AFT Washington represents over 6,500 education professionals in early childhood education and Head Start, K-12 school-related personnel, and faculty, professionals, and classified members at two- and four-year colleges and universities. AFT Washington is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers which represents 1.5 million members in education, health care, and public employment.
Depending on where you live, you may have the below county races on your ballot.
King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. Raised in Seattle’s public housing by a refugee single mother, he survived on food stamps before making his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration fighting poverty. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential.
On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage. He has made public safety a top priority, including leading an effort to establish five crisis care centers that will help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness, writing legislation to reduce gun violence, and creating a program to tackle crime at transit stations.
Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.
Zahilay has earned endorsements from local tribes, two fellow councilmembers, the governor and attorney general, as well as U.S. Representatives Adam Smith and Pramila Jayapal.
King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. Raised in Seattle’s public housing by a refugee single mother, he survived on food stamps before making his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration fighting poverty. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential.
On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage. He has made public safety a top priority, including leading an effort to establish five crisis care centers that will help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness, writing legislation to reduce gun violence, and creating a program to tackle crime at transit stations.
Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.
Zahilay has earned endorsements from local tribes, two fellow councilmembers, the governor and attorney general, as well as U.S. Representatives Adam Smith and Pramila Jayapal.
King County Council President Girmay Zahilay has represented District 2 (Central and South Seattle) since his first election in 2019. Raised in Seattle’s public housing by a refugee single mother, he survived on food stamps before making his way through Stanford University to serve in the Obama administration fighting poverty. He is an attorney with experience in both the corporate and public sectors. Zahilay also founded Rising Leaders, a nonprofit that uplifts underserved middle school students to reach their full potential.
On the county council, Zahilay has focused on pressing issues such as community safety, the cost of living, and making investments in local public services. His accomplishments demonstrate a comprehensive and progressive approach to enhancing the quality of life for all county residents. Zahilay led the Food Bank Motion to bring greater food security and affordability to our region, helped efforts to transform Skyway, including greater public transit coverage. He has made public safety a top priority, including leading an effort to establish five crisis care centers that will help our neighbors struggling with addiction and mental illness, writing legislation to reduce gun violence, and creating a program to tackle crime at transit stations.
Zahilay's campaign focuses on a wide range of progressive priorities. His own personal experience with homelessness informs his approach to the issue, prioritizing solutions such as investing in additional shelter beds, zoning reforms, rental assistance programs, and youth-oriented programming to prevent homelessness. He is also a strong supporter of not only protecting but expanding access to reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. Some of his other priorities include public safety, gun violence prevention, and more. Zahilay's platform is carefully and thoroughly constructed, with well-researched progressive solutions.
Zahilay has earned endorsements from local tribes, two fellow councilmembers, the governor and attorney general, as well as U.S. Representatives Adam Smith and Pramila Jayapal.
Voters in Olympia have the opportunity to approve Proposition 1, which is also known as the Workers' Bill of Rights. This citizen initiative would establish new labor standards in Olympia, including fair wages and schedules. It sets a minimum wage of $20 per hour for large employers with more than 500 employees and phases in that rate for medium and small employers over three and six years, respectively.
Higher wages will help working people keep up with rising living costs, reduce turnover, and enable more residents to afford to live where they work. The city would be authorized, but not required, to enforce the measure and would set its own rules for compliance.
Vote YES on Proposition 1 to support working people in Olympia!
Voters in Olympia have the opportunity to approve Proposition 1, which is also known as the Workers' Bill of Rights. This citizen initiative would establish new labor standards in Olympia, including fair wages and schedules. It sets a minimum wage of $20 per hour for large employers with more than 500 employees and phases in that rate for medium and small employers over three and six years, respectively.
Higher wages will help working people keep up with rising living costs, reduce turnover, and enable more residents to afford to live where they work. The city would be authorized, but not required, to enforce the measure and would set its own rules for compliance.
Vote YES on Proposition 1 to support working people in Olympia!
