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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 General election, preview edition! 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!
We will continue adding more recommendations for candidates and ballot measures until voting begins on October 15.
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: 2025-10-03
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: 2025-10-03
Port of Tacoma
Incumbent Commissioner John McCarthy is running for re-election to the Port of Tacoma Commission in Position 1. McCarthy first became a commissioner in 1983, serving for nine years, before rejoining the commission again in 2018. His background is as a longshore worker and a Pierce County Superior Court and District Court judge. Between his former and recent port commission terms as well as his judicial leadership, McCarthy has spent nearly four decades in public service roles in Pierce County.
McCarthy’s top issues include environmental protections for the Tacoma Tideflats, job creation, and expanding trade. However, he's taken a relatively moderate approach to many of the port's challenges and missed out on some opportunities to champion environmental conservation and advocate for workers. Despite this record, he's earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive community leaders and elected officials.
McCarthy is a good choice for voters looking for a steady, experienced hand at the Port of Tacoma.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Incumbent Commissioner John McCarthy is running for re-election to the Port of Tacoma Commission in Position 1. McCarthy first became a commissioner in 1983, serving for nine years, before rejoining the commission again in 2018. His background is as a longshore worker and a Pierce County Superior Court and District Court judge. Between his former and recent port commission terms as well as his judicial leadership, McCarthy has spent nearly four decades in public service roles in Pierce County.
McCarthy’s top issues include environmental protections for the Tacoma Tideflats, job creation, and expanding trade. However, he's taken a relatively moderate approach to many of the port's challenges and missed out on some opportunities to champion environmental conservation and advocate for workers. Despite this record, he's earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive community leaders and elected officials.
McCarthy is a good choice for voters looking for a steady, experienced hand at the Port of Tacoma.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Tacoma Firefighters-IAFF Local 31
Incumbent Commissioner John McCarthy is running for re-election to the Port of Tacoma Commission in Position 1. McCarthy first became a commissioner in 1983, serving for nine years, before rejoining the commission again in 2018. His background is as a longshore worker and a Pierce County Superior Court and District Court judge. Between his former and recent port commission terms as well as his judicial leadership, McCarthy has spent nearly four decades in public service roles in Pierce County.
McCarthy’s top issues include environmental protections for the Tacoma Tideflats, job creation, and expanding trade. However, he's taken a relatively moderate approach to many of the port's challenges and missed out on some opportunities to champion environmental conservation and advocate for workers. Despite this record, he's earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive community leaders and elected officials.
McCarthy is a good choice for voters looking for a steady, experienced hand at the Port of Tacoma.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Tacoma Firefighters-IAFF Local 31
Other Candidates
Former Gig Harbor city council member Tim Payne is also running for the Port of Tacoma, representing District 1. Payne was on the council for 12 years, according to his Twitter account.
Payne's campaign is prioritizing the expansion of job opportunities, supporting businesses, modernizing the port, and regional collaboration. Unfortunately, he does not suggest any specific strategies or policies he would advocate for if elected. Additionally, Payne's previous association with the conservative group, Opportunity for Washington, indicates a rightward lean in his priorities.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Former Gig Harbor city council member Tim Payne is also running for the Port of Tacoma, representing District 1. Payne was on the council for 12 years, according to his Twitter account.
Payne's campaign is prioritizing the expansion of job opportunities, supporting businesses, modernizing the port, and regional collaboration. Unfortunately, he does not suggest any specific strategies or policies he would advocate for if elected. Additionally, Payne's previous association with the conservative group, Opportunity for Washington, indicates a rightward lean in his priorities.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Cyrus Donato is running for Tacoma Port Commissioner, District 4. Donato is currently the Puget Sound Inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation. He also serves on the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, during which he fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking in the maritime industry.
If elected, Donato will prioritize growing cargo, environmental accountability, and improving public trust through ethical governance. He is a proponent of reducing congestion and pollution in the Port's systems and wants to prioritize the use of clean technology to achieve this goal. He also recognized the Puyallup Tribe's land and wants to build more local partnerships in the decision-making process.
Donato is a vocal advocate for workers' rights in the fishing industry, with a particular focus on protecting immigrants. In 2023, he was part of the team that fought for a crew of Filipino fishermen who were trapped aboard fishing vessels for almost 2 months in Westport. The crew was stranded by their abusive employers who refused to pay them wages and kept them separated from their families. Eventually, the crew was rescued and given temporary visas to assist with the investigation into the crimes of their bosses.
