City of Kirkland

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.

Dennis 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.

Ranga Bondada is also running for state Representative, Position 1 in the 48th Legislative District. In June 2025, he publicly signed a pledge in support of congressional term limits. In his voter pamphlet statement, Bondada's campaign is prioritizing public school funding, improving public transit, and increasing affordable housing. He is supportive of rent stabilization and wants to promote clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. Unfortunately, his campaign website does not further detail any policy proposals or solutions he would implement if elected.

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.

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

Catie Malik has a wide range of professional experiences, including working in financial and health care 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. 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 detailed policy proposals, making it unclear what she would implement if elected to office.

Clayton Barnes is running for Kirkland City Council, Position 3. As of mid July, 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.

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

Jon 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 undermined and eventually voted against the Kirkland Comprehensive Plan, which mapped out plans for potential 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 website 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.

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 works in 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 after he lied about and tried to cover up that his wife threatened a district parent in retaliation for their advocacy at a school board meeting. 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.