Katie Wilson is running for Mayor of Seattle on a bold progressive platform. Wilson is the general secretary for the Transit Riders Union, which advocates for public transit, affordable housing, and more. She regularly contributes to The Stranger, The Urbanist, and other local progressive publications. She is very active organizing in the community, having helped create the ORCA LIFT program and the Seattle Youth ORCA Program, as well as serving on the Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which Mayor Harrell disbanded. She is a coalition builder and renter with strong community relationships and a proven track record of advocacy.
Like Wilson’s career in organizing, her campaign for mayor is exceptionally progressive in vision, values, and support. She is advocating for making the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe so that our communities can afford housing and health care. During our interview, she advocated for policies that would ensure clean air and water for all, protect civil liberties, expand access to substance abuse treatment, and support diverse arts and cultural offerings.
Wilson is an advocate for Seattle’s new social housing policy, and she supports even more diversity in affordable housing types as well as increased shelter capacity and wraparound services. She also shared support for scaling up the LEAD diversion program, safeguarding the rights of immigrants and other targets of Trump’s federal attacks, investing public funding into local news, and more. As a renter, Wilson understands the challenges many Seattleites face with the rapidly increasing cost of housing.
Wilson’s critics question whether she has the experience and ability to make the jump from being an extremely progressive campaigner running a small non-profit to managing the tough political and practical realities of governing a major city.
Wilson is a good choice for mayor if you're looking for a progressive organizer with policy experience and a strong vision for challenging existing approaches to Seattle's problems.
Katie Wilson is running for Mayor of Seattle on a bold progressive platform. Wilson is the general secretary for the Transit Riders Union, which advocates for public transit, affordable housing, and more. She regularly contributes to The Stranger, The Urbanist, and other local progressive publications. She is very active organizing in the community, having helped create the ORCA LIFT program and the Seattle Youth ORCA Program, as well as serving on the Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which Mayor Harrell disbanded. She is a coalition builder and renter with strong community relationships and a proven track record of advocacy.
Like Wilson’s career in organizing, her campaign for mayor is exceptionally progressive in vision, values, and support. She is advocating for making the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe so that our communities can afford housing and health care. During our interview, she advocated for policies that would ensure clean air and water for all, protect civil liberties, expand access to substance abuse treatment, and support diverse arts and cultural offerings.
Wilson is an advocate for Seattle’s new social housing policy, and she supports even more diversity in affordable housing types as well as increased shelter capacity and wraparound services. She also shared support for scaling up the LEAD diversion program, safeguarding the rights of immigrants and other targets of Trump’s federal attacks, investing public funding into local news, and more. As a renter, Wilson understands the challenges many Seattleites face with the rapidly increasing cost of housing.
Wilson’s critics question whether she has the experience and ability to make the jump from being an extremely progressive campaigner running a small non-profit to managing the tough political and practical realities of governing a major city.
Wilson is a good choice for mayor if you're looking for a progressive organizer with policy experience and a strong vision for challenging existing approaches to Seattle's problems.
Katie Wilson is running for Mayor of Seattle on a bold progressive platform. Wilson is the general secretary for the Transit Riders Union, which advocates for public transit, affordable housing, and more. She regularly contributes to The Stranger, The Urbanist, and other local progressive publications. She is very active organizing in the community, having helped create the ORCA LIFT program and the Seattle Youth ORCA Program, as well as serving on the Seattle Revenue Stabilization Workgroup, which Mayor Harrell disbanded. She is a coalition builder and renter with strong community relationships and a proven track record of advocacy.
Like Wilson’s career in organizing, her campaign for mayor is exceptionally progressive in vision, values, and support. She is advocating for making the wealthy and corporations pay what they owe so that our communities can afford housing and health care. During our interview, she advocated for policies that would ensure clean air and water for all, protect civil liberties, expand access to substance abuse treatment, and support diverse arts and cultural offerings.
