SEIU 775 represents 43,000 long-term care workers throughout Washington State and Montana. Our mission is to improve the lives of workers and their families, and to lead the way towards creating a more just and humane society. We endorse candidates based on their records and positions on issues important to long-term care workers, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Nigel Herbig is running for re-election to Position 4 on the Kenmore City Council. Herbig has served on the city council since 2014 and was appointed deputy mayor in 2018 and again in 2020. He also works in the state House of Representatives as a legislative assistant.
During his time on the council, Herbig has worked to improve government transparency and improve transportation options and pedestrian safety. He helped develop the Walkways and Waterways projects, which have already added three miles of new bike lanes and sidewalks to Kenmore.
Recently, Herbig played a lead role in extending Kenmore's eviction ban through September 30 to ensure that renters can access federal assistance before potentially facing eviction. If re-elected, Herbig plans to continue building progressive momentum in Kenmore towards improving transportation, maintaining affordability, acting on the climate crisis, and making Kenmore a welcoming city for all. He has also expressed support for a proposal to provide direct cash payments to low-income Kenmore residents.
Also in this race is Bob Black, a former operating engineer and aviation inspector who has run for Kenmore City Council twice before. Black does not have a campaign website and his statement in the King County Voters Guide is copied directly from his 2015 race in some places. In both past and current statements, Black prioritizes conservative economic policy that would drag Kenmore backward.
The third candidate in this race for Position 4 is Abby London, a singer/songwriter who moved to Kenmore last summer. She is running on a hard-right platform full of scare tactics and language demonizing people experiencing homelessness. London's divisive rhetoric and extreme policy positions would be damaging to the Kenmore City Council and the broader community.
Nigel Herbig is the clear choice for Kenmore City Council, Position 4.
Nigel Herbig is running for re-election to Position 4 on the Kenmore City Council. Herbig has served on the city council since 2014 and was appointed deputy mayor in 2018 and again in 2020. He also works in the state House of Representatives as a legislative assistant.
During his time on the council, Herbig has worked to improve government transparency and improve transportation options and pedestrian safety. He helped develop the Walkways and Waterways projects, which have already added three miles of new bike lanes and sidewalks to Kenmore.
Recently, Herbig played a lead role in extending Kenmore's eviction ban through September 30 to ensure that renters can access federal assistance before potentially facing eviction. If re-elected, Herbig plans to continue building progressive momentum in Kenmore towards improving transportation, maintaining affordability, acting on the climate crisis, and making Kenmore a welcoming city for all. He has also expressed support for a proposal to provide direct cash payments to low-income Kenmore residents.
Also in this race is Bob Black, a former operating engineer and aviation inspector who has run for Kenmore City Council twice before. Black does not have a campaign website and his statement in the King County Voters Guide is copied directly from his 2015 race in some places. In both past and current statements, Black prioritizes conservative economic policy that would drag Kenmore backward.
The third candidate in this race for Position 4 is Abby London, a singer/songwriter who moved to Kenmore last summer. She is running on a hard-right platform full of scare tactics and language demonizing people experiencing homelessness. London's divisive rhetoric and extreme policy positions would be damaging to the Kenmore City Council and the broader community.
Nigel Herbig is the clear choice for Kenmore City Council, Position 4.
Nigel Herbig is running for re-election to Position 4 on the Kenmore City Council. Herbig has served on the city council since 2014 and was appointed deputy mayor in 2018 and again in 2020. He also works in the state House of Representatives as a legislative assistant.
During his time on the council, Herbig has worked to improve government transparency and improve transportation options and pedestrian safety. He helped develop the Walkways and Waterways projects, which have already added three miles of new bike lanes and sidewalks to Kenmore.
Recently, Herbig played a lead role in extending Kenmore's eviction ban through September 30 to ensure that renters can access federal assistance before potentially facing eviction. If re-elected, Herbig plans to continue building progressive momentum in Kenmore towards improving transportation, maintaining affordability, acting on the climate crisis, and making Kenmore a welcoming city for all. He has also expressed support for a proposal to provide direct cash payments to low-income Kenmore residents.
Also in this race is Bob Black, a former operating engineer and aviation inspector who has run for Kenmore City Council twice before. Black does not have a campaign website and his statement in the King County Voters Guide is copied directly from his 2015 race in some places. In both past and current statements, Black prioritizes conservative economic policy that would drag Kenmore backward.
