King County

Republican Chad Magendanz is running once again for the Legislature, this time challenging Victoria Hunt. He is a former Microsoft program manager who previously served as the president of the Issaquah School Board and in the state House from 2013 to 2017. Magendanz stepped down to run for the state Senate in 2016, losing to Sen. Mark Mullet, and then ran again for the state House in 2018, losing to the late Rep. Bill Ramos. He lost to Ramos a second time in 2024.

While in the Legislature, Magendanz maintained a conservative track record, including being the sole East King County legislator of either party to vote against a transportation bill that would've reduced traffic gridlock on the I-405 corridor. Magendanz is running to cut corporate oversight laws that protect workers, consumers, and the environment. Magendanz is proud of his "A" rating from the National Rifle Association during his last campaign, which raises questions about his willingness to keep our communities safe from gun violence.

In 2024, Magendanz originally planned to run for Superintendent of Public Instruction and, in a campaign interview, referenced “trans ideology” and “critical race theory,” echoing far-right conspiracy theories about our schools.

Chad Magendanz is not a progressive choice and has been repeatedly rejected by the voters of Legislative District 5. Victoria Hunt is the clear choice for state Senate.

Two candidates are challenging Rep. Edwin Obras: Republican Darryl Jones and conservative Democrat Kevin Schilling. Neither shares the values nor the priorities of local voters.

Schilling is currently the Mayor of Burien and was a council member from 2020 to 2024. He currently works as a lobbyist for the state's dental association in Olympia and previously served as the political director to Congressman Derek Kilmer.

Schilling has often sided with corporations and wealthy conservatives on important state and local issues. Schilling recently criticized progressive leaders in Olympia who worked to ensure the wealthy pay what they owe our communities. Last year, Schilling testified against progressive rent stabilization legislation that would have reduced costs for renters and seniors statewide.

While in office, Schilling regularly generated controversy for his hardline stances seeking to criminalize homelessness in Burien. Schilling voted against accepting $1 million and 35 pallet shelters from King County that would have provided options for people being displaced. This decision drew attention to the significant campaign contributions he received from Burien Toyota, which had leased the land the city likely would have used for the pallet shelters.

Schilling also played a leading role in removing Burien Planning Commission Chair Charles Schaefer for his outreach to people experiencing homelessness. He was visibly angry during the hearing, raising his voice and berating Schaefer in a way that was completely unprofessional and inappropriate. This event generated significant backlash, including the resignation of 11 other members of boards and commissions. Schilling's behavior in his official capacity should be a red flag for all voters in the district.

Darryl Jones is also challenging Obras for Legislative District 33, Position 1. Jones is running as a Republican and previously ran for the Kent City Council in 2023. While Jones has a current campaign website, his priorities are minimally detailed and offer no policy proposals or solutions. Darryl Jones is not a serious candidate in this race.

Janice Zahn is running against two candidates: Vinita Kak and John Whitney.

Kak has worked in the finance industry for over 25 years and served on the Planning Commission for the City of Newcastle.

Kak's platform includes prioritizing smart growth, fiscal responsibility, investing in education, supporting seniors, and improving public transit. While her goals have a progressive lean, her plan remains vague and unspecified. Additionally, in early 2025, Kak was part of the majority that voted to remove inclusive language from the city's planning documents. The council restored the edits in April 2025, a move that was a win for progressives. Kak's opposition to diversity and inclusion makes it clear she's not a progressive choice in this race.

Republican John Whitney is running a religious and conservative campaign, saying, "As your legislator, I will lead with love, truth, and justice, guided by a biblical worldview." His campaign primarily focuses on economic impacts, like reducing taxes and cutting government spending. Additionally, he stated that he will support law enforcement, but did not specify how he intends to do so. John Whitney's far-right values are vastly out of step with the people of the 41st Legislative District.

Zahn is the clear choice for state House from the 41st Legislative District.

Conservative Democrat Amy Walen is running for the state Senate after seeking and failing to earn the appointment from the King County Council. Walen has served in the state Legislature since 2018, when she first assumed the Position 2 seat in the House after serving on the Kirkland City Council.

In Olympia, Walen has focused on issues such as preventing animal cruelty and promoting commonsense gun safety. Unfortunately, she has been increasingly outspoken against key progressive priorities in recent years. Walen repeatedly voted against bills to limit rent increases, which will improve housing affordability for renters and seniors across the state. This year, Walen sided with Republicans against making large corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe our communities in taxes. In 2023, she was one of only two Democrats to vote against legislation that required warehouse workers for companies like Amazon to receive lunch and restroom breaks.

