Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Endorsements

Cindy Gobel, a certification and training specialist with the Washington Secretary of State, is running for county auditor again after a narrow loss for the position four years ago. She previously served the public as a representative with the Women’s Law Caucus in Snohomish County from 2012 to 2015. Gobel states that she has spent 11 years working in records, licensing, and animal control with law enforcement, and several more years working in elections, including some in former Secretary of State Kim Wyman's office.

Gobel views the auditor’s office as a place where we all come together – to register a pet, apply for a marriage license, or register to vote. If elected, she has a progressive vision for strengthening our democratic systems, increasing transparency and community trust, and delivering efficient services for all residents. County auditors play an important role in upholding our election integrity, and Gobel wants to safeguard Snohomish voters from conspiracies and ensure every vote is counted. She also wants to implement accessibility measures to make sure that all Snohomish residents can make use of the auditor’s services, especially non-English speakers and residents of color who have historically been left behind by the office.

Gobel is challenging incumbent auditor Garth Fell, who has 24 years of county election management experience, including previously working as Snohomish County’s elections manager and as county auditor. If re-elected, Fell wants to continue to ensure accurate, transparent, and customer-focused elections and animal services. Fell’s leadership in the auditor’s office has been characterized as “steadfastly neutral” by the Everett Herald. However, with our democracy under attack from the right, it is imperative that our next county auditor has a bold, community-focused plan that seeks to improve the office rather than simply maintain the status quo. 

Gobel has earned an impressive list of progressive and community endorsements in this race. She is the best choice for Snohomish County Auditor.
 

Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda is running for King County Council, District 8. Mosqueda was first elected to the Seattle City Council in 2017 and has proved a consistent and progressive policymaker. She previously worked at the Washington State Department of Health, Children’s Alliance, Community Health Plan of Washington, and the Washington State Labor Council, with a focus on workers' rights and childrens' healthcare. Among other community roles, she also served on the board of Fuse Washington, which publishes this guide. Mosqueda is a proud third-generation Mexican-American who would become the first Latina ever to serve on the King County Council if elected.

Mosqueda has distinguished herself as a progressive leader on the Seattle City Council. She championed the Jumpstart Seattle legislation, which funds affordable housing, childcare, and climate resilience through a tax on high earners and wealthy corporations. Mosqueda also helped secure paid sick leave and fair wage protections for working people that are often exploited by their employers - like gig drivers, domestic workers, and hotel workers. Her current goal is passing the 2023 Housing Levy, which will be on the ballot for Seattle voters this November and would provide funding for crucial affordable housing, childcare services, and communal and cultural spaces that are disappearing from the city.

If elected to the county council, Mosqueda hopes to use her experience to address new and pressing issues in the county. Some of her priorities include finding locations for the six new county behavioral health centers, building workforce housing outside of Seattle, increasing apprenticeship programs, and more. 

Mosqueda is the clear choice for King County Council from District 8. 
 

Megan Dunn, the program director for the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, is running for re-election to the Snohomish County Council in District 2. Prior to being elected to the council in 2019, Dunn led the successful effort to improve representation on the Everett City Council by creating local districts and served on the Everett Community Streets Initiative Task Force, which helps address homelessness in downtown Everett.

Dunn ran for Snohomish County Council in 2019 to continue her work on community-building and environmental sustainability. She's met her campaign promises by using pandemic recovery funding for district organizations that are committed to helping neighbors, including the Interfaith Family Shelter, Everett Recovery Café, and Madres de Casino Road's meal program.

She's focused on voting for policies that would best uplift people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Dunn was one of three council members who voted to convert two hotels into low-barrier shelters for people experiencing homelessness. She correctly noted that putting up barriers like drug testing would have put 20 million federal dollars at risk of being lost and likely prevented the shelter from being built. 

Dunn faces a challenge from Georgia Fisher. a precinct committee officer for the Snohomish County Republican Party and district chair for the 21st Legislative District Republicans. In addressing the opioid and drug epidemic, she wants to see more people arrested for addiction, sending more people in crisis to jail. Much of her campaign platform follows a familiar path for conservatives this year, with promises to support business and pour even more funds into militarized police. For reference, the county already spends over 75 percent of its $288.5 million general budget on police and the criminal legal system. 

If elected, Dunn will continue to advocate for those who need it most in the country. She is by far the best choice for the Snohomish County Council in District 2. 
 

Incumbent Fred Felleman is an environmental consultant and marine biologist. He is running for re-election to the Seattle Port Commission, Position 5, as the senior member of the commission, having served since 2016. With his science background, Felleman has pledged to continue supporting environmentally friendly reforms at the port.

As commissioner, Felleman has focused on fighting climate change and increasing the port's green energy jobs. He has been a leader on the commission when it comes to protecting orcas, publicly opposing the dangerous Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, and advocating for well-paying jobs. Elected commission president in 2021, he has recently supported more efficient and greener policies at the port to reduce pollution, including adding solar panels to the Fishermen's Terminal's net shed and powering new docks so ships don't have to idle and burn additional fuel. Felleman often supports social causes as well, including condemning Trump's Muslim ban and government agencies’ response at the airport, as well as welcoming Ukrainian refugees, with Washington hosting 16,000 refugees, the third most among U.S. states.

Challenging Felleman is Jesse Tam, the managing director for Mega Pacific Investments, a strategic development consulting firm. He is a former parks commissioner for the city of Newcastle, as well as past president and current board director for the Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, among other roles. 

Tam states that he's running to use his business experience to source well-paying union jobs, negotiate business deals, and lead on climate change. While we agree with Tam's listed priorities, Felleman has been an excellent environmental advocate and scientific mind on the board, and we don't see a strong case for how Tam would bring progressive change to the port. 

Felleman has earned your vote for re-election to the Port of Seattle, Position #5. 

Attorney Kristin Ang is running for re-election for Port of Tacoma Commissioner, Position 5 to continue building a sustainable vision for industry at the port. She seeks to protect community health and the environment by reducing noise and air pollution, improving water quality, and increasing shore power technology. Ang opposes the port's property tax and supports pressing businesses to clean up their share of pollution, developing a comprehensive public engagement plan, and working with tribes, businesses, and local government to create shared agendas for the port.

Ang is running against Dave Bryant, a Navy veteran. Voters may find this matchup familiar - Bryant and Ang also ran against each other in 2019, with Ang winning by about 3 percent. This year, Bryant's campaign is similar to his last run. He wants to optimize the loading and offloading of goods with surface transportation, update the port's infrastructure, and use his knowledge of operating deep draft ships to make the port more competitive. However, he still lacks Ang's knowledge and experience when it comes to environmental conservation and creating clean energy jobs.

Ang has worked hard as a member of the port’s tribal liaison committee, diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, and as a board member of the Central Puget Sound Economic Development District and the Washington Council on International Trade. She has earned your vote for Port of Tacoma Commission, Position 5.
 

Hanan Amer is running for Auburn City Council, Position 7. The seat is currently held by Bob Baggett who is not seeking a third term on the council. Amer has a background in chemistry and works at a local aerospace company. She dedicates much of her free time to public service and has served on the city’s diversity council and on the planning commission. Amer also volunteers with the Girl Scouts.

Amer is running an optimistic, inclusive campaign to make Auburn a safe place to live and work for all. If elected, she wants to focus on social equity, environmental stewardship, community safety, and quality municipal leadership. In this race, Amer has earned endorsements from local unions, Democratic groups, and community leaders across multiple levels of government.

