position 1.

Sid Gupta is running to retain Position 3 on the Sammamish City Council. Gupta is a restoration and native plant steward with Washington Native Plant Society. He has also served on both the city's planning commission and the Sammamish Friends board.

Environmentalism and sustainability are at the forefront of his campaign, with Gupta being an avid bicyclist. He aims to enhance mobility throughout the city and reduce residents' reliance on cars. Gupta is an advocate for protected bike lanes and sidewalks that not only help increase mobility but also create safer transit routes. His approach to housing also focuses on improving connectivity by condensing housing development around transit hubs and community centers. Densified housing provides easier access for emergency responders and decreases the impact on stormwater and roads.

Sid Gupta's commitment to environmental preservation and building a more connected city earns him a full term in Position 3 on the Sammamish City Council.

Lin Yang is running for Sammamish City Council, Position 5. Yang is a Chinese-American immigrant who was raised by a single mom in Sammamish. Yang highlighted the community that welcomed him and his mom when they were new to the city and how they became their support system. Yang went on to earn two degrees in public policy and eventually returned to Sammamish to raise his own family. Yang started the Sammamish Independent, a local newspaper that provided student journalists with an opportunity to get involved in their community.

Yang's campaign platform is focused on expanding housing and transit options to reduce the cost of living. Citing the astronomical median home price of $1.7 million, he wants to add more homes and increase affordability requirements for new housing developments. Additionally, he would prioritize creating a community center to foster stronger connections between neighbors.

Lin Yang is clearly an involved community member who wants to give back to his community what they gave to him. Lin Yang is the best choice for Sammamish City Council, Position 5.

Karen Howe is running to retain her seat in Position 7 on the Sammamish City Council. She currently serves as the Mayor of Sammamish.

During her time on the council, Howe has been an advocate for improving affordable housing options available to residents of all income levels. She is supportive of the Town Center Plan, which includes 2,000 market-rate and affordable housing units, while balancing sustainable development. A home is the most basic human need, and increased options allow our teachers, healthcare workers, and service providers to continue living in the communities they serve.

Howe advocates for maintaining the things that keep Sammamish beautiful and connected: well-maintained parks, safe bike paths, and enhanced public transit options. She is a proponent of introducing a teen community center to help youth engagement in the town.

Karen Howe has earned your vote to serve another term on the Sammamish City Council in Position 7.

Michelle Evans is running for re-election for Woodinville City Council, Position 1. Evans is the owner of a strategic marketing consultancy and has been on the Woodinville City Council since 2021. Additionally, she is a member of the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council, advocating for parks, recreation, and transportation along the trail.

Evans' re-election campaign focuses on continuing to implement progressive solutions in Woodinville. She is an advocate for improved transit, inclusivity, and public safety beyond policing and law enforcement. During her first term, Evans prioritized transparency and community engagement, hosting listening sessions and regularly meeting with constituents to better understand their needs. She strongly supports affordable housing initiatives and investing in parks and green spaces.

Michelle Evans' progressive track record has earned her an impressive slate of endorsements. She is the clear choice for Woodinville City Council, Position 1.

Sarah Arndt is running for re-election to the Woodinville City Council, Position 5. She was first elected to the council in 2021 and previously served as the Chair of Woodinville's Public Spaces Commission.

Arndt's priorities include expanding transportation options, preserving the environment, and increasing access to affordable housing. During her first term on the council, she has also worked to improve transparency with the public during this rapid period of growth for Woodinville.

Sarah Arndt is a committed progressive voice and earned your vote for the Woodinville City Council, Position 3.

James Randolph is running for re-election for Woodinville City Council, Position 7. Randolph is an active community member and previously served on the King County Site Advisory Group to oppose a new waste transfer station in Woodinville.

Randolph's re-election campaign is focused on transit and the environment. He wants to expand the bus service to connect residents to the Light Rail station, hoping it will also reduce traffic and improve affordable housing efforts.

James Randolph has been a progressive voice on the Woodinville City Council and earned your vote for Position 7.

Angela Meekhof is running for Lake Washington School Board Director, District #3. She is a social worker, foster parent, and a volunteer in the school district. Meekhof has also garnered positive community support, with folks highlighting her commitment to supporting students of color and LGBTQ+ students specifically.

Meekhof's campaign focuses on providing students with better mental health support, reducing financial barriers, and creating personalized pathways for students. She demonstrates a thorough understanding of the needs of students in the district, advocating for better trauma-informed practices in schools. Meekhof takes a kind and considerate approach to schooling, paying extra attention to those historically left out or underrepresented. She is an advocate for technical and professional training and programs like Running Start, as well as celebrating the district's diversity.

Angela Meekhof is a thoughtful and experienced leader who will make an excellent choice to serve on the Lake Washington School Board representing District #3.

Aspen Richter is running for the Lake Washington School Board from District 4. Richter is a community leader with broad professional experience, including serving as a family caregiver, working for a mortgage compliance company, and consulting with companies on waste reduction. They have an extensive record of volunteering for a number of local organizations, including the Lake Washington School District Advisory Committee, the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, Eastside Urbanism, and more. Richter is also a parent to three students in the school district.

Richter's campaign is focused on collaboration, progress, opportunity, and inclusion. Their campaign includes finding and retaining exceptional teachers, community engagement, and sustainable funding that ensures longevity. They are committed to advocating for all students and being a forward-thinking voice in the district.

In addition to their thoughtful campaign platform, Richter has earned impressive support from local elected officials and community leaders. We enthusiastically recommend Aspen Richter for the Lake Washington School Board from District 4.

Arun Sharma is running for Director Jacqueline McGourty’s District 1 seat on the Northshore School Board. Sharma is the founder of a local nonprofit that represents the South Asian community and works to advance equity, helping people access essential services such as housing, education, food, and health care.

Sharma's campaign prioritizes holistic development, inclusive teaching, empowered learning, and equitable funding. He is supportive of expanding college and career readiness programs as well as STEAM opportunities, special education, and technical education. He emphasizes the need for a new funding model to support critical programs like the arts, music, STEAM, and enrichment.

Arun Sharma is an active community member who would also be a reliable voice on the Northshore School Board.

Director Sandy Hayes is running for re-election to the Northshore School Board in District 4, where she has served since 2009. Hayes runs her own restorative justice-oriented group for criminal defense mitigation cases, working at the grassroots level to reform our criminal legal system while working to reduce overcrowding in our prisons. She formerly served as the president of, and still sits on the board of, the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

Hayes is a progressive leader on the school board with past achievements including introducing electric school buses to the fleet, launching a career day for local students, finding critical funding to build Ruby Bridges Elementary and North Creek High School, advocating for special education and students with disabilities, and increasing technology resources across the district.

Sandy Hayes has consistently been a respected progressive voice for Northshore schools and will undoubtedly bring a community-centered vision to another term on the board. We recommend Hayes for re-election to the Northshore School Board from District 4.