If you want laws protecting our environment, the only way to get them is to elect good lawmakers. The Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club interviews candidates running for public office, endorsing those it believes will be environmental leaders. The committee then supports endorsed candidates with funds from Sierra Club Political Action Committees (PAC), either by direct contribution to candidates, or through Sierra Club volunteer-powered campaigns.
Initiative 2066 is one of four initiatives to be put before voters that is sponsored and funded by millionaire Brian Heywood and a cadre of Washington Republicans. This initiative would raise energy bills and costs for families and businesses by rolling back or eliminating modern standards that make homes more energy efficient. In fact, a study from April found that passing I-2066 could raise the utility bills of gas customers by an average of $150 per year.
Next to transportation, Washington's buildings are the second largest source of pollution, contributing 25% of emissions. To that end, the state Legislature has required that building construction reduce pollution through energy-efficient electrification and other means, including rebates for electric appliances instead of natural gas-fueled ones. Backed by powerful interest groups who want to make more money off of households’ energy use, I-2066 aims to overturn the parts of the state's building code that incentivize clean energy and clean air.
By rolling back some of these laws, I-2066 would force utility companies to continue to invest in costly outdated technology. It would also jeopardize Puget Sound Energy's ability to provide financial assistance to homeowners switching from natural gas to electrification and potentially end neighborhood electrification programs. Finally, it would prevent towns, cities, and counties from making their own decisions that work best for their communities by forcing them to subsidize the use of natural gas in appliances or buildings.
The fossil fuel industry and wealthy conservatives want to stop energy efficiency and clean energy in order to increase their profits, saddling us with higher energy bills. Don’t let them raise our costs while polluting our air — vote No on I-2066 this year.
Initiative 2066 is one of four initiatives to be put before voters that is sponsored and funded by millionaire Brian Heywood and a cadre of Washington Republicans. This initiative would raise energy bills and costs for families and businesses by rolling back or eliminating modern standards that make homes more energy efficient. In fact, a study from April found that passing I-2066 could raise the utility bills of gas customers by an average of $150 per year.
Next to transportation, Washington's buildings are the second largest source of pollution, contributing 25% of emissions. To that end, the state Legislature has required that building construction reduce pollution through energy-efficient electrification and other means, including rebates for electric appliances instead of natural gas-fueled ones. Backed by powerful interest groups who want to make more money off of households’ energy use, I-2066 aims to overturn the parts of the state's building code that incentivize clean energy and clean air.
By rolling back some of these laws, I-2066 would force utility companies to continue to invest in costly outdated technology. It would also jeopardize Puget Sound Energy's ability to provide financial assistance to homeowners switching from natural gas to electrification and potentially end neighborhood electrification programs. Finally, it would prevent towns, cities, and counties from making their own decisions that work best for their communities by forcing them to subsidize the use of natural gas in appliances or buildings.
The fossil fuel industry and wealthy conservatives want to stop energy efficiency and clean energy in order to increase their profits, saddling us with higher energy bills. Don’t let them raise our costs while polluting our air — vote No on I-2066 this year.
Rep. Suzan DelBene is seeking another term representing Washington Congressional District 1 in the U.S. House. DelBene has been a staunch advocate for working families, consumer protections and data privacy, health care, technology, and small businesses since she was first elected to the position in 2012. She also serves on the Pro-Choice Caucus. Professionally, her background is in tech, including working at Microsoft and leading a handful of local startups. In addition, she worked as the director of the Washington State Department of Revenue before joining Congress.
Some of DelBene’s greatest accomplishments in office include expanding the low-income housing and child tax credits, increasing access to baby formula across the country, funding job-training opportunities (resulting in $22 million for Washington state alone), and securing programs to support Americans struggling with substance abuse issues. In this race, she boasts a detailed, thoughtful platform that includes priorities to defend reproductive freedom, reduce the cost of living for working families, increase access to affordable health care, safeguard our local ecosystems and natural resources, strengthen the Social Security program, support Washington farms and food security, and more.
