King County

Sen. Victoria Hunt is running to retain her state Senate seat representing Legislative District 5 to protect the environment, secure reproductive rights, and modernize our state housing laws. Prior to running for legislature, Hunt served three terms on the Issaquah City Council, where she prioritized environmental protections and protecting open space. She holds a Ph.D. in ecology and serves as the Chief Data Officer at Crosswalk Labs, where she works to track and mitigate carbon pollution for local cities.

During her first legislative session, Hunt voted to limit rent increases to 10%, which will reduce the cost of housing for renters across the state. She also voted in favor of anti-discrimination protections for students as well as a bill that would improve recycling and reduce the amount of plastic waste going to landfills.

Hunt used her experience as a local elected official and environmental scientist to make a difference on key issues in just her first few months in office. She has clearly earned your vote for state Senate from the 5th Legislative District.

After 15 years representing the 33rd District in the state House of Representatives, Tina Orwall was appointed in January to replace Senator Karen Keiser, who retired. Before being elected in 2009, she spent 20 years as a professional in the public mental health system, holding a position in Seattle’s Office of Housing, where she worked to connect people to direct services and resources. Orwall is now running unopposed to retain her seat in the state Senate.

During her tenure in Olympia, Orwall has been a strong advocate for survivors of sexual assault. In particular, she has worked to end Washington’s backlog of rape kits and pass legislation to support sex-trafficking victims.

Since her appointment to the Senate, Orwall has continued to be an advocate for mental health and housing initiatives. In January, Orwall sponsored a bill that would not only arrange for social workers in schools but would increase services in high-poverty schools. Additionally, she voted to increase education funding and expand access to special education services.

Tina Orwall has been a compassionate advocate and leader for the district. We are excited to see what she accomplishes in her full term representing the 33rd Legislative District in the Washington state Senate.

Democrat Edwin Obras is running to retain his seat representing the 33rd Legislative District, Position 1. Obras was appointed to this seat after former Rep. Tina Orwall moved to the Senate. Obras has over 25 years of experience working in human services, including homelessness, anti-hunger, capacity building, and youth development.

Since his appointment, Obras has been a champion of thoughtful solutions to the challenges local families face. He voted in favor of several progressive bills, including capping rent increases at 10%, reducing landfill waste, and establishing anti-discrimination protections in schools. He also sponsored a bill to limit excessive home buying, a move intended to open the market to first-time home buyers. He also won praise from labor unions for his steady hand and hard work on bills to protect low-wage janitors and hotel workers.

If elected, Obras plans to continue advocating for housing affordability, criminal justice reform, and workers' rights. He is an advocate for labor protections for low-income and gig economy workers, fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions. He also hopes to use his professional background to help expand statewide access to mental health resources.

Edwin Obras is the best and most progressive choice in this race. He has earned your vote for the Legislature from the 33rd Legislative District.

Sen. Emily Alvarado is running unopposed to retain her seat representing the 34th Legislative District. She spent five years working at Seattle's Office of Housing, including two as its director. She was previously an organizer at Planned Parenthood and currently serves on the board of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, among several other leadership roles in community organizations.

Alvarado emerged as a progressive leader in the state Senate during her first legislative session after being appointed to the Senate seat. As it was in the House, her top priority is to maintain and expand affordable housing. She is a proponent of increased housing density and creating "more housing choices in all communities." This year, Alvarado successfully passed her rent stabilization bill to cap yearly rent increases, which will help reduce homelessness and allow families to remain in their homes.

Alvarado is also a champion for early learning. In 2025, she sponsored a bill to change permitting and zoning for childcare centers to integrate them into urban planning. In her current campaign, she continues to advocate for greater access to affordable and quality childcare.

Emily Alvarado has earned your vote to continue representing the 34th Legislative District in the Washington state Senate.

Brianna Thomas is running to retain her position as a state representative in the 34th Legislative District. Thomas was appointed to this position earlier this year to replace former Rep. Emily Alvarado. Prior to becoming a House representative, Thomas was the chief of staff for former Seattle City Council President Lorena Gonzalez. Previously, she led the effort to bring democracy vouchers to Seattle through the Honest Elections Initiative and also worked on the “Yes for SeaTac” campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15.