The other candidate in this race is Brian Lott, an administrative executive for a local food technology company. Though he says he disagrees with partisan politics, Lott is running on a conservative platform. He offers an uncompassionate and ineffective approach to the housing crisis and wants to use public funds to further militarize our police instead of investing in alternatives.

Auburn residents deserve a council member focused on community solutions instead of divisive policies. Hanan Amer is the clear choice in this race for Auburn City Council, Position 7.
 

Incumbent and progressive advocate John Stokes is running for another term in Position 1 on the Bellevue City Council. He has a long track record in public service. Before joining the council in 2012, Stokes served on both the Parks & Community Services Board and Eastgate/I-90 Citizen Advisory Committee, and he co-founded a nonprofit focused on providing resources, support, and opportunities for children to set them up for happy and healthy lives.

In office, Stokes has been a staunch voice for affordability in Bellevue. He led the Downtown Livability Initiative to allow the development of Bellevue’s vibrant downtown. Additionally, Stokes' dedication to parks and green spaces promotes a healthier, greener Bellevue, benefiting both residents and the planet. 

Throughout his tenure, Stokes has supported community safety efforts to ensure Bellevue remains a great place to live and raise a family. In this race, he has earned impressive endorsements, including from the King County Democrats and the Bellevue Firefighters. 

Business owner Paul Clark is the other candidate in this race. Clark has served on both the Civil Service Commission and Parks and Community Services Board. He is running on a typical conservative agenda this year that includes opposing policies that would reduce the cost of housing in Bellevue. He also would have made it harder to build more permanent supportive housing in Bellevue, which is necessary to alleviate long-term homelessness. Like fellow conservative candidate Betsi Hummer, Clark took a maximum donation from billionaire developer Kemper Freeman along with other prominent Republicans. 

We recommend John Stokes for Bellevue City Council because of his progressive track record and experience in community leadership. 

Incumbent council member Janice Zahn is running for a second term on the Bellevue City Council in Position 5. She is the chief engineer for the Port of Seattle and serves on the city of Bellevue's Transportation Commission. Zahn emigrated from Hong Kong as a child and has dedicated her adult life to stewarding public infrastructure and services. 

Zahn serves with a strong vision for a safe, accessible, and more affordable Bellevue. Zahn states that community safety has always been a top priority for her. She worked to secure funding to ensure Bellevue has the public safety and mental health resources necessary to address the complex challenges facing our growing city. 

If re-elected, she wants to continue making strides in improving our transportation system, increasing affordable housing options, and planning to serve generations of residents to come. Zahn has consistently supported investments in public green spaces like the Downtown Park and has worked to protect our tree canopy, preserving Bellevue’s environment for a high quality of life. Zahn would also focus on the communication between the council and the community to build stronger relationships and increase understanding of municipal government. Zahn's strong community focus and efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe have earned her the sole endorsement of the Bellevue Firefighters. 

Also in this race is Betsi Hummer, who previously worked in sales and marketing for a lumber company. She also served for three terms on the East Bellevue Community Council. Unfortunately, Hummer opposes policy changes that would make housing more affordable in Bellevue. Without these long overdue reforms, spiraling housing costs will continue to displace our seniors and prevent young people from buying their first homes. Hummer accepted the maximum campaign donation from billionaire developer Kemper Freeman, who has been a longtime opponent of light rail in Bellevue, and she has been endorsed by other prominent Republicans. 

Janice Zahn has been a thoughtful and strategic leader for Bellevue who is always willing to listen to the needs of the community. Zahn is the clear choice for Bellevue City Council, Position 5.
 

Dave Hamilton is running for Bellevue City Council, Position 7, to replace conservative Jennifer Robertson, who is not seeking re-election. 

Until late 2022, Hamilton was the CEO of Delivery Express, which specialized in health care and retail shipping and logistics. Hamilton is a longtime Eastside resident who is active in the community. He is currently serving his second term on the Bellevue Parks & Community Services Board and previously served on the board of The Sophia Way, which provides support for women experiencing homelessness. 

Hamilton is running for Bellevue City Council to improve housing affordability, keep our communities safe, and protect our parks and green spaces. He fully supports building more homes and increasing density in neighborhoods like Wilburton and Bel-Red. He wants his six kids to have the same opportunity he did to afford a home in Bellevue. Hamilton would work closely with King County and neighboring cities to ensure Bellevue is contributing toward a regional solution to homelessness. 

Hamilton has received some criticism from the left for his occasional support for conservative candidates like Reagan Dunn and Jared Nieuwenhuis. However, he has largely supported Democrats and progressives in the past and said he "will represent a change" on the city council from the conservative incumbent.

His opponent is Bill Hirt, a perennial, single-issue candidate who is fixated on blocking light rail, which is scheduled to begin service in Bellevue next spring. Hirt is not a credible candidate for office. 

Hamilton has earned a bipartisan slate of endorsements from organizations and elected officials, including all six Democrats that represent Bellevue in the state Legislature. Dave Hamilton is the clear choice in the race for Bellevue City Council, Position 7.  

Longtime nonprofit leader Denise Frey is running for re-election to Bremerton City Council, District 2. Frey is the retired CEO of both the YWCA Kitsap County and the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the city council since her appointment last year.

Frey's experience with the YWCA has made her an outspoken advocate for many communities facing challenges in Bremerton. Frey shared her own experience as a survivor when speaking out against the Supreme Court's reversal of abortion rights, advocated for a city resolution to treat immigrants with dignity during the wave of anti-immigrant sentiments in 2017, and helped establish Morrow Manor in Poulsbo, which provided long-term supportive housing to gender-based violence survivors who were experiencing homelessness.

During her time on the council, Frey has focused on creating better infrastructure for people to walk, bike, and roll through Bremerton. She supported updates to make the Warren Avenue bridge more accessible, and wants to support more sustainable development along the Wheaton Way Corridor and Eastside Village.

The city council is currently considering an extremely backwards proposal to criminalize camping in public areas, even if there is no shelter space available. Frey argued that the city should provide adequate support and services before punishing people on the streets. She does acknowledge safety concerns with encampments, and would consider restricting camping to nighttime hours only.

Adrian Wright is a far-right candidate who is challenging Frey for her seat on the Bremerton City Council. Wright is the former regional director for the Libertarian Party of Washington, and is a current Republican precinct committee officer. He has no public policy platform as of early October, but his personal Facebook has posts where he supported far-right politician Loren Culp and defended a Kitsap neo-Nazi who was accused of stockpiling materials for a racially-motivated attack.

Wright would be a dangerous addition to the Bremerton City Council. Frey is the by far the best choice for this race. 

Cydney Moore is seeking re-election to Burien City Council, Position 2. Prior to winning her seat in 2020, Moore served as a lead organizer for ACLU Burien People Power and was a board member of the Burien Arts Association.

During her time as a council member, Moore passed a groundbreaking slate of renters' rights protections, upheld pandemic eviction moratoriums and hazard pay, and increased funding for mental health supports, food banks, and rent/utility assistance. She has additionally supported a new public safety model that integrates behavioral health experts alongside police.

Moore has proven to be a vocal proponent of public health and housing for all, even when controversial. Though eventually outvoted, she was one of the three council members who voted to renew and expand Burien's main affordable housing program.