Her opponent Jeb Brewer works in program management and construction services. In 2022, Brewer challenged progressive Sen. John Lovick in Washington’s 44th Legislative District. Now, in his bid for Congress, Brewer is running on a moderately conservative platform. He says he wants to streamline the tax payment system but offers no ideas about how to balance our tax code so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Brewer shares support for health care affordability and environmental protections but criticizes the type of bold actions that can actually create progress on these issues.
DelBene is a strong Democratic voice in Congress who deserves your vote to continue advocating for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.
Rep. Suzan DelBene is seeking another term representing Washington Congressional District 1 in the U.S. House. DelBene has been a staunch advocate for working families, consumer protections and data privacy, health care, technology, and small businesses since she was first elected to the position in 2012. She also serves on the Pro-Choice Caucus. Professionally, her background is in tech, including working at Microsoft and leading a handful of local startups. In addition, she worked as the director of the Washington State Department of Revenue before joining Congress.
Some of DelBene’s greatest accomplishments in office include expanding the low-income housing and child tax credits, increasing access to baby formula across the country, funding job-training opportunities (resulting in $22 million for Washington state alone), and securing programs to support Americans struggling with substance abuse issues. In this race, she boasts a detailed, thoughtful platform that includes priorities to defend reproductive freedom, reduce the cost of living for working families, increase access to affordable health care, safeguard our local ecosystems and natural resources, strengthen the Social Security program, support Washington farms and food security, and more.
Her opponent Jeb Brewer works in program management and construction services. In 2022, Brewer challenged progressive Sen. John Lovick in Washington’s 44th Legislative District. Now, in his bid for Congress, Brewer is running on a moderately conservative platform. He says he wants to streamline the tax payment system but offers no ideas about how to balance our tax code so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Brewer shares support for health care affordability and environmental protections but criticizes the type of bold actions that can actually create progress on these issues.
DelBene is a strong Democratic voice in Congress who deserves your vote to continue advocating for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.
Rep. Suzan DelBene is seeking another term representing Washington Congressional District 1 in the U.S. House. DelBene has been a staunch advocate for working families, consumer protections and data privacy, health care, technology, and small businesses since she was first elected to the position in 2012. She also serves on the Pro-Choice Caucus. Professionally, her background is in tech, including working at Microsoft and leading a handful of local startups. In addition, she worked as the director of the Washington State Department of Revenue before joining Congress.
Some of DelBene’s greatest accomplishments in office include expanding the low-income housing and child tax credits, increasing access to baby formula across the country, funding job-training opportunities (resulting in $22 million for Washington state alone), and securing programs to support Americans struggling with substance abuse issues. In this race, she boasts a detailed, thoughtful platform that includes priorities to defend reproductive freedom, reduce the cost of living for working families, increase access to affordable health care, safeguard our local ecosystems and natural resources, strengthen the Social Security program, support Washington farms and food security, and more.
Her opponent Jeb Brewer works in program management and construction services. In 2022, Brewer challenged progressive Sen. John Lovick in Washington’s 44th Legislative District. Now, in his bid for Congress, Brewer is running on a moderately conservative platform. He says he wants to streamline the tax payment system but offers no ideas about how to balance our tax code so that corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Brewer shares support for health care affordability and environmental protections but criticizes the type of bold actions that can actually create progress on these issues.
DelBene is a strong Democratic voice in Congress who deserves your vote to continue advocating for Washington’s 1st Congressional District.
Dr. Kim Schrier is running for a fourth term representing Congressional District 8 in the U.S. House. She was first elected in 2018 when she turned the seat blue for the first time in its history. Schrier is a former pediatrician who previously ran a local practice in Issaquah. In her past three terms in Congress, she has come to represent a pragmatic voice working across party lines to advocate for Washington’s working families and economic prosperity across our state.
