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Semra Riddle

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Incumbent Semra Riddle is running for another term on the Lake Forest Park City Council in Position 1. Riddle has served on the council since 2022, and she works in virtual design and construction management for a development consulting company. She has also served on the city’s planning commission and is the elected chair of the Washington Community Forestry Council.

Riddle has sought to be a pragmatic, responsive, and community-oriented leader on the city council. Her vision for improving life in Lake Forest Park includes investing in vibrant “third spaces” such as small businesses and public green spaces, enhancing public art and infrastructure, and addressing affordability. In this race, Riddle is running on a platform to improve pedestrian and public safety, protect local ecosystems, meet increasing housing demands, and ensure that the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 plan can progress efficiently.

We recommend Riddle for Position 1 on the Lake Forest Park City Council based on her progressive endorsements and proven track record.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Incumbent Semra Riddle is running for another term on the Lake Forest Park City Council in Position 1. Riddle has served on the council since 2022, and she works in virtual design and construction management for a development consulting company. She has also served on the city’s planning commission and is the elected chair of the Washington Community Forestry Council.

Riddle has sought to be a pragmatic, responsive, and community-oriented leader on the city council. Her vision for improving life in Lake Forest Park includes investing in vibrant “third spaces” such as small businesses and public green spaces, enhancing public art and infrastructure, and addressing affordability. In this race, Riddle is running on a platform to improve pedestrian and public safety, protect local ecosystems, meet increasing housing demands, and ensure that the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 plan can progress efficiently.

We recommend Riddle for Position 1 on the Lake Forest Park City Council based on her progressive endorsements and proven track record.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Endorsed By: The Urbanist, 1st Legislative District Democrats , King County Democrats

City of Lake Forest Park

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Election Day November 4, 2025
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Statewide Ballot Measures

Constitutional Amendment #8201

VOTE APPROVED

Approve 8201 to grow WA Cares Funding!

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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

King County

King County Executive

Girmay Zahilay photo
Non-Partisan

Girmay Zahilay

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King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential. Born in a refugee settlement in Sudan and raised in Seattle’s public housing, he made his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration.

On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage, and worked to establish five crisis care centers that will help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential. Born in a refugee settlement in Sudan and raised in Seattle’s public housing, he made his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration.

On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage, and worked to establish five crisis care centers that will help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.

Last updated: 2025-09-30
Claudia Balducci photo
Non-Partisan

Claudia Balducci

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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.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

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.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Endorsed By: SEIU Local 925, Washington Bikes, The Urbanist, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Bellevue Firefighters - IAFF Local 1604

Lake Forest Park City Council

Lake Forest Park City Council, Position #1

Semra Riddle photo

Semra Riddle

Website Facebook Endorsements

Incumbent Semra Riddle is running for another term on the Lake Forest Park City Council in Position 1. Riddle has served on the council since 2022, and she works in virtual design and construction management for a development consulting company. She has also served on the city’s planning commission and is the elected chair of the Washington Community Forestry Council.

Riddle has sought to be a pragmatic, responsive, and community-oriented leader on the city council. Her vision for improving life in Lake Forest Park includes investing in vibrant “third spaces” such as small businesses and public green spaces, enhancing public art and infrastructure, and addressing affordability. In this race, Riddle is running on a platform to improve pedestrian and public safety, protect local ecosystems, meet increasing housing demands, and ensure that the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 plan can progress efficiently.

We recommend Riddle for Position 1 on the Lake Forest Park City Council based on her progressive endorsements and proven track record.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Incumbent Semra Riddle is running for another term on the Lake Forest Park City Council in Position 1. Riddle has served on the council since 2022, and she works in virtual design and construction management for a development consulting company. She has also served on the city’s planning commission and is the elected chair of the Washington Community Forestry Council.

Riddle has sought to be a pragmatic, responsive, and community-oriented leader on the city council. Her vision for improving life in Lake Forest Park includes investing in vibrant “third spaces” such as small businesses and public green spaces, enhancing public art and infrastructure, and addressing affordability. In this race, Riddle is running on a platform to improve pedestrian and public safety, protect local ecosystems, meet increasing housing demands, and ensure that the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 plan can progress efficiently.

We recommend Riddle for Position 1 on the Lake Forest Park City Council based on her progressive endorsements and proven track record.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Endorsed By: The Urbanist, 1st Legislative District Democrats , King County Democrats

Other Candidates

Also in this race is Bryce James, a finance professional and volunteer with a men’s empowerment group, who is running on a mixed platform. He supports increasing funding for policing, fire, and medical services, but opposes rebalancing our upside-down tax code with progressive revenue. He is opposed to the current Sound Transit plan for the city but wants to help mitigate the environmental impact of the city’s growth. While some of his values are aligned with community needs, his platform includes policy positions that appear contradictory.

Last updated: 2025-09-30

Also in this race is Bryce James, a finance professional and volunteer with a men’s empowerment group, who is running on a mixed platform. He supports increasing funding for policing, fire, and medical services, but opposes rebalancing our upside-down tax code with progressive revenue. He is opposed to the current Sound Transit plan for the city but wants to help mitigate the environmental impact of the city’s growth. While some of his values are aligned with community needs, his platform includes policy positions that appear contradictory.

Last updated: 2025-09-30