She has recently been in the spotlight for helping to notify encampment residents of their right to shelter in a nearby city-owned lot ahead of a highly-publicized sweep. Burien made headlines this year for forcing people in the encampment to relocate three times, without being able to provide the bare minimum resources that would give them access to shelter beds. Although she did her outreach as a private citizen along with former Burien Planning Commission chair Charles Schaefer, Moore spoke about how the displacement highlights the need for more resources for people experiencing homelessness. Though outvoted, Moore was part of the minority of council members who wanted to accept King County's $1 million offer to support these residents, and voted against further criminalizing people who have been forced to turn to the streets for shelter.

Moore's advocacy for her unhoused constituents stands in sharp contrast to many of the other council members, who responded to Moore and Schaefer's outreach to the encampment by removing Schaefer from his position. This event generated significant backlash, including the resignation of 11 other members of city boards and commissions.

Linda Akey is challenging Moore for Position 2. She is the owner of a small business that assists nonprofits and is the current chair of the Burien Business and Economic Development Partnership. She moved to Burien from Colorado in 2019.

Although her platform states her support for housing and services for Burien residents experiencing homelessness, her approach to issues of safety overall centers the needs businesses over people. Akey was also more supportive of a controversial sweep that displaced residents camping in front of Burien City Hall and was recorded on video questioning the group that was doing outreach to campers in front of her condominium (a group that included the incumbent Cydney Moore). Her statements on the encampment demonize people experiencing homelessness instead of offering real solutions to help residents find a warm, safe place to live. 

Cydney Moore has been a standout progressive voice on Burien's City Council, and deserves your vote for Position 2.
 

Former deputy mayor Krystal Marx is running for Burien City Council, Position 6, which is currently held by Sofia Aragon. She previously served on the council from 2017 through 2021. She is the former executive director of Seattle Pride and previously worked for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washington. Currently, she is the vice president of business operations for the Seattle Seawolves rugby team. 

During her previous term, Marx was a consistent progressive voice on the council. She takes a housing-first approach to homelessness, which prioritizes getting people in crisis into stable housing, and has worked to pass a range of tenant protections to keep people in their homes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marx voted in favor of $5 per hour hazard pay for frontline workers like grocery store employees. She also voted in favor of expanding affordable housing in downtown Burien that includes units designated for Burien residents and veterans.

Marx is running against small business owner Alex Andrade. Andrade runs the printing business Citlali Creativo and serves on the board of Discover Burien. she is running on a more conservative platform focused on policing and homelessness. Andrade recently told the B-Town Blog that she would support criminalizing people experiencing homelessness and repeatedly said she wanted to give police more power to enforce this law. Not surprisingly, she's been endorsed by some of the incumbents on the Burien City Council who have taken a hardline approach to criminalizing people who have been forced to turn to the streets for shelter. 

Marx has earned sweeping endorsements from our partner organizations, which is a reflection of her progressive values and positive vision for Burien. Marx is the clear choice for Burien City Council, Position 6. 
 

Incumbent Mike Nelson is running for re-election as mayor of Edmonds. He served one term as a city council member before his election as mayor in 2019. He also serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee and on the city's Youth Commission, which he created to help young people get involved in the community.

Nelson is a strong proponent of making the city more affordable for all families, improving pedestrian safety, and protecting Edmonds’ natural environment. If re-elected, he wants to carry out the city's Climate Action Plan and continue the Human Services Program, which provides a dedicated social worker to meet residents' needs for a different response to public safety issues. Nelson's vision for Edmonds includes childcare tax credits, property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities, small business incentives, and federal and state grants to improve infrastructure. In his 2023 budget message, Nelson called for the creation of an in-house prosecuting attorney, which led to the abrupt departure of the legal firm that currently provides Edmonds with prosecutorial services. 

His opponent is Mike Rosen, who has served on the Edmonds Planning Board and Center for the Arts. He states that he's running to restore the community's confidence in city government. His campaign website lacks substantive answers to the issues facing Edmonds and each category is instead filled with questions instead of policy solutions. 

Rosen acknowledges that Edmonds is growing but seems to be more concerned with the city's charm than ensuring that housing is affordable and available for all. In an interview with the Edmonds Beacon, he said the city will never have enough resources to do what it wants to do, and that there aren't enough resources locally to deal with homelessness, food insecurity, or crime.

Nelson has provided Edmonds with steady leadership over the last four years and deserves your vote for re-election.  

Susan Paine, one of the few progressives on the Edmonds City Council, is running this year to retain Position 6. Paine comes to the council with years of experience as an employee for the city of Seattle, former president of the Edmonds School Board, and the vice chair of AtWork!, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities. She holds a master's degree in public administration from Seattle University.

Paine has not been afraid to vote against her conservative colleagues, especially when it comes to housing. Although Edmonds has around 450 people experiencing homelessness, the city has no shelters, and does not allow affordable multifamily housing to be built on 94 percent of its land. Paine is the only council member who does not want to keep these exclusionary rules - she was the sole vote in favor of accepting a grant to study ways to provide more middle-income housing options.

Paine was also one of only two council members to oppose the decision to ban living outside within 35 miles of a shelter, a move that she said effectively "criminalized poverty." Unlike her colleagues, Paine believes that Edmonds should increase housing options, shelter space, and much needed services instead of punishing people who are struggling.

Despite being outnumbered on the council, Paine has managed to accomplish much for the people of Edmonds. During the pandemic, she funded relief for local businesses without cutting staff for essential programs like the Edmonds Food Bank. She made changes that kept kids safe from traffic around their schools, introduced a local human services program for families, and protected Edmonds' environment through initiatives that introduced more solar power, electric charging, and protections for city trees.

Kevin Fagerstrom is challenging Paine for Edmonds City Council, Position 6. He is a retired police sergeant who was one of the officers who shot and killed a civilian, Eugene Culp Jr., in 2006. Fagerstrom is a conservative who is running for office to resist Washington's efforts to build more housing that people with lower or middle incomes can afford.  Although we know that most people who lose their housing are lower-income locals who have experienced an emergency like losing their job, Fagerstrom spreads the myth that "drug addicts and mental patients" are moving into Edmonds to receive services. He would use the fear of helping "nonresidents" to justify the lack of services for people who are struggling to afford the limited housing available in Edmonds.

Paine is one of the few council members who consistently champions environmental stewardship, homes for working people, and services that help our communities thrive. She deserves your vote for Edmonds City Council, Position 6.
 

Demi Chatters is a working mom and progressive activist running for Everett City Council, Position 6. She is a long-time Everett resident who has served on the Everett Planning Commission and Snohomish County Human Rights Commission. She also volunteers with organizations that center youth, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Chatters is running for office to center the needs of the working people of Everett. One of her top priorities is increasing housing options for people with lower or middle incomes who are struggling to keep a roof over their head. Her platform also prioritizes workers' rights, accessible green spaces, and a public safety approach that relies on social supports over policing. She points to several concrete ways she will work towards her goals, including reforming zoning laws to allow the building of more homes, requiring fair wages and working conditions on city-funded projects, increasing transit routes, creating mini-parks, and expanding the team of social workers that respond to emergencies.

Chatters' opponent, conservative Scott Bader, was an obstacle to progress on important city reforms during his time on council. Bader supported inflating the police budget by $6 million while cutting the funding for services that we know actually keep our communities safe, housed, and healthy. He also proposed expanding the controversial "no sit, no lie" ordinance that criminalizes homelessness rather than seeking real solutions. 

Chatters has earned the support of many progressive leaders and organizations. Because of her community involvement, dedication to racial justice, and concrete plans for progress, she is by far the best choice for Everett City Council, Position 6.
 