While we would like to see some more detailed policy proposals, Cyrus Donato is clearly a progressive and passionate advocate for workers' rights, making him our recommendation in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Cyrus Donato is running for Tacoma Port Commissioner, District 4. Donato is currently the Puget Sound Inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation. He also serves on the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, during which he fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking in the maritime industry.
If elected, Donato will prioritize growing cargo, environmental accountability, and improving public trust through ethical governance. He is a proponent of reducing congestion and pollution in the Port's systems and wants to prioritize the use of clean technology to achieve this goal. He also recognized the Puyallup Tribe's land and wants to build more local partnerships in the decision-making process.
Donato is a vocal advocate for workers' rights in the fishing industry, with a particular focus on protecting immigrants. In 2023, he was part of the team that fought for a crew of Filipino fishermen who were trapped aboard fishing vessels for almost 2 months in Westport. The crew was stranded by their abusive employers who refused to pay them wages and kept them separated from their families. Eventually, the crew was rescued and given temporary visas to assist with the investigation into the crimes of their bosses.
While we would like to see some more detailed policy proposals, Cyrus Donato is clearly a progressive and passionate advocate for workers' rights, making him our recommendation in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action, Pierce County Central Labor Council
Cyrus Donato is running for Tacoma Port Commissioner, District 4. Donato is currently the Puget Sound Inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation. He also serves on the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, during which he fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking in the maritime industry.
If elected, Donato will prioritize growing cargo, environmental accountability, and improving public trust through ethical governance. He is a proponent of reducing congestion and pollution in the Port's systems and wants to prioritize the use of clean technology to achieve this goal. He also recognized the Puyallup Tribe's land and wants to build more local partnerships in the decision-making process.
Donato is a vocal advocate for workers' rights in the fishing industry, with a particular focus on protecting immigrants. In 2023, he was part of the team that fought for a crew of Filipino fishermen who were trapped aboard fishing vessels for almost 2 months in Westport. The crew was stranded by their abusive employers who refused to pay them wages and kept them separated from their families. Eventually, the crew was rescued and given temporary visas to assist with the investigation into the crimes of their bosses.
While we would like to see some more detailed policy proposals, Cyrus Donato is clearly a progressive and passionate advocate for workers' rights, making him our recommendation in this race.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Washington Conservation Action
,
Pierce County Central Labor Council
Other Candidates
Former Republican state lawmaker JT Wilcox is running for the Port of Tacoma from District 4. Wilcox stepped down from his Legislative District 2 seat earlier this year, where he had served since 2010 as a ranking conservative. Professionally, he’s worked for a lumber company, in self-employed consulting, and as the director of operations for Wilcox Farms.
Wilcox is a staunch conservative who previously organized a ballot measure to eliminate Washington’s sexual health education, opposed legislation that keeps our community safe by instituting commonsense gun safety measures and environmental protections, and has been a consistent obstacle to rebalancing our tax code. In his bid for the port commission, Wilcox is demonstrating a similar set of values, including suggesting that Tacoma voters put him in power because his family’s farm business is a local employer. He brings a business lens to port leadership, but we know that our community thrives when leaders view this commission as an opportunity to strengthen workers’ rights, environmental protections, and community investment. Wilcox is not a progressive choice for the Port of Tacoma.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Former Republican state lawmaker JT Wilcox is running for the Port of Tacoma from District 4. Wilcox stepped down from his Legislative District 2 seat earlier this year, where he had served since 2010 as a ranking conservative. Professionally, he’s worked for a lumber company, in self-employed consulting, and as the director of operations for Wilcox Farms.
Wilcox is a staunch conservative who previously organized a ballot measure to eliminate Washington’s sexual health education, opposed legislation that keeps our community safe by instituting commonsense gun safety measures and environmental protections, and has been a consistent obstacle to rebalancing our tax code. In his bid for the port commission, Wilcox is demonstrating a similar set of values, including suggesting that Tacoma voters put him in power because his family’s farm business is a local employer. He brings a business lens to port leadership, but we know that our community thrives when leaders view this commission as an opportunity to strengthen workers’ rights, environmental protections, and community investment. Wilcox is not a progressive choice for the Port of Tacoma.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Lakewood City Council
Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to build more affordable homes, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.
As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.
With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to build more affordable homes, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.
As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.
With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to build more affordable homes, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.
As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.
With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Other Candidates
Mark Herr, who ran unsuccessfully for the 28th Legislative District House seat as a Republican last year against Democrat Mari Leavitt, is now running for the Lakewood City Council as well. He is a member of the Lakewood Planning Commission and an Army veteran.