Walen's track record in office makes it clear that she does not share our values. Not surprisingly, she has received maximum campaign contributions from many corporate PACs and Republican donors this year. Sen. Vandana Slatter is the clear choice for the 48th Legislative District.

Two candidates are challenging incumbent Osman Salahuddin to represent the 48th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives: Dennis Ellis and Ranga Bondada.

Ellis is a former Boeing employee and small business owner. He previously ran for Redmond City Council in 2021 but was defeated by Melissa Stuart. He is currently the 48th District Chair of the King County Republican Party.

Ellis said he will bring a "fresh, conservative perspective" to this position. He heavily criticized the Sound Transit East Link light rail expansion and advocated instead to focus on existing roads and bridges. Ellis also opposes the Housing First model for addressing the homelessness crisis and vaccine mandates. Dennis Ellis is clearly out of touch with the people of the 48th District.

As of late June, Bondada does not have a campaign website, nor have they released their priorities if elected to office.

John Wilson, the current King County Assessor, is running for King County Executive. During his campaign, Wilson stated that he would fight for "safe and thriving communities," citing his experience as King County Assessor.

In 2025, Wilson was accused of stalking and harassment by a former domestic partner. This was an alarming and serious allegation, which led to the current King County Council calling for Wilson's resignation. He continues to deny the allegations and remains firm in his campaign. John Wilson is not fit to be King County Executive.

Amiya Ingram is also running for King County Executive. Ingram has worn many hats professionally, from serving as a government military researcher to founding her own athleisure brand. While Ingram's campaign includes some progressive ideas, it also features other proposals that lean more moderate or conservative. She is a proponent of establishing more housing shelters that offer wrap-around services to address the housing crisis and help those struggling with addiction.

Rebecca Williamson is also running for King County Executive. Williamson's campaign website is linked to The Militant, which is a weekly socialist newsletter. As of late June, they do not have a detailed campaign website available, and their platform is unknown.

Bill Hirt is running for King County Executive. Hirt has run for various offices around Washington state, primarily to criticize light rail. Bill Hirt is not a serious candidate for King County Executive.

Don L. Rivers is the final candidate running for King County Executive. While he has a campaign website, it appears to be down as of mid-May, making his platform unknown. We will continue to monitor this race for updates.

Ahmad Corner is also running for King County Council from District 5. Corner grew up in tight-knit neighborhoods where community was highly regarded. He is a graduate of UW and the founder of Young Professionals of Seattle.

Corner is running a progressive campaign with inclusivity at its forefront. He is a proponent of improving affordability, community well-being, and youth development. However, in our interview with him, we were hoping to hear more concrete policy proposals that he would implement or support if elected. His website also mentions that he will fight for opportunities for all, but lacks specifics on how he plans to achieve this.

While Ahmad Corner is an enthusiastic candidate, there are other candidates in this race with more relevant experience and policy knowledge.

Attorney Steffanie Fain is running for King County Council, District Position 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, a position she has held since her first appointment in 2015. Fain went through breast cancer treatment herself and leads on the board with a lens to expand equitable access to healthcare.

Fain has yet to release a detailed campaign platform as of late June. Her website also lists public safety, affordability, and addressing homelessness as priorities, but does not provide any specific solutions to address these issues. Without detailed policy proposals, it’s unclear what her approach to these issues will be. However, she uses coded language on her website that is more common among Republicans who are skeptical of essential services. Even more concerning is her extensive list of endorsements from moderate Democrats and Republicans, which suggests she would likely lean to the right if elected. Fain is not a progressive choice in this race.

Peter Kwon, a current SeaTac City Council member, is running for King County Council, District 5. Kwon has been on the council since 2016 and served as Deputy Mayor from 2020 to 2022. He is also the founder of the Neighborhood Locking Mailbox program.

While he declares himself a true non-partisan elected official, Kwon's work on the SeaTac council often leans conservative. In 2024, Kwon spoke in favor of the FLOCK camera system as a deterrent to crime. However, the ACLU is skeptical of these cameras as its developer will not allow an independent review of its surveillance devices. Additionally, when residents of the Firs Mobile Home Park expressed concern over being pushed out by zoning changes, Kwon doubled down on the issue, saying he's "done quite a lot" to help the residents. Peter Kwon will not be a progressive voice if elected to the King County Council.

Angela Henderson is running for King County Council. As of late June, Henderson does not have a published campaign website, and their platform remains unknown. According to her voter pamphlet entry, Henderson's campaign is prioritizing accountability and access to affordable housing and healthcare. Her platform does not include specific policies that she intends to implement if elected.