In Congress, Rep. Schrier has leveraged her background in medicine as well as her strong community experience to advocate effectively for her constituents. This recent term, she sponsored a slate of health-related legislation, including bills to establish a state public option to make health care more affordable, to protect providers who work in reproductive health care, and to help kids access primary care. She was also a leader in bringing climate solutions to the agricultural industry, providing tax credits to working families, and addressing the baby formula shortage. Her past key votes have aligned with Biden’s more progressive bills including Build Back Better which would have made huge strides in addressing climate change, funding early childhood education, and extending the child tax credit. Schrier’s campaign platform in this race reflects her continued goals to build a healthy, prosperous future for all Washingtonians. Some of her progressive campaign priorities include women’s rights, gun violence prevention, corporate accountability, veteran support, child nutrition, environmental protections, and lowering the cost of living.
Carmen Goers is a Republican challenging Schrier in Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Goers is a veteran and a financial services professional of 25 years who has also served with the Kent Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Goers ran for the state Legislature in the 47th Legislative District but lost to Chris Stearns. Now, she is running to bring conservative fiscal policy to Congress. This would mean bigger tax breaks for the wealthiest, prioritizing business profits above considerations like environmental sustainability or fair wages, and cutting public services that allow all Americans, regardless of background, to access the basics and build better futures. The people of the 8th CD deserve a representative who will place community needs first and make Washington a place where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. Goers is not that candidate.
Schrier has earned your vote for another term.
Dr. Kim Schrier is running for a fourth term representing Congressional District 8 in the U.S. House. She was first elected in 2018 when she turned the seat blue for the first time in its history. Schrier is a former pediatrician who previously ran a local practice in Issaquah. In her past three terms in Congress, she has come to represent a pragmatic voice working across party lines to advocate for Washington’s working families and economic prosperity across our state.
In Congress, Rep. Schrier has leveraged her background in medicine as well as her strong community experience to advocate effectively for her constituents. This recent term, she sponsored a slate of health-related legislation, including bills to establish a state public option to make health care more affordable, to protect providers who work in reproductive health care, and to help kids access primary care. She was also a leader in bringing climate solutions to the agricultural industry, providing tax credits to working families, and addressing the baby formula shortage. Her past key votes have aligned with Biden’s more progressive bills including Build Back Better which would have made huge strides in addressing climate change, funding early childhood education, and extending the child tax credit. Schrier’s campaign platform in this race reflects her continued goals to build a healthy, prosperous future for all Washingtonians. Some of her progressive campaign priorities include women’s rights, gun violence prevention, corporate accountability, veteran support, child nutrition, environmental protections, and lowering the cost of living.
Carmen Goers is a Republican challenging Schrier in Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Goers is a veteran and a financial services professional of 25 years who has also served with the Kent Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Goers ran for the state Legislature in the 47th Legislative District but lost to Chris Stearns. Now, she is running to bring conservative fiscal policy to Congress. This would mean bigger tax breaks for the wealthiest, prioritizing business profits above considerations like environmental sustainability or fair wages, and cutting public services that allow all Americans, regardless of background, to access the basics and build better futures. The people of the 8th CD deserve a representative who will place community needs first and make Washington a place where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. Goers is not that candidate.
Schrier has earned your vote for another term.
Dr. Kim Schrier is running for a fourth term representing Congressional District 8 in the U.S. House. She was first elected in 2018 when she turned the seat blue for the first time in its history. Schrier is a former pediatrician who previously ran a local practice in Issaquah. In her past three terms in Congress, she has come to represent a pragmatic voice working across party lines to advocate for Washington’s working families and economic prosperity across our state.
In Congress, Rep. Schrier has leveraged her background in medicine as well as her strong community experience to advocate effectively for her constituents. This recent term, she sponsored a slate of health-related legislation, including bills to establish a state public option to make health care more affordable, to protect providers who work in reproductive health care, and to help kids access primary care. She was also a leader in bringing climate solutions to the agricultural industry, providing tax credits to working families, and addressing the baby formula shortage. Her past key votes have aligned with Biden’s more progressive bills including Build Back Better which would have made huge strides in addressing climate change, funding early childhood education, and extending the child tax credit. Schrier’s campaign platform in this race reflects her continued goals to build a healthy, prosperous future for all Washingtonians. Some of her progressive campaign priorities include women’s rights, gun violence prevention, corporate accountability, veteran support, child nutrition, environmental protections, and lowering the cost of living.
