Washington Conservation Action Endorsements

Since Patty Murray was first elected in 1992, the "Mom in Tennis Shoes" has been an incredible champion for women, working people, veterans, and an economy that works for everyone. The fourth-ranking Democrat in the Senate, she has earned the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike by forging agreements on the budget, education, women's health, and other critical issues, all while continuing to fight for working people across our state.

Her opponent is former Washington State Republican Party Chair Chris Vance. Vance, a partisan operative who championed George W. Bush for president, has led a lackluster campaign and does not bring new ideas to the table. Murray's leadership, experience, and progressive values make her the clear choice in this race.

Rep. Suzan DelBene won a tough race in 2012 to represent the 1st Congressional District, which reaches from Kirkland to the Canadian border. DelBene is a former executive at Microsoft who has used her technology background to become a leader in protecting privacy rights against government surveillance. She has also been a strong advocate for job development, economic fairness, women’s health, and immigration reform. She faces four opponents: Independent Alex Storms, a Bernie Sanders supporter, Libertarian Scott Stafne, far right Tea Party candidate Robert Sutherland, and Republican John Orlinski.

DelBene’s experience and strong track record make her the clear choice in this race.

Joe Pakootas is a community and business leader credited with turning around the Colville Tribe’s business enterprises during his time as CEO. He is passionate about addressing income inequality, protecting the environment, and protecting women’s access to health care. He is challenging conservative Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is a top member of the Republican leadership in the House. She helped lead the House Republicans' extremely conservative agenda, including blocking emergency benefits for the unemployed, cutting $40 billion from food stamps, and opposing laws to end pay discrimination against women.

Also running in the race is Independent Dave Wilson, who promises not to take PAC money, Libertarian Krystol McGee, and Republican Tom Home, who are not running effective campaigns. Pakootas would be a refreshing change of leadership for the 5th Congressional District.

Governor Jay Inslee has been a strong, principled leader on the important challenges facing Washington, including tackling transportation problems, increasing the minimum wage, and fighting global warming. He has also worked to fund schools by closing unjust tax loopholes and fought to close the gender pay gap. Before he was elected Governor in 2012, Inslee represented both sides of the Cascades in Congress, opposed the Iraq war, and worked to increase accountability and oversight for Wall Street banks.

In contrast, Republican Bill Bryant opposes the Washington Voting Rights Act, is opposed to many public transportation projects, and is an obstacle to closing unjust tax loopholes. Also in this race are Democrats James Deal, Johnathon Dodds, and Patrick O'Rourke; Republicans Goodspaceguy and Bill Hirt; Mary Martin of the Socialist Workers Party; Independent Steve Rubenstein; David Blomstrom of the Fifth Republic Party; and Christian Pierre Joubert of the Holistic Party, none of whom are running competitive campaigns. While Inslee has his work cut out for him in his second term, we believe his strong moral compass and vision for improving our state make him the best choice in this race.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson's accomplishments in four years are impressive. From delivering millions of dollars back to consumers who were wronged by fraudulent corporations and his ongoing battle with the federal government to clean up the Hanford nuclear waste site to successfully fighting two Tim Eyman initiatives, Ferguson has been a strong and effective advocate for people in Washington. Ferguson faces Libertarian Josh Trumbull, who is not running a competitive campaign. Ferguson deserves your vote.

Derek Stanford has been an effective legislator guided by progressive values. He is a strong proponent of LGBTQ rights, consumer protection, job creation, a sustainable budget, and education.

Stanford is opposed by three candidates, including Neil Thannisch, a Republican who does not share the broad community support of Stanford. Stanford is also opposed by Republican Brian Travis and Democrat Kazuaki Sugiyama, who are not running competitive campaigns. Stanford deserves your vote.

Kirkland City Councilwoman Shelley Kloba is running for this open seat vacated by Luis Moscoso, who is running for state Senate. Kloba has been a strong voice for parks and human services in Kirkland, serving on the Eastside Human Resources Forum and the regional Domestic Violence Task Force. She previously served two years as the Washington State PTA Legislative Director where she advocated for education funding, and just finished a six-year term as a trustee for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. Kloba is now running for the legislature because of her strong commitment to affordable housing and education funding.

