OneAmerica Votes Endorsements

Democrat Edwin Obras is running to retain his seat representing the 33rd Legislative District, Position 1. Obras was appointed to this seat after former Rep. Tina Orwall moved to the Senate. Obras has over 25 years of experience working in human services, including homelessness, anti-hunger, capacity building, and youth development.

Since his appointment, Obras has been a champion of thoughtful solutions to the challenges local families face. He voted in favor of several progressive bills, including capping rent increases at 10%, reducing landfill waste, and establishing anti-discrimination protections in schools. He also sponsored a bill to limit excessive home buying, a move intended to open the market to first-time home buyers. He also won praise from labor unions for his steady hand and hard work on bills to protect low-wage janitors and hotel workers.

If elected, Obras plans to continue advocating for housing affordability, criminal justice reform, and workers' rights. He is an advocate for labor protections for low-income and gig economy workers, fighting for fair wages and safe working conditions. He also hopes to use his professional background to help expand statewide access to mental health resources.

Edwin Obras is the best and most progressive choice in this race. He has earned your vote for the Legislature from the 33rd Legislative District.

Brianna Thomas is running to retain her position as a state representative in the 34th Legislative District. Thomas was appointed to this position earlier this year to replace former Rep. Emily Alvarado. Prior to becoming a House representative, Thomas was the chief of staff for former Seattle City Council President Lorena Gonzalez. Previously, she led the effort to bring democracy vouchers to Seattle through the Honest Elections Initiative and also worked on the “Yes for SeaTac” campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15.

Since her appointment, Thomas has followed through on her previous campaign promises. She voted in favor of limiting rent increases to 10%, which will help improve housing affordability, and voted in favor of building more housing near transit. Additionally, she voted to strengthen anti-discrimination policies in schools and prohibit the removal of students from school grounds during the school day without parental authorization.

Her current campaign continues to focus on affordable housing, labor rights, economic recovery. She is a strong supporter of anti-displacement policies and adding to the housing supply. In addition to her work in labor rights, she is also unwavering in her stance on protecting reproductive and social rights. She stands for access to reproductive health, LGBTQ+ equality, and commonsense measures to reduce gun violence.

While Brianna Thomas is running unopposed in this race, she has certainly earned your vote to retain her position representing the 34th Legislative District in Position 1.

Osman Salahuddin is running to be retained by voters in Legislative District 48, House Position 1. Salahuddin is a former Redmond City Council member who was appointed by the King County Council to fill Vandana Slatter's former seat. Before holding elected office, he worked as a communications and community engagement manager for King County Councilmember Sarah Perry and held several roles at a national consulting corporation.

Salahuddin’s top priority is addressing the rising cost of living in Washington. He is taking a comprehensive approach to affordability by addressing issues such as health care, housing, and childcare, so that all Washingtonians can afford the basics. In particular, Salahuddin voted to limit rent increases to 10%, which will reduce the cost of housing for renters across the state. As one of our youngest lawmakers, Salahuddin represents a part of the electorate who are often underrepresented in state legislatures.

Osman Salahuddin was an effective leader during his first session in Olympia. He has earned your vote to retain his position as the 48th Legislative District Representative.

Incumbent Hamdi Mohamed is running unopposed for re-election for Commissioner Position 3 on the Port of Seattle. Mohamed was first elected to the position in 2021 on a visionary progressive platform, making her the first Black woman to serve on the commission. Mohamed’s mother worked for the airport when her family first settled in SeaTac as Somali refugees – an upbringing that has deepened her knowledge of the port’s community importance. She is the department director for Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and previously worked as a policy advisor for the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice. She is currently the only commissioner who resides in South King County.

Mohamed is a leader in people-focused policy, taking seriously the real impact of port commission decisions on the local community, ecosystem, and economy. On the commission, she has prioritized economic development to create good-paying local jobs, support workers’ rights, and help small businesses flourish. She has also been a strong voice for addressing airport noise disruptions, reducing port pollution that impacts the South King County communities, and promoting renewable energy solutions.