Since her appointment, Thomas has followed through on her previous campaign promises. She voted in favor of limiting rent increases to 10%, which will help improve housing affordability, and voted in favor of building more housing near transit. Additionally, she voted to strengthen anti-discrimination policies in schools and prohibit the removal of students from school grounds during the school day without parental authorization.

Her current campaign continues to focus on affordable housing, labor rights, economic recovery. She is a strong supporter of anti-displacement policies and adding to the housing supply. In addition to her work in labor rights, she is also unwavering in her stance on protecting reproductive and social rights. She stands for access to reproductive health, LGBTQ+ equality, and commonsense measures to reduce gun violence.

While Brianna Thomas is running unopposed in this race, she has certainly earned your vote to retain her position representing the 34th Legislative District in Position 1.

Rep. Janice Zahn is running to retain Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District. Zahn emigrated from Hong Kong as a child and has dedicated her adult life to stewarding public infrastructure and services. She is the chief engineer for the Port of Seattle and served on the Bellevue City Council until her appointment to the Legislature in January.

Zahn has been a consistent and outspoken progressive leader in our community. In our interview, she shared that her priorities include supporting affordable housing, paid family leave, efficient project management, and protecting public education for students. She approaches policy with an eye on equity and wants to "help those who are furthest from power to create a level playing field for them to advocate for themselves."

One of Zahn's proudest accomplishments during her time on the Bellevue City Council was the development and implementation of a safe parking program. The program supported approximately 60 children experiencing housing instability by providing a safe space for families to park their cars, rest, study, and have a meal. The program particularly supported single working moms, helping them find their own stability and move into transitional housing.

Janice Zahn is a caring and compassionate leader who has hosted over 250 constituent meetings to hear their concerns. She has earned your vote for Position 1 representing the 41st Legislative District.

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 firm.

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 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.

Attorney Steffanie Fain is running for King County Council from District 5. Fain has spent her decade-and-a-half-long legal career at law firms and is currently a managing partner at one in Seattle. She is also the current board president of Harborview Medical Center, the county’s public hospital, where she has served since her first appointment in 2015. Fain went through breast cancer treatment and leads on the board with a lens to expand equitable access to health care.

Throughout her campaign, Fain has expressed support for left-leaning proposals, but wavers when asked about how to fund these efforts. Her preference is to rely heavily on grants to fund services, such as expanding housing and electrifying the Metro fleet, despite the uncertain availability of federal grants under the current administration. She was notably hesitant to embrace progressive revenue as an option.

Fain's broader campaign goals include public safety, affordability, and homelessness. Unfortunately, she offers largely generic talking points on these important and nuanced issues. Without more specific policy proposals, it’s unclear what her approach to these goals will be. Furthermore, Fain’s endorsements so far have come from a set of more moderate Democrats and Republicans, which appears to reflect her own political alignment. Additionally, Fain has received campaign contributions from a number of right-leaning individuals, elected officials, corporations, and PACs.

While we do not agree with all of her positions, Steffanie Fain is the less conservative candidate in this race.

Maya Vengadasalam is running for King County Council, District 7. She served on the Kent School Board for 8 years and worked as a consultant in government finance training. She also identifies as a housing advocate who worked to improve the effectiveness of housing programs and reduce homelessness.

Vengadasalam is running a relatively progressive campaign, with a focus on transparency, housing, and education. Vengadasalam offers her vision through the lens of equity and uplifting communities of color. However, her solutions come across as vague, particularly in expanding affordable housing and advancing education and safety. We would like to see her approach expanded upon further to include more specific progressive solutions, such as increased density, transitional housing with wrap-around services on-site, and educational protections.

Due to her experience and professional background, we recommend voting for Maya Vengadasalam for King County Council, District 7.

Jude Anthony is running against Reagan Dunn for King County Council in District 9. We are confident Anthony is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.

Incumbent Commissioner Ryan Calkins is running unopposed 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 unopposed 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, and expanded the South King County Community Impact Fund. 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.