She faces Democrats Aaron Moreau-Cook, Darshan Rauniyar, and Kyoko Matsumoto-Wright, who are not running competitive campaigns, as well as Republican Jim Langston, a child care center owner who does not share the same breadth of experience as Kloba. Because of her longstanding commitment to parks, education, and housing options that work for all, Kloba deserves your vote.

Senator Andy Billig is a strong leader and progressive champion who has broad support from the Spokane community. As a state representative, Billig helped pass a transportation bill that created 43,000 jobs and worked to reduce pollution in the Spokane River. He's also been a strong leader advocating for high quality early learning programs and better campaign finance reform to increase transparency in government, including two bills he passed to make elections more fair in our state.

His opponent is conservative James Apker, who is not running a viable campaign. Andy Billig is the clear choice in this race.

Marcus Riccelli is an effective progressive advocate who has served as U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's Eastern Washington Director and former state Senator Lisa Brown's senior policy aide. Ricelli has been a strong advocate of a state basic health plan, and has also been a vocal supporter of equal pay, sustainable education funding, and mental health reform.

He faces Libertarian Randy McGlenn II, who is not running a competitive campaign. Riccelli is a great choice in this race.

Timm Ormsby is a reliable progressive and an active member of the Spokane community. He is the current president of the Spokane Regional Labor Council and a board member of the United Way of Spokane County. In the past session, Ormsby helped write and pass bills to bring good jobs to Spokane, protect the environment, and preserve critical health care services. He is the new chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and is in a strong position to advocate for the interests of Eastern Washington in Olympia.

His opponent is Republican Laura Carder, who is not running an effective campaign, and Libertarian Paul Delaney. Ormsby is the clear choice in this race.

Sen. Mark Mullet is a moderate small business owner and former Issaquah City Councilman running for re-election. He currently owns the Zeeks Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream store in Issaquah. Mullet's private sector experience has helped him work across party lines to get results on transportation, budget issues, and health care transparency.

He faces Republican Rep. Chad Magendanz, who is the only East King County legislator of either party to vote against the transportation budget that will improve I-405, reduce traffic gridlock, and upgrade our transit options. Mullet's strong legislative track record and support for improving transportation make him the best choice in this race.

Jason Ritchie is a rising star who is running an energetic campaign to defeat the incumbent Republican Rep. Jay Rodne. Ritchie started a business remodeling homes for people with disabilities after his father had a stroke and suffered from limited mobility.

The incumbent Rodne was widely criticized this year for making offensive anti-Islamic statements that shook Snoqualmie's many hardworking Muslim families. Rodne has become an embarrassment to the people he is supposed to represent. Ritchie's strong commitment to fully funding education, ensuring healthcare access for all, and stronger protections for the environment would make him a welcome change for this district.

Lynnette Vehrs is running for the seat being vacated by current Rep. Kevin Parker who decided not to seek re-election. Vehrs is a nurse who has passionately worked to make health care more accessible and will work to address substance abuse, mental illness, and other crises that impact our community. She is a supporter of building a clean energy economy in Washington, as well as fully funding education.

Vehrs faces No Political Party candidate Barry Pfundt as well as three Republicans -- Spokane County Chief Deputy Treasurer Mike Volz, Samuel Canty, and the untested press secretary of Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Ian Field. Due to her years of experience fighting for a healthier Spokane, Vehrs is the clear choice in this race.

Former Island County Commissioner Angie Homola is running to ensure state tax dollars are spent well and invested across Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. She is running a strong campaign to unseat conservative incumbent Barbara Bailey, who has been an obstacle to progress on education funding, tax reform, and immigration. Also in the race is Nick Petrish, a strong progressive with a varied background, including the Army Reserves, commercial fishing, and small business ownership. Due to her experience and strong campaign, we lean toward Homola in this challenging race.

Senator Bob Hasegawa has distinguished himself through his social justice work. Since first being elected to the House in 2005, his focus has been on supporting working families, small businesses and disenfranchised communities. Hasegawa has also been a strong advocate for reforming our state's regressive tax system in order to fully fund our public schools. He faces Libertarian Dennis Price in this race, who is not running a competitive campaign. Hasegawa has earned your vote.

Rep. Zack Hudgins is a strong progressive incumbent and the chair of the House Government Oversight Committee who is running for re-election. He has been a thoughtful and effective leader in the legislature who has led on issues of veterans affairs, election transparency, and affordable housing. He faces conservative Erin Aboudara, a member of the Log Cabin Republicans of Washington who is not running a competitive campaign. Hudgins has been endorsed by a wide variety of our progressive partners and deserves your vote.