Pahaliyah Brown is running for King County Council, District 7. According to his website, he is a graduate of the University of Washington and has experience in public service, environmental policy, and community leadership.

Brown is running a progressive campaign, with a primary focus on environmental issues. He is a proponent of clean policies, including reducing waste and protecting natural resources. Brown would also like to improve street safety through enhanced lighting, better sidewalks, and increased access to reliable transit options. Additionally, he would like to make King County friendlier to small and local businesses.

While we appreciate his progressive values, we would like to see more concrete policy proposals or suggestions from Brown. We lean towards voting for Maya Vengadasalam for King County Council, District 7, due to her relative experience.

Incumbent Pete Von Reichbauer is running for his ninth term on the King County Council in District 7, which covers South King County. Reichbauer is a conservative voice on the council and has not led community progress in his more than three decades of leadership. Before that, he served two decades in the state Senate, where he was also a proponent of right-leaning policy.

On the council, Reichbauer has focused on improving and expanding public space, including projects such as the Hylebos Wetlands, the South King County Baseball fields, and the 317th HOV ramps on Interstate 5. Last year, he and Republican Reagan Dunn were the only council members to vote against a commonsense effort to raise the regional minimum wage to better align with the higher cost of living and modern inflation. Reichbauer has not yet published his current campaign goals, but he is likely to continue implementing a conservative agenda if re-elected.

It’s time for new leadership in District 7. We lean towards voting for Maya Vengadasalam due to her experience in public service.

Yolanda Trout is challenging incumbent Nancy Backus for Auburn Mayor. She has been a city council member in Auburn since 2014 and currently serves as the Chair of the Wellness Committee.

In her time on the city council, Trout tends to vote more conservatively. In 2024, she voted to remove language from the city's camping ordinance that allowed city employees to charge unhoused folks with a misdemeanor without offering them alternative shelter options first. Additionally, some conservative candidates and current officers endorsed Trout, such as Peter Kwon, Conrad Lee, Susan Honda, and Phil Fortunato. These endorsements are concerning and could signal a more conservative lean.

Her campaign for mayor prioritizes community engagement, public safety, economic revitalization, youth engagement, and transparency. Her campaign website lacks specific policy proposals she supports and/or intends to implement if elected. Additionally, her approach to issues like public safety has a conservative tone.

Ronnie Morgan is also running for mayor of Auburn. According to his voter pamphlet bio, Morgan prioritizes increasing affordable and workforce housing, reducing crime, and strictly enforcing laws. He does not provide further details on the policies he would support to achieve his campaign priorities.

Two candidates are challenging Jeyaraj for Auburn City Council, Position 6: Lisa Stirgus and Cobi Clark. Neither matches Jeyaraj's progressive values and demonstrated track record of community service.

Lisa Stirgus is running to retain her seat, to which she was appointed in April 2025 to replace former city council member Larry Brown. Stirgus is campaigning for community and public safety as well as cleaner public spaces. While her platform is somewhat vague and lacks detailed policy proposals, she appears to lean more moderate. She previously campaigned for a strong police force that could deliver "inclusive and equitable service," but did not elaborate on what that meant. She also campaigned to connect people to city resources and support local businesses, but did not outline any specific policy goals.

Cobi Clark is a lifelong South Seattle resident and currently a real estate broker. According to his website bio, he recently completed his capstone project, conducting policy research and analysis for Washington Republican Senator Jeff Wilson.

Clark's priorities include affordable housing, civil rights, and economic development. He proposed zoning empty parking lots and distressed commercial areas for high-density housing, "ideally for purchase rather than rent." His other priorities include civil rights and economic development, however those plans were less detailed. Cobi Clark's ambiguous platform and recent work for a Republican Senator indicate his priorities may lean more moderate to conservative.

James Jeyaraj is the best choice for Auburn City Council, Position 6.

Nicholas Ton is also running for Bellevue City Council, Position 1. Ton is a Microsoft risk and privacy manager who has led community initiatives for the company’s Asian employee resource group. In addition, he serves on Bellevue’s Diversity Advisory Network.

Ton is campaigning on a platform to restore community balance so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they truly owe. His vision for Bellevue is a city where everyone can afford the essentials, such as rent, gas, groceries, and medicine. On the issue of housing, he supports using city property in community land trusts to offer permanent affordable housing, banning corporate landlords of single-family homes, and wants to tax vacant luxury units to drive prices down.