Kate Baldwin is seeking re-election to the Auburn City Council in Position 2, where she has served since 2022. Baldwin is a senior advisory architect who consults for IT departments. She also serves on the executive board of the 47th Legislative District Democrats, which has endorsed her campaign.

Baldwin has led with a vision of combining sustainable, long-term growth with community values and an accountable government. Some specific ideas she’s campaigning on this year include increasing tree canopies and shade covers to help cool neighborhoods, engaging with the Muckleshoot Tribe on “food forests,” exploring crisis response alternatives to augment law enforcement, and investing in local housing to support veterans and other community members in need. She also supports increasing development impact fees to support public infrastructure, establishing municipal broadband, and supporting climate protections where needed.

Baldwin is endorsed by an impressive roster of progressive leaders and local organizations. Kate Baldwin has certainly earned your vote to serve another term on the Auburn City Council in Position 2.

Erica Tomas is running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Tomas is a union member who worked for the State of Washington in the Department of Health. As an epidemiologist, she worked in several social programs, including food stamps and supplemental nutrition programs for women and children.

Tomas' campaign is prioritizing more affordable homes, expanding transit, and attracting union-represented jobs. Although her website is brief, she supports infrastructure that allows for increased housing density. She also supports expanding transit options and increasing investment in community services.

We appreciate her background in public health services, as well as her progressive solutions to the city's challenges. We recommend voting for Erica Tomas for Auburn City Council, Position 4.

Lisa Stirgus is running to retain her seat on the Auburn City Council, to which she was appointed in April 2025 to replace former City Council Member Larry Brown. She held a 20+ year career in banking and is engaged with her community.

Stirgus is running a left-leaning platform, with priorities to introduce cautious growth to Auburn while investing in youth programs and long-term sustainability measures. Part of Stirgus's re-election campaign includes expanding traditional policing practices to incorporate alternative methods, such as youth violence prevention and mental health responders. Investing in our youth and exploring alternative policing methods not only keeps our most vulnerable communities safe but also enables our first responders to focus on addressing emergencies within the community. Stirgus is also supportive of varied housing options for residents seeking to purchase their first home, but expresses concern for the impact of growth on existing resources. Stirgus also believes in strengthening relations with the Muckleshoot Tribe and partnering together to invest in long-term sustainability efforts.

While we would like to see her take more progressive stances on matters such as affordable housing, Lisa Stirgus is the best candidate in this race. We recommend electing her to serve a full term on the Auburn City Council in Position 6.

Councilmember Vishal Bhargava is running to be retained on the Bellevue City Council in Position 1. He was appointed to the seat after longtime progressive councilmember John Stokes retired. Bhargava is a director of product management at Amazon, where he has worked for more than a decade. He has a master's degree in urban planning and served on the city’s planning commission for seven years.

Bhargava wants to ensure that as our city grows, all community members can access a high quality of life. He states that he would take a data-driven approach to decision-making to promote affordability, mental health resources, workforce development, and more. He wants to draw upon his experience in urban planning to push for more housing to reduce the cost of living and make Bellevue more accessible.

Bhargava describes himself as a center-left candidate, and this is evident in his platform. He supports increasing funding for mental health crisis response and traditional law enforcement, strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in Bellevue, and expanding internet access.

Bhargava is still very new to the council and has only a modest track record. We hope that he leverages his expertise to push the council to be more ambitious in building housing in a city where the current median home price is $1.7 million. We recommend Vishal Bhargava for Bellevue City Council, Position 1.

Nonprofit founder Naren Briar is running for Bellevue City Council, Position 2. Briar has worked as a product manager in the AI ethics space at Meta and has run the Genocide Education and Human Rights Initiative for almost a decade. As a member of the Kurdish American community and a participant in Bellevue Essentials, the city's civic engagement program, Briar is a strong communicator and leader dedicated to creating safe and healthy communities.

Briar is running on an optimistic and progressive platform. If elected, she hopes to address the housing crisis by increasing mixed-use development, expanding affordable options, and implementing tenant protections. Briar also aims to invest in community progress through enhanced public transit, living-wage jobs, cultural event programming, cross-agency government collaboration, and other initiatives. Her thoughtful, forward-looking platform has helped her earn an impressive slate of endorsements from community leaders that continues to grow.

