2019 General Election Endorsement Guide

We Want You!

Your voice, your values, and your experiences are powerful tools. You don’t have to have previous political experience to make a difference!

Join us for Local Events!

Whether we are training the local community to use vital democracy-saving tools or just getting together for drinks with our neighbors, find it on our events calendar.

Join a Committee!

This is where most of the work gets done. Most of our committees are currently made up of just a few people, and all committees are seeking new members! Interview and vet local candidates on our Endorsement Committee, help define our values and our priorities on the Platform Committee, help involve those in our community who are not currently well represented as well as register and train voters on the Outreach Committee. With the 2020 election coming up, we will need help facilitating the primary process through our temporary committees.

Initiative 976:
NO

Initiative 976 is a perennial initiative from Tim Eyman that guts funding for much-needed repairs and maintenance on roads, outdated bridges and overpasses, as well as voter-approved improvements and expansions to transit, including light-rail. Vote NO on I-976.

Referendum 88:
APPROVED

Referendum 88 is the public vote on I-1000, which allows affirmative action in public education, public employment, and public contracting without the use of caps or quotas. This will increase fairness for veterans, small business owners, women, and people of color applying for public employment, seeking public contracts, and applying to public universities. Vote APPROVED on R-88.

Advisory Vote 20

Advisory Vote 20 relates to Second Substitute House Bill 1087, which creates a new long-term insurance benefit for seniors who cannot afford the care they need, paid for by a premium on wages. 

Advisory Vote 21

Advisory Vote 21 relates to Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1324, which extends a reduced rate on Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on timber products, and extends and expands an existing surcharge on timber products.

Advisory Vote 22

Advisory Vote 22 relates to House Bill 1652, which defines paint stewardship programs to reduce the environmental impact of leftover architectural paints. These stewardship programs are funded by a per-can assessment paid by the producers, retailers or distributors of architectural paint.

Advisory Vote 23

Advisory Vote 23 relates to Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1873, which classifies electronic cigarettes, vape pens, vape liquids, and similar products as tobacco products and taxes them as such. ESSB also creates the Foundational Public Services Account which can be used for foundational health services, tobacco, vapor product, and nicotine control and prevention, to support increased access and training of public health professionals at public health programs, and for enforcement by the Liquor and Cannabis Board. Half of the funds from the tax are deposited into the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment Fund Match Transfer Account, up to a cap of $10 million per year. The other half, and the total above the cap, fund the Foundational Public Services Account.

Advisory Vote 24

Advisory Vote 24 relates to House Bill 2158 increases funding for higher education, including financial aid, raises for community college staff, and new student loan program called the Washington College Grant, which replaces the State Need Grant. The State Need Grant has historically been underfunded, unable to provide money to thousands of eligible students. The increased investment is funded by increased taxes on high-income tech companies, which are greatly benefited by the investment in a highly-educated workforce.

Advisory Vote 25

Advisory Vote 25 relates to Substitute House Bill 2167, which increases the business and occupation (B&O) tax on financial institutions reporting more than $1 billion in net income the prior year, by adding a tax of 1.2% in addition to the general B&O tax of 1.5% they were already subject to. 

Advisory Vote 26

Advisory Vote 26 relates to Substitute Senate Bill 5581, which responds to a Supreme Court decision requiring retailers to charge sales tax in all states. SSB 5581 eliminates a tax advantage enjoyed by out-of-state sellers.

Advisory Vote 27

Advisory Vote 27 relates to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993, which updates the Model Toxics Control Act. MTCA has supported efforts to clean up 7000 of Washington’s 13,000 known or suspected contaminated sites. ESSB 5993 increases funding to clean up contaminated sites in the state and improves transparency. 

Advisory Vote 28

Advisory Vote 28 relates to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5997, which closes a loophole allowing many out-of-state shoppers to avoid paying sales tax in Washington State. Non-residents may still request remittance by the State for items purchased in Washington for use outside of Washington up to once per year.

Advisory Vote 29

Advisory Vote 29 relates to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998, which makes our Real Estate Excise Tax more progressive. Under the new law:

• Property sales under $500,000 are taxed at 1.1%,
• Sales more than $500,000 up to $1.5 million are taxed at 1.28%,
• Sales greater than 1.5 million and equal to or lower than 3 million are taxed at 2.75%
• Sales over $3 million are taxed at 3%

Previously, all sales were taxed at 1.28%.