Rep. Steve Bergquist is a public school teacher who has been a strong advocate for public schools. As one of the few teachers in the Legislature, Bergquist brings a much-needed perspective to many important education issues. Bergquist is running unopposed for re-election and deserves your vote.

Moderate Democrat and former state Rep. Tim Probst is running for an open seat against Republican Rep. Lynda Wilson. Probst has been employed in workforce development for 18 years, helping working people land good jobs. He is running to create jobs, get money out of politics, and ensure fiscal responsibility in state government.

Probst's opponent, Lynda Wilson, is a Tea Party Republican who opposes a higher minimum wage and paid sick leave. Due to his commitment to supporting working people, Probst is the best choice in this race.

Incumbent Representative, former city council member, and local cheese shop owner Strom Peterson has proven to be a smart and capable leader in the Edmonds community. This year, Peterson sponsored a bill to help solve the state's heroin and opioid epidemic, which passed. He has also prioritized the environment, workforce development, and fully funding our schools. He faces Libertarian Alex Hels, who is not running a competitive campaign. Peterson deserves your vote.

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self has worked in children's services almost all of her life, including her role as an education adviser for the Department of Children and Family Services and her current job as a counselor in the Everett School District. She also founded two separate organizations that provide mental health counseling and help Latino youth achieve academic success, helping bridge barriers they face to succeed. In Olympia, she used her experience to bring a bill forward that will help improve students' success in Washington schools by examining outside factors that are impacting their performance.

Ortiz-Self is opposed by Republican Jeff Scherrer, Libertarian Bruce Guthrie, and Mohammed Riaz Khan, who states No Party Preference. However, none of these candidates are running competitive campaigns. Rep. Ortiz-Self has earned your vote.

Representative Sam Hunt is a reliable progressive who is now running to replace Karen Fraser in the state Senate. He is a strong advocate of open and fair elections and has sponsored to encourage online voter registration. Hunt has also supported increased education funding and women's health protections.

Another progressive candidate in this race is Erik Lee, a labor supporter and University of Washington budget analyst who was inspired by Bernie Sanders to run for office. Lee and Hunt received a dual endorsement from our partners at SEIU 925. In addition, Spencer Baldwin and Steve Owens are on the ballot but not running competitive campaigns. Due to his strong support from our partners, Hunt is the best choice in this race.

Laurie Dolan is an educator and former director for Spokane Public Schools who is passionate about fully funding our classrooms. She brings with her the working knowledge of being on both sides of the bargaining table and will be able to do what is best for teachers and kids at our schools. Before she moved to Olympia in 2005 to be Gov. Chris Gregoire's Director of Policy, she ran two close races for state Senate against conservative Republicans in Spokane. We lean toward Dolan because of her strong support from progressive partners.

Sen. Christine Rolfes is the Senate Democratic floor leader and a leader on education and environmental issues in Olympia. In 2015, she co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to address the state's over-reliance on property tax levies to fund education, and has generally been a champion for education funding. She has also advocated for improving the state's oil spill response system and protecting maritime jobs. Rolfes is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Representative Sherry Appleton, a former two-term Poulsbo City Council member, is a reliable progressive who has been a leader on women's health, military, and transportation issues. This past session, she was the prime advocate for creating a "Silver Alert" to help elderly citizens who are missing, and she has previously sponsored legislation to increase oversight of payday lenders.

Rep. Appleton is being challenged by Republican Loretta Byrnes, who ran and lost for North Kitsap School Board in 2015, as well as Jack Carroll and April Ferguson, who are not running viable campaigns. Appleton is an effective legislator who deserves your support.

Representative Drew Hansen serves as chair of the House Higher Education Committee and has been laser focused on job creation and education opportunities in Olympia. He has expanded engineering training at local colleges, sponsored legislation to prepare students for technology jobs, and protected maritime industry jobs. Hansen is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Clallam County Commissioner and former law enforcement officer Mike Chapman is running for the open seat vacated by Rep. Kevin Van de Wege. In addition to his public safety background, Chapman is running to ensure the environment and job growth co-exist side by side, to fully fund our schools, and to care for those who are struggling with mental illness.

He faces Democrat Tammy Ramsay, who is running a solid campaign and is dedicated to solving homelessness but does not have the same institutional support, as well as a Republican who is not running a competitive campaign. Chapman deserves your vote.