Community organizer Bryan Yambe is running to retain his seat on the Fife City Council, Position 1. Yambe is a lifelong volunteer and movement-builder. He has worked with the Pierce County Young Democrats, 25th Legislative District Democrats, and the Washington State Labor Council, as well as multiple other boards and progressive organizations. When he was elected in 2013, he became only the second Japanese-American person and one of the youngest people to ever serve on the Fife City Council.

Yambe is running to improve public safety and accountability measures, increase funding for transportation, reduce homelessness, and make living in Fife more affordable for youth, seniors, and working people. During his time on council, he has helped connect residents experiencing homelessness to housing and services, secured more than $100 million for transportation projects, and provided utility payment relief and living wage career options to young people in the city.

Yambe faces a challenge from Barry D. Johnson, who previously served on the Fife Planning Commission and Parks Board. He is running to improve transparency and collaboration on the council, but his campaign platform is otherwise thin on details. 

Yambe is endorsed by many progressive groups like Planned Parenthood, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and many local unions. Because of his dedication to inclusion and creating opportunities for the young people in our community, Yambe is the best choice for Fife City Council, Position 1. 

 

Victoria Hunt is running for re-election to Issaquah City Council, Position 6. She is a data scientist at Breakthrough Energy, where she leads research efforts on renewable energy and does climate analyses to help cities meet their climate plans. She was elected to the council in 2019 and holds a Ph.D. in ecology.

In office, Hunt has been a champion for environmental protection. During her two years as council president, she helped pass the city's climate action plan. She also advocated for the acquisition and preservation of the 46-acre Bergsma property, which was one of the few remaining unprotected areas in the Issaquah Alps. Hunt has been involved in advocating for ambitious climate action at the state level as well, supporting a bill to make the largest energy supplier in Washington transition to clean energy.

Hunt also has a good track record when it comes to affordable housing. She was the only council member to support all the recommendations from the Regional Coalition on Housing (ARCH) that would combat landlords' continued raising of rents in Issaquah. If re-elected, Hunt states that she would like to study and expand housing options so that people with lower or moderate incomes can find and keep their homes.

Her opponent is Sam Sheehan, a conservative welder and business owner. Sheehan does not have a campaign website nor has he raised any funds as of mid-October, but his voter's guide statement bemoans "individual liberties" being sidelined for the "greater good." His proposals would result in cuts to funding for roads, parks, and other services that benefit working people. 

Hunt clearly stands out in this race with her knowledge of environmental stewardship and sustainable development in Issaquah. Vote for Victoria Hunt for Issaquah City Council, Position 6.
 

John Boyd is running for Kent City Council, Position 3. Boyd is a retired quality assurance inspector for Boeing and a Navy veteran. 

Boyd's campaign priorities include developing a comprehensive plan to address homelessness that involves wrap-around services, sustainable development, rebuilding trust in law enforcement, and responsible budget spending. He highlights his certification in chemical dependency and experience as a volunteer at Therapeutic Health Services as important for addressing some of the root causes of homelessness, like substance abuse. Boyd supports increasing access to mental health services and job training programs. 

His opponent is litigation paralegal Kelly Wiggans-Crawford. Despite stating that she will prioritize addressing the homelessness crisis and creating a safe community, Wiggans-Crawford has been an active advocate for Kent's punitive encampment bans. Wiggans-Crawford's campaign website lacks substantial plans to effectively tackle homelessness and other challenges confronting Kent, and in an interview with the Kent Reporter stated that she does not feel she needs to have the answers for community issues, but is excited to connect with those who do. This does not give us confidence that she will be ready to hit the ground running if elected. 

Boyd has picked up a large number of organizational endorsements, including from local Democratic organizations and unions. He is the best choice for Kent City Council, Position 3.
 

Incumbent Kelli Curtis is running for re-election to Kirkland City Council, Position 2, to which she was first elected in 2019. Before joining the council she worked for most of her career in the technology industry as a product manager for area companies such as Aldus and Starwave.

Curtis' campaign platform prioritizes close collaboration with neighbors, implementing sustainable planning strategies, cultivating inclusivity and belonging, building affordable homes, and expanding parks and natural spaces. During her time on the council, Curtis has supported the conversion of hotels into housing with on-site services, achieving success in these projects by bringing people together.

As chair of the Parks Exploratory Funding Committee, Curtis has spearheaded a ballot measure to create an indoor aquatics and recreation facility with pools, gymnasiums, fitness classes, and a community gathering space. Additional plans involve adding restrooms to selected parks, constructing new sports courts, expanding youth recreation programs, and acquiring green space for the development of Green Loop trail segments in northwest Kirkland.

Curtis faces a challenge from Catie Malik, an associate director of Finance at the UW School of Medicine. Her platform is vague, stating that the council has a "far-left extremist mindset," which is a wild misrepresentation of the city's current leaders. She says that she wants to preserve Kirkland's character, neighborhoods, and small businesses without offering policies or ways that she would seek to do so. Malik does not appear to have any elected or community leadership experience and does not have any organizational endorsements on her site as of mid-October. 

Kirkland has benefitted from Curtis's commitment to bringing community-minded leadership to the core of some of its most challenging issues. Kelli Curtis is the clear choice for Kirkland City Council, Position 2.
 

Incumbent council member Amy Falcone is running for another term on the Kirkland City Council in Position 6. Falcone previously served as a founding member and co-chair of the Kirkland Human Services Commission before being elected to this seat in 2019. She was called to public service when she started advocating for safer sidewalks in her neighborhood. Now, she also serves as the PTO co-president at her daughter's middle school and on the City of Kirkland/Lake Washington School District Coordinating Committee.

Falcone focuses on both inclusivity and sustainability lenses in order to build a future for Kirkland that provides opportunities for everyone. She has been an advocate for community funding to support everyone’s needs preventatively before people face housing or food insecurity. If re-elected, she hopes to continue fostering collaboration and engaging resident voices, particularly those that have been historically silenced or ignored by city leadership. Falcone has earned a diverse set of endorsements in this race, including from the local Democrats, the state’s leading community organizations, and progressive elected officials.

Also in this race is "Ryan James" Turok who owns and operates a small art gallery. Turok is running without party affiliation or endorsements. He serves on the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the board of the Bellevue Arts Museum. In this race, he has emphasized economic development, workforce housing, and neighborhood upgrades.

We recommend Amy Falcone in this race because of her clear vision for improving Kirkland and the impressive support her campaign has earned.
 

David Parshall is running for Lynnwood City Council, Position 7 to replace retiring council member Shannon Sessions. Parshall is a former local teacher, youth sports coach, and Democratic precinct committee officer. In his community roles, he has personally observed the challenges facing Lynnwood’s diverse, working families.

Parshall is running to improve equity, safety, livability in Lynnwood. If elected, he wants to promote development that puts the community first by investing in public transportation upgrades to connect Lynnwood better. He would also work to reduce traffic and support seniors, veterans, and students. Parshall has earned has the lion’s share of progressive and community endorsements in this race, including from the local labor council, elected officials, and community leaders.

Derek Hanusch, an intern at a global NGO, is the other candidate in this race. Hanusch has a campaign website but it lacks any information aside from a contact form as of mid-October. In this campaign announcement video, he shared no issues but he confusingly referred to Lynnwood’s “all are welcome” slogan as “controversial.” Hanusch is not progressive; he publicly supported a Republican legislative candidate last year and has a strong bent towards criminalization instead of community investment. Lynnwood residents deserve a council representative who takes community needs seriously and has a plan to make the city better for everyone.