Naren Briar is the right choice to bring new ideas and fresh leadership to the Bellevue City Council. We enthusiastically recommend her for Position 2.

Pradnya Desh is challenging conservative incumbent Jared Nieuwenhuis for Bellevue City Council, Position 4. Desh holds an impressive range of professional experiences, having worked as an attorney, CEO of a tech startup, U.S. diplomat, and more.

Desh is running to secure a bright and diverse future for the residents of Bellevue. Her policy priorities include streamlining affordable housing development, expanding transit, and promoting social equity. She is an advocate for greener policies, encouraging clean tech, improved walkability, and safe bike paths. Finally, she advocates for inclusive policies that protect and uplift community members.

Pradnya Desh offers a fresh and progressive vision for Bellevue, a contrast to Nieuwenhuis's outdated policies. We recommend Pradnya Desh for Bellevue City Council, Position 4.

Claire Sumadiwirya is running to be retained in Position 5 on the Bellevue City Council, to which she was appointed in April of this year. Sumadiwirya works at the intersection of private innovation and social impact and started her own social enterprise company, Bellden Ventures. Her approach to small business ownership involves nurturing the community, and she has shared the profits of her downtown business, Bellden Café, with several nonprofits. Sumadiwirya has also served on the King County Open Space Equity Cabinet and with the Bellevue School Foundation.

As a first-generation immigrant, Sumadiwirya has approached her leadership roles with a commitment to strengthening the social fabric of our local community while increasing opportunities, prosperity, and belonging for all. Her campaign is prioritizing collaboration, inclusion, affordability, and safety. As an effort to improve tenant protections, she aims to make renter resources available in multiple languages, which would support marginalized communities most affected by housing instability. She is an advocate for alternative policing methods that seek to reduce harm in vulnerable communities, such as expanding the crisis response team and reducing inappropriate arrests.

Claire Sumadiwirya is a thoughtful and dedicated leader who is focused on supporting all communities in Bellevue. She has earned your vote to serve a full term on the Bellevue City Council in Position 5.

Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson is running for another term in Position 6 on the Bellevue City Council. Robinson first joined the council in 2014 and was elected mayor by her fellow council members in 2020.

Robinson has led the city with a steady hand during a period of rapid change and growth over the last 5 years. She has worked to support small businesses, advocate for Bellevue's parks and green spaces, and maintain Bellevue's quality of life. Robinson is proud of her efforts to attract new businesses and high-paying jobs to the city, which has contributed to continuous growth in the downtown core. She also oversaw efforts to develop the Spring District and other hubs centered around the new light rail expansion through Bellevue. Despite these successes, we were recently disappointed to see Robinson organize a letter opposing progressive efforts in Olympia to ensure that the wealthiest corporations and individuals in our state pay what they truly owe our communities in taxes.

Lynne Robinson is the best choice for Position 6 on the Bellevue City Council.

Prasad Anguluri is running unopposed for Bothell City Council, Position 1. He is the founder and CEO of Haply, Inc., a technology startup.

Anguluri's campaign proposed a framework for "S.P.A.C.E.": safety, purposeful planning, affordability, community, and equity. Using his background in real estate, he is a proponent of strategic zoning changes that would allow for transit-oriented housing, expanding affordable housing options in Bothell. Additionally, he supports working with tenant advocacy groups to implement renter protections. Anguluri is an advocate for inclusive contracting to encourage underrepresented entrepreneurs to operate in town. He uses his experience serving on HOAs to inform his approach to public safety, prioritizing investments in crime prevention and expanding mental health support officers.

Prasad Anguluri will make a progressive addition to the Bothell City Council.

Incumbent Jenne Alderks is running for re-election to Bothell City Council, Position 3. Alderks, who uses she/they pronouns, is a former planning commission member whose previous career focus was in birthing as a postpartum doula, including for Seattle Holistic Doula and the Family Resource & Referral Center. They are a strong community leader who currently serves on the boards of Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness and Eastside Human Services Forum and works with organizations like Anti-Racist Communities of Bothell.

