10th Legislative District
Not in 10th Legislative District? Find your guide.
Return Ballots By November 4
Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2025 General election, preview edition! Since 2008, we've compiled information about candidates and ballot measures that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family, and remind them to vote by November 4!
We will continue adding more recommendations for candidates and ballot measures until voting begins on October 15.
Statewide Ballot Measures
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
SJR 8201 will grow Washington’s long-term care fund for aging people and people with disabilities, keeping premiums low, without costing taxpayers a single penny. Also known as the “Allow Investment of Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Fund Amendment," SJR 8201 is a constitutional amendment adding accountability protections to our long-term care fund, requiring that 100% of investment income be used for long-term care.
If passed, SJR 8201 would increase the state’s long-term care fund for vulnerable Washingtonians by at least $67 billion over the next 50 years by allowing the nonpartisan Washington State Investment Board to diversify investments. In the state legislature, 128 legislators voted in favor of the measure, and only 16 were opposed. Additionally, it has the support of groups such as the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Planned Parenthood, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Vote APPROVED on SJR 8201 to protect and grow our state’s independent long-term care fund for aging adults and people with disabilities.
Snohomish County, District 1
Depending on the county district you live in, you may have the following races on your ballot.
Conservative incumbent Nate Nehring is running for another term on the Snohomish County Council, where he has served since first being elected in 2017.
A staunch and well-connected Republican, Nehring has led the council with right-wing policy ideas. He has supported criminalizing addiction, empowering business interests above community needs, and halting progress on policing reforms to make our communities safer. Conservative leaders across Snohomish County and at the state level, like former gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert, support Nehring’s bid for another term.
Unfortunately, Nehring is running unopposed in this election. We recommend writing in a progressive candidate of choice for the Snohomish County Council from District 1.
Conservative incumbent Nate Nehring is running for another term on the Snohomish County Council, where he has served since first being elected in 2017.
A staunch and well-connected Republican, Nehring has led the council with right-wing policy ideas. He has supported criminalizing addiction, empowering business interests above community needs, and halting progress on policing reforms to make our communities safer. Conservative leaders across Snohomish County and at the state level, like former gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert, support Nehring’s bid for another term.
Unfortunately, Nehring is running unopposed in this election. We recommend writing in a progressive candidate of choice for the Snohomish County Council from District 1.
City Races
Mount Vernon City Council
Anthony Distefano is running against Randy West for Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1, Position 2. We are confident Distefano is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Anthony Distefano is running against Randy West for Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 1, Position 2. We are confident Distefano is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Stefanie LeJeunesse is running against Demi Daman for Mount Vernon City Council, At-Large. We are confident LeJeunesse is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Stefanie LeJeunesse is running against Demi Daman for Mount Vernon City Council, At-Large. We are confident LeJeunesse is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
City of Mount Vernon, Ward #2
Hannah Oliver is running against Adam Pearson for Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 2, Position 2. We are confident Oliver is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Hannah Oliver is running against Adam Pearson for Mount Vernon City Council, Ward 2, Position 2. We are confident Oliver is the best choice in this race based on endorsements from our partners and trusted community leaders. While we have not been able to conduct our standard independent research on this race, we encourage you to visit their website, social media, or voters’ pamphlet statement to learn more.
Puyallup School Board
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.
Melissa Bedford is running for Puyallup School Board, Position 1. She previously served on the Spokane Public Schools Board before resigning in 2024. She holds both a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Education and works as a public school teacher.
Bedford was a progressive leader on the Spokane Public Schools Board and continues to lead with her values. Her campaign is prioritizing fully funding education, planning for the future, and transparency and collaboration. Bedford has experience advocating against school funding cuts, lobbying in Olympia and meeting with legislators. She hopes to further invest in high-quality facilities to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
Melissa Bedford is the leading progressive candidate in this race and has certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Melissa Bedford is running for Puyallup School Board, Position 1. She previously served on the Spokane Public Schools Board before resigning in 2024. She holds both a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Education and works as a public school teacher.
Bedford was a progressive leader on the Spokane Public Schools Board and continues to lead with her values. Her campaign is prioritizing fully funding education, planning for the future, and transparency and collaboration. Bedford has experience advocating against school funding cuts, lobbying in Olympia and meeting with legislators. She hopes to further invest in high-quality facilities to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
Melissa Bedford is the leading progressive candidate in this race and has certainly earned your vote for Puyallup School Board Director in Position 1.
Other Candidates
Ellen Aronson is running for Puyallup School Board Director. Aronson is an active PTA member and hopes to improve the quality of education in the area. Aronson has been heavily involved in the school district, serving as a vocal advocate on the 2024 Puyallup Bond Advisory Committee and as co-chair of the 2025 Vote Yes for Puyallup Schools Committee.
Aronson's campaign prioritizes support for teachers, fostering meaningful relationships, ensuring efficient funding, and championing students. Although her platform could benefit from more specific proposals and solutions for the district, Ellen Aronson is clearly committed to enhancing the district's educational quality for students and fostering a sense of community.
While we appreciate Aronson's experience and commitment to the district, we are concerned that she has been publicly touting her endorsement from Republican Bruce Dammeier.
We instead recommend Melissa Bedford for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 1.
Ellen Aronson is running for Puyallup School Board Director. Aronson is an active PTA member and hopes to improve the quality of education in the area. Aronson has been heavily involved in the school district, serving as a vocal advocate on the 2024 Puyallup Bond Advisory Committee and as co-chair of the 2025 Vote Yes for Puyallup Schools Committee.
Aronson's campaign prioritizes support for teachers, fostering meaningful relationships, ensuring efficient funding, and championing students. Although her platform could benefit from more specific proposals and solutions for the district, Ellen Aronson is clearly committed to enhancing the district's educational quality for students and fostering a sense of community.
While we appreciate Aronson's experience and commitment to the district, we are concerned that she has been publicly touting her endorsement from Republican Bruce Dammeier.
We instead recommend Melissa Bedford for Puyallup School Board Director, Position 1.