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Ellen Talbo

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Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to improve housing affordability, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.

As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to advocate for policies that would create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.

With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to improve housing affordability, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.

As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to advocate for policies that would create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.

With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

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Election Day August 5, 2025
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Port of Tacoma

Port of Tacoma, Port Commissioner, District #1

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John McCarthy

Incumbent Commissioner John McCarthy is running for re-election to the Port of Tacoma Commission in Position 1. McCarthy first became a commissioner in 1983, serving for nine years, before rejoining the commission again in 2018. His background is as a longshore worker and a Pierce County Superior Court and District Court judge. Between his former and recent port commission terms as well as his judicial leadership, McCarthy has spent nearly four decades in public service roles in Pierce County.

McCarthy’s top issues include environmental protections for the Tacoma Tideflats, job creation, and expanding trade. However, he's taken a relatively moderate approach to many of the port's challenges and missed out on some opportunities to champion environmental conservation and advocate for workers. Despite this record, he's earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive community leaders and elected officials.

McCarthy is a good choice for voters looking for a steady, experienced hand at the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-07

Incumbent Commissioner John McCarthy is running for re-election to the Port of Tacoma Commission in Position 1. McCarthy first became a commissioner in 1983, serving for nine years, before rejoining the commission again in 2018. His background is as a longshore worker and a Pierce County Superior Court and District Court judge. Between his former and recent port commission terms as well as his judicial leadership, McCarthy has spent nearly four decades in public service roles in Pierce County.

McCarthy’s top issues include environmental protections for the Tacoma Tideflats, job creation, and expanding trade. However, he's taken a relatively moderate approach to many of the port's challenges and missed out on some opportunities to champion environmental conservation and advocate for workers. Despite this record, he's earned an impressive slate of endorsements from progressive community leaders and elected officials.

McCarthy is a good choice for voters looking for a steady, experienced hand at the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-07

Endorsed By: Tacoma Firefighters-IAFF Local 31
Randy Wilson photo

Randy Wilson

Website

Randy Wilson is running for Port Commissioner in Tacoma, District 1. Wilson is a Democrat who has experience in international business trade, particularly in the Japanese market.

Wilson's campaign is prioritizing a strong workforce, environmental protections, and and community collaboration on the Port. He lays out a 4 year plan focused on promoting growth and sustainability. If elected, Wilson is proposing creating more formalized career pathways from logistics to marine operations to drive the port economy and help transition to low-emission practices. Overall, Wilson put together a thoughtful campaign, with economic development and sustainability at its core.

Although Randy Wilson may not hold as many endorsements as the incumbent, he is a good choice for voters looking for new progressive leadership at the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-07

Randy Wilson is running for Port Commissioner in Tacoma, District 1. Wilson is a Democrat who has experience in international business trade, particularly in the Japanese market.

Wilson's campaign is prioritizing a strong workforce, environmental protections, and and community collaboration on the Port. He lays out a 4 year plan focused on promoting growth and sustainability. If elected, Wilson is proposing creating more formalized career pathways from logistics to marine operations to drive the port economy and help transition to low-emission practices. Overall, Wilson put together a thoughtful campaign, with economic development and sustainability at its core.

Although Randy Wilson may not hold as many endorsements as the incumbent, he is a good choice for voters looking for new progressive leadership at the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-07

Other Candidates

Former Gig Harbor city council member Tim Payne is also running for the Port of Tacoma, representing District 1. Payne was on the council for 12 years, according to his Twitter account.

Payne's campaign is prioritizing the expansion of job opportunities, supporting businesses, modernizing the port, and regional collaboration. Unfortunately, he does not suggest any specific strategies or policies he would advocate for if elected. Additionally, Payne's previous association with the conservative group, Opportunity for Washington, indicates a rightward lean in his priorities.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Former Gig Harbor city council member Tim Payne is also running for the Port of Tacoma, representing District 1. Payne was on the council for 12 years, according to his Twitter account.

Payne's campaign is prioritizing the expansion of job opportunities, supporting businesses, modernizing the port, and regional collaboration. Unfortunately, he does not suggest any specific strategies or policies he would advocate for if elected. Additionally, Payne's previous association with the conservative group, Opportunity for Washington, indicates a rightward lean in his priorities.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Port of Tacoma, Port Commissioner, District #4

Cyrus Donato photo

Cyrus Donato

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Cyrus Donato is running for Tacoma Port Commissioner, District 4. Donato is currently the Puget Sound Inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). He also serves on the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT), during which he fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking in the maritime industry.

If elected, Donato will prioritize growing cargo, environmental accountability, and improving public trust through ethical governance. He is a proponent of reducing congestion and pollution in the Port's systems and wants to prioritize the use of clean technology to achieve this goal. He also recognized the Puyallup Tribe's land and wants to build more local partnerships in the decision-making process.

