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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 Primary election! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. We will continue to add additional recommendations until voting begins on July 16.
Auburn Mayor
Nancy Backus is seeking re-election for Auburn Mayor. Backus first assumed this position in 2014 as the first woman elected Auburn Mayor and is currently serving her third term.
In her re-election campaign, Backus continues to prioritize housing, public safety, transportation, and other key issues. According to her website, Backus stated that she and the council will continue to invest in improved transportation infrastructure, attract businesses and create good-paying jobs, adjust zoning to accommodate more affordable homes, and prioritize environmental responsibility.
Nancy Backus has not always been the most progressive voice. In 2018, she extensively applauded the efforts of a required-labor homeless shelter, saying, "It’s really holding everyone accountable for their actions in the homeless situation, and that is from the funders, to the service providers, to those receiving services." A comment like this suggests that those experiencing homelessness and/or addiction need to earn their treatment, despite facing circumstances out of their control. She also said she doesn't "believe in hand-outs" but rather "a hand-up to those who are looking for a way to move forward."
While we disagree with Backus on some important issues, she has earned strong support from community leaders and elected officials. We lean towards Nancy Backus for a fourth term as Mayor of Auburn.
Last updated: 2025-07-01
Nancy Backus is seeking re-election for Auburn Mayor. Backus first assumed this position in 2014 as the first woman elected Auburn Mayor and is currently serving her third term.
In her re-election campaign, Backus continues to prioritize housing, public safety, transportation, and other key issues. According to her website, Backus stated that she and the council will continue to invest in improved transportation infrastructure, attract businesses and create good-paying jobs, adjust zoning to accommodate more affordable homes, and prioritize environmental responsibility.
Nancy Backus has not always been the most progressive voice. In 2018, she extensively applauded the efforts of a required-labor homeless shelter, saying, "It’s really holding everyone accountable for their actions in the homeless situation, and that is from the funders, to the service providers, to those receiving services." A comment like this suggests that those experiencing homelessness and/or addiction need to earn their treatment, despite facing circumstances out of their control. She also said she doesn't "believe in hand-outs" but rather "a hand-up to those who are looking for a way to move forward."
While we disagree with Backus on some important issues, she has earned strong support from community leaders and elected officials. We lean towards Nancy Backus for a fourth term as Mayor of Auburn.
Last updated: 2025-07-01
Endorsed By: King County Democrats
Nancy Backus is seeking re-election for Auburn Mayor. Backus first assumed this position in 2014 as the first woman elected Auburn Mayor and is currently serving her third term.
In her re-election campaign, Backus continues to prioritize housing, public safety, transportation, and other key issues. According to her website, Backus stated that she and the council will continue to invest in improved transportation infrastructure, attract businesses and create good-paying jobs, adjust zoning to accommodate more affordable homes, and prioritize environmental responsibility.
Nancy Backus has not always been the most progressive voice. In 2018, she extensively applauded the efforts of a required-labor homeless shelter, saying, "It’s really holding everyone accountable for their actions in the homeless situation, and that is from the funders, to the service providers, to those receiving services." A comment like this suggests that those experiencing homelessness and/or addiction need to earn their treatment, despite facing circumstances out of their control. She also said she doesn't "believe in hand-outs" but rather "a hand-up to those who are looking for a way to move forward."
While we disagree with Backus on some important issues, she has earned strong support from community leaders and elected officials. We lean towards Nancy Backus for a fourth term as Mayor of Auburn.
Last updated: 2025-07-01
Endorsed By: King County Democrats
Other Candidates
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.
Last updated: 2025-07-02
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.
Last updated: 2025-07-02
Auburn City Council
Erica Tomas is running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Tomas is a union member who worked for the State of Washington in the Department of Health. As an epidemiologist, she worked in several social programs, including WIC and SNAP-ED.
Tomas' campaign is prioritizing affordable housing, expanding transit, and attracting union-represented jobs. Although her website is brief, she supports infrastructure that allows for increased housing density. She also supports expanding transit options and increasing investment in community services.
We appreciate her background in public health services, as well as her progressive solutions to the city's challenges. We recommend voting for Erica Tomas for Auburn City Council, Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Erica Tomas is running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Tomas is a union member who worked for the State of Washington in the Department of Health. As an epidemiologist, she worked in several social programs, including WIC and SNAP-ED.
Tomas' campaign is prioritizing affordable housing, expanding transit, and attracting union-represented jobs. Although her website is brief, she supports infrastructure that allows for increased housing density. She also supports expanding transit options and increasing investment in community services.
We appreciate her background in public health services, as well as her progressive solutions to the city's challenges. We recommend voting for Erica Tomas for Auburn City Council, Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Endorsed By: King County Democrats
Erica Tomas is running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Tomas is a union member who worked for the State of Washington in the Department of Health. As an epidemiologist, she worked in several social programs, including WIC and SNAP-ED.
Tomas' campaign is prioritizing affordable housing, expanding transit, and attracting union-represented jobs. Although her website is brief, she supports infrastructure that allows for increased housing density. She also supports expanding transit options and increasing investment in community services.
We appreciate her background in public health services, as well as her progressive solutions to the city's challenges. We recommend voting for Erica Tomas for Auburn City Council, Position 4.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Endorsed By: King County Democrats
Other Candidates
Two other candidates are running for Auburn City Council, Position 4.