Advisory Vote 30

Advisory Vote 30 relates to Engrossed Substitute Bill 6004. Currently, travel agents and tour operators enjoy a reduced B&O tax of 0.275%, compared to the 1.5% for other types of services and activities. ESSB 6004 reduces the tax break on travel agents and tour operators with annual gross income over $250,000, changing their rate from 0.275% to 0.9%.

Advisory Vote 31

Advisory Vote 31 relates to Engrossed Senate Bill 6016, which closes several tax loopholes for International Investment Management Services (IIMS’s). The loopholes were initially intended to reduce tax disadvantage for IIMS’s operating within the state, but the legislature found their definition was overly-broad and wrote ESB 6016 to narrow requirements to benefit from the loophole by requiring IIMS’s claiming the exemption have at least 25% of their employees in Washington State, at least ten offices across at least eight countries, at least 500 full-time employees, and a worldwide gross revenue of at least $400 million, among other requirements.

Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 2:
Grant Degginger

Grant Degginger has served previously on Bellevue City Council and as Mayor of Bellevue, where he helped lead the efforts to expand light rail, increase parks and open spaces, and led an effort to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. Degginger was also previously appointed to the Public Disclosure Commission by then-Governor Gregoir, where he fought for open and transparent elections and government. His priorities on the Port of Seattle Commission will be: fixing Seattle-Tacoma airport by improving access, reducing lines, and implementing remote-baggage check in Downtown Seattle and on the Eastside; keeping our seaport competitive by making investments to sustain and grow the port while implementing important environmental reforms; and reforming port contracting to be transparent and accountable to residents by providing greater opportunities for local businesses, small businesses, and minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as providing transparency into the port’s budget process.

Website: https://www.grantforport.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.grantforport.com/endorsements/

Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 5:
Fred Felleman

Incumbent Fred Felleman has 30 years of experience as a conservation leader. Since 2016, Felleman has helped found the Energy and Sustainability Committee, which he now co-chairs. He also works as the Vice President of the Port Commission, and represents the Port on the Governor’s Blue Task Force, which aims to decarbonize the marine industry. His goals for his next term include working to reduce climate impacts, expanding opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses, seeking environmental and economic justice for disproportionately impacted communities, championing apprenticeship and internship programs to inspire youth into port-related jobs, and accessibility, inclusivity, and being responsive to community interests. 

Website: https://www.fredforport.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.fredforport.com/endorsements-1

City of Kirkland Council, Position 2:
Kelli Curtis

Kelli Curtis has served on the Houghton Community Council, the Kirkland Park Board and the Housing Strategy Advisory Group. Curtis has been endorsed by an overwhelming majority of people she’s served on these boards and commissions with, as well as by many local elected officials. Curtis aims to bring thoughtful, strategic focus on Kirkland’s growth and livability with an emphasis on creating a sustainable, accessible community.

Website: https://www.kellicurtisforkirklandcouncil.com

Other Endorsements: https://www.kellicurtisforkirklandcouncil.com/endorsements

City of Kirkland Council, Position 5:
Neal Black

Neal Black is running on a platform of affordable housing through a diverse mix of housing types, inclusiveness in our communities, planning for sustainability, and increasing transportation choices to reduce emissions and congestion.  Black serves on the Houghton Community Council and King County Bar Association as a member of the Board of Trustees, and has previously served as the chair of the King County Bar Association Public Policy Committee. Black will bring strong values and deep experience to the Kirkland City Council. 

Website: https://www.votenealblack.com/home

Other Endorsements: https://www.votenealblack.com/view-endorsements

City of Redmond Council, Position 1:
Varisha Khan

Varisha Khan is running on a platform of equality and inclusion, environmental sustainability, efficient transportation and linking communities. Khan’s experience includes work in communications at various local nonprofits, focusing on making media and politics more representative and inclusive.

Website: https://www.electvarishakhan.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.electvarishakhan.com/endorsements

City of Redmond Council, Position 3:
Jessica Forsythe

Jessica Forsythe has a wealth of non-profit experience to draw from, including working on the League of Women Voters Seattle-King County executive committee, grassroots organizing on I-1000 and I-1639, and too many others to list here. Additionally, her professional life as a small business owner has given her the decision-making skills needed as a City Councilmember. Forsythe’s focus on local business, environment, community, and infrastructure are just what Redmond City Council needs. 