Ton is a strong proponent of rebalancing our tax code and advocates for higher taxes on vacant lots, high-value properties such as mansions, and luxury items like yachts, sports cars, and private jets. He has many other community-minded ideas, including making developers subsidize community ORCA cards, eliminating a sales tax on items such as diapers, groceries, and medicine, and expanding public waterfront access. While Ton has a very progressive platform, his campaign has struggled to gain footing in this highly competitive four-way primary.

Small business owner Paul Clark is also vying for Position 1 on the Bellevue City Council. Clark has worked for the Civil Service Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. His company works in software-defined radio training and consulting. Clark previously ran for the Bellevue City Council in 2023 and lost to former Councilmember John Stokes by a margin of more than 10 points.

Clark is running on a conservative platform, prioritizing business interests and opposing affordable housing development in large parts of the city. Much of his platform appears to be driven more by a reactionary, anti-Seattle stance than by a forward-looking vision for Bellevue residents. Not surprisingly, the King County Republican Party called Clark the "Best Choice" in this race.

Either Bhargava or Chang would be a much more thoughtful leader for Bellevue than Clark.

Alex Tsimerman is a perennial conservative candidate who has run for offices ranging from governor to state senator to Seattle city council member. Now, Tsimerman is running for Bellingham City Council, Position 6, with a familiar extremist agenda. In the past, he has made statements calling Seattle’s progressive leadership a “Nazi−Socialist−Democrats-Mafia” and advocating to run municipal government like a business rather than a public entity. His aggressive and inappropriate political behavior, which includes his repeated use of a “Heil Hitler” salute, has gotten him banned from Seattle’s City Hall. He is not fit to hold office at any level of government.

Nicole Myers is a nuclear engineer and the author of a local blog. She appears to mainly criticize specific details in Bellevue housing policy, such as the lack of porches on “cottage” developments. She appears to be a candidate who is passionate about improving the quality of life in Bellevue, including through ensuring high-quality new construction, expanding the tree canopy, investing in third spaces (outside of work and home) for residents, making the city's processes transparent, and increasing housing options for families. Unfortunately, her blog primarily features negative opinions about local efforts to increase housing supply, and it is unclear whether her platform ideas are equitable, sustainable, or realistic given the local issues facing Bellevue.

Allen Chongtai Huang is a tech professional with experience in software development, medical electronics, and electrical engineering. Huang has not released a detailed platform as of late June, but has shared conservative-leaning and contradictory priorities. He wants to cut public revenue but believes in expanding public services, such as transit, education, and law enforcement. We recognize that to build strong communities with thriving public resources, we must all contribute our fair share, especially the ultra-wealthy.

Robinson's experience and track record in office make her the clear choice for Bellevue City Council, Position 6.

Four candidates are challenging Hugo Garcia for Burien City Council, Position 1: Jessica Ivey, Claudio Fernandez, and Cameron Boosman.

Ivey is an active member of the Burien community and is currently serving as the Planning Commissioner. As Public Commissioner, Ivey said she helped create a "roadmap to build affordable housing, protect access to green space and expand park amenities, and grow job opportunities." In her campaign for Burien City Council, Ivey is maintaining the same priorities: supporting the local economy, finding solutions to affordable housing, protecting parks, and addressing public safety. While she is on the right track, we would like to see her provide more specific plans for addressing these issues.

Claudio Fernandez is a Chilean immigrant who currently owns a small construction company. His campaign is prioritizing revenue growth through supporting local businesses, improving affordability, and enhancing public safety. His platform is vague and does not propose any specific policy solutions. He also claims to be seeking to improve his city and "not become a politician," yet he is running for public office.

According to Burien Gov Watch, Claudio hired his wife, Elissa Fernandez, to be his treasurer. Elissa signed a letter in 2021, along with 3 others, endorsing conservative council member Stephanie Mora. Based on this affiliation, Claudio's low-profile campaign may also lean more conservative.

Cameron Boosman is challenging incumbent Hugo Garcia for Burien City Council, Position 1. As of late June, Boosman's platform is unknown, with very limited information available about them.

While Ivey shares many progressive values, Garcia is the clear choice in this race for Burien City Council, Position 1.

Two candidates are challenging Sarah Moore for Burien City Council, Position 5: Jamie Jo Skeen and Gabriel Fernandez. Neither shares Moore's experience nor progressive values.

Jamie Jo Skeen is new to the Burien area and is a published author. She previously served on the Millville, UT, city council and was the first woman elected. She currently works at a youth care facility, "supporting youth with autism and occurring mental health conditions," according to her website.