Though he is not a strong progressive, David Parshall is the best choice for Lynnwood City Council, Position 7 because of his community experience and impressive endorsements.
 

Moderate Craig Reynolds is running for re-election to the Mercer Island City Council, Position 5. Reynolds works as an actuary and believes his financial planning skills translate well to his work on the Mercer Island City Council. 

During his last term, Reynolds was proud to support the city's first climate action plan and worked to protect Mercer Island's parks and open spaces. He is running once again to focus on the city’s financial challenges as well as transportation, growth, and land use. 

Reynolds faces a challenge from planning commissioner Michael D. Curry. He is also focused on maintaining local parks but places a greater emphasis on crime in his campaign materials. Curry has not earned broad community endorsements, though he is supported by the King County Republican Party. 

We believe Craig Reynolds deserves your vote once again for Mercer Island City Council, Position 5, based on endorsements from our progressive partners and trusted community leaders.
 

Dani Madrone is running unopposed for re-election to the Olympia City Council, Position 3. She has lived in Olympia for nearly two decades, attending Evergreen State College and now working for the American Farmland Trust. She has also been active in the community, serving on the boards of The Olympian and the Olympia Food Co-op. 

Madrone is running to tackle the big issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and climate change with a science-based and community-forward approach. In her second term, she wants to expand community partnerships with groups like Habitat for Humanity to build more homes. Madrone will also prioritize making Olympia a friendly and welcoming city by creating more shared spaces for people to come together, including new community gardens. 

Madrone has earned your vote for re-election to the Olympia City Council, Position 3. 
 

Osman Salahuddin is running for Position 1 on the Redmond City Council after Councilmember Varisha Khan declined to run for re-election. Salahuddin works as the communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry. He is currently on the board of directors for the Muslim Association of Puget Sound and previously served as student body president at the University of Washington. 

Salahuddin is running to reduce the cost of housing in Redmond and ensure everyone feels safe in their community. If elected, he would improve neighborhood walkability and invest more in affordable housing solutions like the Together Center. In addition, he would work to modernize Redmond's building codes to encourage green construction and promote energy efficiency. 

Salahuddin is facing Nate Niederhausern in the general election. Niederhausern works in digital streaming and online learning for corporations. He is active with the Redmond LDS Boy Scout troops, particularly on environmental conservation. Niederhausern appears to be newer to politics. While he made it through the primary election himself, he had not voted in a primary in 15 years. In addition, he supported Republican Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign against President Obama. 

Salahuddin is the clear choice for Redmond City Council, Position 1.
 

Incumbent Councilmember Jessica Forsythe is running unopposed for re-election to Position 3 on the Redmond City Council. Before joining the council in 2019, she served on the executive committee of the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County and executive board for the 48th Legislative District Democrats. Forsythe has been exceptionally active in the community, co-founding the Seattle Symphony PRIDE contingent, joining campaigns for Washington’s most progressive initiatives, and participating in a global network to donate her creative skills where needed. Outside of public and community service, she serves as a creative director for her own studio, Little Hinka Design.

Forsythe brings an important voice to the council as a renter and younger elected official. Some of her greatest policy achievements in office have been equity-related; honoring Black history by recognizing Juneteenth, addressing islamophobia within the Redmond community, and working to uproot systemic racism through action and community engagement. Forsythe has four top priorities in this race including protecting the environment, supporting local small businesses, fostering a sense of community, and upgrading infrastructure. As Redmond grows, Forsythe is committed to making sure that the economic benefits of that growth are felt by all, not just a privileged few. She also believes that sustainable growth must take our climate and local ecosystem into account, and Forsythe wants to set green guidelines and promote LEED building standards. 

Forsythe has earned an impressive list of the most progressive leaders and organizations in Redmond and Washington broadly. We recommend her for another term on the Redmond City Council in Position 3.
 

Vanessa Kritzer is running unopposed to continue serving in Position 5 on the Redmond City Council. Kritzer was first elected in 2019 and now serves as council vice president. Outside of elected office, Kritzer is the executive director of the Washington Association of Land Trusts, which connects conservation efforts across Washington to protect local ecosystems for generations to come. She has also served in community leadership roles including as a student appointed by Governor Inslee to serve on the UW Board of Regents, as a board member of OneRedmond (the city’s chamber of commerce), and as the current vice chair of the WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council.

On the council, Kritzer has been a tireless progressive advocate. She established the city’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-focused staff, advocated on behalf of the Redmond Senior and Community Center, and invested in public recreational spaces like parks, trails, and pickleball courts. Now, she is running on an inclusive platform to continue making investments that strengthen Redmond’s public services, infrastructure, and community identity. In this race, Kritzer is supported by a long list of progressive elected leaders, community organizations, and local unions.

Vanessa Kritzer has earned your vote for another term on the Redmond City Council in Position 5.

U.S. Navy veteran and insurance agent Angie Nuevacamina is running for Redmond City Council, Position 7. She serves on the Redmond Planning Commission and has been a committee member with the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County for the last 5 years. 

Nuevacamina is running to make housing more affordable, keep our communities safe, and improve transparency in local government. As a proponent of the "Nothing About Us Without Us" principle, she would ensure decisions in Redmond are made more equitably and every voice is heard. As Redmond continues to grow, she also wants to make the city more welcoming for all residents. 

Nuevacamina is facing incumbent David Carson. Carson, a software test lead, is a business-oriented candidate running to push for the completion of infrastructure projects in Redmond. Carson has an antagonistic approach to homelessness, stating that he wants to prosecute people found with shopping carts off-premises. He has been cited in the Washington Post and elsewhere stating that those suffering from addiction must hit "rock bottom" before seeking treatment.

Nuevacamina's lived experience and deep experience in the community makes her the clear choice for Redmond City Council, Position 7.
 

There are two dedicated candidates running for Renton City Council, Position 3. Incumbent and current council president Valerie O'Halloran was first elected in 2019. Like many city council members across the state, she found the position challenging but rewarding during the pandemic and is running to continue her work on climate change, community health, and more.

In our interview with O'Halloran, she stated that she first ran to bring climate action plans to the council, which she is proud to have accomplished with a 240-page plan for the city to reduce greenhouse emissions and prepare for potential climate disasters. 

Challenging O'Halloran this year is Erica Conway, who is running to bring her lived experience to city hall. Conway is a supervisor with King County Superior Court's criminal division. In our interview, she said she was motivated to run because she had begun to attend council meetings and felt that the city was not doing enough on affordable housing, gun safety, and more. Conway is serving her second term as elected vice president 2 for the Seattle King County NAACP and also sits on the Renton Police Chief's Community Council. 

While both candidates have spoken about the need for the city to continue addressing homelessness, one difference between their positions is the handling of the shelter opened in the former Red Lion Motel during the pandemic. The shelter was open from April 2020 to June 2022 and housed nearly 200 individuals. O'Halloran stated that she vote to close the facility because of extreme fire safety issues, a lack of safe evacuation for mobility-challenged residents, and a shortage of staff. Conway said that she would not have voted to close the shelter and that it was a shame that the building sits vacant today, while O'Halloran said that the building is uninhabitable from smoke and water damage. 

Moving forward, O'Halloran points to projects like the shelter at the Extended Stay as the way forward on transitional housing, which she says is successful because of a joint partnership with the county. If re-elected, she wants to continue expanding needed shelters that offer wraparound services as well as low-income housing.

