City of Kent

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: conservative Democrat Kevin Schilling and Republican Darryl Jones. Neither shares the values nor the priorities of local voters.

Kevin 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 an alternative to camping on sidewalks. 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.

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 has rejected calls for him to resign as Assessor. John Wilson is not fit to be King County Executive. Wilson withdrew from this race in mid-July but will still appear on the ballot.

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 early July, 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. Rivers is prioritizing homelessness, safety, and small business support. He proposes some progressive solutions, such as housing-first programming and investments in affordable housing. His approach to public safety also includes public health measures and points to international models of community policing. Don L. Rivers is running a progressive campaign, however, there are other candidates in this race with more experience in public service.

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 health care.

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 health care. 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 recommend Maya Vengadasalam due to her experience in public service.

Several additional candidates are running for Kent City Council, Position 6.

Tod Oyefeso is a first-generation American, a test engineer at Blue Origin, and served on the Kent Land Use & Planning Board. Oyefeso was also part of a community advisory team for the Kent 2044 Comprehensive Plan in October 2024. Oyefeso is campaigning for better community safety, expanding human services, and youth career education. He noted Kent's struggle with fully funding the city's police department and wants to prioritize hiring more police officers. However, we were disappointed to see no mention of strategies for police reform or accountability. Additionally, Oyefeso pledged to build partnerships with nonprofits and government organizations to improve access to resources for those experiencing homelessness and/or mental health crises. Lastly, he supports youth-oriented programs that build trade skills and offer apprenticeships for career preparation.

Logan Evans, a teacher and former substitute, was inspired to run for office by the current city council. Evans is running a conservative campaign, particularly in the area of public safety. Evans is advocating for increased police presence and stricter penalties for repeat offenders. His plan to address homelessness is vague and uses language that insinuates unhoused people are inherently dangerous. Evans is not a progressive choice in this race.

RoseLynn "Rosie" McCarter is a certified peer counselor and is focusing her campaign on mental health and addiction treatment. She was also a co-chair of the Seattle chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2022. While her campaign is compassionate, and her prior involvements signal a progressive lean, her campaign is not yet detailed enough for us to confidently recommend McCarter.

Jamie Lee is also running for Kent City Council, Position 6. She is the owner of All Aglow Spa in downtown Kent and is an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse. Lee's primary campaign priorities are addressing addiction and crimes related to addiction.

Starre Quiñones is the final candidate running for Kent City Council, Position 6. As of mid July, Quiñones does not have a published campaign website or social media accounts, so their platform is unknown.

Zac Fister is running for Kent School Board Director, District 4. Fister says is "running to disrupt the status quo, to enrich academics, support and raise the quality of our schools." Fister is advocating for a clearer budget and ensuring an environment in which every child can succeed. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we would like to hear some more specifics about what he intends to do if elected to serve on the school board.

Carolyn Wilsie-Kendall is running for Kent School Board Director, District 4. As of mid-July, Wilsie-Kendall does not have a campaign website available, and their platform is unknown. In their voter pamphlet entry, Wilsie-Kendall's campaign pitch takes a conservative tone and echoes some Republican talking points.

Jane Smith is also running for Kent School Board Director, District 5. While Smith does not have a detailed campaign website available as of late-June, her voters pamphlet entry indicates a conservative platform. Smith said if elected, she will "champion a return to academic fundamentals, safe sex-separated spaces, and order and fairness in the classroom." She is also pro-parental rights in schools and wants to "restore their rightful role as the primary decision-makers in their children's education." Jane Smith is too conservative for the Kent School District.