As voters across Washington prepare for the Nov. 3 general election, The Seattle Medium is endorsing candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public service, community engagement, economic opportunity and policies that address the everyday concerns of the people they seek to represent.
From the state Legislature to the King County Council and the courts, this year’s elections present voters with important choices about leadership, accountability and the direction of our communities. Decisions made by elected officials will help shape housing affordability, public education, public safety, health care, economic development and access to opportunity for years to come.
STATE BALLOT MEASURES
Initiative Measure No. IL26-001 — Parental Rights in Public Schools
Initiative IL26-001 concerns parental rights relating to children attending public schools. The measure would repeal amendments to Washington’s parental rights law and restore provisions originally enacted through Initiative 2081.
The Seattle Medium recommends VOTING NO on this measure.
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 — Participation in K-12 Athletics
While some voters may initially view this initiative as an effort to promote fairness in school athletics, The Seattle Medium believes its provisions raise serious concerns about student privacy, equal treatment and unnecessary medical requirements.
The measure would restrict participation in certain girls’ athletic competitions and require students seeking to participate to obtain verification of biological sex from a health care provider.
Of particular concern is the potential for female students to face additional medical scrutiny that male student-athletes would not face under the measure. The initiative could create unnecessary barriers to participation and place students in uncomfortable situations involving sensitive personal medical information.
The Seattle Medium believes athletic opportunities should be administered fairly without imposing unnecessary or potentially invasive requirements on students.
For these reasons, we urge voters to VOTE NO Initiative IL26-638.
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressional District 1
Suzan DelBene
Congressional District 7
Pramila Jayapal
Congressional District 8
Kim Schrier
Congressional District 9
Adam Smith
Congressional District 10
Marilyn Strickland (Democratic Party)
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative District 11 — State Representative, Position 1
No Endorsement
Legislative District 11 — State Representative, Position 2
Endorsed: Steve Bergquist
Legislative District 30 — State Senator
No Endorsement
Legislative District 30 — State Representative, Position 1
Jamila E. Taylor
Legislative District 30 — State Representative, Position 2
Kristine Reeves
Legislative District 33 — State Senator
Tina L. Orwall
Legislative District 33 — State Representative, Position 1
Edwin Obras
Legislative District 33 — State Representative, Position 2
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
Legislative District 34 — State Senator
No Endorsement
Legislative District 34 — State Representative, Position 2
Joe Fitzgibbon
The Seattle Medium endorses Joe Fitzgibbon for another term in the state House of Representatives, recognizing the experience and understanding of small-business issues he brings to the Legislature.
Fitzgibbon’s legislative background provides an important foundation for continued leadership. At a time when communities and businesses face economic uncertainty, experience in navigating the legislative process and understanding the challenges facing small businesses are valuable assets.
We believe Fitzgibbon has the experience necessary to continue representing his district effectively and contributing to legislative decisions that affect working families and local businesses.
Legislative District 37 — State Senator
Tatiana Brown
The Seattle Medium endorses Tatiana Brown for state Senate in the 37th Legislative District because of her community-centered approach to leadership, understanding of environmental justice and commitment to addressing the economic and social challenges facing residents.
Brown recognizes the connections between housing affordability, food insecurity, public health and economic opportunity. Her approach reflects an understanding that these issues cannot be addressed in isolation, particularly in communities where rising costs and displacement threaten the stability of longtime residents and neighborhood businesses.
Her experience with the People’s Economy Lab and collaborative governance demonstrates an interest in developing solutions that involve the people most directly affected by public policy.
Brown has emphasized the importance of supporting food banks, protecting legacy businesses, addressing displacement and ensuring affordable housing development reflects the incomes and needs of existing residents. Brown also has the potential to bring an important new voice to Olympia.
Legislative District 37 — State Representative, Position 1
Sharon Tomiko Santos
The Seattle Medium endorses Sharon Tomiko Santos for state representative in the 37th Legislative District, recognizing her extensive legislative experience, deep understanding of the district and practical approach to addressing the needs of its residents.
As a longtime representative with strong ties to the community, Santos brings institutional knowledge and familiarity with the challenges facing the people she represents. Her experience provides an advantage in understanding how legislation is developed and how policy decisions affect communities.
The Seattle Medium recognizes the importance of developing a new generation of political leadership and appreciates the perspectives that emerging candidates bring to public service. However, we believe Santos’ experience, understanding of the district and realistic assessment of policy challenges make her the stronger choice in this race.
At a time when communities face difficult decisions involving housing, education, economic opportunity and public resources, effective representation requires more than identifying problems. It requires understanding the legislative process and developing workable solutions.
Santos offers the experience and practical judgment necessary to continue representing the district.
Legislative District 37 — State Representative, Position 2
Jaelynn Scott
Jaelynn Scott stands out as one of the most impressive candidates seeking public office this election cycle. Her understanding of community issues, thoughtful approach to public policy and ability to connect complex challenges with practical solutions make her an especially compelling candidate.
