The AFT Washington COPE committee made endorsements in many of the races in Washington this season. If you aren't sure of your legislative district, you can find it at the Washington State Legislature District Finder. Many of the endorsements we made are familiar faces that members know and have spoken with before. This year, we saw a very high number of legislative appointees, who need to run in the next election to defend their appointments, so there may be some new faces here. We believe these candidates have strong, clear visions in line with our values, and would serve well in their districts.
State Legislature
LD 5: Victoria Hunt
Victoria Hunt is a third-term Issaquah City Council member and environmental scientist with a track record of championing initiatives for environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and improved public safety. Her vision for Washington reflects this; she is prioritizing increasing affordable housing in balance with protecting communities and the environment. She also plans to advocate for a strong public school system and for improved early-learning and childcare opportunities for families. Improved public safety, improved transit and accessibility, and improved access to healthcare are also key goals for Hunt, along with strengthened and improved environmental stewardship for Washington state. We agree with her about these needs and her intended remedies will build a stronger Washington that is resilient for the future.
You can learn more about Victoria Hunt at https://victoriahunt.com/.
LD 26: Deb Krishnadasan
Deb Krishnadasan grew up on her parents’ farm in Pierce County, learning early what can be accomplished when we work together. As the first person in her family to graduate college, she also sees the power education has to create opportunity for people, which AFT Washington agrees with whole-heartedly. Among the issues facing Washingtonians, Krishnadasan is particularly focused on issues of importance to our members. To address the affordability crisis, she has advocated for lowering taxes that disproportionately affect working Washingtonians. She wants to see fully funded preK-12 and improved class sizes and educator pay, as well as increased access to post-high-school education of all types. Healthcare is another key issue, and she supports improvements that would strengthen our system and serve Washingtonians well across the board, including protecting reproductive care and ensuring rural and Tribal communities have strong healthcare infrastructure. She is also strong on climate, recognizing that we can invest in clean energy jobs and grow and diversify our economy at the same time. All of these are the kind of steps we need to see to ensure that Washingtonians are facing the challenges of today and prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow, and we are pleased to endorse her.
You can learn more about Deb Krishnadasan at https://www.debkforsenate.com/.
LD 33: Tina Orwall
Tina Orwall is a lifelong Washingtonian who grew up in several communities in the Puget Sound. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in psychology and a Master’s in Social Work Administration, which led her to work as a clinical social worker, particularly for marginalized communities. In 2009, she took that commitment to people to the Legislature, where she served as a representative for 15 years. In the last session, she was appointed to the Senate, filling Karen Keiser’s seat in the 33rd LD. Her history in the legislature strongly aligns with AFT Washington’s values; she has made a career of advocating for the most vulnerable Washingtonians, fought to improve the justice system for victims of sexual violence and make suicide prevention programs stronger. She is an advocate for inclusion and collaboration; vulnerable people are often the people least heard in our government, and solutions must involve us all as we strive to make progress. Her goal, as is AFT Washington’s, is to make this state a state where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and we are pleased to endorse her.
You can learn more about Tina Orwall at https://www.electtinaorwall.com/
LD 33: Edwin Obras
As a child, Edwin Obras emigrated to the United States from the Phillippines. He is the first in his family to graduate from college, with a BA from UW and an MPA from Northeastern. His career has been in the human services field, working with non-profits and the City of Seattle on critical social issues such as homelessness, anti-hunger efforts, youth development, and more. Appointed to the House this year, Representative Obras’s platform continues that work. He is focused on social equity, worker protections, and community well-being, with particular priority placed on policies that serve traditionally marginalized residents of the state. His platform highlights increased worker protections, employer accountability and raising the minimum wage, improved housing stability for renters and support for the unhoused population, and supporting and giving voice to immigrant communities. These are values AFT Washington shares, and they are why we choose to endorse his candidacy.
You can learn more about Edwin Obras at https://www.edwinobras.org/.