The third candidate in this race for Position 4 is Abby London, a singer/songwriter who moved to Kenmore last summer. She is running on a hard-right platform full of scare tactics and language demonizing people experiencing homelessness. London's divisive rhetoric and extreme policy positions would be damaging to the Kenmore City Council and the broader community.
Nigel Herbig is the clear choice for Kenmore City Council, Position 4.
Naghmana Sherazi is running for Spokane City Council, District 1, Position 2. Since immigrating from Pakistan, Sherazi has become very active in the local community. She is a member of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Refugee Connections of Spokane, and Greater Spokane Progress.
Sherazi is running to increase representation and investment in Northeast Spokane and to push for stronger police reform. She wants to empower the city's Ombudsman's Office to hold police officers accountable and improve safety for all residents. In addition, she would like to shift some 911 responses to mental health crisis responders instead of armed police officers. Sherazi supports extending the eviction moratorium and would eliminate single-family zoning in the city to increase the number of affordable housing options. In addition, she advocates for using parts of the Northtown Mall as apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
Naghmana Sherazi is running for Spokane City Council, District 1, Position 2. Since immigrating from Pakistan, Sherazi has become very active in the local community. She is a member of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Refugee Connections of Spokane, and Greater Spokane Progress.
Sherazi is running to increase representation and investment in Northeast Spokane and to push for stronger police reform. She wants to empower the city's Ombudsman's Office to hold police officers accountable and improve safety for all residents. In addition, she would like to shift some 911 responses to mental health crisis responders instead of armed police officers. Sherazi supports extending the eviction moratorium and would eliminate single-family zoning in the city to increase the number of affordable housing options. In addition, she advocates for using parts of the Northtown Mall as apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
Naghmana Sherazi is running for Spokane City Council, District 1, Position 2. Since immigrating from Pakistan, Sherazi has become very active in the local community. She is a member of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Refugee Connections of Spokane, and Greater Spokane Progress.
Sherazi is running to increase representation and investment in Northeast Spokane and to push for stronger police reform. She wants to empower the city's Ombudsman's Office to hold police officers accountable and improve safety for all residents. In addition, she would like to shift some 911 responses to mental health crisis responders instead of armed police officers. Sherazi supports extending the eviction moratorium and would eliminate single-family zoning in the city to increase the number of affordable housing options. In addition, she advocates for using parts of the Northtown Mall as apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
Luc Jasmin III is also running for Spokane City Council, Position 2 in District 1. Jasmin is the co-owner of Parkview Early Learning Center and recently served as president of the Washington Child Care Centers Association.
Jasmin's top campaign priorities are expanding affordable child care, supporting small businesses, and expanding affordable housing. He is concerned about displacement and gentrification in Northeast Spokane and wants to improve outreach to renters and reduce barriers to accessing resources for people to stay in their homes. In addition, he supports stronger protections against evictions and wants to change zoning laws to allow for building more affordable multi-family homes.
Luc Jasmin III is also running for Spokane City Council, Position 2 in District 1. Jasmin is the co-owner of Parkview Early Learning Center and recently served as president of the Washington Child Care Centers Association.
Jasmin's top campaign priorities are expanding affordable child care, supporting small businesses, and expanding affordable housing. He is concerned about displacement and gentrification in Northeast Spokane and wants to improve outreach to renters and reduce barriers to accessing resources for people to stay in their homes. In addition, he supports stronger protections against evictions and wants to change zoning laws to allow for building more affordable multi-family homes.
Luc Jasmin III is also running for Spokane City Council, Position 2 in District 1. Jasmin is the co-owner of Parkview Early Learning Center and recently served as president of the Washington Child Care Centers Association.
Jasmin's top campaign priorities are expanding affordable child care, supporting small businesses, and expanding affordable housing. He is concerned about displacement and gentrification in Northeast Spokane and wants to improve outreach to renters and reduce barriers to accessing resources for people to stay in their homes. In addition, he supports stronger protections against evictions and wants to change zoning laws to allow for building more affordable multi-family homes.
Lacrecia "Lu" Hill is running for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Hill serves as the board president of Spectrum LGBTQIA2+ Center and represents the center on the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition board. She is also on the Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA) board and Washington state's LGBTQ+ Commission's Economic Development Committee.