Donato is a vocal advocate for workers' rights in the fishing industry, with a particular focus on protecting immigrants. In 2023, he was part of the team that fought for a crew of Filipino fishermen who were trapped aboard fishing vessels for almost 2 months in Westport. The crew was stranded by their abusive employers who refused to pay them wages and kept them separated from their families. Eventually, the crew was rescued and given temporary visas to assist with the investigation into the crimes of their bosses.

While we would like to see some more detailed policy proposals, Cyrus Donato is clearly a progressive and passionate advocate for workers' rights. He makes a great choice for voters seeking a candidate with advocacy experience.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Cyrus Donato is running for Tacoma Port Commissioner, District 4. Donato is currently the Puget Sound Inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). He also serves on the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT), during which he fought against labor exploitation and human trafficking in the maritime industry.

If elected, Donato will prioritize growing cargo, environmental accountability, and improving public trust through ethical governance. He is a proponent of reducing congestion and pollution in the Port's systems and wants to prioritize the use of clean technology to achieve this goal. He also recognized the Puyallup Tribe's land and wants to build more local partnerships in the decision-making process.

Donato is a vocal advocate for workers' rights in the fishing industry, with a particular focus on protecting immigrants. In 2023, he was part of the team that fought for a crew of Filipino fishermen who were trapped aboard fishing vessels for almost 2 months in Westport. The crew was stranded by their abusive employers who refused to pay them wages and kept them separated from their families. Eventually, the crew was rescued and given temporary visas to assist with the investigation into the crimes of their bosses.

While we would like to see some more detailed policy proposals, Cyrus Donato is clearly a progressive and passionate advocate for workers' rights. He makes a great choice for voters seeking a candidate with advocacy experience.

Last updated: 2025-07-14
Dan Knox photo

Dan Knox

Website

Dan Knox is another progressive running for Port Commissioner in Tacoma, District 4. Knox comes from an industrial town that faced the effects of bad environmental industry practices. He has a background in education, working as a Peer Academic Support Specialist and a Student Success Technology Specialist.

Know is centering his campaign around climate protections, labor solidarity, and economic equity. His platform includes creating union jobs and advocating for living wages with good benefits. He proposes strategies for cargo flow efficiency and encourages the use of real-time data tools. Additionally, he acknowledges the Puyallup tribe and their ancestral land, on which the Port sits. Using his background in education, he supports programming that prepares tribal youth for careers through mentorship. He supports government-to-government collaborations when making decisions.

In this race, there are two leading progressives. Dan Knox has earned the support of several progressive leaders and organizations. He makes a great choice for voters seeking a candidate with broad support from community leaders and elected officials.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Dan Knox is another progressive running for Port Commissioner in Tacoma, District 4. Knox comes from an industrial town that faced the effects of bad environmental industry practices. He has a background in education, working as a Peer Academic Support Specialist and a Student Success Technology Specialist.

Know is centering his campaign around climate protections, labor solidarity, and economic equity. His platform includes creating union jobs and advocating for living wages with good benefits. He proposes strategies for cargo flow efficiency and encourages the use of real-time data tools. Additionally, he acknowledges the Puyallup tribe and their ancestral land, on which the Port sits. Using his background in education, he supports programming that prepares tribal youth for careers through mentorship. He supports government-to-government collaborations when making decisions.

In this race, there are two leading progressives. Dan Knox has earned the support of several progressive leaders and organizations. He makes a great choice for voters seeking a candidate with broad support from community leaders and elected officials.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Other Candidates

Former Republican state lawmaker JT Wilcox is running for the Port of Tacoma Commission, District 4 seat. Wilcox stepped down from his Legislative District 2 seat earlier this year, where he had served since 2010 as a ranking conservative. Professionally, he’s worked for a lumber company, in self-employed consulting, and as the director of operations for Wilcox Farms.

Wilcox is a staunch conservative who previously organized a ballot measure to eliminate Washington’s sexual health education, opposed legislation that keeps our community safe by instituting commonsense gun safety measures and environmental protections, and has been a consistent obstacle to rebalancing our tax code. In his bid for the port commission, Wilcox is demonstrating a similar set of values, including suggesting that Tacoma voters put him in power because his family’s farm business is a local employer. He brings a business lens to port leadership, but we know that our community thrives when leaders view this commission as an opportunity to strengthen workers’ rights, environmental protections, and community investment. Wilcox is not a progressive choice for the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Former Republican state lawmaker JT Wilcox is running for the Port of Tacoma Commission, District 4 seat. Wilcox stepped down from his Legislative District 2 seat earlier this year, where he had served since 2010 as a ranking conservative. Professionally, he’s worked for a lumber company, in self-employed consulting, and as the director of operations for Wilcox Farms.