LD 34: Emily Alvarado
Emily Alvarado is the child of two public school educators, and grew up in a community of teachers and activists, learning the value of public service, and the need to stand up for social and racial justice. She was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2022, and moved to the Senate in 2025 to fill the position vacated by Joe Nguyen. Her priorities include safe, affordable housing, healthcare, child care, and public education for all, priorities that AFT Washington agrees are crucial for creating the better world we know is possible. Senator Alvarado has supported many ways of increasing our state’s housing options, and prime-sponsored the rent cap bill that passed the House this session. She has indicated a desire to work with the Washington Universal Healthcare Commission to improve healthcare for all Washingtonians, and strongly supports education funding and making our schools and colleges safe and welcoming.
You can learn more about Emily Alvarado at https://emilyalvarado.com/.
LD 34: Brianna Thomas
Brianna Thomas has a strong track record in public service and progressive advocacy. A graduate of UW, Thomas managed the successful SeaTac “Yes for $15” wage campaign, which was the first $15/hr wage initiative in the country, and led the initiative that created the Seattle democracy voucher program. Her role as Lorena Gonzalez’ chief of staff gave her experience in crafting legislation without compromising her progressive values. Her key priorities include affordable housing and home ownership; strengthened labor rights and equitable economic recovery; education and workforce development; climate action; and reproductive and social rights, all of which AFT Washington believes are foundational to a just, equitable future for all Washingtonians. We are pleased to endorse her campaign for 34th District Representative.
You can learn more about Brianna Thomas at https://www.briannathomas.org/.
LD 41: Janice Zahn
Janice Zahn was appointed to the state House this year, filling the vacancy left when Rep. Tana Senn moved to head up the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Zahn started strong and passed four bills in her first session, as well as providing significant legislation for two more bills. She brings her skills as a solutions-focused engineer and pragmatic problem solver to the legislature, and has paid close attention to our upside-down tax code, which is the over-arching cause of our current revenue shortfall. Zahn wants to see a relational approach, bringing in stakeholders in the public, the legislature, and the governor’s office to build support for increased progressive revenue in future sessions, which we applaud – we cannot fund education and other priorities that benefit working Washingtonians if the money isn’t there. She also strongly supports workers’ rights, and identifies a number of our constituencies’ key issues, such as contingent faculty and classified staff pay, stronger worker protections overall, greater support for students, and a stronger safety net – all policies that will make meaningful and important improvements for our members and for Washington families.
You can learn more about Janice Zahn at https://www.janicezahn.org/.
LD 48: Vandana Slatter
Vandana Slatter is a long-time community leader and, as a Doctor of Pharmacy with a degree from UW, an expert in biotechnology and healthcare, with skill in bringing together complex information and achieving safe and efficient solutions – a skill she brings to her legislative work. We particularly appreciate Sen. Slatter’s advocacy for education at all levels; she identifies education as the cornerstone of opportunity, and asserts that higher education should unlock doors, not become a financial burden. We agree! She has also worked with OSPI to establish solid funding models for PreK-12. Other priorities of hers include inclusive and accessible healthcare; affordable housing and displacement prevention; public safety and justice; immigration; and climate action, which she supports with solid legislative advocacy and a search for good solutions. We know that these are key needs for Washingtonians, and she is skilled at navigating the complexity of building solutions that help working Washingtonians; we support her vision and are pleased to endorse her.
You can learn more about Vandana Slatter at https://vandanaslatter.com/.
LD 48: Osman Salahuddin
Osman Salahuddin is running for reelection to the 48th District House. A Redmond native and the son of immigrants, he is educated as a neurobiologist and worked at the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center before running for office. His priorities include increasing the supply of housing and investing in affordable, supportive, and emergency housing; investing in public education, especial special education, and expanded workforce development opportunities, including expanded apprenticeship programs, improved public safety and gun violence prevention, and climate protections for our state. All of these priorities are crucial for our state’s current well-being and for our future strength, and they are priorities AFT Washington supports strongly. He has also stated that there is a need to increase worker access to financial capital – the vast majority of American businesses are small businesses – and he supports unions in the fight for improved worker protections and better wages. We think his vision is clear and sets Washington up for success.
You can learn more about Osman Salahuddin at https://www.electosman.com/.