Representative Steve Tharinger is a strong progressive leader for the 24th District. Tharinger has supported community investments to create jobs, protected health care for the most vulnerable, and also advocated for the environment. His opponent, John D Alger of the GOP/Independent party, is not running a viable campaign. Steve Tharinger's track record in Olympia has earned him another term.

Michelle Chatterton is an emergency management coordinator and a member of the City of Puyallup's Parks, Recreation, and Senior Advisory Board running for the open seat vacated by Rep. Hans Zeiger. She is running an energetic campaign to ensure our schools are fully funded and to address traffic issues, college affordability, and growing youth homelessness problem in Puyallup Valley.

Chatterton faces Joyce McDonald, a conservative who serves on the Pierce County Council and has led efforts to ban voter-approved marijuana sales in Pierce County. Previously, McDonald challenged and lost to Congressman Denny Heck. Chatterton is a rising star and deserves your vote.

Retired small business owner and former teacher Randy Spitzer is running against recently elected Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier. Spitzer is an independent Democrat who is running to ease the tax burden on middle class families, fully fund education, and protect our environment.

In her first term, Caldier has opposed closing tax loopholes to fund schools and was sued by her previous opponent for false ads during her campaign, though she deserves credit for some good labor votes. For representation with integrity, Spitzer is a good choice in this race.

Sen. Jeannie Darneille has been a strong advocate for the 27th legislative district in her 12 years in the House and four years in the Senate, particularly for families who are struggling to make ends meet. She is a champion of women, people with disabilities, health care access, and expanded economic opportunities for all.

Darneille faces conservative Gregory Taylor, who does not have the same community support, and Democrat Martin Cline, who is not running a competitive campaign. Due to her longtime dedication to the district, Darneille deserves your vote.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins is a public health professional and the first openly lesbian women to serve in the state legislature. She has been a progressive champion and leading voice on the need to close unnecessary tax loopholes, fully fund our schools, and protect liberty and equality for all. Jinkins is unopposed and has clearly earned your vote.

Rep. Jake Fey is a former Tacoma City Councilman who is an environmental champion. As the vice-chair of the House Transportation Committee, Fey has been a strong supporter of transit, as well as clean air and a sustainable future for all of us. Fey also serves on the House Education Committee and is committed to fully funding our schools. He is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

U.S. Army Colonel and former PTA regional director Marisa Peloquin has stepped up to challenge far-right Senator Steve O’Ban. Peloquin's longtime military service and education experience make her highly qualified to help strengthen our schools and ensure our state does more for military veterans.

Her opponent, Sen. O'Ban, led the highly partisan Republican attacks on the Governor this year, which the Tacoma News Tribune criticized for wasting taxpayer time and money. Previously, O'Ban sued the state to prevent Washington women from accessing birth control at some pharmacies. He has also been a strong opponent of equality for the LGBT community. Peloquin's values and commitment to public service make her a better choice in this race.

Rep. Christine Kilduff is a former University Place School Board member who serves as Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. She is a strong and effective advocate for improving economic opportunities in the district, strengthening our schools, and improving access to health care. She has also been a great advocate for veterans and military families during her time in the Legislature. This past session, she sponsored legislation to increase community outreach programs to veterans in rural and remote areas, ensuring they can access health care, education, and employment services.

Kilduff is opposed by the very conservative candidate Paul Wagemann, who has run for this seat unsuccessfully every year since 2010, Libertarian Brandon Lyons, and Michael Winkler, another conservative candidate. Wagemann supports outlawing abortion even in cases of rape and incest and has questioned whether or not schools need more funding. Kilduff's other Republican opponent, Winkler, supported the discriminatory I-1515 that would have overturned our state's human rights protections for transgender people. Due to her service to the community and support for public schools, Kilduff deserves your vote.

Rep. David Sawyer is an up and coming progressive legislator who wants to do more work to solve childhood homelessness, fix our broken tax system, and ensure everyone has opportunities to succeed.

Sawyer faces former Democratic Idaho legislator Branden Durst, who has a troubled past including domestic violence against his ex-wife, and conservative Rick Thomas. Due to his strong endorsements from our progressive allies, Sawyer deserves your vote.