We recommend Hamdi Mohamed for another term as Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 3, to continue bringing strong, progressive leadership to the to the region.

Commission president Toshiko Grace Hasegawa is running for re-election to Commissioner Position 4 on the Port of Seattle. Hasegawa was first elected to the position in 2021, becoming one of the first women of color to serve on the commission, alongside her colleague Hamdi Mohamed. Hasegawa is the former executive director of the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA), an advocacy organization that advises government agencies on issues affecting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She currently serves on the boards of Densho and the Seattle chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, both organizations that uplift the city’s Japanese American community.

On the commission, Hasegawa has been a voice for community empowerment, equitable prosperity, and regional sustainability. She was a critical advocate protecting North SeaTac Park, led efforts to increase childcare and health care for airport employees, helped set ambitious goals to decarbonize the cruise industry, expanded the South King County Community Impact Fund, and more. If re–elected, Hasegawa will continue her tireless work to fight for clean water and air, strong workers' protections, and economic development that benefits local communities first in her progressive vision for the commission.

We recommend Hasegawa for a second term on the Seattle Port Commission.

Deputy Mayor Rami Al-Kabra is running for re-election to Bothell City Council, Position 7. Al-Kabra first joined the city council in 2022 and has also served on the boards of Bothell Landmark Preservation and Anti-Racist Communities: Bothell. He is a product management executive and an unwavering community organizer, having helped to organize Bothell’s 2020 March for Black Lives and worked to register eligible local voters in the 2020 election. Al-Kabra became a U.S. citizen in 2006 after he spent three decades as a Palestinian refugee, and he has worked tirelessly to build community here, including as the founder of the Washington Council on Islamic-American Relations chapter and the Islamic Center of Bothell.

In office, Al-Kabra has stuck to his progressive principles as a staunch voice for sustainability, equity, and affordability. He has already worked to bring climate-friendly, affordable housing to the area and promote green city planning so that Bothell can remain a safe environment for our community for generations to come.

His re-election campaign continues to prioritize progressive solutions. Al-Kabra strongly opposes surveillance tools in policing, instead advocating for training in de-escalation and deploying mental health professionals in crises. He remains an advocate for affordable housing initiatives rooted in sustainable infrastructure and greener development. Furthermore, he believes in the power of youth engagement in local politics, proposing a Youth City Council similar to those created in Lynnwood and Auburn.

Rami Al-Kabra is a compassionate, thoughtful leader who is a champion of progressive solutions. He deserves your vote to serve another term on the Bothell City Council in Position 7.

Hugo Garcia is running for re-election for Burien City Council, Position 1. Garcia, whose family immigrated from Mexico more than 30 years ago, learned the value of hard work at an early age by watching his father wait tables to support their family of five. Garcia has proven to be a thoughtful and progressive leader in Burien, particularly during a tumultuous period for the city.

If re-elected, Garcia plans to continue focusing on expanding access to housing and improving affordability. Garcia contributed to efforts to support unhoused people, including voting in favor of a proposal for a tiny home village. He also intends to defend Burien "against Trump Era Impacts" by supporting the city's libraries, museums, and public institutions. Garcia stood firmly against conservative council member Stephanie Mora's attempt to censure him after he criticized an ordinance criminalizing homelessness, which he said upheld and enabled systemic racism.

Due to his continued progressive leadership, we recommend Hugo Garcia for Burien City Council, Position 1.

Mayor Mohamed Egal is running for re-election to Position 4 on the SeaTac City Council. Egal is a Somali immigrant who was first elected to the city council in 2021 with a slate of other progressive candidates. He is a job developer at Hopelink, an organization that connects immigrants, individuals facing poverty, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable community members with the resources they need. Egal has spent over a decade in social and human services, including as a King County Municipal Court interpreter.

Egal has been a thoughtful community leader on the council. He has focused on the issues of affordable housing, health care access, community safety, and workforce development as key concerns facing SeaTac. He helped lead the creation of the SeaTac Small Business Capital Access Program, which provides local small businesses with a range of support services. He has also worked to reduce the environmental impact of the airport on the SeaTac community. Egal has yet to release a campaign platform as of mid-September, but his track record shows that he would continue to lead with community values if re-elected.