Carmen Goers is a Republican challenging Schrier in Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Goers is a veteran and a financial services professional of 25 years who has also served with the Kent Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Goers ran for the state Legislature in the 47th Legislative District but lost to Chris Stearns. Now, she is running to bring conservative fiscal policy to Congress. This would mean bigger tax breaks for the wealthiest, prioritizing business profits above considerations like environmental sustainability or fair wages, and cutting public services that allow all Americans, regardless of background, to access the basics and build better futures. The people of the 8th CD deserve a representative who will place community needs first and make Washington a place where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. Goers is not that candidate.
Schrier has earned your vote for another term.
Rep. Adam Smith is running for his 14th term in the U.S. House representing Congressional District 9. Smith has a long track record of advocacy and government work, including as a former lawyer, City of Seattle prosecutor, and Washington state senator. In Congress, Smith serves on the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Caucus. His district is the state’s most diverse – with a strong immigrant population and sizable Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities – and he has shown a demonstrated commitment to uplifting all residents in the district.
Smith is an influential voice in Congress and has previously supported some ambitious progressive bills such as the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. This term, he sponsored bills to curtail hedge fund buy-ups of single-family homes, bring better job opportunities to foreign-trained, skilled medical professionals, and create more pathways to economic security for Americans without college degrees. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, Smith has been criticized for his more hawkish foreign policy stances – including supporting a larger U.S. role in the growing conflict in the Middle East. His top priorities in this race include, amongst others, reforming our criminal justice system, protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights, strengthening gun violence prevention, and pushing strong multi-industry approaches to addressing climate change.
We would like to see Smith continue to leverage his experience in office to pass bold, progressive policies in another term representing Congressional District 9, and we believe he is the best choice to do so.
Rep. Adam Smith is running for his 14th term in the U.S. House representing Congressional District 9. Smith has a long track record of advocacy and government work, including as a former lawyer, City of Seattle prosecutor, and Washington state senator. In Congress, Smith serves on the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Caucus. His district is the state’s most diverse – with a strong immigrant population and sizable Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities – and he has shown a demonstrated commitment to uplifting all residents in the district.
Smith is an influential voice in Congress and has previously supported some ambitious progressive bills such as the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. This term, he sponsored bills to curtail hedge fund buy-ups of single-family homes, bring better job opportunities to foreign-trained, skilled medical professionals, and create more pathways to economic security for Americans without college degrees. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, Smith has been criticized for his more hawkish foreign policy stances – including supporting a larger U.S. role in the growing conflict in the Middle East. His top priorities in this race include, amongst others, reforming our criminal justice system, protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights, strengthening gun violence prevention, and pushing strong multi-industry approaches to addressing climate change.
We would like to see Smith continue to leverage his experience in office to pass bold, progressive policies in another term representing Congressional District 9, and we believe he is the best choice to do so.
Rep. Adam Smith is running for his 14th term in the U.S. House representing Congressional District 9. Smith has a long track record of advocacy and government work, including as a former lawyer, City of Seattle prosecutor, and Washington state senator. In Congress, Smith serves on the New Democrat Coalition and the Progressive Caucus. His district is the state’s most diverse – with a strong immigrant population and sizable Asian, Hispanic, and Black communities – and he has shown a demonstrated commitment to uplifting all residents in the district.