Rep. Steve Kirby has represented the 29th District for six terms and previously served four terms on the Tacoma City Council. He currently serves as the Chair of the powerful Business and Financial Services Committee. Kirby's long track record of public service and positive votes to ensure all workers have the opportunity to succeed make him the best choice in this race.

Kirby faces newcomer Jessica Garcia, who was a leading activist supporting charter schools during the 2016 legislative session. Due to his many years of dedication and service to his community, Kirby deserves your vote.

Mike Pellicciotti is a prosecuting attorney who has worked alongside public safety officials to keep our community safe for more than a decade. This past year, he worked with Attorney General Bob Ferguson to hold pharmaceutical companies and other health care providers who overcharged vulnerable consumers accountable. Pellicciotti is running to bring the same commitment to corporate and government accountability to Olympia.

Pellicciotti faces incumbent Rep. Linda Kochmar, a conservative Republican who voted against raising the minimum wage and also voted no to ensuring women earn equal pay for doing the same job as a man. Pellicciotti is the best choice in this race and deserves your vote.

Representative Cindy Ryu is the former Mayor of Shoreline and a strong progressive running for re-election to her seat. In the legislature, she currently serves as the Vice Chair to the Business and Financial Services committee, and also sits on the Rules, Transportation, and Economic Development committees, respectively. She has been a highly effective public safety advocate in the House, sponsoring a bill to stop human trafficking and a bill to promote safe streets, both of which passed.

Ryu faces two conservative candidates, neither of whom are running competitive campaigns. Ryu is a great choice in this race.

Representative Ruth Kagi serves as the Chair of the Early Learning Committee. Kagi has a strong progressive track record and prioritizes education and child welfare issues. She has passed bills to fund preschool programs, ensure that incarcerated juveniles can close their records, and prevent childhood homelessness.

In addition to Republican David Schirle and Libertarian Alex Hart, Rep. Kagi is being challenged by progressive Wesley Irwin, a teacher who was inspired by Bernie Sanders' campaign for president. Due to her support from our progressive partners, Kagi deserves your vote.

Representative Tina Orwall is a reliable vote on most progressive issues. In Olympia, she has sponsored legislation to prevent truancy issues for students and has also sponsored a bill to help fight human trafficking. Unfortunately, Orwall played a lead role in defeating gun safety legislation that would have allowed families and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms if an individual is threatening harm to themselves or others.

Orwall is opposed by Libertarian Charles Schaefer and Republican John Potter, neither of whom are running competitive campaigns. Despite her poor record on gun safety, Orwall is still the best choice in the race.

Representative Mia Gregerson has long been a transportation advocate for SeaTac, where she has fought for light rail infrastructure, safe and complete streets, and transit-oriented development. She also wrote two pieces of important legislation to hold corporations accountable. One would have closed a tax loophole for oil companies and invested the money saved into K-12 education, and another to hold companies accountable for job performance after the state issues it a tax break.

Gregerson faces Republican Pam Polluck, who has opposed transit expansions that are necessary to reduce traffic gridlock. Gregerson deserves your vote.

Rep. Eileen Cody is the Chair of the House Health and Wellness Committee and a leading advocate for reproductive freedom and addressing mental health. She worked on the Reproductive Parity Act and a bill that would end tax loopholes for corporate jets, big banks, and a dirty coal-fired power plant in order to fund basic health care.

Cody is opposed by Democrat Brandon Kolding, a law enforcement officer who appears to hold many of the same values as Cody, though he does not share her broad support, as well as Republican Matthew Benson, who is not running a competitive campaign. For her tireless work on behalf of her community, Cody deserves your vote.

Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is a progressive star in the Legislature and a real leader on conservation issues as the Chair of the House Environment Committee. He supports progressive tax reform, expanding transit, protecting the environment, and making it easier to participate in politics. Fitzgibbon championed a plan to help fund our schools through a price on carbon pollution.

He faces Republican Andrew Pilloud, an anti-tax conservative who does not share Fitzgibbon's breadth of policy experience. Fitzgibbon's smart and effective leadership and endorsements from a wide variety of progressive advocates make him the best choice in this race.

Irene Bowling is a Bremerton native, teacher, and small business owner. Bowling is a community leader on education issues who will bring a much needed commitment to accountability to the 35th, especially around schools and the budget.

Bowling faces Republican incumbent Dan Griffey, who voted against raising the minimum wage and allowing all workers to earn sick leave. For her commitment to public service and putting schools first, Bowling deserves your vote.

