City of Puyallup
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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
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 certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
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 certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
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 certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
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, fosters meaningful relationships, ensures efficient funding, and champions 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.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
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, fosters meaningful relationships, ensures efficient funding, and champions 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.
Last updated: 2025-09-30
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, fosters meaningful relationships, ensures efficient funding, and champions 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.
Last updated: 2025-09-30