King County
Council Seat 3: Sarah Perry
Sarah Perry has a strong background as a community leader. She has served in a leadership capacity for a number of local organizations ranging from housing to family support, and her connections as a volunteer and member of service organizations across the county are significant. Perry is committed to a district where all residents have the ability to live, work, play, and learn in the same community, and her top priorities include community safety, mental health support, reducing homelessness by increasing affordable housing and support, and developing a thriving local economy, which includes increased public transit options and protecting our environment. These are all achievable goals – a recipe for building a strong, vibrant community where residents are able to thrive, and AFT Washington shares Perry’s vision. We are pleased to endorse her campaign for Council Seat 3.
You can learn more about Sarah Perry at https://www.electsarahperry.org/.
Executive: Girmay Zahilay
Girmay Zahilay believes deeply in our community and is running for King County Executive because he sees it as the most effective platform for solving our region’s biggest problems for every resident, not a few residents at a time in some of our cities. We agree that our problems, and our solutions, are interconnected and must be solved for everyone! His vision is of King County as a place of safety and opportunity for all, where all people have the chance to thrive. To accomplish this, his policy priorities include addressing homelessness and improving access to affordable housing; supporting families with universal childcare, gun safety, and protecting our reproductive rights; Trump-proofing our communities; preserving and improving our environment; and making our county government more responsive. AFT Washington shares these goals and believe that Zahilay has the skill and experience to make King County better for everyone – we are pleased to endorse his candidacy.
You can learn more about Girmay Zahilay at https://www.electgirmay.com/.
Lacey
City Council, Seat 4: Maren Turner
Maren Turner is a Kansas transplant who found a home in Washington, where she has worked most recently for the state in the Aging and Long-Term Services Administration. She has worn many hats in her professional career, and her decision to run for city council reflects that experience and skill; she’s running because she believes in the power of local government to create change for people’s lives. Turner’s priorities include increasing affordable, accessible housing and addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness; championing programs that support seniors, veterans, and working families; addressing climate change; improving financial responsibility; and supporting behavioral health programs. Turner notes that she has seen the power of bringing people together to solve problems, and we agree that’s the best way to start! Turner’s vision has earned our endorsement.
You can learn more about Maren Turner at https://www.marenturner.com/.
Olympia
City Council, Seat 4: Clark Gilman
Incumbent Clark Gilman is running for reelection for the Olympia City Council. He has a track record in that office as a thoughtful and progressive leader in Olympia, and prioritizes people with problems over corporations – in his current term, Gilman proposed providing $30,000 in council funds to support immigrants and refugee families in Thurston County based on what he had learned of their needs by engaging with them. (The proposal was unanimously approved by his fellow council members, too.) He also called out the influence of interest groups in creating the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which fell short of the city’s climate goals. He has demonstrated a track record of being a voice for people, and we are pleased to endorse him.
You can learn more about Clark Gilman at https://www.clarkgilman.com/.
City Council, Seat 6: Robert Vanderpool
Robert Vanderpool, a graduate of the Evergreen State College, grew up in Ohio and Baltimore as the child of teachers and small business owners. He knows what it means for families to work long hours to build a better life for their children, and he shows his working-class roots in the work he put into the Olympia City Council in his first year in Seat 6. He helped to pass laws protecting renters and addressing the crisis in affordable housing, and he looks forward to building on that work in his next term by strengthening worker protections, promoting climate goals, improving access to affordable housing, and creating better public transportation options – all goals with significant impact in improving the lives of working Olympia families. We think his vision is strong and he’s got a good track record of community involvement and dedication, and are pleased to endorse his reelection campaign.
You can learn more about Robert Vanderpool at https://www.robertvanderpool.com/.
City Council, Seat 7: Caleb Gieger
Caleb Gieger is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, and has held positions as a policy analyst for the State of Oregon and as an assistant attorney general at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Jobs like these give him a front-row seat to the challenges of the times we are in, and his priorities reflect that experience. His overall goal is to make Olympia a livable, resilient, and just city, particularly by focusing on increasing housing, expanding tenant protections, improving climate protections, and supporting the workers’ bill of rights and the rights of LGBTQIA+ and immigrant Olympians. These are admirable paths to building exactly the kind of resilient, livable city our state needs, and we appreciate Gieger’s vision. He has earned AFT Washington’s endorsement in his campaign for Olympia City Council.