Wilson is an advocate for Seattle’s new social housing policy, and she supports even more diversity in affordable housing types as well as increased shelter capacity and wraparound services. She also shared support for scaling up the LEAD diversion program, safeguarding the rights of immigrants and other targets of Trump’s federal attacks, investing public funding into local news, and more. As a renter, Wilson understands the challenges many Seattleites face with the rapidly increasing cost of housing.
Wilson’s critics question whether she has the experience and ability to make the jump from being an extremely progressive campaigner running a small non-profit to managing the tough political and practical realities of governing a major city.
Wilson is a good choice for mayor if you're looking for a progressive organizer with policy experience and a strong vision for challenging existing approaches to Seattle's problems.
Dionne Foster is running for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large), challenging incumbent Sara Nelson. Foster enters this race with government experience and a robust background in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work includes serving as a climate policy analyst for Puget Sound Sage, a senior advisor in the city's Office of Policy and Innovation, and a senior program officer at the Seattle Foundation. Most recently, Foster served as the executive director of the Progress Alliance of Washington, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and equity.
In our interview with her, Foster demonstrated her passion for finding progressive solutions to the issues facing our community. Her goals include promoting healthy and safe communities through investing in intervention and prevention strategies to treat drug addiction, as well as continued support for the CARE Team and gun violence prevention. Foster is also a proponent of affordable housing solutions, such as increased density, rent stabilization, and anti-displacement policies. In addition, she supports housing with wraparound services for individuals experiencing housing instability.
Foster's other priorities include climate resilience, workforce protections, and thriving communities. She strongly supports policies that ensure equitable energy access and fair pricing, while also improving accessibility to public transit.
Throughout her professional career, Dionne Foster has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to collaboration and equitable policies that benefit everyone in our community. She is a practical progressive who understands government and will bring much-needed leadership to the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend Dionne Foster for Seattle City Council, Position 9.
Dionne Foster is running for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large), challenging incumbent Sara Nelson. Foster enters this race with government experience and a robust background in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work includes serving as a climate policy analyst for Puget Sound Sage, a senior advisor in the city's Office of Policy and Innovation, and a senior program officer at the Seattle Foundation. Most recently, Foster served as the executive director of the Progress Alliance of Washington, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and equity.
In our interview with her, Foster demonstrated her passion for finding progressive solutions to the issues facing our community. Her goals include promoting healthy and safe communities through investing in intervention and prevention strategies to treat drug addiction, as well as continued support for the CARE Team and gun violence prevention. Foster is also a proponent of affordable housing solutions, such as increased density, rent stabilization, and anti-displacement policies. In addition, she supports housing with wraparound services for individuals experiencing housing instability.
Foster's other priorities include climate resilience, workforce protections, and thriving communities. She strongly supports policies that ensure equitable energy access and fair pricing, while also improving accessibility to public transit.
Throughout her professional career, Dionne Foster has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to collaboration and equitable policies that benefit everyone in our community. She is a practical progressive who understands government and will bring much-needed leadership to the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend Dionne Foster for Seattle City Council, Position 9.
Dionne Foster is running for Seattle City Council, Position 9 (At-Large), challenging incumbent Sara Nelson. Foster enters this race with government experience and a robust background in the nonprofit sector. Her previous work includes serving as a climate policy analyst for Puget Sound Sage, a senior advisor in the city's Office of Policy and Innovation, and a senior program officer at the Seattle Foundation. Most recently, Foster served as the executive director of the Progress Alliance of Washington, a nonprofit committed to racial justice and equity.
In our interview with her, Foster demonstrated her passion for finding progressive solutions to the issues facing our community. Her goals include promoting healthy and safe communities through investing in intervention and prevention strategies to treat drug addiction, as well as continued support for the CARE Team and gun violence prevention. Foster is also a proponent of affordable housing solutions, such as increased density, rent stabilization, and anti-displacement policies. In addition, she supports housing with wraparound services for individuals experiencing housing instability.
Foster's other priorities include climate resilience, workforce protections, and thriving communities. She strongly supports policies that ensure equitable energy access and fair pricing, while also improving accessibility to public transit.