On the city council, Alderks has prioritized quality education, housing affordability, environmental sustainability, social equity efforts, and small business support. In their last election, they supported expanding the RADAR (Response Awareness, De-escalation, and Referral) program to strengthen community safety for all residents. Although Alderks' platform does not include current campaign priorities, they have garnered impressive support from several progressive organizations, including our partners at Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

We recommend Jenne Alderks for another term in Position 3 on the Bothell City Council.

Brittany Miles is running unopposed for Bothell City Council, Position 5. Miles is a public servant and mental health advocate who currently works for the Department of Children, Youth & Families. She has held multiple public service positions with the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County, the Regional Crisis Response Agency, and others.

Miles' campaign is prioritizing inclusion and equity, vowing to serve the residents of Bothell with compassion and respect. Her platform is especially focused on improving mental health resources and access to middle housing so that young adults can begin their future in Bothell. Miles' campaign has earned the endorsements of progressive organizations, including our partners at Planned Parenthood Advocates.

With her commitment to progressive advocacy, we believe Brittany Miles would make a great addition to the Bothell City Council.

Deputy Mayor Rami Al-Kabra is running for re-election to Bothell City Council, Position 7. Al-Kabra first joined the city council in 2022 and has also served on the boards of Bothell Landmark Preservation and Anti-Racist Communities: Bothell. He is a product management executive and an unwavering community organizer, having helped to organize Bothell’s 2020 March for Black Lives and worked to register eligible local voters in the 2020 election. Al-Kabra became a U.S. citizen in 2006 after he spent three decades as a Palestinian refugee, and he has worked tirelessly to build community here, including as the founder of the Washington Council on Islamic-American Relations chapter and the Islamic Center of Bothell.

In office, Al-Kabra has stuck to his progressive principles as a staunch voice for sustainability, equity, and affordability. He has already worked to bring climate-friendly, affordable housing to the area and promote green city planning so that Bothell can remain a safe environment for our community for generations to come.

His re-election campaign continues to prioritize progressive solutions. Al-Kabra strongly opposes surveillance tools in policing, instead advocating for training in de-escalation and deploying mental health professionals in crises. He remains an advocate for affordable housing initiatives rooted in sustainable infrastructure and greener development. Furthermore, he believes in the power of youth engagement in local politics, proposing a Youth City Council similar to those created in Lynnwood and Auburn.

Rami Al-Kabra is a compassionate, thoughtful leader who is a champion of progressive solutions. He deserves your vote to serve another term on the Bothell City Council in Position 7.

Hugo Garcia is running for re-election for Burien City Council, Position 1. Garcia, whose family immigrated from Mexico more than 30 years ago, learned the value of hard work at an early age by watching his father wait tables to support their family of five. Garcia has proven to be a thoughtful and progressive leader in Burien, particularly during a tumultuous period for the city.

If re-elected, Garcia plans to continue focusing on expanding access to housing and improving affordability. Garcia contributed to efforts to support people experiencing homelessness, including voting in favor of a proposal for a tiny home village. He also intends to defend Burien "against Trump Era Impacts" by supporting the city's libraries, museums, and public institutions. Garcia stood firmly against conservative council member Stephanie Mora's attempt to censure him after he criticized an ordinance criminalizing homelessness, which he said upheld and enabled systemic racism.

Due to his continued progressive leadership, we recommend Hugo Garcia for Burien City Council, Position 1.

Sarah Moore is running for re-election for Burien City Council, Position 5. Moore joined the City Council in 2022 and, in January 2025, began her position as Deputy Mayor. Previously, she co-founded ACLU Burien People Power and spent more than 20 years working at the Pacific Science Center.

Moore was one of only two city council members to vote against the harsh emergency ordinance to criminalize homelessness on public property at all times. On the ordinance, Moore said "the law makes the city one that 'offers a severe weather shelter on a 32 degree day and exile on a 33 degree day.'" In 2023, Moore also voted in favor of a $1 million proposal from King County to build a tiny home village for community members experiencing homelessness. Those in favor of the proposal argued that it was a step towards permanent housing. In addition, Moore stood with councilmember Hugo Garcia in support of raising the local minimum wage, which the voters of Burien approved in February.

Due to her continued progressive work in Burien, we strongly support Sarah Moore for Burien City Council, Position 5.