Hill's platform is focused on expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, and responsibly managing growth. If elected, Hill would push to expand tenants' rights by making it harder to be evicted, preventing discrimination, and making it easier for tenants to organize together. She believes that Spokane must concentrate the city's rapid growth downtown to prevent further sprawl and improve transit service for city residents. Finally, Hill supports investing more in caseworkers so that armed police officers are not responding to incidents involving mental health crises.
Lacrecia "Lu" Hill is running for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Hill serves as the board president of Spectrum LGBTQIA2+ Center and represents the center on the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition board. She is also on the Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA) board and Washington state's LGBTQ+ Commission's Economic Development Committee.
Hill's platform is focused on expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, and responsibly managing growth. If elected, Hill would push to expand tenants' rights by making it harder to be evicted, preventing discrimination, and making it easier for tenants to organize together. She believes that Spokane must concentrate the city's rapid growth downtown to prevent further sprawl and improve transit service for city residents. Finally, Hill supports investing more in caseworkers so that armed police officers are not responding to incidents involving mental health crises.
Lacrecia "Lu" Hill is running for Spokane City Council, District 3, Position 2. Hill serves as the board president of Spectrum LGBTQIA2+ Center and represents the center on the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition board. She is also on the Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA) board and Washington state's LGBTQ+ Commission's Economic Development Committee.
Hill's platform is focused on expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, and responsibly managing growth. If elected, Hill would push to expand tenants' rights by making it harder to be evicted, preventing discrimination, and making it easier for tenants to organize together. She believes that Spokane must concentrate the city's rapid growth downtown to prevent further sprawl and improve transit service for city residents. Finally, Hill supports investing more in caseworkers so that armed police officers are not responding to incidents involving mental health crises.
Anne Artman is running for Tacoma City Council, Position 5. She is the founder and executive director of the Tacoma Recovery Center and previously served as the program manager of the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center.
Artman's campaign priorities include dealing with the affordable housing and homelessness crises, increasing behavioral health and social services, bringing more women- and Black-, brown-, and Indigenous-owned businesses to the community, and supporting Tacoma’s small businesses. She is also emphasizing social and racial justice and will work for more accountability, transparency, and equitable opportunities for all communities. Artman has been endorsed by progressive leaders like House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Rep. Melanie Morgan and groups including the Stonewall Democrats and the National Women’s Political Caucus.
Also in this race are Joe Bushnell and Treyvon Dunbar. Bushnell is a Tacoma Public Utilities board member and Marine Corps veteran. He is running on a platform that focuses on addressing homelessness and creating jobs. However, Bushnell's orientation toward helping downtown businesses has raised concerns among local labor unions. In addition, he is more focused on improving law enforcement response times than making meaningful police reforms that will keep our community safe.
Dunbar is the sergeant-at-arms and former treasurer for the 29th Legislative District Democrats as well as the treasurer for the Pierce County Young Democrats. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, police accountability including de-escalation training, and ensuring local construction benefits the community instead of a few developers.
Artman has earned strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners, as well as progressive elected and community leaders. Artman is the best choice in the race for Tacoma City Council, Position 5.
Anne Artman is running for Tacoma City Council, Position 5. She is the founder and executive director of the Tacoma Recovery Center and previously served as the program manager of the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center.
Artman's campaign priorities include dealing with the affordable housing and homelessness crises, increasing behavioral health and social services, bringing more women- and Black-, brown-, and Indigenous-owned businesses to the community, and supporting Tacoma’s small businesses. She is also emphasizing social and racial justice and will work for more accountability, transparency, and equitable opportunities for all communities. Artman has been endorsed by progressive leaders like House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Rep. Melanie Morgan and groups including the Stonewall Democrats and the National Women’s Political Caucus.
Also in this race are Joe Bushnell and Treyvon Dunbar. Bushnell is a Tacoma Public Utilities board member and Marine Corps veteran. He is running on a platform that focuses on addressing homelessness and creating jobs. However, Bushnell's orientation toward helping downtown businesses has raised concerns among local labor unions. In addition, he is more focused on improving law enforcement response times than making meaningful police reforms that will keep our community safe.
Dunbar is the sergeant-at-arms and former treasurer for the 29th Legislative District Democrats as well as the treasurer for the Pierce County Young Democrats. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, police accountability including de-escalation training, and ensuring local construction benefits the community instead of a few developers.