Skeen's campaign is prioritizing the following issues: professional leadership, public safety, affordable housing, and economic development. Her campaign centers around "community-based solutions" in each of her priorities. However, she does not specify what those solutions are. In addressing public safety, Skeen championed the work of the current council, saying they have made progress in a positive direction. Given the current council's work towards criminalizing encampments in Burien, her comments commending the council are concerning.

Gabriel Fernandez is prioritizing public safety, developing underserved areas, and promoting responsible growth. His website lacks any specific policy proposals as of late June. According to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), Conner Edwards is Fernandez's treasurer. Edwards is a serial PDC complainant, filing over 800 complaints against candidates and political committees since 2023.

Sarah Moore is the clear progressive choice for Burien City Council, Position 5.

Three other candidates are running for Mayor of Federal Way: incumbent Jim Ferrell, Susan Honda, and Chris D. Chung.

Ferrell is a three-time member of the Federal Way City Council and was a prosecutor in Renton before later becoming a King County senior deputy prosecutor. Ferrell has been a conservative figure in Federal Way for over a decade, with crime and heavy policing at the forefront of his work. Ferrell appeared at a press conference with Seattle Police Officer Guild leader Mike Solan, who is known for defending the Seattle officers who participated in the January 6th insurrection. During Ferrell's time as mayor, the Federal Way Police Department had multiple instances of officers using excessive force and behaving inappropriately, including a controversial video posted by an officer that made national news in 2022.

In response to a shooting that left a 2-year-old boy dead, Ferrell hired more police officers, rather than implement gun safety tactics. In 2024, Ferrell touted a 400% increase in drug arrests and said that "change in behavior starts with getting people into treatment via the justice system." While one of his priorities is improving "quality of life" in Federal Way, he boasted the efforts of the Special Operations Unit to "dismantle unlawful encampments" and has made no mention of addressing the affordable housing crisis.

Susan Honda was the Deputy Mayor of Federal Way before the position was eliminated in 2024. First elected in 2011, Honda has spent her time on the council focusing on criminalizing homelessness by banning the use of shopping carts on sidewalks, which will cost taxpayers $250,000 annually. It does not solve the underlying causes of homelessness and unnecessarily punishes the poor by subjecting them to a $50 fine. In 2023, the 30th LD Republicans endorsed Honda for Federal Way City Council, which is indicative of her voting record and priorities on the council.

Chris D. Chung previously ran in 2024 as a Democrat for Insurance Commissioner but lost in the primary. He has not released a campaign platform as of late June.

Saudia Abdullah is the clear progressive choice for Mayor of Federal Way.

Three other candidates are running for this open seat on the Kirkland City Council: Catie Malik, Gina Madeya, and Clayton Barnes.

Malik has a wide range of professional experiences, including working in financial and healthcare administration and management. She was also an active volunteer for the Kiran Anjali project, providing funding for educational opportunities, self-defense training, and mental health resources for at-risk girls in India.

Malik previously ran for Kirkland City Council in 2023 and received the endorsement of the King County Republican Party. At the time, our partners at The Urbanist said, "Malik’s main plank on her website is to raise fears about Permanent Supportive Housing at the former La Quinta Inn. Additionally, Malik said in 2023 that she would support ordinances to criminalize homelessness.

Malik takes a more conservative approach to solving the issues outlined in her campaign. For example, she heavily emphasizes the need to improve streets for car-dependent families and seniors, but only briefly mentions making improvements to biking and public transit. In the conversation around affordable housing, she is cautiously supportive of housing density options so long as those plans "preserve single-family neighborhoods." Malik's policy positions and public statements make it clear she is not a progressive choice for Kirkland.

Gina Madeya is also running for Kirkland City Council, Position 3. Madeya serves on the Kirkland Planning Commission and is the Federal Political Coordinator to Senator Maria Cantwell. Gina Madeya, a current real estate agent, is also a member of the LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance.

Madeya's campaign has a range of priorities, including responsible urban planning and public safety. While her platform shows support for representation and inclusivity, it lacks a detailed policy proposal, making it unclear what she would implement if elected to office.

Clayton Barnes is running for Kirkland City Council, Position 3. As of late June, Barnes does not have a detailed campaign website available and their platform is unknown. Barnes is endorsed by the 48th District GOP, which indicates a more conservative platform.

There are two other candidates running for Kirkland City Council, Position 7: Susan Kuehl Pederson and incumbent Jon Pascal. 