We recommend re-electing Mohamed Egal to another term on the SeaTac City Council in Position 4, due to his commitment to progressive leadership for the community.

Former federal prosecutor Erika Evans is running a progressive campaign for Seattle City Attorney. Evans quit her position as a federal prosecutor earlier this year, after four years of working on hate crimes, drug trafficking, and violent crimes, due to the increasingly dangerous executive orders she saw from the Trump administration. She has a diverse legal background, which also includes work as a pro tem judge for the SeaTac, Tukwila, and Puyallup municipal courts, as well as four years spent in Seattle’s city attorney's office.

Evans’ departure from the federal prosecution position is emblematic of her defining priority in this race: opposing Trump’s undemocratic and unjust policies. In our interview, Evans shared her vision for preparing the city attorney’s office to defend DEI, reproductive health freedoms, and climate protections, even proposing that the office add an entirely new and staffed environmental law section. She is proud of Seattle’s status as a sanctuary city and is unafraid to sue the Trump administration for violations of civil liberties in our community, drawing on her prosecutorial and federal experience.

If elected, Evans would reinstate the Seattle Community Court and expand the employment office to protect against wage theft. In addition, she would prioritize negotiating a new police contract with a greater emphasis on accountability, which is motivated by her own experience of being illegally detained by the police as a law student.

Erika Evans is a fearless and passionate leader who will stand up to attacks from the Trump administration. She would be a strong choice for Seattle City Attorney.

Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is seeking re-election to the Seattle City Council in Position 8, a citywide seat she first won last year. Before joining the city council, Rinck worked as an assistant director for policy, planning, and state operations for the University of Washington. She also worked as a policy analyst for the Sound Cities Association and with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. She has a long history of community empowerment, including raising funds for reproductive health care and previously serving on the board of Fuse Washington, the organization that produces this guide.

Rinck's familial experience with homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse guides her approach to city issues and our local social safety net. Since January, Rinck has worked to protect Seattle residents from the effects of Trump’s dangerous agenda. Her council policy goals include making progress on climate change through investments in clean energy, electrification infrastructure, and public transportation. Rinck also aims to support greater housing access across all income levels, increase pathways to higher education, and continue building lasting community safety through policy initiatives that address gun violence and explore alternatives to policing.

Alexis Mercedes Rinck is the clear choice for Position 8 on the Seattle City Council.

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.

Hannah Hedrick is running to be retained for Tukwila City Council, Position 3, after earning an appointment to the council in January of 2024. Hedrick is a committed public steward with experience in mentorship, workforce development, environmental protection, and more.

Hedrick is running a progressive campaign that focuses on housing, human services, and sustainability. She explicitly declared housing to be a human right and proposed boosting housing development and strengthening tenant protections. Hedrick prioritizes inclusivity in her approach to governance, particularly in public safety. She is an advocate for Tukwila's co-responder program, emphasizing the need for de-escalation training and avoiding unnecessary arrests.

Hannah Hedrick has a progressive vision for Tukwila, prioritizing compassionate and strategic solutions. She is our choice for Tukwila City Council, Position 3.

Kim Harless is running for re-election to Vancouver City Council, Position 1. Professionally, Harless works in community development at the non-profit NAYA Family Center, which sustains traditions and provides mutual support for Native Americans in the Portland metro area. 

Harless has spent the last four years helping to provide solutions for homeownership, supporting policies and funding to move people out of homelessness, and elevating the voices of community members who are often left out of decision-making processes. Harless is running again to ensure Vancouver’s climate policy is implemented effectively and with urgency, and includes Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. She wants every policy to be fair, every process transparent, and every neighborhood to be heard. She seeks to provide more homeownership opportunities, strengthen tenant protections, and move from crisis to solutions.

Kim Harless has earned your vote for re-election to the Vancouver City Council, Position 1.

Diana Perez is running to serve a second term in Position 3 on the Vancouver City Council. Perez is a first-generation college graduate and moved to the Pacific Northwest to start her career as a wildlife biologist.