The Seattle Medium endorses Scott because of her strong grasp of community violence intervention, gun violence prevention and the importance of maintaining investments in programs that help prevent violence before it occurs.
Scott understands that public safety involves more than responding to crime after it happens. It also requires supporting community-based prevention efforts, investing in intervention programs and addressing conditions that contribute to violence.
Her commitment to increasing and sustaining funding for violence prevention programs is particularly important as community organizations face growing uncertainty about the resources available to continue their work.
Scott brings a combination of policy knowledge, common sense and a clear understanding of the challenges facing residents of the 37th District.
We believe her election would provide an opportunity to bring energetic, forward-looking and potentially transformational leadership to Olympia.
Legislative District 43 — State Representative, Position 2
Shaun Scott
Legislative District 47 — State Senator
Claudia Kauffman
Legislative District 47 — State Representative, Position 1
Debra Jean Entenman
The Seattle Medium strongly endorses Debra Entenman for state representative in the 47th Legislative District.
Entenman has consistently demonstrated a commitment to listening to her constituents, understanding their concerns and working to deliver meaningful results.
Although she continues to face political opposition, The Seattle Medium believes her record of constituent engagement and public service deserves recognition.
Too often, political considerations overshadow the needs of the people elected officials are supposed to represent. Entenman’s willingness to remain accessible and responsive to residents is an important quality that should not be overlooked.
We believe Entenman remains one of the bright spots in the state Legislature. Her commitment to the people of her district and her demonstrated willingness to advocate on their behalf make her deserving of continued support.
KING COUNTY
King County Prosecuting Attorney
Leesa Manion
King County Assessor
Rob Foxcurran
The Seattle Medium endorses Rob Foxcurran for King County assessor because of the perspective and experience he brings to an office that directly affects property owners, homeowners and communities throughout the county.
Foxcurran’s background in advocacy provides him with an understanding of how assessment practices affect residents, particularly those who may have experienced inequities or discrimination within existing systems.
His awareness of discriminatory practices and his experience examining issues from the perspective of those challenging government decisions offer an important foundation for public service.
The assessor’s office requires technical understanding, fairness and a commitment to treating property owners equitably. We believe Foxcurran brings a valuable perspective to those responsibilities.
King County Director of Elections
Julie Wise
Metropolitan King County Council, District 2
Rebecca Saldaña
The Seattle Medium endorses Rebecca Saldaña for King County Council District 2, recognizing her experience, strong community engagement and commitment to constituent services.
Saldaña understands the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships with the communities she seeks to represent. Her communication skills and experience working with residents provide a strong foundation for addressing the concerns of a diverse district.
Effective county government requires elected officials who are accessible, responsive and willing to engage directly with the people affected by their decisions.
We believe Saldaña’s experience and approach to community engagement position her to be an effective advocate for residents of District 2.
Metropolitan King County Council, District 4
Jorge L. Barón
Metropolitan King County Council, District 6
Claudia Balducci
Metropolitan King County Council, District 8
Teresa Mosqueda
The Seattle Medium endorses Teresa Mosqueda for King County Council District 8 because of her experience, record of public service and continued commitment to improving public health, housing affordability and economic stability.
Mosqueda has demonstrated an understanding of the relationship between access to health care, housing security and the economic well-being of working families.
Her work and policy priorities include strengthening the public health safety net, supporting community health clinics, expanding crisis care services and advocating for programs that help first-time homebuyers.
She has also supported policies intended to protect access to public health services for all residents, including immigrant communities.
Mosqueda recognizes that economic opportunity requires more than job creation. It also involves wages that allow people to meet their basic needs, access to affordable housing and investments in workforce development.
Her engagement with organizations such as Tabor 100 and her interest in supporting businesses and workforce development programs that benefit Black and brown communities reflect priorities that are important to The Seattle Medium and its readers.
We believe Mosqueda offers the leadership and commitment necessary to continue advancing policies that improve the quality of life for King County residents.
WASHINGTON STATE SUPREME COURT
Supreme Court Justice, Position 1
Colleen Melody
Supreme Court Justice, Position 3
Jaime Michelle Hawk
Supreme Court Justice, Position 4
Ian Birk
Supreme Court Justice, Position 5
Theo Angelis
DISTRICT AND MUNICIPAL COURTS
King County District Court — West Electoral District, Judge Position 1
Nyjat Rose-Akins
Seattle Municipal Court — Judge Position 4
Anita Crawford-Willis
The Seattle Medium encourages all eligible voters to participate in the Nov. 3 general election. Elections have consequences that extend well beyond individual candidates, influencing the policies, public investments and institutions that shape our communities.
Our endorsements represent our assessment of the candidates and measures presented to voters. We encourage readers to consider these recommendations, examine the issues and exercise their right to vote.
An informed and engaged electorate remains essential to building a more accountable, equitable and responsive government.