Pascal is a former transportation commissioner and Kirkland planning commissioner who has worked on the city's Transportation Master Plan and other infrastructure improvements. In his current campaign, Pascal said he would continue advocating for "streamlining the approval process for affordable housing projects." However, Pascal raised skepticism for and voted against the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan, which included future plans for anticipated housing development. 

Susan "Sue" Kuehl Pederson previously ran as a Republican for Commissioner of Public Lands in 2020 and 2024, losing both times. She also ran unsuccessfully in 2016 as an "Independent GOP" candidate for the state Senate in Southwest Washington. In her last campaign, she received numerous nominations from county GOP groups across the state. In a debate in 2020 against Hilary Franz, Kuehl Pederson said she's "cautious about saying climate change is human-caused." Pederson does not have a campaign published yet for this election. However, it is reasonable to assume that she would continue to champion Republican positions if elected. 

We recommend Kurt Dresner for Kirkland City Council, Position 7, because of his proven track record as a progressive leader in the local community.
 

Lea Ellis is running for Redmond City Council, Position 2. Ellis is an Air Force and National Guard veteran and a small business owner. She is running a conservative campaign and openly opposes "low-barrier housing" while neglecting to offer any specific policy proposals. She is endorsed by the 48th District Republicans and is out of step with the values of Redmond residents.

Two other candidates are running for Redmond City Council, Position 4: Elinor Krits and Kay Asai.

Krits is an immigrant and earned her degree in Computer Science in 2022. She currently works as a software engineer at Microsoft. Her campaign priorities include affordable housing, managing the cost of living, improved transportation, and community development. Krits is supportive of some progressive solutions, such as developing affordable housing units for moderate- and low-income residents. She also wants to encourage residents to shop locally at farmers' markets to support small businesses and advocate for more transit stops in Redmond. While we appreciate many of her positions, she lacks the depth of experience and endorsements of Stuart.

Asai is running a conservative campaign, as evidenced by her endorsement from the 48th District Republicans. Her campaign prioritizes parental and property rights, rejecting "nonessential projects that divert critical resources from public safety." She also shows full support for funding and empowering the police, fire, and EMS departments without offering any support for alternative policing solutions. Asai is not a progressive choice in this race.

Vijay Beniwal is also running for Redmond City Council, Position 6. Beniwal is the Chief Product Officer at CricCenter AI, a platform designed for cricket fans and players. Beniwal has been a Redmond resident for almost 25 years and started small businesses in the city. He was previously considered as a replacement for Rep. Vandana Slatter in the state House earlier this year.

Beniwal's campaign is centered around inclusive growth, supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, affordability, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. However, his campaign website lacked detailed policies he would support or implement if elected. Some of his language also suggests that he may be more moderate-leaning than his opponents in this race.

Yang is facing two opponents in this race: Karthik Seetharaman and Michael Boyer.

Seetharaman has two degrees in engineering and currently works as a Director of Software Development at Amazon. His priorities include fiscally smart decisions, emergency preparedness, and drawing small businesses to operate in Sammamish. Some of his proposals lean conservative, like his opposition to the increased housing units in the town center. He also said he would eliminate spending that "doesn't provide value to residents," however did not expand on what these eliminations would include. Due to his more conservative stance on some issues, we cannot recommend Karthik Seetharaman.

Michael Boyer is running for Sammamish City Council, Position 5. As of late June, they do not have a detailed campaign website published. We will continue to monitor this race for updates.

Ry Armstrong is also challenging Mayor Harrell for the seat. Armstrong works as an actor, union representative, musician, and entrepreneur. They are a trans community leader who wants to be a strong voice for Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community, which has become increasingly put at risk by Trump’s dangerous hate rhetoric. Armstrong is the co-executive director of Sustainable Seattle, a social justice nonprofit focused on an intersectional vision of sustainability. Additionally, Armstrong has served on the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, advising city leadership on LGBTQ+ issues and policy priorities.

Armstrong is a staunch advocate for labor rights, social justice, and a city that works for everyone, regardless of income level. They aim to increase shelter capacity by 1,000 beds within their first 100 days, reduce public transit fares for working families, update land use rules to facilitate the construction of more childcare centers, expand community safety alternatives to militarized policing, safeguard workers’ rights in the Trump era, and more. Their progressive vision for the city is based on the principle that Seattle thrives when everyone can access the basics, such as groceries, rent, and medicine, and have their civil liberties protected by city leadership.

Joe Molloy is running for mayor as an unhoused candidate with a central focus on tackling Seattle’s housing crisis, which he calls a “state of emergency.” Molloy was evicted after losing his job during the pandemic, and he has been living in tent cities since then. He has personally seen how City Hall’s housing policy affects Seattle’s unhoused population, and it has prompted him to run for office to implement different strategies. As a current resident of Tent City 3, Molloy works alongside his neighbors in community encampment administration responsibilities and serves on the board of the nonprofit SHARE, the Seattle Housing and Resource Effort.