You can learn more about Caleb at https://www.calebforoly.com/.
Workers’ Bill Of Rights: Yes
Seattle
City Council Seat 2: Eddie Lin
Eddie Lin is the child of a Taiwanese immigrant and a single mother; Eddie is no stranger to hard work, and achieved his education through student loans and grants, which gives him a strong sense of the challenges students today face to get a college education. He also worked for a law firm that specialized in supporting labor unions and interned at the Washington Education Association – he’s even brought his kids to Olympia to rally for education funding, a subject dear to our hearts. Lin’s priorities for Seattle are straightforward. He wants Seattle to be a place everyone can live and thrive, and he is focused on making Seattle affordable for all. We agree that there are many ways to achieve affordability, and admire Lin’s dedication to pursuing them; he’s earned AFT Washington’s endorsement.
You can learn more about Eddie Lin at https://www.linforseattle.com/.
City Council Seat 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Alexis Mercedes Rinck is familiar with the struggles many families face, and knows first-hand the value of community support and resources. She attended Syracuse University and got her start in politics in a campaign that banned hydrofracking in New York State and improved consumer protections. She has brought that energy to Seattle, where she served as a policy analyst for the Sound Cities Association and director of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, developing a track record of fighting for progressive change. Her priorities on the council include developing housing equity, and supporting public health and human services.
You can learn more about Alexis Mercedes Rinck at https://www.alexisforseattle.com/.
City Council Seat 9: Dionne Foster
Dionne Foster has a long history of working hard for what is right – her early work experiences shaped her perspective on economic justice and strong labor standards. She received an MSW from UW and went on to teach as a contingent faculty member there. Her career has been committed to the service of improving people’s lives through work in non-profits, government, and philanthropy. Among her key issues, Foster identifies workforce development, progressive revenue to fund investments in school and childcare, improved access to city services and improved outcomes for all, climate protection, and standing up for our shared values, which closely match AFT Washington’s shared values. We believe Foster will bring a skilled, thoughtful voice and powerful advocacy to the Seattle City Council and are pleased to endorse her.
You can learn more about Dionne Foster at https://dionnefoster.com/.
Seattle City Attorney: Erika Evans
Erika Evans grew up in Tacoma in a family steeped in the importance of public service and standing up for one’s community. Evans was able to start college early by participating in Running Start, ultimately graduating from UW Tacoma and going on to law school at Seattle University. She brings the experiences of years of public service and legal work to her candidacy for Seattle City Attorney; she seeks to apply her values of community championship and creating justice, not merely punishment, to the tumultuous times we live in. Her priorities include a reimagined Community Court, establishing an Anti-Hate & Bias Crimes Unit, prosecuting wage theft and holding bad landlords accountable, rebuilding community trust in law enforcement, and partnering with State AG Nick Brown to lead the fight against Trump-era rollbacks. We think this is the kind of bold vision the times call for, and we are pleased to endorse Erika Evans for Seattle City Attorney.
You can learn more about Erika Evans at https://electerikaevans.com/.
City of Seattle Mayor: Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson is currently the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union, which has become a powerful voice for working people in King County. In her role, she has managed successful campaigns to raise the wage, improve transit, improve renter protections, and increase affordable housing. This work has involved directing hundreds of thousands of staff and volunteer hours, building multi-partner coalitions, and a deep commitment to strategic advocacy. Katie, born and raised in New York, moved to Seattle in 2004 and has held a variety of jobs, ranging from barista and laborer to apartment manager and legal assistant. She has deep knowledge of the needs and wants of Seattleites from diverse backgrounds, and her mayoral campaign is predicated on meeting those needs. AFT Washington endorses her for her vision for the Seattle of the future, where we have improved outcomes for unhoused people, abundant affordable housing, improved transportation and mobility, improved public safety, climate justice, economic development, and progressive revenue. She sees the need for a Trump-proof city for working families; we share that vision and are excited to help make it happen.