Yuval Fleming is an analyst at King County Metro Transit. Their platform primarily addresses the issue of transit and infrastructure in Auburn. If elected, they aim to transform the transit system in Auburn into a safer and more encouraging environment for active modes of transportation. They highlight the dangers of motor traffic due to diverting motorists off highways to local streets. Additionally, they want to prioritize a lower cost of living by cutting spending and lowering taxes that "disproportionately affect low-income residents and the working class." Lastly, they are campaigning for a more transparent and responsive government. While we appreciate some of their stances, we would like to see Yuval Fleming's platform developed further to include more specific progressive solutions.
Brian Lott is also running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Lott is the Chief Administrative Officer for a local food technology company. He is running a conservative platform to end homeless encampments and send ever-more militarized police into our communities. He has used his Facebook page to advocate for multiple conservative causes over the years.
We know what keeps us safe: living in communities where people of every color and background have access to fair wages, great schools, and affordable healthcare, where we address problems with proven solutions, such as social supports, to tackle challenges like homelessness and the public health addiction crisis. Instead, Lott wants to label everyone without a home a criminal by making homelessness itself a crime. Lott is not a progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2025-07-09
Two other candidates are running for Auburn City Council, Position 4.
Yuval Fleming is an analyst at King County Metro Transit. Their platform primarily addresses the issue of transit and infrastructure in Auburn. If elected, they aim to transform the transit system in Auburn into a safer and more encouraging environment for active modes of transportation. They highlight the dangers of motor traffic due to diverting motorists off highways to local streets. Additionally, they want to prioritize a lower cost of living by cutting spending and lowering taxes that "disproportionately affect low-income residents and the working class." Lastly, they are campaigning for a more transparent and responsive government. While we appreciate some of their stances, we would like to see Yuval Fleming's platform developed further to include more specific progressive solutions.
Brian Lott is also running for Auburn City Council, Position 4. Lott is the Chief Administrative Officer for a local food technology company. He is running a conservative platform to end homeless encampments and send ever-more militarized police into our communities. He has used his Facebook page to advocate for multiple conservative causes over the years.
We know what keeps us safe: living in communities where people of every color and background have access to fair wages, great schools, and affordable healthcare, where we address problems with proven solutions, such as social supports, to tackle challenges like homelessness and the public health addiction crisis. Instead, Lott wants to label everyone without a home a criminal by making homelessness itself a crime. Lott is not a progressive choice in this race.
Last updated: 2025-07-09
James Jeyaraj is running for Auburn City Council, Position 6. Jeyaraj first joined the Auburn Council in 2020, serving in Position 3. He made history as Auburn's first Indian-American immigrant to serve on the city council. He has worked in aerospace both at large companies and at nonprofits. In his public service career, he has volunteered in the community and served on the Parks and Recreation Board.
On the council, Jeyaraj has focused on delivering quality services and fostering community leadership in the city. One of his progressive accomplishments was bringing forward a resolution to affirm abortion access in Auburn after Roe v. Wade was overturned. In his current campaign, Jeyaraj is prioritizing improvements in public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and community engagement. In a questionnaire published by the 31st District Democrats, Jeyaraj said he supported zoning reforms to prevent displacement and remove barriers to housing access. He also expressed support for police accountability and reform, gun safety policies, and the right of workers to form and join unions.
We recommend voting for James Jeyaraj for Auburn City Council, Position 6.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
James Jeyaraj is running for Auburn City Council, Position 6. Jeyaraj first joined the Auburn Council in 2020, serving in Position 3. He made history as Auburn's first Indian-American immigrant to serve on the city council. He has worked in aerospace both at large companies and at nonprofits. In his public service career, he has volunteered in the community and served on the Parks and Recreation Board.
On the council, Jeyaraj has focused on delivering quality services and fostering community leadership in the city. One of his progressive accomplishments was bringing forward a resolution to affirm abortion access in Auburn after Roe v. Wade was overturned. In his current campaign, Jeyaraj is prioritizing improvements in public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and community engagement. In a questionnaire published by the 31st District Democrats, Jeyaraj said he supported zoning reforms to prevent displacement and remove barriers to housing access. He also expressed support for police accountability and reform, gun safety policies, and the right of workers to form and join unions.
We recommend voting for James Jeyaraj for Auburn City Council, Position 6.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Endorsed By: 30th Legislative District Democrats, 31st Legislative District Democrats
James Jeyaraj is running for Auburn City Council, Position 6. Jeyaraj first joined the Auburn Council in 2020, serving in Position 3. He made history as Auburn's first Indian-American immigrant to serve on the city council. He has worked in aerospace both at large companies and at nonprofits. In his public service career, he has volunteered in the community and served on the Parks and Recreation Board.
On the council, Jeyaraj has focused on delivering quality services and fostering community leadership in the city. One of his progressive accomplishments was bringing forward a resolution to affirm abortion access in Auburn after Roe v. Wade was overturned. In his current campaign, Jeyaraj is prioritizing improvements in public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and community engagement. In a questionnaire published by the 31st District Democrats, Jeyaraj said he supported zoning reforms to prevent displacement and remove barriers to housing access. He also expressed support for police accountability and reform, gun safety policies, and the right of workers to form and join unions.
We recommend voting for James Jeyaraj for Auburn City Council, Position 6.
Last updated: 2025-07-08
Endorsed By: 30th Legislative District Democrats, 31st Legislative District Democrats
Other Candidates
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.
Last updated: 2025-06-30
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.
Last updated: 2025-06-30