Throughout her professional career, Dionne Foster has consistently demonstrated a clear commitment to collaboration and equitable policies that benefit everyone in our community. She is a practical progressive who understands government and will bring much-needed leadership to the City Council. We enthusiastically recommend Dionne Foster for Seattle City Council, Position 9.
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to address affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council from 2012 to 2019, including one year as deputy mayor of Tacoma, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue improving housing affordability by championing policies such as permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making thoughtful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He believes fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. It's worth noting that Tacoma's system of government empowers the city manager to oversee most of the city's day-to-day operations. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to address affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council from 2012 to 2019, including one year as deputy mayor of Tacoma, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue improving housing affordability by championing policies such as permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making thoughtful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He believes fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. It's worth noting that Tacoma's system of government empowers the city manager to oversee most of the city's day-to-day operations. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Former Tacoma City Council member Anders Ibsen is running for mayor to leverage his experience to address affordable housing and public safety. Ibsen served on the council from 2012 to 2019, including one year as deputy mayor of Tacoma, and has also served as a commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission.
While on the council, Ibsen supported renter protections and raising the minimum wage to $15. Ibsen wants to continue improving housing affordability by championing policies such as permitting more ADUs, converting unused government-owned land into affordable housing, and making thoughtful changes to the city's permitting and zoning codes. He believes fixing housing and mental health is the foundation for improving homelessness, and wants to divert those who are non-violent but suffering from a mental illness from the criminal legal system. He also prioritizes improving the lives of working families, listing childcare, green workforce training, and safe routes to school at the top of his agenda.
Ibsen is distinctly more progressive than his main rival, John Hines. Ibsen has a clear stance on protecting the LGBTQ community from the overreach of the federal government and prioritizes supporting working families over conservative businesses. It's worth noting that Tacoma's system of government empowers the city manager to oversee most of the city's day-to-day operations. Anders Ibsen is the progressive choice for Mayor of Tacoma.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We recommend Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We recommend Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
Latasha Palmer is running for the Position 6 seat on the Tacoma City Council to create stability and security for all. She serves as a founding board member for the Aya Community Land Trust, which aims to prevent displacement and build wealth for the Black community in Pierce County, and as a board member for the Hilltop Action Coalition.
Matching her community experience, Palmer is running to address the critical issue of housing, as well as safety, climate resilience, and more. Some of her priorities include facilitating ADU development by streamlining the process, advocating for social housing, and expanding community land trusts. Her emphasis and experience in reducing displacement for Tacoma residents make her unique in the races for the city council this year.
In addition, Palmer wants to see cooperative childcare organized by parents receive regulatory support, offering training, licensing, and research that can help address the overall unaffordability of childcare in the region. As a council member, Palmer would also advocate for attracting more environmentally friendly businesses to the city and connecting neighborhoods and cultural areas with accessible transportation.
During our interview, we were impressed with Palmer's demonstrated track record of civic activism and clear vision for what she hopes to accomplish in office. We recommend Latasha Palmer for Tacoma City Council, Position 6.
Silong Chhun is challenging incumbent council member Sandesh Sadalge for the Tacoma City Council from District 4. He previously worked as a digital media manager in the Office of Governor Jay Inslee, and has volunteered in many community leadership roles, such as board member for the Parks Tacoma Arts and Heritage Advisory Council, the Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and as a committee member for the city's Charter Review Committee.
As a Cambodian refugee who arrived in the district as a child and has lived there since, Chhun feels that his strong community roots undergird his campaign's driving belief that "we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors." Chhun seeks to utilize the council position to invest in small, minority-owned businesses, make homeownership accessible to working families, and increase green spaces in underserved areas. He believes that supporting renewable energy will help create good jobs for local workers and emphasizes the importance of preventing gentrification and curbing predatory landlord practices.
In our interview, Chhun did not demonstrate a thorough understanding of policy details, even after being prompted to expand further. While his passion for immigrant justice and representation was apparent, we would have liked to hear a more detailed plan for tackling his district's most pressing issues.