Wilcox is a staunch conservative who previously organized a ballot measure to eliminate Washington’s sexual health education, opposed legislation that keeps our community safe by instituting commonsense gun safety measures and environmental protections, and has been a consistent obstacle to rebalancing our tax code. In his bid for the port commission, Wilcox is demonstrating a similar set of values, including suggesting that Tacoma voters put him in power because his family’s farm business is a local employer. He brings a business lens to port leadership, but we know that our community thrives when leaders view this commission as an opportunity to strengthen workers’ rights, environmental protections, and community investment. Wilcox is not a progressive choice for the Port of Tacoma.

Last updated: 2025-07-08

Lakewood City Council

Lakewood City Council, Position #1

Ellen Talbo photo

Ellen Talbo

Website

Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to improve housing affordability, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.

As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to advocate for policies that would create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.

With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Public works professional Ellen Talbo is running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1 to improve housing affordability, improve infrastructure, and make neighborhoods safer. Along with her current work in Renton's Public Works Department, Talbo has worked as a transportation planner and transit planning manager for Santa Clara County and the Ventura County Transportation Commission. She has also served on the Lakewood Planning Commission as vice chair and volunteered with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association and the Pierce County Conservation District, among other roles.

As an urban planning professional, Talbo is interested in joining the council to advocate for policies that would create safer routes to schools, more reliable transit options, and neighborhood resiliency. She believes that a transparent council with active outreach to all residents, including cultural organizations and underrepresented communities, will strengthen city policies.

With endorsements from the 28th Legislative District Democrats and from progressive elected officials like Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, we recommend Talbo as the best choice for Lakewood City Council Position 1.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Other Candidates

Three other candidates are running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1.

If elected to the Lakewood City Council, Alice Fong intends to focus on making residents feel safe and supporting small businesses. Fong currently serves as an appointee on the state's Public Health Advisory Board and as a former co-chair of that board, as former chair of the Pierce County Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs, as past chair of the Lakewood Promise Advisory Board, and as an Equity Policy Reviewer for the Tacoma Public School District, among other roles.

Fong has few specifics about what kinds of policy she would create or support. Broadly, she states that, aligned with her work on the Lakewood Promise Advisory Board, she would continue to support youth. The board focuses on providing "public safety, health, education, and equal opportunity" to the city's children. She also states that she wants to help the city retain businesses and work with the police, fire department, and city staff to keep the city safe.

Mark Herr, who ran unsuccessfully for the 28th Legislative District House seat as a Republican last year against Democrat Mari Leavitt, is now running for the Lakewood City Council as well. He is a member of the Lakewood Planning Commission and an Army veteran.

Herr has no detailed policy priorities on his website as of late June. However, his previous campaign as a Republican and his endorsements from Republicans Jason Whalen and Rep. Travis Couture make it clear he would be a conservative voice on the council.

Chas Ames ran for Tacoma City Council Position 4 in 2019 and 2023. He is the former chair of the Lakewood Public Safety Advisory Committee and has served as president of the Harrison Preparatory School Parent Teacher Organization, neighborhood association president, and as a Marine Corps member. As of late June, his site lists no campaign priorities or endorsements of any kind.

Last updated: 2025-07-14

Three other candidates are running for Lakewood City Council, Position 1.

If elected to the Lakewood City Council, Alice Fong intends to focus on making residents feel safe and supporting small businesses. Fong currently serves as an appointee on the state's Public Health Advisory Board and as a former co-chair of that board, as former chair of the Pierce County Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs, as past chair of the Lakewood Promise Advisory Board, and as an Equity Policy Reviewer for the Tacoma Public School District, among other roles.

Fong has few specifics about what kinds of policy she would create or support. Broadly, she states that, aligned with her work on the Lakewood Promise Advisory Board, she would continue to support youth. The board focuses on providing "public safety, health, education, and equal opportunity" to the city's children. She also states that she wants to help the city retain businesses and work with the police, fire department, and city staff to keep the city safe.

Mark Herr, who ran unsuccessfully for the 28th Legislative District House seat as a Republican last year against Democrat Mari Leavitt, is now running for the Lakewood City Council as well. He is a member of the Lakewood Planning Commission and an Army veteran.

Herr has no detailed policy priorities on his website as of late June. However, his previous campaign as a Republican and his endorsements from Republicans Jason Whalen and Rep. Travis Couture make it clear he would be a conservative voice on the council.

Chas Ames ran for Tacoma City Council Position 4 in 2019 and 2023. He is the former chair of the Lakewood Public Safety Advisory Committee and has served as president of the Harrison Preparatory School Parent Teacher Organization, neighborhood association president, and as a Marine Corps member. As of late June, his site lists no campaign priorities or endorsements of any kind.

Last updated: 2025-07-14