Perez is running a progressive re-election campaign focused on combating homelessness. She takes a compassionate approach to the issue, prioritizing prevention through supportive housing and stability through mixed-income communities. Stable housing benefits the community at large when our neighbors feel safe and secure and have access to affordable housing options. Perez is also a proponent of encouraging small and micro businesses to operate in Vancouver, while making sure they have the resources to pay employees a living wage.

If re-elected, Diana Perez will continue to be a champion for progressive values on the Vancouver City Council. She has earned your vote to serve another term in Position 3.

Incumbent director Jane Aras is running unopposed for a second term representing District 5 on the Bellevue School District Board of Directors. Her background includes teaching special education in Bellevue and Renton, holding leadership roles in the PTSA, and volunteering with Bellevue schools for over two decades. In this role, she established a math and reading club, as well as a before-school computer programming program for local students.

On the school board, Aras has worked hard to restore our high-quality local education after the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic disruptions by taking a holistic, community approach. She is committed to building a local school system that emphasizes social and emotional development, genuine intellectual curiosity, and equitable opportunity. To do this, Aras supports fostering soft skills, promoting mental health resources, supporting post-graduate opportunities in higher education and vocational pursuits alike, and utilizing data-driven approaches to identifying and repairing equity gaps. She believes academic excellence follows from investing in our school staff, resources, and programming, and her campaign is widely supported by local progressives.

Aras has earned your vote for re-election to the Bellevue School District Board of Directors.

Community organizer Joe Mizrahi is running to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4. He was appointed to the role last year to fill the seat vacated by Vivian Song. Mizrahi is the Secretary-Treasurer and Co-Executive Director of UFCW 3000, a union that represents grocery, retail, cannabis, meat-packing, and other industries in the state. He is also a parent to three students at Seattle Public Schools and comes from a family of teachers with a refugee background.

On the school board, Mizrahi represents schools, students, families, and faculty in Fremont, Queen Anne, South Lake Union, and parts of downtown. He wants to address systemic equity concerns while protecting resources amid the SPS budget crisis, so that our schools can remain a place where all students have the opportunity to build bright futures, regardless of their background or neighborhood. With his union background, Mizrahi brings a unique view of advocacy, financial stability, and opportunity to school board leadership.

In his re-election campaign, Mizrahi is prioritizing equity, community engagement, and accountable leadership. He is an advocate for historically underserved students and protecting programs like dual language instruction. He intends to incorporate community priorities and long-term funding avenues in the district's strategic plan.

Joe Mizrahi is a caring and thoughtful leader who has earned your vote to be retained on the Seattle School Board in Director Position 4.

Vivian Song is once again seeking a seat on the Seattle School Board, this time in District 5. Song served on the school board from 2021 through January 2024, when she resigned after moving outside of her seat’s district lines for family reasons. She is a parent to district students, an Asian American daughter of immigrants, and a former president of the PTSA. Song has a professional background as a small business owner and a finance professional for companies, including Google and Goldman Sachs.

Song has maintained a strong equity orientation over the years, emphasizing the need for every child to have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their identity, background, or family resources. For example, she examined how Seattle’s North-end schools have supplemented their budgets with strong PTA fundraising from parents, while South-end schools operate with fewer resources. Song has advocated for making stronger appeals to the state for equitable funding across all Seattle schools to address this gap. Now, she hopes to rejoin the board and continue fighting to boost enrollment, build vocational and college pathways, and oppose Trump’s attacks on public education.

In her current campaign, Song continues to focus on equity and inclusion in Seattle City Schools. She is prioritizing equitable learning opportunities with multi-cultural curricula such as ethnic studies and language immersion. Song is supportive of student safety measures, especially against rising gun violence, mental health challenges, and threats from the federal government. She supports permanent and equitable funding for counselors, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals.

Song's campaign leads with compassion and care for the well-being and success of Seattle students. We recommend Vivian Song for Seattle School Board from District 5.

Sandra Zavala-Ortega is running unopposed for Vancouver District, Director Position No. 2. We are confident Zavala-Ortega is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.