Artman has earned strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners, as well as progressive elected and community leaders. Artman is the best choice in the race for Tacoma City Council, Position 5.
Anne Artman is running for Tacoma City Council, Position 5. She is the founder and executive director of the Tacoma Recovery Center and previously served as the program manager of the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center.
Artman's campaign priorities include dealing with the affordable housing and homelessness crises, increasing behavioral health and social services, bringing more women- and Black-, brown-, and Indigenous-owned businesses to the community, and supporting Tacoma’s small businesses. She is also emphasizing social and racial justice and will work for more accountability, transparency, and equitable opportunities for all communities. Artman has been endorsed by progressive leaders like House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Rep. Melanie Morgan and groups including the Stonewall Democrats and the National Women’s Political Caucus.
Also in this race are Joe Bushnell and Treyvon Dunbar. Bushnell is a Tacoma Public Utilities board member and Marine Corps veteran. He is running on a platform that focuses on addressing homelessness and creating jobs. However, Bushnell's orientation toward helping downtown businesses has raised concerns among local labor unions. In addition, he is more focused on improving law enforcement response times than making meaningful police reforms that will keep our community safe.
Dunbar is the sergeant-at-arms and former treasurer for the 29th Legislative District Democrats as well as the treasurer for the Pierce County Young Democrats. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, police accountability including de-escalation training, and ensuring local construction benefits the community instead of a few developers.
Artman has earned strong support from our Progressive Voters Guide partners, as well as progressive elected and community leaders. Artman is the best choice in the race for Tacoma City Council, Position 5.
Kim Harless is a program manager at a paint recycling nonprofit and a Clark County Review commissioner. She has served in several roles oriented towards feeding the community, including as the president of Slow Food Southwest Washington, vice president of Urban Abundance, and treasurer of Clark County Food System. She also worked for nearly a decade as an environmental operations specialist with Clark County planning recycling systems, providing oversight on contracts.
Harless states that as an Indigenous and Chicana single mother, she intends to center equity in both her campaign and her tenure on council if elected. She will lead with housing-first solutions to the homelessness crisis, which means securing shelter for people so that they can safely address any health, social, or economic issues they may be facing. In our interview with Harless, she wanted to provide technical expertise on creating a much more robust climate action plan. Police reform should be intentional and focused, she said, and emergency services should evolve so that a more diverse suite of services is available for residents who call 911 for disputes or mental health crises. Harless emphasized that overall, city government absolutely must address the needs of marginalized communities so that Vancouver is truly welcoming and healthy for all.
Harless has worked hard to bring together the government and public to work on issues that the community cares about most. We recommend Harless in this race for her fresh perspective, strong progressive values, and the technical expertise she could bring to the city council.
Kim Harless is a program manager at a paint recycling nonprofit and a Clark County Review commissioner. She has served in several roles oriented towards feeding the community, including as the president of Slow Food Southwest Washington, vice president of Urban Abundance, and treasurer of Clark County Food System. She also worked for nearly a decade as an environmental operations specialist with Clark County planning recycling systems, providing oversight on contracts.
Harless states that as an Indigenous and Chicana single mother, she intends to center equity in both her campaign and her tenure on council if elected. She will lead with housing-first solutions to the homelessness crisis, which means securing shelter for people so that they can safely address any health, social, or economic issues they may be facing. In our interview with Harless, she wanted to provide technical expertise on creating a much more robust climate action plan. Police reform should be intentional and focused, she said, and emergency services should evolve so that a more diverse suite of services is available for residents who call 911 for disputes or mental health crises. Harless emphasized that overall, city government absolutely must address the needs of marginalized communities so that Vancouver is truly welcoming and healthy for all.
Harless has worked hard to bring together the government and public to work on issues that the community cares about most. We recommend Harless in this race for her fresh perspective, strong progressive values, and the technical expertise she could bring to the city council.
Kim Harless is a program manager at a paint recycling nonprofit and a Clark County Review commissioner. She has served in several roles oriented towards feeding the community, including as the president of Slow Food Southwest Washington, vice president of Urban Abundance, and treasurer of Clark County Food System. She also worked for nearly a decade as an environmental operations specialist with Clark County planning recycling systems, providing oversight on contracts.