Rocco DeVito is challenging incumbent Stephanie Mora for Burien City Council, Position 7. DeVito grew up on naval bases and in a family dedicated to public service. A union member, DeVito currently works at King County Metro helping to improve the transit system and provide transit passes to those who need them most.

DeVito is an active and enthusiastic member of the Burien community. His campaign prioritizes safe streets, affordable housing, and taking a thoughtful approach to the city's budget. He is an advocate for renter protections and rent stabilization to prevent displacement. He is not supportive of Burien's camping ban and is a proponent of emergency shelters and tiny home villages as transitional housing options. He supports progressive revenue options at the state level to maintain services and protect our quality of life.

Rocco DeVito is the clear progressive choice for Burien City Council, Position 7 race.

Harry Steinmetz is running for re-election to Des Moines City Council, Position 1. Steinmetz worked in the King County Prosecutor's office, as a city prosecutor for the city of Olympia, and as a staff attorney for the Washington state Senate Judiciary Committee. He also directed government relations for the Washington Association for Housing and Services for the Aging, advocating for not-for-profit senior housing.

Steinmetz's re-election campaign is focused on public safety, downtown improvements, and fiscal responsibility. We appreciate that his approach to public safety extends beyond traditional policing to include mental and behavioral health professionals in responding to non-emergency calls. Steinmetz's vision for the downtown area includes more walkable infrastructure that allows for more ability and access to businesses. He is a proponent of the Marina Steps and Redondo Pier projects, as well as an advocate for a passenger ferry service in Des Moines. He expressed his desire for fiscal responsibility in the city's budget; however, he did not detail what that would entail.

Harry Steinmetz is a steady leader who would continue to serve the community well. We recommend re-electing him for another term on the Des Moines City Council in Position 1.

Pierre Blosse is running for Des Moines City Council, Position 5. Born in France, Blosse moved to the US at age 10. He has been living in Des Moines since 2019 and currently works as the Vice President of the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

Blosse is running a mixed campaign, focused on creating a better Des Moines for future generations. He is an advocate for community spaces, such as parks and playgrounds, as well as for maintaining youth center programs. He has set an ambitious goal of making the city carbon neutral by 2050, but it is unclear how he plans to move Des Moines towards this goal. He is opposed to increased taxation, which can make it difficult to maintain essential services and programs. Additionally, Blosse aims to enhance community engagement through more transparent practices, including budget summaries and community outreach before final votes. While his campaign could afford more specific ideas and proposals, Blosse has earned the endorsements of local Democratic affiliates, such as the King County Democrats and the 33rd District Democrats.

While Pierre Blosse is not the most progressive candidate on the ballot this year, we lean towards voting for him for Des Moines City Council, Position 5.

Nathan Orth is running for Federal Way City Council, Position 2. According to his website, Orth worked at a logistics company for over 20 years and currently lives in Federal Way with his family.

Orth is running a relatively progressive campaign focused on the economy, cannabis, public safety, housing, and transportation. While some of his issue areas lack focus, he does propose some progressive solutions, such as transit-oriented housing, increasing density, and re-evaluating the root causes of crime to help deter it from the community.

While we would like to see his campaign a bit more focused and detailed, Nathan Orth seems to be on the right track to implement more progressive solutions than his conservative-leaning opponent. In this low-information race, we recommend voting for Nathan Orth for Federal Way City Council, Position 2.

Tammy Dziak is running for Federal Way City Council, Position 4. Dziak is a community advocate with over 40 years of experience in health care and senior services. She is the CEO of Affinity Senior Transitions, which helps "seniors navigate life transitions with dignity and respect."

Dziak outlines a series of priorities she wishes to address, if elected. Her focus on public safety includes better training for police officers to implement de-escalation techniques and for crisis response teams to assist in complex situations. Dziak also wants to mirror proven programs from around the country to address homelessness. However, she does not identify any specific programs. With her background in health and senior services, Dziak also outlined plans for youth development and senior support, including the development of youth and senior centers.

While we would like to see Tammy Dziak's platform include more specifics, she is the clear progressive choice in the race for Federal Way City Council, Position 4.

