City of Redmond

Democrat Vandana Slatter is running to retain her position representing the 48th Legislative District in the state Senate. In January, Slatter was appointed by the King County Council to replace Sen. Patty Kuderer, who won her recent election for Washington Insurance Commissioner. Slatter previously served on the Bellevue City Council as the first Indian-American city council member, as well as on the boards of organizations such as the Children's Institute for Learning Differences and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

In the Legislature, Slatter has built a reputation as a progressive champion for students and working people. She recently supported bills to strengthen gun safety through a number of commonsense measures, teach inclusive curricula at school, and support collective bargaining rights for workers. In previous sessions, she worked to pass legislation that funds zero-emission school buses and improves access to food assistance programs for those in our community who need them. Her appointment from the King County Council and strong community support from past campaigns confirm that she is a respected and effective progressive leader in Olympia.

We highly recommend voting to retain Senator Vandana Slatter to represent the 48th Legislative District.

Osman Salahuddin is running to be retained by voters in Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Salahuddin is a former Redmond City Council member who was appointed by the King County Council to fill Vandana Slatter's former seat. Before holding elected office, he worked as a communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry and held several roles at a national consulting corporation.

Salahuddin’s top priority is addressing the rising cost of living in Washington. He is taking a comprehensive approach to affordability by addressing issues such as health care, housing, and childcare, so that all Washingtonians can afford the basics. In particular, Salahuddin voted to limit rent increases to 10%, which will reduce the cost of housing for renters across the state. As one of our youngest lawmakers, Salahuddin represents a part of the electorate who are often underrepresented in state legislatures.

Osman Salahuddin was an effective leader during his first session in Olympia. He has earned your vote to retain his position as the 48th Legislative District Representative.

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 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.

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.

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.