Smith is an influential voice in Congress and has previously supported some ambitious progressive bills such as the Green New Deal and the Medicare for All Act. This term, he sponsored bills to curtail hedge fund buy-ups of single-family homes, bring better job opportunities to foreign-trained, skilled medical professionals, and create more pathways to economic security for Americans without college degrees. Over the course of his tenure in Congress, Smith has been criticized for his more hawkish foreign policy stances – including supporting a larger U.S. role in the growing conflict in the Middle East. His top priorities in this race include, amongst others, reforming our criminal justice system, protecting LGBTQ+ civil rights, strengthening gun violence prevention, and pushing strong multi-industry approaches to addressing climate change.
We would like to see Smith continue to leverage his experience in office to pass bold, progressive policies in another term representing Congressional District 9, and we believe he is the best choice to do so.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland is running for a third term representing Washington’s Congressional District 10 in the U.S. House. Strickland has a long track record of public service as a mayor and city council member for Tacoma and as the former lead for both Pierce Transit and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. When she was first elected to Congress in 2020, Strickland became the first African American and Korean American representative from Washington.
In office, Strickland has fought for a better quality of life for all Washingtonians. She boasts strong priorities and has fought for a community-focused agenda including holding corporations accountable, lowering the cost of prescription medicine, strengthening voting rights, and investing in infrastructure like broadband, roadways, and parks. In her most recent term, Strickland sponsored legislation to fund grants for women and underrepresented communities in STEM, to address the workforce shortage in senior services and childcare, and to support military firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty. Strickland is also a staunch advocate of reproductive freedom for all, and this past March, she sponsored a bill to provide federal financial assistance for those traveling to access reproductive health care. In this race, she has a strong, detailed, progressive platform that addresses pressing issues in western Washington.
Engineer Don Hewett is the Republican challenging Strickland in this race. His platform is based on complaining about so-called establishment politics and yet, unfortunately, Hewett’s own priorities do not better represent the will of the people. If elected to Congress, he is running on a typically conservative platform that emphasizes cuts to social services. He is not a progressive choice for residents in the 10th Congressional District.
Strickland has earned your vote for another term representing the 10th Congressional District.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland is running for a third term representing Washington’s Congressional District 10 in the U.S. House. Strickland has a long track record of public service as a mayor and city council member for Tacoma and as the former lead for both Pierce Transit and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. When she was first elected to Congress in 2020, Strickland became the first African American and Korean American representative from Washington.
In office, Strickland has fought for a better quality of life for all Washingtonians. She boasts strong priorities and has fought for a community-focused agenda including holding corporations accountable, lowering the cost of prescription medicine, strengthening voting rights, and investing in infrastructure like broadband, roadways, and parks. In her most recent term, Strickland sponsored legislation to fund grants for women and underrepresented communities in STEM, to address the workforce shortage in senior services and childcare, and to support military firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty. Strickland is also a staunch advocate of reproductive freedom for all, and this past March, she sponsored a bill to provide federal financial assistance for those traveling to access reproductive health care. In this race, she has a strong, detailed, progressive platform that addresses pressing issues in western Washington.
Engineer Don Hewett is the Republican challenging Strickland in this race. His platform is based on complaining about so-called establishment politics and yet, unfortunately, Hewett’s own priorities do not better represent the will of the people. If elected to Congress, he is running on a typically conservative platform that emphasizes cuts to social services. He is not a progressive choice for residents in the 10th Congressional District.
Strickland has earned your vote for another term representing the 10th Congressional District.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland is running for a third term representing Washington’s Congressional District 10 in the U.S. House. Strickland has a long track record of public service as a mayor and city council member for Tacoma and as the former lead for both Pierce Transit and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. When she was first elected to Congress in 2020, Strickland became the first African American and Korean American representative from Washington.
In office, Strickland has fought for a better quality of life for all Washingtonians. She boasts strong priorities and has fought for a community-focused agenda including holding corporations accountable, lowering the cost of prescription medicine, strengthening voting rights, and investing in infrastructure like broadband, roadways, and parks. In her most recent term, Strickland sponsored legislation to fund grants for women and underrepresented communities in STEM, to address the workforce shortage in senior services and childcare, and to support military firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty. Strickland is also a staunch advocate of reproductive freedom for all, and this past March, she sponsored a bill to provide federal financial assistance for those traveling to access reproductive health care. In this race, she has a strong, detailed, progressive platform that addresses pressing issues in western Washington.