Les Sessoms is challenging incumbent Jack Dovey for Federal Way City Council, Position 6. Sessoms is a higher education professional with experience in recruitment and retention for diverse college-bound youth. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and Chapman University, with degrees in Political Science and Organizational Leadership.

From his professional experience, it is clear that Sessoms leads with a lens of compassion and equity. He is a champion for diversity initiatives, especially for students. He helped create programming for college-bound youth and proposed youth engagement initiatives for career development. As a regular transit user, he advocates for improving public transportation options, particularly for the city's most vulnerable residents. Additionally, he acknowledges the housing shortage facing the city, proposing sustainable solutions to address the issue and improve the supply. He is a proponent of increasing a diverse supply of houses, such as duplexes and triplexes, through zoning reforms that can streamline the process and allow developers to build more efficiently. Throughout his campaign, Sessoms approaches the issues facing Federal Way holistically, advocating for transit-oriented housing, supporting minority-owned businesses, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Les Sessoms is by far the most progressive candidate in this race and would bring a fresh, compassionate, and inclusive perspective. He deserves your vote to serve on the Federal Way City Council, Position 6.

Issaquah City Council president Lindsey Walsh is now running for mayor. Walsh is a small business owner who has served on the city council since 2019, when she was first appointed. Her community leadership is extensive, encompassing service on the Eastside Fire & Rescue board, the city’s Planning Policy Commission, the King County Affordable Housing Committee, and the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growth Management Policy Board. She has run her own search engine marketing company outside of public service work for the past two decades.

Walsh is running on a platform that emphasizes affordable housing, community safety, environmental health, and economic prosperity. If elected mayor, she aims to streamline permitting while promoting workforce and middle-income housing development. Walsh also supports expanding green spaces, bikeways, and walkways, as well as investing in sustainable infrastructure. In addition, she would advocate for bolstering local crisis response with mental health professionals and making strong investments in downtown revitalization and economic growth. She envisions an Issaquah that is prosperous, safe, and welcoming for all, and she has earned strong support in this campaign from fellow city leaders, neighboring mayors, and progressive lawmakers at the state level.

Lindsey Walsh is the clear progressive choice for Mayor of Issaquah.

Kelly Jiang is running for the Issaquah City Council in Position 1. Jiang was appointed to fill Victoria Hunt’s Position 6 seat in February of this year. She is the director of strategic initiatives for a renewable energy company that focuses on improving sustainability in buildings. In the community, Jiang serves as the board president for the Issaquah Alps Trail Club and as a member of the board of Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

Jiang is running with a focus on affordable housing, sustainability, transportation, and public safety. She is a proponent of streamlining permits to boost a range of housing development. She also supports leveraging the Inclusive Housing Investment Pool, which was developed to preserve current affordable housing infrastructure and promote transit-oriented development. Jiang is an advocate for funding mental health professionals and the homeless outreach team as a component of public safety.

Jiang has been a strong addition to the Issaquah City Council and has earned your vote for Position 1.

Barbara de Michele is running unopposed for another term on the Issaquah City Council in Position 3, where she has served since 2019. Before that, de Michele held other community leadership positions, including serving two terms on the Issaquah School District Board of Directors and more than a decade on the Issaquah Arts Commission. She is also actively involved in building safe opportunities and communities for youth and families through her past roles as business manager of The Garage and executive director of Issaquah Community Network.

De Michele has been a staunch voice for reducing the cost of living while maintaining a well-resourced community with high-quality public services. On the council, she worked to redirect millions in progressive revenue for local affordable housing and homelessness prevention measures, protect tenants with a required six-month rent increase notice, champion the continued development of a 2042 Sound Transit station in Issaquah, and establish an Equity Board to ensure Issaquah is a thriving and welcoming community for all.

She is running for re-election on a detailed and optimistic platform with goals including increasing language access to municipal resources, partnering with marginalized community members to improve life in Issaquah, leading the way for greater transit diversity in the city to reduce congestion, and preserving public green and recreation spaces. She has strong progressive support and deserves your vote for Position 3.