Website: https://www.voteforsythe.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.voteforsythe.com/endorsements

City of Redmond Council, Position 5:
Vanessa Kritzer

Vanessa Kritzer currently serves on the City of Redmond Planning Commission, working for inclusive, sustainable, equitable solutions to Redmond’s unique challenges. She has devoted her career to working for social and environmental justice and driving public sector innovation, and hopes to continue that work on the Redmond City Council. Kritzer’s experience includes working on international human rights and national environmental policy in DC, serving on the UW Board of Regents, and working on public sector technology at Microsoft. Kritzer also serves on the boards of the Anti-Defamation League – Pacific Northwest and the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Website: https://www.electvanessakritzer.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.electvanessakritzer.com/endorsements

City of Redmond Council, Position 7::
Carlos Jiminez

Carlos Jimenez brings broad experience including working as a Professor of Community Development, working on Bellevue’s Latino Police Advisory Council and Redmond’s Community Police Advisory Council, serving on the executive board of several worker advocacy groups, and as Founder and Executive Director at Centro Cultural Mexicano in Redmond. Jimenez’s platform is focused on affordable housing, innovation in transportation, promoting healthy communities, social, racial, and economic justice, and strong environmental protections.

Website: https://electcarlosjimenez.com/

Other Endorsements: https://electcarlosjimenez.com/endorsements-1

City of Sammamish Council, Position 2:
Karen McKnight

Karen McKnight has previously served as president of a PTSA and president of the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce, as well as CEO of a local real estate franchise. McKnight aims to represent all Sammamish residents by taking up ignored infrastructure projects, such as transportation and storm water management. McKnight has also pledged to protect open spaces, parks, and the city’s tree canopy. 

Website: https://www.mcknightforsammamish.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.mcknightforsammamish.com/endorsements

City of Sammamish Council, Position 4:
Karen Howe

Karen Howe is on the Children and Youth Advisory Board for King County, and the president of the nonprofit SammamishFriends.org, which promotes local conservation and sustainability efforts. Her prior private-sector experience includes work as a director at Microsoft and a VP at AOL. Her goals on council are to champion parks and natural spaces, provide space roads, sidewalks, and bike paths, broaden regional outreach, and providing transparency in the management of city funds. Howe recognizes the evolution of Sammamish, and sees a path forward through balanced, planned growth.

Website: https://electkarenhowe.com/

City of Woodinville Council, Position 6:
Nicolas Duchastel de Montrouge

Nicolas Duchastel de Montrouge is running on a platform he calls “Keep Woodinville/Moving Forward” which aims to maintain Woodinville’s small-town feel while managing growth in a responsible manner with great input from local residents. Duchastel’s primary issues are: ensuring the environment is the highest priority of the city; improving transportation via various modes, both for residents and the growing tourism sector; improving access to affordable housing – this is not an issue unique to Woodinville, so Duchastel intends to address this in part via regional partnerships; and government transparency, based on 21st century technology and accountability to residents. Duchastel is currently a member of the Woodinville Planning Commission, and has previously volunteered at Parents Active Cooperative Education (PACE), worked on the Northshore School District’s Start Time Task Force, and cofounded Éducation Française of Greater Seattle, a weekend school for French-speaking students.

Website: https://votefornicolas.com/

Other Endorsements: https://votefornicolas.com/endorsements/

City of Woodinville Council, Position 7:
Paul Hagen

Paul Hagen has served as vice chair for both Parents Active Cooperative Education (PACE) at Woodmoor Elementary School and Woodinville’s Parks and Recreation Commission, and currently serves on Woodinville’s Public Spaces Commission. Hagen plans to prioritize sustainable growth through a walkable downtown and improved accessibility while protecting neighboring agricultural lands and preserving Woodinville’s character and charm, all through future-facing planning and collaborative decision-making.  He will also protect the environment, by both working to preserve greenspaces and a commitment to green energy, reduced carbon emissions, and environmentally-friendly building practices. Finally, Hagen aims to make the city government more accessible, responsive, and effective by prioritizing people, collaborating, and listening. 

Website: https://www.hagenforcouncil.com/

Other Endorsements: https://www.hagenforcouncil.com/endorsements