Molloy is running to combat the housing crisis with bold and compassionate progressive solutions while destigmatizing the city’s unhoused community. He wants to implement ideas such as a universal basic income pilot program, widespread and accessible healthcare, substance abuse treatment, a nonviolent crisis response program, and other systemic reforms that can raise the basic quality of life for all Seattleites. Much of these policy ideas fall under what he has termed the “Homelessness New Deal,” which envisions a three-step policy process to end the housing crisis, from relief to recovery, and ultimately to reform. Molloy’s lived experience, advocacy background, and community leadership make him an important voice on this issue.

Joe Mallahan, a telecommunications executive and Democrat, is also in this race. Mallahan serves on the board of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and has previously run for the office back in a competitive 2009 race. He claims to have leveraged his business background to drive down wireless prices for low-income communities while in his executive roles.

Mallahan has not released a detailed campaign platform as of early July, but says he wants to drive social justice-aligned progress in the city. He supports increasing housing opportunities for more people, addressing sexual assault in our community, developing social housing and tax credits for those struggling, and enhancing transit-oriented housing density, which he believes will also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions for the city. Mallahan also wants to challenge and refuse cooperation with the Trump administration, admonishing ICE as an amoral and unconstitutional agent that he would oppose regardless of municipal budget and personal cost.

Republican incumbent Ann Davison is seeking re-election as Seattle City Attorney. She was first elected city attorney in 2021 and has pursued a conservative agenda in office. Previously, Davis ran for Washington Lieutenant Governor with an anti-Democratic platform, and she spent nearly two decades in private practice as a lawyer.

Davison’s approach to the lead prosecutor role in our city is to further divide us by casting blame on those struggling the most. Rather than investing in services and programs that can uplift our neighbors experiencing homelessness, addiction, or other hard times, she wants to use our criminal legal system to criminalize poverty and rely on our overcrowded prisons as a band-aid solution. In 2023, Davison unilaterally dismantled Seattle's innovative community court, which allowed people accused of some low-level offenses to access services without pleading guilty.

Davison also generated controversy by launching a highly personal campaign against Seattle Municipal Court Judge Pooja Vaddadi. Davison created an internal policy to exclude Vaddadi from all criminal cases, a nearly unprecedented move against a sitting judge elected by the voters. Davison faces a personal bar complaint over the issue, and the ACLU of Washington similarly sued her office seeking to overturn the policy.

Davison's petty and politically conservative agenda continues to hinder Seattle's progress toward making meaningful change. Seattle needs new, progressive leadership as our City Attorney. We recommend Erika Evans or Nathan Rouse for a fresh start that prioritizes equal justice under law.

Rinck faces numerous challengers from across the political spectrum.

Rachael Savage owns a Broadway business selling crystals, incense, and other spiritual goods. She recently went viral for what many called racist fear-mongering outside of the Capitol Hill light rail station and for campaigning against the construction of a supportive housing building on Belmont. Savage is pushing a pro-business agenda that seeks to criminalize struggling Seattle residents to boost her bottom line. Despite experiencing addiction herself, Savage wrongfully believes that sending away the people who are most impacted by substance abuse and housing insecurity – to jails or out-of-sight mandatory treatment – will resolve these systemic issues in our community, but we know this is not the way to heal and grow Seattle.

Jesse James is a local rock and metal musician running on a mixed platform. If elected, James wants to abolish the sugar tax, build more affordable housing, expand the light rail, eliminate the democracy voucher program, which creates better funding equity in our elections, and support a strong minimum wage. He also supports the SOAP and SODA zones – a Mayor Harrell 2024 policy to exclude residents with drug use and sex worker histories from entering certain parts of the city, which has been strongly opposed by civil liberty organizations and leaders. He is not a progressive candidate in this race.

Ray Rodgers, a local bishop, is also seeking the Position 8 seat. Rodgers runs Circle of Love Outreach, a BIPOC-led nonprofit, and serves as the director and bishop for Full Gospel Pentecostal Assemblies. He sought the District 2 vacancy earlier this year, when he shared how community outreach and services enabled him to access a future full of opportunity despite a difficult upbringing. A tenet of his platform is leveraging his own frontline service experience to mitigate the housing crisis, which he believes is the root of many of the city’s current issues, through compassionate, wraparound support. Rodgers also supports sustainability goals, investments in public transit and utilities, as well as union and small business interests, and arts and culture programming, such as the Race & Culture Dialogue Series.