Engineer Don Hewett is the Republican challenging Strickland in this race. His platform is based on complaining about so-called establishment politics and yet, unfortunately, Hewett’s own priorities do not better represent the will of the people. If elected to Congress, he is running on a typically conservative platform that emphasizes cuts to social services. He is not a progressive choice for residents in the 10th Congressional District.
Strickland has earned your vote for another term representing the 10th Congressional District.
King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove is running for commissioner of public lands to fill the vacancy left by Hilary Franz. Upthegrove previously served in the Legislature for five terms, where he made history as the first openly gay representative from outside of Seattle. He joined the King County Council in 2013, where he has been a strong advocate for climate concerns and environmental protections.
Upthegrove has an inclusive vision for using the office to improve the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Upthegrove wants to mitigate the damage of wildfire seasons, bring good jobs and services to rural Washington, preserve mature legacy forests, expand recreational opportunities on public lands, and center the idea of environmental justice to guide policy. While he lauds the incumbent Franz for her work on wildfire prevention, Upthegrove wants to be more ambitious when it comes to reforming forestry policies. He believes the department needs a more honest accounting of the carbon impacts of forestry and timber work, which he is well positioned to lead having managed King County's forest carbon program. Upthegrove also wants to use his experience and relationships in the Legislature to help pass laws and increase funding for the department's conservation work.
Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is back on the ballot this election. In 2022, she lost her re-election primary to ultra-conservative Joe Kent and current Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80% of the time, though she has received criticism from her party after voting to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection. Herrera Beutler has overwhelmingly opposed bills that protect our environment including the 2021 Build Back Better Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which contained bold policies to alleviate the climate crisis. She lacks a detailed campaign platform in this race but mentions wildfire mitigation, habitat preservation, and public land use as top issues.
The race for this open seat will determine whether our state will be a leader in fighting climate change, protecting our forests, and preventing forest fires or bow to the demands of big timber companies. Upthegrove's environmental track record in office and endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, the Sierra Club, and other environmental champions make him the clear choice in this race.
King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove is running for commissioner of public lands to fill the vacancy left by Hilary Franz. Upthegrove previously served in the Legislature for five terms, where he made history as the first openly gay representative from outside of Seattle. He joined the King County Council in 2013, where he has been a strong advocate for climate concerns and environmental protections.
Upthegrove has an inclusive vision for using the office to improve the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Upthegrove wants to mitigate the damage of wildfire seasons, bring good jobs and services to rural Washington, preserve mature legacy forests, expand recreational opportunities on public lands, and center the idea of environmental justice to guide policy. While he lauds the incumbent Franz for her work on wildfire prevention, Upthegrove wants to be more ambitious when it comes to reforming forestry policies. He believes the department needs a more honest accounting of the carbon impacts of forestry and timber work, which he is well positioned to lead having managed King County's forest carbon program. Upthegrove also wants to use his experience and relationships in the Legislature to help pass laws and increase funding for the department's conservation work.
Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is back on the ballot this election. In 2022, she lost her re-election primary to ultra-conservative Joe Kent and current Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80% of the time, though she has received criticism from her party after voting to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection. Herrera Beutler has overwhelmingly opposed bills that protect our environment including the 2021 Build Back Better Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which contained bold policies to alleviate the climate crisis. She lacks a detailed campaign platform in this race but mentions wildfire mitigation, habitat preservation, and public land use as top issues.
The race for this open seat will determine whether our state will be a leader in fighting climate change, protecting our forests, and preventing forest fires or bow to the demands of big timber companies. Upthegrove's environmental track record in office and endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, the Sierra Club, and other environmental champions make him the clear choice in this race.