You can learn more about Katie Wilson at https://www.wilsonforseattle.com/.
Tacoma
Tacoma City Council, Seat 4: Silong Chhun
Silong Chhun’s family emigrated to the US when he was a child, and settled in a Tacoma neighborhood made of immigrants, refugees, and working people that shaped his life with every challenge and every triumph it experienced. He is running for Tacoma City Council to bring his vision of a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity for a dignified life to fruition, and we agree with his vision. Chhun’s priorities include strengthening legal protections and resources for immigrant families; ensuring city services and programs are accessible to all residents regardless of immigration status; creating a rapid response network to support families during immigration enforcement activities; targeted economic development to support immigrant-owned businesses and entrepreneurs; and partner with immigrant community leaders to create policies that reflect the real needs and experiences of Tacoma’s diverse immigrant population. At AFT Washington, we recognize the contribution of immigrants to our state’s shared success, and we believe that Chhun’s plan meets the moment we are in; we are pleased to endorse him.
You can learn more about Silong Chhun at https://www.silongchhun.com/home.
City Council, Seat 5: Zev Cook
Zev Cook has strong roots in Tacoma, where she has been a community organizer since 2018, and has worked with multiple direct aid and non-profit organizations, as well as co-founded Serve The People Tacoma, which has provided meals and supplies for homeless community members. Cook’s priorities for Tacoma include raising the minimum wage and including inflation-based updates; building affordable housing; and taxing the wealthy to support improved critical services. AFT Washington is in agreement with Cook that these policies would provide crucial support for our communities, giving community members greater freedom to thrive; she has earned our endorsement.
You can learn more about Zev Cook at https://zevfortacoma.com/.
City Council, Seat 6: Latasha Palmer
Latasha Palmer is an advocate for stability and security who understands the frustration of navigating broken systems and feeling powerless to change our circumstances. She knows the well-being of Tacomans requires bold leaders to step forward, and she is ready to meet this need. She has a long history of dedication to building a Tacoma where economic security, personal safety, housing stability, and climate resilience aren’t privileges for the few but are for the benefit of all Tacomans. Palmer’s vision of a strong, resilient community is founded on permanently-affordable housing for all; building a network of neighborhood block hubs that empowers community members; and jobs that protect people and the planet. We agree that these are important and essential ways to build strong communities and we are pleased to endorse Palmer.
You can learn more about Latasha Palmer at https://latashafortacoma.com/.
Mayor: Anders Ibsen
A Tacoma native, Anders Ibsen has long held the desire to give back to his hometown. He has served with the Pierce County Conservation District and on the City Council for several terms. He is knowledgeable about the issues facing Tacomans, and has an ambitious vision to strengthen and improve the city. Ibsen wants to see accessible homeownership, increased daycare providers and decreased costs, and thoughtfully addressing utility costs through several mechanisms. Public safety is another crucial issue for Tacomans, and Ibsen sees ways to address the mental health crisis, homelessness, and improve youth safety. Additionally, he recognizes the need to stand up and protect everyone’s basic rights, and will work with state leaders and Washington’s federal delegation to improve local protections for vulnerable communities. We agree with his assessment and believe that he has a vision that will build a strong, resilient community.
You can learn more about Anders Ibsen at https://www.andersibsen.com/.
Tumwater
City Council, Seat 5: Rachelle Martin
Rachelle Martin is a dedicated community and union organizer; currently she works at the Washington State Department of Health where she coordinates a foundational population health survey and is active in both her local and the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council. Martin seeks to build safe, respectful communities where people are empowered to thrive and discover the work that is meaningful to them and beneficial to their communities. Of particular importance to Martin is addressing the affordability crisis facing Tumwater residents, and ensuring that Tumwater is a city where all are welcome and can prosper. She notes that – as we know – an injury to one is an injury to all, and the people who benefit from division and scapegoating are those who want to reinforce a class structure with workers at the bottom. We agree and welcome her vision – we are excited to see such a strong voice for thriving communities in this race!
You can learn more about Rachelle Martin at https://www.martinfortumwater.com/.