Cooper Hall is the final candidate running for Seattle City Council, Position 8. Hall is committed to progressive solutions that uplift marginalized voices and address systemic barriers to opportunity. He proposed reforming Seattle zoning codes and developing more multi-family complexes to address the current housing shortage. Hall also strongly supports police reform, including the conversion of precinct police captains into elected positions. While we were impressed by Cooper Hall's progressive voice, we recommend retaining Alexis Mercedes Rinck to Seattle City Council, Position 8, due to her extensive community involvement and endorsements from our partner organizations.

Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson is running for re-election for her citywide Position 9 seat. Nelson was first elected to the city council in 2021. She also previously served as a legislative aide to the city council in 2002. Outside of public office, Nelson owns Fremont Brewing, a business she started in 2009.

For the last four years, Nelson has been the leader of a conservative shift on the Seattle City Council that has sought to roll back hard-earned progress. She has prioritized downtown business interests over the needs of working people and taken an overly punitive approach to addressing some of the challenges facing the downtown core.

One of Nelson's first priorities in office was an attempt to reduce the minimum wage for app-based delivery drivers, such as those working for DoorDash, which ultimately failed to pass. In 2023, she opposed legislation that expanded the Jumpstart Tax, which required the wealthiest corporations in Seattle to pay what they owe our communities. She also worked with Republican City Attorney Ann Davison on legislation that re-criminalized drug use and possession.

Nelson has been the leading obstacle to progress on the Seattle City Council. We strongly recommend Dionne Foster for new progressive leadership in Position 9.

Also in this race is Mia Jacobson, a third-generation union longshoreman and mother of three who has run for city council multiple times in recent years. Over her lifetime, Jacobsen has watched the cost of living in Seattle increase to unaffordable levels. In previous campaigns, she ran on a platform of systemic change and human evolution to bring greater access to the policy process and transform local governance in the digital age. She wants to uplift the community; however, she does not have a detailed campaign platform as of late June to demonstrate how she would approach the most pressing issues facing Seattle residents.

Connor Nash is also running for Seattle City Council, Position 9. He moved to Seattle in 2018 and worked at the WA Attorney General's Office. In his campaign, Nash is positioning himself as the opposite of Sara Nelson: someone who will listen to his constituents and meet community members where they are through positive leadership. He opposes Nelson's unpopular Stay Out of Drug Area zones and Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution zones. He also opposes the unnecessary criminalization of those struggling with addiction and homelessness. While Nash is running a progressive campaign, we recommend voting for Dionne Foster due to her extensive community involvement and strong endorsements from our partner organizations.

Aiya Kravi is also running for Lake Washington School Board Director. She held a career in consulting and served as a PTSA Board Member, with experience in real estate investment. Her priorities include promoting healthier food options, after-school programs, and career counseling to support post-graduate success. Kravi proposes expanding access to after-school programs and removing barriers like language, gender, cost, transportation, and special needs.

The third candidate in this race is Susan Hughes. a conservative running for Lake Washington School Board Director. Her campaign website remains vague and lacks concrete policy solutions she would implement if elected. In a survey administered by the King County GOP, Hughes echoed far-right talking points about transgender youth athletic participation. She also promised to look for school programs to cut to save money in the district, which would undermine educational opportunities for local students. Susan Hughes' priorities are out of touch with the needs of families in the Lake Washington School District.

Two other candidates are running for the Lake Washington School Board representing District 4.

Incumbent director Mark Stuart is seeking another term on the Lake Washington School Board in District 4. Stuart first joined the school board in 2014 and does public relations and advertising outside of elected office.

Stuart was censured by his colleagues last year for violating Board Policy and the Code of Conduct. As a result, he is prohibited from serving as the school board’s legislative chair or on any of the school district committees. Stuart is now running on a platform that emphasizes bettering communication between district residents, school families, and board members. He also aims to enhance anti-discrimination and equity throughout the school district. Unfortunately, Stuart's conduct makes it clear he's not the right person to pursue these goals or continue representing the community in school district decision-making.

Kim Martin is a hospitality professional, small business owner, and district parent. She has volunteered for her PTSA, and has children who have been part of public, private, co-op, and homeschooled education locally. More than policy recommendations, Martin’s platform is centered on relationship-building: between parents and educators, schools and their surrounding communities, and families and the district leadership. While Martin has some laudable campaign priorities, she lacks the endorsements and community support of Richter.