Engineer Tola Marts has served on the Issaquah City Council in Position 7 since 2010 and is running unopposed for re-election. Marts has served as the council president multiple times during his 15 years on the council. Outside of elected office, he has worked as a director of engineering for multiple technology companies, including a local defense and space company.

Marts has identified workforce housing and living-wage jobs as his top priorities in creating a sustainable Issaquah. Unfortunately, in 2023, he opposed local measures to increase housing supply and improve affordability, as well as publicly criticizing similar statewide efforts.

Washington families need more housing options in every city across the state. While Marts has yet to release a new set of campaign priorities for this current campaign as of mid-October, we hope that he is more open in his next term to supporting development that helps Issaquah become a better place for everyone to live.

Mayor Nigel Herbig is running for re-election to Position 4 on the Kenmore City Council. He first joined the council in 2014 and was appointed deputy mayor twice before becoming mayor in 2022. Outside of elected office, he formerly served as a senior legislative assistant in the state Legislature and as an intergovernmental relations manager for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

Herbig has been a thoughtful and determined progressive voice on the council. He has been an advocate for Kenmore residents struggling the most, working on policies to extend the eviction ban and offer one-time cash support to low-income residents. Herbig has a long track record of advocating for regional and local housing solutions, as well as improving transit access, climate protections, and cultural inclusion. If re-elected, he will continue to fight for reducing the cost of living and improving access to safe neighborhoods and affordable housing.

Nigel Herbig is a progressive leader in our region and has earned your vote to serve another term on the Kenmore City Council, Position 4.

Eric Adman is running unopposed for Kenmore City Council, Position 6. He worked as a paramedic in the area and is an elected fire commissioner for Northshore Fire. He is an active community member and serves as president of the Sno-King Watershed Council.

While Adman shares some progressive values, his platform lacks specific solutions he hopes to implement if elected. We appreciate his focus on environmental protection and sustainable practices, such as preserving public access to parks and protecting wildlife. While he is supportive of some affordable housing measures, we would like to see his approach further expanded to support a wider variety of housing development. Adman is also a proponent of partnering with the Regional Crisis Response Agency to offer alternative policing methods for residents in crisis.

We recommend Eric Adman and hope he uses his time on the council to be a champion for progressive solutions for Kenmore.

Satwinder Kaur is running for re-election for Kent City Council, Position 2. Kaur was first elected to the council in 2017, making history as the first Indian-American Kent City Council member. She has since served as Council President and works as a Senior Engineer in the tech industry.

Kaur has consistently been a progressive voice on the council. She has advocated for more diverse and inclusive policing in Kent through the expansion of the Community Court and supporting the Community Immersion Law Enforcement Program. Kaur has also displayed a strong commitment to building an inclusive community. She helped create the Kent Cultural Communities Board and expanded translation and interpretation services across city services.

Satwinder Kaur is a steady, progressive leader who will continue to make positive change in Kent. She has earned your vote to serve another term in Position 2.

Andy Song is also running for Kent City Council, Position 6. He is currently serving on the Kent School Board while owning a small business, working as a college professor, and practicing as a therapist. If elected, he would step down from his role on the school board.

Song's campaign for city council prioritizes supporting local businesses, promoting health and public safety, and planning for the future of Kent. His approach to addressing homelessness in Kent prioritizes funding services to help residents transition into more permanent housing options. However, he contradicted himself on his stance on banning public encampments. In a questionnaire with The Urbanist, he explicitly stated, "No, I do not support camping bans or sweeps." while on his website, he said, "I will push for a clear policy that bans unsafe public encampments while expanding the number of shelter beds, treatment programs, and outreach workers so that people in crisis have safe alternatives." Banning public encampments without first ensuring adequate shelter capacity or transitional housing options can displace our neighbors experiencing homelessness and put them further in harm's way.

Additionally, Song's approach to addressing the affordable housing shortage in Kent focuses on implementing a vacancy tax to encourage property owners to rent their spaces. However, he does advocate for zoning reforms to allow for transit-oriented housing options that meet residents at all income levels.

While there are some aspects of Andy Song's platform we appreciate, we lean towards electing Sharn Shoker for Kent City Council, Position 6.

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, Arnold 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 5, to continue his impressive service to the city.