Firefighter and former school board member Craig Patti is running a solid campaign for state representative. Patti has seen firsthand the effects of under-funding education from his work on levy campaigns and his service as a school board member, and so is committed to fully funding our schools. He also brings proven and dedicated leadership thanks to his years in the fire department.

Patti is challenging incumbent Republican Drew MacEwan, who has opposed closing tax loopholes to fund schools. Patti deserves your vote.

After serving in the state House since 2009, Sen. Reuven Carlyle was recently appointed to the state Senate to replace Jeanne Kohl-Welles. Sen. Carlyle has been an outspoken advocate for reforming our state's regressive tax system and closing loopholes. We need more people like Carlyle in Olympia fighting to make our tax system work for everyone. Carlyle is unopposed and deserves your vote.

Rep. Noel Frame was recently appointed to fill Reuven Carlyle's seat when he moved to the state Senate. Frame has hit the ground running in Olympia, putting her organizing skills to use as a strong advocate for funding public schools and fixing our state's regressive tax system. Previously, Frame served as the Washington State Director of Progressive Majority, where she worked to recruit and elect progressive candidates from underrepresented communities, including young people, women, people of color, and openly gay candidates. Frame is running unopposed and deserves your support.

Gael Tarleton has been a strong advocate for environmental causes such as Governor Jay Inslee's initiative to reduce carbon pollution. She sponsored bills during her first term in the House to strengthen the maritime industry, protect the environment, and improve access to health care, though we were disappointed last year when she vocally opposed Seattle's "Honest Elections" transparency law, which passed with more than 60 percent approval. Tarleton is running unopposed, and due to her mostly reliable progressive record, deserves your vote.

Eric Pettigrew is a moderate Democrat running to retain his seat. Pettigrew has been a leader on women's health, sponsoring the Reproductive Parity Act, and has also led on criminal justice issues, including work to help prisoners obtain higher education and a bill to ensure young offenders have equal access to rehabilitation services. Though Pettigrew has a less than stellar record on labor and education issues, including votes against public employee health care pensions, we were happy to see he voted in favor of raising the minimum wage this year.

Pettigrew faces no party candidate Tamra Smilanich, who is not running a competitive campaign. Due to the unique and important work he is doing on criminal justice issues, Pettigrew deserves your vote.

Rep. June Robinson made a name for herself in Olympia by leading efforts to keep Boeing's manufacturing jobs in the state. In addition, she sponsored legislation to protect working families from landlords who are raising rent prices astronomically and partnered with the Everett School District to protect at-risk youth. Robinson is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Representative Mike Sells is a progressive leader in the Legislature, serving as the Chair of the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. Sells is a former teacher and labor leader who used this position to create legislation dedicated to improving higher education as well as leading the efforts to bring a nursing program to Everett Community College University Center.

He faces Independent Bert Johnson, who is not running a competitive campaign. Sells deserves your vote.

Senator Kevin Ranker is a strong progressive and a leader on environmental conservation, LGBT equality, and women's health in Olympia. Ranker gave a moving speech in support of marriage equality, sponsored a bill regulating "limited service pregnancy centers", and made an impassioned case to ensure funds to battle childhood homelessness were included in the budget. Additionally, Sen. Ranker sponsored bills to protect the Puget Sound and its marine life.

He is opposed by Republican Dan Miller, who is not running a competitive campaign. Due to Ranker's passion and commitment to making Washington a better place, he deserves your vote.

Rep. Kristine Lytton serves as Chair of the House Finance Committee and is a strong education and environmental advocate. She was named "Legislator of the Year" by the U.S. Humane Society for her bill that helped ease tension between ranchers and endangered gray wolves. Lytton is a great progressive who is running unopposed. She has earned another term in the legislature.

Representative Jeff Morris is the former House Democratic Floor Leader. He is a moderate Democrat who has sponsored numerous bills to protect the environment and promote alternative energy, though he at times frustrates environmentalists by watering down good bills. Morris is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Representative Tana Senn is a reliable progressive advocate in Olympia. She sponsored legislation this year to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work and previously worked to ban toxic chemicals from baby products.

Senn faces Republican John Pass, who is not running a competitive campaign. Senn deserves your vote.

Sameer Ranade is an environmental organizer at Washington Environmental Council who is campaigning on climate justice issues. He has been endorsed by our partners at Washington Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club for his background in environmental advocacy.