Though we appreciate that Conway would bring a new perspective to city hall, her policy proposals weren't convincing enough for us to recommend her over the incumbent. For example, Conway wants to tackle police accountability by introducing children to their local police early in life, which wouldn't go far enough to ensure community safety. In addition, she was unsure about her positions on some critical policies, like how much additional housing the city needs or how the city might bring down the cost of housing.

O'Halloran has made some controversial choices in the past with which we disagree, including an endorsement of conservative King County Council member Reagan Dunn. However, we lean toward O'Halloran because of her track record as a highly engaged and detail-oriented member of the council. 
 

Kerry Bosworth is challenging incumbent council member Kent Treen for Position 4 on the Sammamish City Council. Bosworth is a senior program manager at Microsoft. She has served on her homeowners association, the Sammamish Planning Commission, and her local PTSA. Bosworth’s community involvement has taught her the importance of listening, holding multiple perspectives together at once, and making difficult decisions for the common good.

Bosworth is running on a platform that emphasizes sustainability across multiple issues in order to create progress that can benefit and last for generations to come. Her primary areas of focus are the economy, the environment, and housing. Bosworth advocates for bold climate action, a robust budget to cover all expenditures as well as additional community needs, and housing options for all income levels. In this race, she is supported by other local council members, Democratic groups, and community leaders.

Incumbent Kent Treen is running for another term on the council. Treen works in forestry and has worked on a number of local restoration projects and on parks in the county. Earlier this year, he was censured for mishandling a disclosure for an ethics investigation into the former city manager. Treen lacks progressive ideas to address the housing crisis and has not shared a campaign platform as of mid-October.

We recommend Kerry Bosworth for Sammamish City Council, Position 4.
 

Incumbent city council member Pam Stuart is running for another term serving in Position 6 on the Sammamish City Council. Stuart served her first term after being elected in 2017 and rejoined the council by appointment last year to fill the Position 6 vacancy left by Ken Gamblin. Outside of public service, she works as a principal program manager at Microsoft and has been active in the community, including serving as the PTA president and on the board of the Eastlake Little League. 

In her previous term, Stuart was a strong voice for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. She played an instrumental role in securing funds for salmon recovery efforts in our watersheds and participated in a countywide initiative to establish goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Stuart was also pivotal in developing countywide affordable housing and transportation planning policies and was a vocal advocate to extend emergency relief housing for our unsheltered neighbors.

Now, Stuart wants to build on her past accomplishments and continue improving government transparency, addressing the climate crisis, and providing shelter for all residents of Sammamish. Additionally, she wants to foster more inclusion and belonging in the city and build greater trust between residents and the council. Her optimistic campaign shares a vision for a sustainable and healthy Sammamish for generations to come. 

Stuart is being challenged by conservative Josh Amato, who runs his own marketing and communications company. Previously, Amato served as a combative spokesperson for the Washington State Republican Party. If elected, he would oppose policies that would reduce the sky-high cost of housing in Sammamish. He criticizes the city for what he views as financial mismanagement yet offers few details about how he would improve the budget if elected. 

Pam Stuart's experience, detailed policy knowledge, and track record of leadership make her the clear choice for Sammamish City Council, Position 6. 
 

Progressive Elizabeth Greninger is running for SeaTac City Council, Position 3. With more than 15 years of social work experience, Greninger has helped people who have faced domestic violence, sexual assault, and housing instability. 

Greninger has a comprehensive plan to deliver safe, affordable, and accessible housing to all SeaTac residents. For example, she would make it easier for homeowners to convert or build accessory dwelling units on their properties. Along with advocating for higher minimum wages, Greninger also wants to ensure SeaTac uses union contracts whenever possible. If elected, she would expand local initiatives helping women, queer people, and people of color start their own businesses.

Greninger also has the most complete vision for protecting the environment and residents’ well-being. She advocates protecting the North SeaTac Park and preventing it from being developed by the Port of Seattle. Moreover, she would expand farmer’s markets and leverage the recently passed Crisis Care Levy to build behavioral health resources in the city. Finally, Greninger is focused on reducing air traffic noise pollution and aviation emissions. Overall, her policies would lead to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for SeaTac.

Greninger is challenging incumbent Peter Kwon, who has been a council member since 2016. Kwon was the deputy mayor of SeaTac from 2020 to 2022. Professionally, he is a systems engineer, president of the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials, and founder of the Neighborhood Locking Mailbox Program. 

Kwon focuses his campaign on his non-partisanship. His main priority during his tenure has been reducing SeaTac’s debt position while trying to not cut services. SeaTac has been successful in this aim as it now has a budget surplus without a reduction in city services. Another priority for Kwon was the adoption of a lockable mailbox program in SeaTac to address rising mail theft. Recently, Kwon has also initiated talks with the Port of Seattle to acquire the 220-acre North SeaTac park.

Unfortunately, Kwon has also been quoted as stating that SeaTac already has "enough" affordable housing, which disregards the pressing need for accessible and affordable housing options in our community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kwon voted to ban the effective strategy by King County to convert unused hotels into housing with on-site services within SeaTac, leaving people without shelter in a time of crisis.

Elizabeth Greninger's progressive values and impressive record of community service make her the choice for SeaTac City Council, Position 3.
 

Damiana Merryweather is running for SeaTac City Council, Position 7, which is currently held by retiring council member Erin Sitterly. Merryweather works for the Greater Burien Area Urban Farmers Group in administration and is the operations lead and CFO of a local restaurant group. She also serves as a commissioner on the SeaTac Planning Commission.

Merryweather is running to bring her operations leadership, business savvy, and community vision to the school board. If elected, she wants to improve public safety by working with different stakeholders like community organizations, law enforcement, and residents. Merryweather also wants to work on housing affordability, especially for SeaTac’s working families, traffic and speed safety on the roads, and community/airport relations. In this race, Merryweather has earned an impressive list of endorsements including local elected officials, progressive organizations, and some unions.

The other candidate in this race is Joe Vinson, who works as a maintenance manager. Vinson’s top priorities for office include public safety, housing affordability, and climate protection. He wants to bring a combined data-driven and community-focused approach to the council in order to make SeaTac a safe city full of opportunity and unity.

We recommend Damiana Merryweather for Seatac City Council, Position 7 because of her strong endorsements from our partners and other progressive organizations.
 

Community organizer and incumbent Councilmember Tammy Morales is running for her second term serving District 2 on the Seattle City Council. Morales was first elected in 2019 and has been a vocal, progressive advocate for this diverse district. Previously, she worked with the Rainier Beach Action Coalition to advocate for affordable housing, food security, and other pressing community needs. Beyond the city council, Morales has also served as a legislative director and city budget analyst.

In her current role, Morales has pushed for safe and walkable streets, corporate accountability, social and other affordable housing measures, and climate crisis emergency responses such as extreme heat and smoke shelters. She is running to build on her previous term to push for Green New Deal funding and environmental protections that will keep Seattle a healthy place to live for generations to come. If re-elected, Morales will continue to champion affordable housing policies, neighborhood revitalization investments, and tenant rights. She has received an extensive and diverse list of endorsements in this race including from fellow city council members and other local progressives.