Harless states that as an Indigenous and Chicana single mother, she intends to center equity in both her campaign and her tenure on council if elected. She will lead with housing-first solutions to the homelessness crisis, which means securing shelter for people so that they can safely address any health, social, or economic issues they may be facing. In our interview with Harless, she wanted to provide technical expertise on creating a much more robust climate action plan. Police reform should be intentional and focused, she said, and emergency services should evolve so that a more diverse suite of services is available for residents who call 911 for disputes or mental health crises. Harless emphasized that overall, city government absolutely must address the needs of marginalized communities so that Vancouver is truly welcoming and healthy for all.
Harless has worked hard to bring together the government and public to work on issues that the community cares about most. We recommend Harless in this race for her fresh perspective, strong progressive values, and the technical expertise she could bring to the city council.
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below races on your ballot.
Dustin Lambro, president of the King County Labor Council and political director for Teamsters Local 117, is running to be Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner 2. Lambro has extensive community leadership experience and is a staunch workers’ rights advocate. He is running to restore final decision authority to the hospital commissioners elected by voters instead of trustees selected by the University of Washington. Lambro wants to make sure that the community has a voice in the governance of its hospital system and health care.
Lambro is facing incumbent commissioner Jim Griggs, who currently serves as the president of the Board of Commissioners as well as the chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Griggs formerly worked as an audit manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, and he is a certified public accountant. In this campaign, Griggs has pointed to his military background to demonstrate his ability to provide effective oversight as commissioner.
The third challenger in this race is Reyna Maria Kaut who provided no information in the King County Voters' Guide and has no campaign presence.
With his demonstrated progressive values and experience organizing for the public good, Dustin Lambro is the best choice for Public Hospital District 1, Commissioner District 2.
Dustin Lambro, president of the King County Labor Council and political director for Teamsters Local 117, is running to be Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner 2. Lambro has extensive community leadership experience and is a staunch workers’ rights advocate. He is running to restore final decision authority to the hospital commissioners elected by voters instead of trustees selected by the University of Washington. Lambro wants to make sure that the community has a voice in the governance of its hospital system and health care.
Lambro is facing incumbent commissioner Jim Griggs, who currently serves as the president of the Board of Commissioners as well as the chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Griggs formerly worked as an audit manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, and he is a certified public accountant. In this campaign, Griggs has pointed to his military background to demonstrate his ability to provide effective oversight as commissioner.
The third challenger in this race is Reyna Maria Kaut who provided no information in the King County Voters' Guide and has no campaign presence.
With his demonstrated progressive values and experience organizing for the public good, Dustin Lambro is the best choice for Public Hospital District 1, Commissioner District 2.
Dustin Lambro, president of the King County Labor Council and political director for Teamsters Local 117, is running to be Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner 2. Lambro has extensive community leadership experience and is a staunch workers’ rights advocate. He is running to restore final decision authority to the hospital commissioners elected by voters instead of trustees selected by the University of Washington. Lambro wants to make sure that the community has a voice in the governance of its hospital system and health care.
Lambro is facing incumbent commissioner Jim Griggs, who currently serves as the president of the Board of Commissioners as well as the chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Griggs formerly worked as an audit manager for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, and he is a certified public accountant. In this campaign, Griggs has pointed to his military background to demonstrate his ability to provide effective oversight as commissioner.
The third challenger in this race is Reyna Maria Kaut who provided no information in the King County Voters' Guide and has no campaign presence.
With his demonstrated progressive values and experience organizing for the public good, Dustin Lambro is the best choice for Public Hospital District 1, Commissioner District 2.
Monique Taylor-Swan is running for King County Hospital District 1, Commissioner Position 4. Taylor-Swan is a community leader who serves as a board member of the Caregivers Union SEIU 775 and a member of the Renton Inclusion Task Force. She currently works as a home care aid with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Taylor-Swan is running for commissioner in order to work towards more accessible, quality care in Renton. She wants to focus on proper staffing and making pay more equitable between the highest-paid executives and underpaid nurses and staff. If elected, Taylor-Swan will use an inclusion and equity lens to make sure that everyone who needs it can access culturally competent care at Valley Medical Center.
Taylor-Swan faces several candidates in this race, including incumbent commissioner Lawton Montgomery, who first assumed the role after being elected in 2015. Montgomery also works as a captain with the Kent Regional Fire Authority. In this race, he has not shared any campaign priorities and does not have a notable presence.
