In this year’s elections, our Committee on Political Education (COPE) drafted a rigorous, wide-ranging questionnaire, comprising 13 questions on issues such as racial equity, progressive revenue, cost-free college, artificial intelligence, funding for education and educators’ salaries, economic inequality, climate change, healthcare, retirement security, and support for labor and collective bargaining.
You can find our full list of endorsed candidates on our website. If you do not know your legislative district, you can find it at the Washington State Legislature District Finder.
Bob Ferguson
In the Governor’s race, AFT Washington has endorsed Bob Ferguson. COPE was particularly impressed with his track record. As Attorney General, Ferguson is the first Washington AG to criminally prosecute wage theft, and to pass legislation ensuring violators face consequences for it. His pro-worker stance has played out in several ways, notably his suit against the federal Department of Energy to force greater protections for dangerously ill Hanford workers, and his defense of Washington state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave initiative. He has stood up for the rights of workers, defending pregnant people facing illegal discrimination in the workplace, women agricultural workers facing sexual harassment, disabled veterans, and DREAMers.
He has set and exceeded standards for how an Attorney General can hold powerful interests accountable, and we believe he will bring that same spirit to the office of the Governor. Washington faces tough questions on key issues including climate change, taxation, and investment in Washington’s individuals and future, among others, and we think Bob Ferguson has the tested mettle to meet those challenges unflinchingly. Learn more at https://www.bobferguson.com/.
Nick Brown and Manka Dhingra
The COPE committee made a dual endorsement in the race for Attorney General. We endorsed both Nick Brown and Manka Dhingra.
Nick Brown has been a staunch advocate for the rights of people to live free from fear and abuse. He was appointed general counsel for Governor Jay Inslee and in that role stood up to President Trump’s Muslim ban and oversaw Inslee’s work to end the death penalty in Washington. As US Attorney for Western Washington, he received praise for his work fighting drug cartels and sex trafficking, addressing the fentanyl crisis, and reducing violent crime. He believes that every Washingtonian has the right to be safe from crime, gun violence, and discrimination. He has demonstrated amply that he believes in the rights of workers, the dignity of work, and has ambitious goals to make Washington a stronger state that protects and supports Washingtonians. He currently works as a lawyer. You can learn more about Nick at his website, https://nickbrownforag.com/.
State Senator Manka Dhingra took office in 2017. Prior to that, she worked as an attorney for King County, and has fought for public safety by defending survivors of human trafficking and prosecuting violent crimes. Dhingra also supports workers’ rights, and wants to work for all Washingtonians in confronting national challenges such as voting rights, reproductive rights, and gun violence. Her background as a prosecutor and a legislator is very strong, with a demonstrated track record of leadership on issues including mental health, and helped create the 40-hour crisis intervention training used by law enforcement. She has a clear vision for the state, and prioritizes strong, safe communities. You can learn more about Manka at her website, https://electmanka.com/
We believe that both candidates are talented, qualified individuals who would be strong leaders confronting the challenges facing Washington, and are delighted to endorse both.
Patty Kuderer
In the race for Insurance Commissioner, AFT Washington has endorsed Patty Kuderer. Currently serving as a Washington state senator, Senator Kuderer has been an advocate for working families, particularly on issues including access to affordable, quality healthcare, gun safety, voting rights, and women’s health. Her vision for a strong Washington state includes working to expand access to healthcare and holding insurance companies accountable for their actions, as well as promoting fairness and transparency in the insurance market. Most crucially, she sees implementation of universal healthcare in Washington state as not only possible, but imperative and will work to create such a system.
Healthcare is a key issue for Washingtonians, and AFT Washington members are no exception. We see the need for and benefit of a universal healthcare system, and our endorsement reflects the fact that we believe Senator Kuderer will make it a priority. You can learn more about her and her platform at her website, https://www.pattykuderer.com/.
Chris Reykdal
For OSPI, AFT Washington has endorsed Chris Reykdal, our incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction. He knows first-hand the value of public education, which allowed him to escape extreme childhood poverty, and in the paramount duty of public education. His track record of helping districts improve graduation rates shows his commitment; Washington state has reached record levels in graduation under his guidance. Additionally, Reykdal has consistently demonstrated that he understands the difficulties educators in preK-12 face. His agency’s 2024 budget request included a $7/hr pay increase for paraeducators, and in the 2024 legislative session, his agency championed a revision of the prototypical school staffing model (a concern first raised by OSPI in 2021’s budget declaration) that makes some improvements to staffing ratios in preK-12 schools.
We believe that Chris Reykdal is invested in improving school outcomes and in evidence-based educational initiatives. We need a superintendent of public instruction who can run a complex education agency and understands the needs of Washington state’s educators; Reykdal’s record bears this out. You can read more about Chris Reykdal at https://www.chrisreykdal.org/.