Chinatown-International District (CID) small business owner Tanya Woo is challenging Morales in District 2. Woo’s family ran the Mon Hei Bakery and later renovated the historic Louisa Hotel to have 84 units of workforce housing. She is a longtime advocate for the CID, including starting the CID Community Watch volunteer group in 2020 that walks the neighborhood to provide support and diffuse conflicts. Unfortunately, last year, Woo led a series of rallies against King County's proposal to expand a homeless shelter near the CID. County Executive Dow Constantine eventually canceled the project, which would have included 150 shelter beds and a tiny house village, because of the "community feedback." Woo is now running for Seattle City Council to give a voice to CID residents who don't feel heard by elected leaders. She would focus on improving public safety, expanding community outreach in more languages, and protecting the neighborhood from gentrification.

Morales has the proven track record and the progressive vision necessary to advocate for District 2 on the Seattle City Council. She has earned your vote for re-election.
 

Councilmember Andrew Lewis is running for re-election to the Seattle City Council from District 7. Lewis was first elected to the seat in 2019 and previously served as an assistant city attorney, including working on the Seattle Human Rights Commission. He also serves as the president of the Seattle Metropolitan Park District where he has worked to create jobs, ensure the cleanliness of public green space, and advance environmental goals for the city.

In his first term on the council, Lewis prioritized funding affordable housing programs, ensuring community safety, and achieving greater climate protections to make Seattle a healthier place for all of us. He secured funding to fully renovate the Queen Anne Community Center and expanded the JustCARE program, which offers outreach, shelter, and wrap-around services to Seattleites without housing. In this race, he is running on a progressive platform to expand crisis support services, invest in social and transitional housing options, and improve the city’s public transit infrastructure to reduce both traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.

Navy veteran Bob Kettle is challenging incumbent Lewis for the District 7 seat. Kettle is not running a progressive campaign. He would ignore the public call for policing alternatives and community investments that would actually keep our neighbors safe. If elected, Kettle also wants to criminalize addiction and increase inhumane sweeps that don’t alleviate our housing crisis. 

Lewis has earned an impressive list of endorsements from elected officials and key community leaders and is the most progressive choice in this race. Vote Andrew Lewis for Seattle City Council from District 7. 

Olgy Diaz is running to retain the At-Large position on the Tacoma City Council. Appointed to the position in the summer of 2022, Diaz is the first Latina to serve on the council. Diaz has deep roots in advocating for the community, including with groups like OneAmerica and Planned Parenthood, in the state legislature, and alongside local candidates. Reflecting her commitment to protecting our clean air and water, she serves as the deputy legislative director for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and serves as the vice chair of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

Diaz has hit the ground running as a council member. In her first year, she has passed ordinances to protect gender-affirming healthcare and the right to abortion. She is excited to continue work on the city's climate action plan, which has so far funded wildfire smoke filter fans for low-income households and a city litter crew, among other priorities. When it comes to community safety, Diaz supports the city's overhaul of police use-of-force policies, the body camera program, and a community trauma response team. She also supported investments directly in the community through more affordable and accessible homes and shelter, increasing the tree canopy, and more. Diaz's work has earned her a huge slate of endorsements, including from Tacoma City Council members, state representatives, and many progressive organizations. 

Diaz is being challenged from the right by Kristen Wynne, an event venue owner and former King County deputy prosecutor. She is running to represent the business community, in her words, and wants to make Tacoma more business-friendly. But her method of doing so has failed time and time again - by pouring more money into law enforcement to tackle the issues of public safety. 

Relying on police, penalties, and prisons to tackle the addiction crisis, lack of affordable housing, and dealing with people having mental health crises has yet to work here or elsewhere in the country. Wynne takes issue with the 30 vacant officer positions in the Tacoma Police Department, but this isn't just a local issue - cities across the state and nation have seen a deficit of qualified individuals seeking to become police officers. This is yet another reason that relying on traditional law enforcement is unlikely to solve issues of addiction, mental health, or homelessness.

Wynne is closely aligned with the downtown business community and would likely pull the council to the right if elected. Diaz has been a principled and proactive member of the Tacoma City Council, and she has earned her vote to continue her work on the council. 
 

Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker is running for re-election for At-Large Position 8 on the Tacoma City Council. Prior to serving on the city council, Walker spent nine years as the executive director of Downtown on the Go, a Tacoma-based transportation advocacy organization that aims to encourage the use of biking, walking, and transit. 

During her first term in office, Walker has prioritized addressing racial disparities, expanding shelter options, and investing more in affordable housing. She supported the Home in Tacoma initiative to promote a greater range of housing options in more neighborhoods and reduce the cost of housing. She has also used her experience in transportation advocacy to improve access and keep our streets safe, including supporting legislation to lower the speed limit to 20 mph in residential areas. Unfortunately, Walker was part of a 6-3 majority on the city council that banned people without a home from sleeping outside near services. 

If re-elected, Walker would prioritize creating jobs, improving transportation access, and preserving local green spaces for all Tacoma residents. In addition, she is committed to reducing gun violence and improving public safety.

Walker faces a challenge this year from Todd Briske. Briske is a web developer who ran for state legislature last year against Speaker Laurie Jinkins as part of the Forward Party. He does not appear to have much community or political leadership experience. He states that he would focus on paving potholes, hiring more police officers, and building more shelter beds, though he doesn't say how he would accomplish this. 

Walker's track record on the council and strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners makes her the clear choice in this race.
 

Mayor Pro Tem Ty Stober is running unopposed for re-election to Vancouver City Council, Position 5. He is the former board chair of Equal Rights Washington and volunteers as a Hough & Fruit Valley Lunch Buddy. Stober is a progressive who believes in investing in all forms of transportation, ensuring first responders have the funding and equipment they need, and a “housing first” approach to solving homelessness. 

He's running for re-election to continue his work supporting small businesses, making housing more affordable, improving transportation options, and keeping our community safe for all residents. 

Stober has once again earned a strong set of progressive endorsements, which reflects his values and track record on the council. Ty Stober has earned your vote for Vancouver City Council, Position 5. 
 

Monica Webster is running unopposed for the Bellevue School Board from District 4. She works for the Washington State Health Care Authority connecting families with behavioral health treatments. 

Webster is a single mother of two kids who attended Bellevue public schools. She has been a very active volunteer with the district, including serving on the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, the School Resource Officer Advisory Committee, and the advisory committee for the district's first equity plan. 

Webster is running to improve student safety, focus on students' needs, and follow through on the district's equity commitments. She believes the district needs to improve transparency and communication with students and families and pledges to have an open ear, especially for people with differing opinions. Webster has also heard from staff about poor working conditions in the district and she will work to ensure Bellevue can hire and retain the most talented educators. 

Webster would bring valuable perspective and experience to the board from her years of activism in the district. Monica Webster has earned your vote for Bellevue School District Director, District 4. 
 

Navy veteran Dr. Karen J. Bolton is running for re-election to the Bremerton School Board, Position 1. Since retiring from 20 years of service in the Navy, she has worked as a full-time professor at Olympic College. She has also served as a past board member of the YWCA of Kitsap County and Leadership Kitsap.

Bolton was first elected in 2019 and took office just weeks before the pandemic. She is proud of her track record leading the district through the pandemic without laying off any staff and ensuring that all students continued to have access to meals and wi-fi. She is running for re-election to ensure every student has the opportunity to earn a high-quality education. She also wants to keep pushing the district forward to integrate the latest technology into the curriculum.

Bolton faces a challenge from conservative Lance Byrd, who moved to Bremerton six years ago and does not appear to have any experience serving his community. Unfortunately, Byrd has aligned himself with the far-right group Moms for Liberty, which wants to ban books from school libraries, eliminate comprehensive sex education, and change school curriculums to whitewash our history. He recently participated in a candidate forum hosted by Moms for Liberty and criticizes Bolton for working to achieve equity for all students.