There are four more candidates in this race. Winter Cashman is a software engineer and technology consultant who serves as the founder and president of the Renton LGBTQIA+ Community group. Cashman has progressive priorities in this race and has earned the endorsements of some local Democratic groups. Katie Bachand is a birth and postpartum doula who is also hoping to serve as a hospital commissioner. Like most of her challengers, Bachand is running to restore decision power to the elected commissioner seat, as opposed to this power sitting with University of Washington-appointed trustees. Max J. Heller III is a ramp service worker and Democratic precinct committee officer who wants to fix equity and staffing problems at the hospital but lacks clear policy recommendations or experience. Finally, real estate broker Parminder Bhatti is running with a vague platform to fix the health care industry.
In this crowded race, we recommend Monique Taylor-Swan because of her direct background in health care and her clear, progressive vision for the role.
Monique Taylor-Swan is running for King County Hospital District 1, Commissioner Position 4. Taylor-Swan is a community leader who serves as a board member of the Caregivers Union SEIU 775 and a member of the Renton Inclusion Task Force. She currently works as a home care aid with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Taylor-Swan is running for commissioner in order to work towards more accessible, quality care in Renton. She wants to focus on proper staffing and making pay more equitable between the highest-paid executives and underpaid nurses and staff. If elected, Taylor-Swan will use an inclusion and equity lens to make sure that everyone who needs it can access culturally competent care at Valley Medical Center.
Taylor-Swan faces several candidates in this race, including incumbent commissioner Lawton Montgomery, who first assumed the role after being elected in 2015. Montgomery also works as a captain with the Kent Regional Fire Authority. In this race, he has not shared any campaign priorities and does not have a notable presence.
There are four more candidates in this race. Winter Cashman is a software engineer and technology consultant who serves as the founder and president of the Renton LGBTQIA+ Community group. Cashman has progressive priorities in this race and has earned the endorsements of some local Democratic groups. Katie Bachand is a birth and postpartum doula who is also hoping to serve as a hospital commissioner. Like most of her challengers, Bachand is running to restore decision power to the elected commissioner seat, as opposed to this power sitting with University of Washington-appointed trustees. Max J. Heller III is a ramp service worker and Democratic precinct committee officer who wants to fix equity and staffing problems at the hospital but lacks clear policy recommendations or experience. Finally, real estate broker Parminder Bhatti is running with a vague platform to fix the health care industry.
In this crowded race, we recommend Monique Taylor-Swan because of her direct background in health care and her clear, progressive vision for the role.
Monique Taylor-Swan is running for King County Hospital District 1, Commissioner Position 4. Taylor-Swan is a community leader who serves as a board member of the Caregivers Union SEIU 775 and a member of the Renton Inclusion Task Force. She currently works as a home care aid with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Taylor-Swan is running for commissioner in order to work towards more accessible, quality care in Renton. She wants to focus on proper staffing and making pay more equitable between the highest-paid executives and underpaid nurses and staff. If elected, Taylor-Swan will use an inclusion and equity lens to make sure that everyone who needs it can access culturally competent care at Valley Medical Center.
Taylor-Swan faces several candidates in this race, including incumbent commissioner Lawton Montgomery, who first assumed the role after being elected in 2015. Montgomery also works as a captain with the Kent Regional Fire Authority. In this race, he has not shared any campaign priorities and does not have a notable presence.
There are four more candidates in this race. Winter Cashman is a software engineer and technology consultant who serves as the founder and president of the Renton LGBTQIA+ Community group. Cashman has progressive priorities in this race and has earned the endorsements of some local Democratic groups. Katie Bachand is a birth and postpartum doula who is also hoping to serve as a hospital commissioner. Like most of her challengers, Bachand is running to restore decision power to the elected commissioner seat, as opposed to this power sitting with University of Washington-appointed trustees. Max J. Heller III is a ramp service worker and Democratic precinct committee officer who wants to fix equity and staffing problems at the hospital but lacks clear policy recommendations or experience. Finally, real estate broker Parminder Bhatti is running with a vague platform to fix the health care industry.
In this crowded race, we recommend Monique Taylor-Swan because of her direct background in health care and her clear, progressive vision for the role.