Speaker of the House Frank Chopp has established an impressive track record as a strong advocate and effective leader on a wide range of progressive issues. He played a critical role in helping prevent even more destructive budget cuts to essential investments in health care, housing, and social services during the economic downturn, and this year led even the most conservative members of his caucus to unprecedented support around the minimum wage and voting rights. Chopp is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

John Lovick is a former state representative and former Snohomish County executive who is seeking the seat vacated when Rep. Hans Dunshee was appointed to the Snohomish County Council. Lovick was also elected as the Snohomish County sheriff in 2007 and successfully merged the county jail with the sheriff’s office. He has been an outspoken advocate of requiring Boeing to keep jobs in Washington state in order to receive tax incentives, and has been a strong supporter of working people.

Lovick faces Janice Huxford, a consultant and Lake Stevens Planning Commissioner who does not share Lovick's long track record of public service and experience with complex policy issues, as well as no party preference candidate Wilberforce Agyekum. Lovick is a great choice in this race.

Rep. Roger Goodman is one of the most effective leaders in Olympia. Over the past two years, he helped pass transportation improvements to relieve congestion, led roadway safety improvements, and wrote legislation to increase public safety by creating stronger DUI laws and better supervision for minors in trouble with the law. Goodman brings considerable professional experience to his work, including his legal practice, serving in federal and state government positions, and working in the non-profit world.

Goodman faces Sammamish Deputy Mayor Ramiro Valderrama, who opposes transit options to keep our community moving. To ensure we can all get home to dinner with our families, Goodman deserves your vote

Rep. Gerry Pollet is the Executive Director of Heart of America Northwest, a group devoted to cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. In the Legislature, Pollet is a strong, reliable vote for protecting the environment and has become an education champion through his bills to lower class sizes and offer free community college, and his position as Vice Chair of the House Higher Education Committee. He faces Libertarian Stephanie Viskovich, who is not running a competitive campaign. Pollet deserves your vote.

Rep. Jessyn Farrell is a strong progressive champion and advocate for working people. The former Executive Director of the Transportation Choices Coalition has worked hard to improve efficiency for buses, light rail, and other transportation options. She was the prime sponsor of the bill to raise Washington state's minimum wage for working families and also a strong advocate for increased transparency in oil shipments. Farrell is running unopposed and deserves your vote.

Representative Pat Sullivan is the former Mayor of Covington who currently serves as the Democratic Majority Leader. Sullivan is an effective progressive leader who has sponsored bills to invest more in our schools, deliver tax credits to small businesses, and strengthen laws against online predators.

His opponent, Barry Knowles, is a cookie-cutter Republican who lack's Sullivan's experience and track record of public service. Sullivan is the clear choice in this race.

Rep. Patty Kuderer is an attorney and public safety advocate who is running to retain the seat she was appointed to after Rep. Ross Hunter left to work for Gov. Jay Inslee in 2015. As an attorney, Kuderer has been a vocal advocate for open government and public records laws and also represented individuals injured by texting and drunk driving cases. In her first term in the legislature, she worked on the regulation of law enforcement body cameras to keep civilians safe.

She faces Libertarian Michelle Darnell in the race, who lacks Kuderer's broad support. Kuderer deserves your vote.

Rep. Joan McBride is the former Mayor of Kirkland who hit the ground running her first two sessions in the legislature. She sponsored numerous bills, including one to ensure homeless youth have access to health care. McBride was also a strong advocate of transportation options that work for everyone, supporting women's health, LGBTQ equality, and Puget Sound cleanup.

She is opposed by libertarian Benjamin Judah Phelps, who is not running a credible campaign. McBride deserves your vote.

Sen. Annette Cleveland has been a strong progressive leader in the 49th, advocating for education, small businesses, health care access, and veterans. Her work experience ranges from small business advocacy with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce to work for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray on WSU Vancouver funding as well as services for veterans and military families. This past year, she helped secure critical funding for the Vancouver Waterfront Park and also got a bill passed to address the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Cleveland faces a crowded primary field, including progressive Vaughn Henderson, a millennial inspired to run by Bernie Sanders' campaign, as well as Independent Justin Forsman and Republican Lewis Gerhardt. Due to her longtime leadership in the community and support from our partners, Cleveland deserves your vote.