Bolton's lifetime of service, track record of thoughtful leadership, and deep knowledge of education issues have earned her a host of endorsements from local leaders and statewide advocates. Dr. Karen Bolton is the clear choice for Bremerton School Board, Position 1. 

Charles Adkins is running for Everett School Board for Director-at-Large Position 5. Adkins grew up on the Yurok Indian Reservation and remains an enrolled member of the nation today. There, he attended one of the last standing federally-run Indian boarding schools, which existed to erase Indigenous culture and language. Adkins experienced homelessness as a child, which eventually brought him to Cocoon House in Everett. Today he works as a legislative policy analyst for the Tulalip tribes and previously served as the health policy director of the Children’s Alliance. 

Adkins’ extensive background in policy leadership and community advocacy, and his unique experience of how education can be misused to erase some kids' identities, position him well to improve the school district for all students. He has a detailed and exceptionally progressive platform with policy ideas such as partnerships between local youth homelessness resources and the school district, advocating for healthy and safe work environments for teachers and staff, and strengthening the relationships between Everett public schools and local tribes including through the curriculum. In this race, Adkins has been endorsed by a large number of progressive leaders, community organizations, unions, and Democratic groups.

Also in this race is Ryne Rohla, an economist in the Washington State Office of the Attorney General and professor in the subject at Washington State University. Rohla is running to invest in public education in order to improve economic mobility in our community. He wants to bring his expertise in economics to focus on raising competency scores for Everett students. Unfortunately, Rohla has not offered progressive solutions for helping all students achieve their greatest potential and seems to offer a less holistic approach to raising scores.

Charles Adkins' strong progressive values, policy expertise, and community relationships make him the clear choice for Director-at-Large Position 5 on the Everett School Board.
 

Natasha Fectau Minger is challenging incumbent Mike Desmond for North Kitsap School Board, Position 2. Minger has served on multiple community boards to advise on issues that affect young children, organized parents to get involved in family issues, and advocated for change at the state level.

As a single working mom raising a son on the autism spectrum, Minger was motivated to become an advocate for children in special education. Her background as an Alaska Native has also allowed her to build trust with tribal parents and organizations. Minger has led outreach for programs like the Child Tax Credit and Headstart, helping working people and tribal parents access resources to help their children thrive.

She is running against Mike Desmond, the current vice president of the North Kitsap School Board, is running to retain his seat in Position 2 on the board. Desmond is a U.S. Navy Reserve officer and the former vice president of the PTSA at Poulsbo Elementary. If re-elected, he would prioritize creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds, modernizing our facilities, and building a closer relationship with law enforcement.

Recently, the North Kitsap Education Association, which represents public school educators, voted to express a lack of confidence in the current school board, including Desmond. Teachers said that the board made decisions without including or listening to staff in schools. 

If elected, Minger promises to bring more transparency, inclusivity, and respect for diverse histories to the North Kitsap School Board. Her dedication to educators and parents of every background have earned her endorsements from groups like the Washington Education Association, 23rd District Democrats, and Native Vote.

Minger is the best choice in this race. 
 

Electrical engineer Han Tran is running for Northshore School Board, Director District 3 to replace David Cogan, who is not seeking re-election. Tran is an active community advocate, previously running for Bothell City Council in 2021 on a strong progressive platform. In addition, she participated in the school district’s Ethnic Studies Work Team and served as a Washington Human Rights Commissioner.

As an immigrant and a working mother of Northshore district students, Tran wants to champion equity and inclusion, empower educators, and bring a holistic and progressive approach to addressing the district’s needs. She would work to close opportunity gaps by implementing targeted academic support, culturally responsive teaching, and accountability metrics. Tran also believes in empowering staff with high quality professional development and data-informed decisionmaking. The rest of her campaign priorities are equally detailed and community-centric, reflecting her deep knowledge of the issues and the district. In this race, Tran has received an impressive list of progressive endorsements from unions, Democratic organizations, and elected officials.

Myriam Juritz, a substitute teacher with a Doctorate in Engineering in the Northshore School District, is running against Tran for the District 3 director seat. Juritz serves on the board of the Northshore Schools Foundation, and has also served with the Natural Leaders program, NSD Parent Advisory for Student Success, and more. She is a Spanish-speaking immigrant and credits her upbringing in political unrest as motivating her to run for local government to ensure that community needs are met. Juritz has also volunteered in the district extensively to help improve the Dual Language program, English Language Arts, and the Wellness and Safety Task Force. Her campaign platform emphasizes improving academic excellence and student health, both mental and physical. She states that fact-based education, resilience, and long-term fiscal responsibility is core to improving schools and education. However, her available platform is not as detailed as Tran’s, nor has she earned as many community endorsements.

Tran is the clear choice in this race and deserves your vote for Northshore School Board Director, District 3. 

Incumbent Hilary Seidel is running for another term on the Olympia School Board from District 4. Seidel was first elected to the school board in 2017 and now serves as the vice president. Outside of public service, Seidel works in the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as the statewide recognition coordinator. She is also a parent to three children in the district and an avid community volunteer.

Her campaign platform strongly emphasizes the values of community engagement, innovation, and equity. On the council, her leadership approach is to be responsive and accountable to the community, including parents, students, and teachers with whom she speaks often. She wants to continue making our schools a place of belonging for students of all backgrounds. Seidel has earned a long list of endorsements that ranges from progressive elected leaders, nonprofits, unions, local Democrats, and community members.

Leslie Van Leishout is challenging Seidel for the District 4 seat. Van Leishout has spent nearly 30 years working in schools, both in teaching and administration. She wants to use a data-driven approach to prepare the district for modern challenges facing students, including investing in mental health resources, strengthening college, career, and technical prep programs, offering strong support to educators, and expanding special education programs.

We recommend Hilary Seidel for Olympia School Board, Director District 4 because of her strong track record in office, progressive vision for the district, and ample support from our partner organizations.

Educator and community leader Davida Haygood is running for Puyallup School Board, Director Position 5 to replace Turan Kayaoglu, who is not seeking re-election. Haygood has more than 25 years of experience in education and currently works at Pierce College as the interim director of education programs. She is also a community leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion and previously organized the Two-Way Racial Healing Project. Now, Haygood also serves on the Design Review & Historic Preservation Board.

As both an educator herself and a parent, Haygood would bring an important perspective to the school board. Her priorities are centered around connecting both students and teachers to the resources they need to succeed. Haygood wants to lead with an equity lens and is determined to make sure that every student, regardless of their background, has the same support and opportunities at school. She wants to invest in student mental health and special education, while also strengthening the pathways to college and vocational schools for all students. Haygood has received an impressive slate of endorsements in this race including from elected leaders, local educators, unions, and local Democratic groups.

Haygood is running against Shannon Burch, who works in sales and analysis in the private sector. Burch is a parent to students in the district and has served as an active PTA and PTSA member. Her platform aligns with a sharply more conservative agenda in school board leadership. Burch and some fellow Puyallup school board candidates are running as a slate associated with Moms For Liberty, a far-right group that's trying to impose their agenda on public schools. They would take away the freedom for parents to choose what's best for their kids and have sought to ban books in school libraries. Burch even joined an event over the summer hosted by Moms for Liberty, which created serious concerns about what agenda she would pursue if elected. 

Davida Haygood is the best candidate in this race and deserves your vote for Puyallup School Board, Director District 5.