Herr has no detailed policy priorities on his website as of late July. However, his previous campaign as a Republican and his endorsements from Republicans Jason Whalen and Rep. Travis Couture make it clear he would be a conservative voice on the council.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Mark Herr, who ran unsuccessfully for the 28th Legislative District House seat as a Republican last year against Democrat Mari Leavitt, is now running for the Lakewood City Council as well. He is a member of the Lakewood Planning Commission and an Army veteran.
Herr has no detailed policy priorities on his website as of late July. However, his previous campaign as a Republican and his endorsements from Republicans Jason Whalen and Rep. Travis Couture make it clear he would be a conservative voice on the council.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Jennifer Lamari runs a solo law practice in Lakewood and has served in various positions in the criminal legal system, including criminal deputy prosecutor, defense attorney, civil deputy prosecutor, and assistant city attorney.
She states that she is running to bring the depth of her legal experience to the council, to uphold the Constitution, promote interaction between minority-owned businesses and the city, and improve access to the city's lakes, among other priorities. Rather than focusing on criminalization and prosecution, she wants the city to avoid using jail as "housing" for people experiencing homelessness and instead focus on creating more shelters and affordable homes. Additionally, she recognizes the cultural diversity of Lakewood, proposing more engagement with minority-owned businesses and encouraging voter participation.
Jennifer Lamari seems to be the most progressive candidate in this race, and is backed by Indivisible Tacoma and the 28th Legislative District Democrats. We recommend Lamari for Lakewood City Council, Position 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Jennifer Lamari runs a solo law practice in Lakewood and has served in various positions in the criminal legal system, including criminal deputy prosecutor, defense attorney, civil deputy prosecutor, and assistant city attorney.
She states that she is running to bring the depth of her legal experience to the council, to uphold the Constitution, promote interaction between minority-owned businesses and the city, and improve access to the city's lakes, among other priorities. Rather than focusing on criminalization and prosecution, she wants the city to avoid using jail as "housing" for people experiencing homelessness and instead focus on creating more shelters and affordable homes. Additionally, she recognizes the cultural diversity of Lakewood, proposing more engagement with minority-owned businesses and encouraging voter participation.
Jennifer Lamari seems to be the most progressive candidate in this race, and is backed by Indivisible Tacoma and the 28th Legislative District Democrats. We recommend Lamari for Lakewood City Council, Position 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Jennifer Lamari runs a solo law practice in Lakewood and has served in various positions in the criminal legal system, including criminal deputy prosecutor, defense attorney, civil deputy prosecutor, and assistant city attorney.
She states that she is running to bring the depth of her legal experience to the council, to uphold the Constitution, promote interaction between minority-owned businesses and the city, and improve access to the city's lakes, among other priorities. Rather than focusing on criminalization and prosecution, she wants the city to avoid using jail as "housing" for people experiencing homelessness and instead focus on creating more shelters and affordable homes. Additionally, she recognizes the cultural diversity of Lakewood, proposing more engagement with minority-owned businesses and encouraging voter participation.
Jennifer Lamari seems to be the most progressive candidate in this race, and is backed by Indivisible Tacoma and the 28th Legislative District Democrats. We recommend Lamari for Lakewood City Council, Position 3.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Other Candidates
Former Air Force Captain and small business CEO Philip Lindholm is running to address his top priorities of affordability, public safety, and responsible growth. Lindholm has served in several roles in the community, including as a Lakewood Planning Commissioner, a member of the Lakewood Rotary, and at the Pierce County Dispute Resolution Center, among other positions.
His site doesn't explicitly detail the policies he would pursue to achieve his goal of making the city a place where every chapter of life belongs, although he has hosted a podcast featuring many elected officials and locals discussing issues such as housing, schools, and tariffs.
Lindholm appears to be aiming for a moderate position and states that his endorsements represent bipartisanship, although the support of Republicans like Jason Whalen does not necessarily indicate the most progressive possible agenda.
Last updated: 2025-10-01
Former Air Force Captain and small business CEO Philip Lindholm is running to address his top priorities of affordability, public safety, and responsible growth. Lindholm has served in several roles in the community, including as a Lakewood Planning Commissioner, a member of the Lakewood Rotary, and at the Pierce County Dispute Resolution Center, among other positions.
His site doesn't explicitly detail the policies he would pursue to achieve his goal of making the city a place where every chapter of life belongs, although he has hosted a podcast featuring many elected officials and locals discussing issues such as housing, schools, and tariffs.
Lindholm appears to be aiming for a moderate position and states that his endorsements represent bipartisanship, although the support of Republicans like Jason Whalen does not necessarily indicate the most progressive possible agenda.
Last updated: 2025-10-01