Chhun has the sole endorsement of the 27th Legislative District Democrats, former governor Jay Inslee, Tacoma Education Association, and other progressive organizations. Voters interested in seeing the council take more proactive measures on immigration and more may find their candidate of choice in Silong Chhun.
Silong Chhun is challenging incumbent council member Sandesh Sadalge for the Tacoma City Council from District 4. He previously worked as a digital media manager in the Office of Governor Jay Inslee, and has volunteered in many community leadership roles, such as board member for the Parks Tacoma Arts and Heritage Advisory Council, the Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and as a committee member for the city's Charter Review Committee.
As a Cambodian refugee who arrived in the district as a child and has lived there since, Chhun feels that his strong community roots undergird his campaign's driving belief that "we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors." Chhun seeks to utilize the council position to invest in small, minority-owned businesses, make homeownership accessible to working families, and increase green spaces in underserved areas. He believes that supporting renewable energy will help create good jobs for local workers and emphasizes the importance of preventing gentrification and curbing predatory landlord practices.
In our interview, Chhun did not demonstrate a thorough understanding of policy details, even after being prompted to expand further. While his passion for immigrant justice and representation was apparent, we would have liked to hear a more detailed plan for tackling his district's most pressing issues.
Chhun has the sole endorsement of the 27th Legislative District Democrats, former governor Jay Inslee, Tacoma Education Association, and other progressive organizations. Voters interested in seeing the council take more proactive measures on immigration and more may find their candidate of choice in Silong Chhun.
Silong Chhun is challenging incumbent council member Sandesh Sadalge for the Tacoma City Council from District 4. He previously worked as a digital media manager in the Office of Governor Jay Inslee, and has volunteered in many community leadership roles, such as board member for the Parks Tacoma Arts and Heritage Advisory Council, the Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and as a committee member for the city's Charter Review Committee.
As a Cambodian refugee who arrived in the district as a child and has lived there since, Chhun feels that his strong community roots undergird his campaign's driving belief that "we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors." Chhun seeks to utilize the council position to invest in small, minority-owned businesses, make homeownership accessible to working families, and increase green spaces in underserved areas. He believes that supporting renewable energy will help create good jobs for local workers and emphasizes the importance of preventing gentrification and curbing predatory landlord practices.
In our interview, Chhun did not demonstrate a thorough understanding of policy details, even after being prompted to expand further. While his passion for immigrant justice and representation was apparent, we would have liked to hear a more detailed plan for tackling his district's most pressing issues.
Chhun has the sole endorsement of the 27th Legislative District Democrats, former governor Jay Inslee, Tacoma Education Association, and other progressive organizations. Voters interested in seeing the council take more proactive measures on immigration and more may find their candidate of choice in Silong Chhun.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She was also the co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2024.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with a tax on excessive income by big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She was also the co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2024.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with a tax on excessive income by big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
Community organizer Zev Rose Cook is running for the Tacoma City Council, Position 5, as an outspoken progressive who wants to challenge the status quo on the council. Cook has extensive experience in the community as a shelter manager, case worker, and co-founder of the tenants' rights group Tacoma for All. She was also the co-chair of the Tacoma chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2024.
Cook's priorities aim to improve the lives of everyday residents, including a policy to raise the minimum wage to at least $20.29 per hour. Considering the fact that 40 percent of Tacoma renters are struggling to make rent, Cook supports a public social housing developer that would create mixed-income homes in transit-centered, walkable neighborhoods.
During our interview, she cited the city council's unanimous opposition to the successful Tenant Rights Initiative in 2023 as evidence that the current council is out of touch. She was also critical of the council's reduction of fire, senior, and art services. She would pay for bringing more of these services back with a tax on excessive income by big businesses, as well as other forms of progressive revenue. In addition, Cook said she would work to overturn the city's camping ban and redirect the funding spent on sweeps to create more shelter beds.
Cook would be a good choice for voters seeking a strong progressive voice on the Tacoma City Council who would push for sweeping changes to city policies.
