To earn SEIU 925’s endorsement, candidates must fill out a questionnaire and sit for an interview where union members ask about their past partnership with unions, how they will advance racial equity at the city, county, or school board level, and their positions on key issues to SEIU 925 members.
Note: a nonpartisan race with 2 or fewer candidates on the ballot will not appear on the primary ballot – only the general. Thus, you may not have every one of these races on your ballot. If you have questions or concerns about your ballot or SEIU 925’s endorsement process, please email our Political Director, Erin Haick at [ehaick at seiu925 dot org].
Here are SEIU 925’s member-voted picks for the 2021 election…
KING COUNTY
- County Executive: Dow Constantine
King County Executive Dow Constantine has been a strong and effective leader for economic justice, workers, and climate action throughout his career. As King County Executive, Constantine has delivered transportation and transit solutions, action on climate, improvements in public health, and an efficiently-run government. Under his leadership, King County has expanded Metro transit service, improved oil safety rules, and created one of the best urban forestry programs in the nation. Constantine also led efforts to pass Best Starts for Kids, a model initiative that increases access to healthy food, affordable housing, and public health services for many of King County’s most vulnerable children. - Council District 3: Sarah Perry
- Council District 5: Shukri Olow
- Council District 9: Kim Khan Van
Kim-Khanh Van is a current Renton City Council member who is running for King County Council in District 9 to bring her diverse experience to the county. After her family escaped the Philippines as refugees and settled in King County, she went on to earn her doctorate and become an attorney. She was one of only two members of the Renton City Council who voted to maintain the Red Lion Hotel as a source of housing for residents experiencing homelessness. She wants to do more to educate voters on the economic and social benefits of providing supportive, stable housing early, rather than jailing people experiencing homelessness.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
- Council At large Position A: Barry Buchanan
Buchanan has been a solid vote on the county council, especially in this difficult past year. He is the chair of the Whatcom County Incarceration Reduction and Prevention Taskforce, and is seeking to provide alternatives to booking people for low-level crimes through the LEAD program established in 2019. He supports both the Whatcom Crisis Stabilization Center and East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, which serve those experiencing mental health crises and hunger. Buchanan has also worked in previous terms in office to ban fracking and protect the environment. - Council Position 1: Kaylee Galloway and Eddy Ury (dual endorsement)
- Council Position 2: Todd Donovan
CITY OF SEATTLE
- Mayor: Lorena Gonzalez
Born and raised in a migrant farm working family in central Washington, González’s background as an award-winning civil rights attorney provides a foundation for her leadership in advocating for working families and for marginalized communities. Lorena González is a Seattle City Council member and the current council president. As one of the city’s leaders through times of prosperity and times of hardship, González is committed to making the city of Seattle a place where all can thrive. The unanimous vote to make her the city council president in early 2020 speaks to her ability to lead collaboratively and make bold progressive change. - City Council Position 8: Teresa Mosqueda
- City Council Position 9: Nikkita Oliver
- City Attorney: Nicole Thomas-Kennedy
CITY OF AUBURN
- Council Position 6: Larry Brown
CITY OF BELLEVUE
- Council Position 4: Ruth Lipscomb
- Council Position 6: Lynne Robinson
BELLEVUE SCHOOL BOARD
- Director Number 3: Joyce Shui
Joyce Shui is an attorney and has volunteered at a legal clinic in the International District providing legal services to community members with low incomes. Her campaign is emphasizing equity and empathy, as well as increasing opportunities for all students. She wants the community to be involved in school board decision making and pledges to be a transparent leader on the board. - Director Number 5: Jane Aras
CITY OF BELLINGHAM
- Bellingham City Council At Large: Kristin Michele Martens
CITY OF BURIEN
- Council Position 1: Hugo Garcia
Garcia is a member of the Burien Planning Commissioner and as chair of the Burien Economic Partnership (BEDP). His platform includes housing for all and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that will equitably and sustainably lift up all Burien residents, and help local businesses come back stronger. In addition, Garcia is committed to keeping Burien affordable so that working families can continue to live in the community and thrive.
- Council Position 3: Jimmy Matta
- Council Position 7: Krystal Marx
CITY OF DES MOINES
- Council Position 7: Soleil Lewis
CITY OF EVERETT
- Council Position 1: Mary Fosse
- Council Position 2: Paula Rhyne
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
- Council Position 5: Leandra Craft
CITY OF ISSAQUAH
- Council Position 3: Barbara de Michele
CITY OF KENT
- Mayor: Dawn Bennett
- Council Position 2: Satwinder Kaur
- Council Position 6: Brenda Fincher
Brenda Fincher is running for re-election to Kent City Council, Position 6 to continue her work on economic recovery and affordable housing. Fincher has served on the council since 2014, and in that time has voted to approve funds for youth mental health and supported community discussion on providing a mental health co-response model to law enforcement. If re-elected, she will build on current renter protections, advocate for businesses owned by people of color, and work to ensure that housing stays affordable for working families. - Council Position 7: Cliff Cawthon
CITY OF KIRKLAND
- Council Position 1: Jay Arnold
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
- Ward 1 Council Position 2: Iris Carias
CITY OF RENTON
- Council Position 1: Joe Todd
Todd supports a regional approach and improved relationship with the county would create better outcomes for all residents. He wants to use his technological expertise to help law enforcement track the issues they are responding to so the city can allocate resources most effectively.
- Council Position 2: Carmen Rivera
- Council Position 6: Ruth Perez
CITY OF SEATAC
- Council Position 2: Jake Simpson
CITY OF SPOKANE
- District 2 Council Position 2: Betsy Wilkerson
- District 3 Council Position 2: Zack Zappone
CITY OF TACOMA
- Mayor: Victoria Woodards
Victoria Woodards is running for re-election to be the mayor of Tacoma. She had a long track record of public service before becoming mayor in 2017. Woodards supports working families and is committed to maintaining safe and healthy neighborhoods across Tacoma. She also crucially understands the importance of addressing institutional racism and has a demonstrated history of working within communities of color and building diverse coalitions to address the problems facing Tacoma. In her time on the Tacoma City Council, Woodards worked on establishing Tacoma’s Office of Equity and Human Rights. - Council Position 2: Sarah Rumbaugh
- Council Position 4: Catherine Ushka
TACOMA SCHOOL BOARD
- Director Position 3: Korey Strozier
- Director Position 4: Chelsea McElroy
CITY OF TUKWILA
- Council Position 1: Tosh Sharp
CITY OF VANCOUVER
- Council Position 1: Kim Harless
- Council Position 3: Diana Perez
CITY OF YAKIMA
- Council Position 2: Danny Herrera
- Council Position 6: Sam Johnson
PORT OF SEATTLE
- Port Commissioner 1: Ryan Calkins
- Port Commissioner 3: Hamdi Mohamed
- Port Commissioner 4: Toshiko Hasegawa
KING COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL COMMISSIONER
- District 1 Position 4: Monique Taylor-Swan
- District 1 Position 2: Dustin Lambro