King County Council chair Dave Upthegrove is running for commissioner of public lands to fill the vacancy left by Hilary Franz. Upthegrove previously served in the Legislature for five terms, where he made history as the first openly gay representative from outside of Seattle. He joined the King County Council in 2013, where he has been a strong advocate for climate concerns and environmental protections.
Upthegrove has an inclusive vision for using the office to improve the quality of life for all Washingtonians. Upthegrove wants to mitigate the damage of wildfire seasons, bring good jobs and services to rural Washington, preserve mature legacy forests, expand recreational opportunities on public lands, and center the idea of environmental justice to guide policy. While he lauds the incumbent Franz for her work on wildfire prevention, Upthegrove wants to be more ambitious when it comes to reforming forestry policies. He believes the department needs a more honest accounting of the carbon impacts of forestry and timber work, which he is well positioned to lead having managed King County's forest carbon program. Upthegrove also wants to use his experience and relationships in the Legislature to help pass laws and increase funding for the department's conservation work.
Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is back on the ballot this election. In 2022, she lost her re-election primary to ultra-conservative Joe Kent and current Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. In Congress, Herrera Beutler voted with Trump more than 80% of the time, though she has received criticism from her party after voting to impeach Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection. Herrera Beutler has overwhelmingly opposed bills that protect our environment including the 2021 Build Back Better Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, both of which contained bold policies to alleviate the climate crisis. She lacks a detailed campaign platform in this race but mentions wildfire mitigation, habitat preservation, and public land use as top issues.
The race for this open seat will determine whether our state will be a leader in fighting climate change, protecting our forests, and preventing forest fires or bow to the demands of big timber companies. Upthegrove's environmental track record in office and endorsements from Washington Conservation Action, the Sierra Club, and other environmental champions make him the clear choice in this race.
Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.
When we invest in strong public transportation we help create a more accessible, sustainable, and connected community. Seattle’s transportation network includes countless streets, bridges, landscaped public spaces, and sidewalks that we all utilize and enjoy. Seattle Proposition 1, Move Seattle, renews our existing transportation levy to continue funding these vital public goods.
This July, Mayor Bruce Harrell and the city council approved the 8-year, $1.55 billion levy renewal to send to ballots for voter approval. The current levy, which expires at the end of the year, provides 30% of the city’s budget for the maintenance and growth of our public transportation infrastructure, which is relied upon every day by our growing population. If renewed, the levy would fund investments in bicycle and pedestrian safety, safe routes to school, the integrity of bridges and streets, climate-friendly strategies for infrastructure, street and public space lighting for safety, arterial repaving, and more. The Keep Seattle Moving levy, if passed, would cost an estimated $44 per month for an $804,000 median-value home.
This levy has uplifted our community for 18 years with regular voter approval on renewals. It is critical now to continue our community support for strong transportation infrastructure in our city. Vote Yes on the City of Seattle Proposition 1.
When we invest in strong public transportation we help create a more accessible, sustainable, and connected community. Seattle’s transportation network includes countless streets, bridges, landscaped public spaces, and sidewalks that we all utilize and enjoy. Seattle Proposition 1, Move Seattle, renews our existing transportation levy to continue funding these vital public goods.
This July, Mayor Bruce Harrell and the city council approved the 8-year, $1.55 billion levy renewal to send to ballots for voter approval. The current levy, which expires at the end of the year, provides 30% of the city’s budget for the maintenance and growth of our public transportation infrastructure, which is relied upon every day by our growing population. If renewed, the levy would fund investments in bicycle and pedestrian safety, safe routes to school, the integrity of bridges and streets, climate-friendly strategies for infrastructure, street and public space lighting for safety, arterial repaving, and more. The Keep Seattle Moving levy, if passed, would cost an estimated $44 per month for an $804,000 median-value home.
This levy has uplifted our community for 18 years with regular voter approval on renewals. It is critical now to continue our community support for strong transportation infrastructure in our city. Vote Yes on the City of Seattle Proposition 1.
