This is where the bell tolls for the Black Lives Movement
Being in the streets is powerful, and not enough. Hashtags and digital mobilizing is powerful. And not enough. We have to tackle and dismantle the systems and laws that uphold white supremacy, and we have to challenge every elected, selected, appointed or anointed official to use their position—or the position they seek—to protect the prosperity of all constituencies. And that means Black Lives, too.
Candidate Ranking Process: What We Did
We developed six questions, drawing from national BLM priorities, as well as local and statewide priorities for the protection and liberation of Black Lives. Our questions included:
- If elected, give examples of how your priorities will support the liberation and protection of Black Lives locally and across the state.
- Do you believe racism is a public health crisis? Explain your answer.
- Do you support defunding the police? Explain your answer.
- What is your position on charging officers with bodily harm-related crimes when excessive force is used? Explain your answer.
- How does your racial identity shape your perspective of public policy? Explain your answer.
- Do you support the restoration of voting rights for Washingtonians who are incarcerated or have been previously incarcerated or owe fees and fines? Explain your answer.
Questionnaires were sent to over 325 candidates across the state.
The Ranking System
The BLM Alliance applied the following ranking system based on candidate records and responses to our questionnaire. Candidates were vetted and ultimately ranked by Black leadership working across our community for the protection and liberation of Black Lives.
Five Stars
Candidate spoke to or supported 100% of the issues impacting Black Lives raised, demonstrated willingness to be a champion if elected to office, and shows outstanding leadership potential to be and / or has been involved in BLM.
Four Stars
Candidate spoke to or supported 80% of the issues raised impacting Black Lives, demonstrated willingness to be a champion and/or sponsor legislation if elected to office, and shows leadership potential to be and/or has been involved in BLM.
Three Stars
Candidate spoke to or supported 50% of the issues impacting Black Lives raised.
Two Stars
Candidate gave only yes or no answers and demonstrated only basic understanding of the issues raised.
One Star
Candidate gave no direct response to the issues raised, were not in support of issues raised that impact Black Lives, or did not respond to the questionnaire at all.
Take Action
Together, we can make sure our candidates know that our vote is earned through a commitment to working in service of undoing institutionalized racism. There are hundreds of candidates listed below who have not yet responded to Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County’s questionnaire. Tell YOUR candidates that you need to hear from them. Find your candidate’s email and use the sample email below to make your expectation clear.
Subject: Will you fight for Black Lives?
[Your Candidate’s Name],
As I consider my vote, I need to know whether, and how you will fight for the protection and liberation of Black Lives. I need to know where you stand. Please complete Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County’s candidate questionnaire. My vote depends on a commitment to Black Lives.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
The Rankings
Find your candidate below. If your candidate responded to the questionnaire, you can read their full response. If you have trouble loading a candidate’s response, try logging into your google/gmail account first.
Statewide Candidates
Governor
Jay Inslee (D)
Loren Culp (R)
Secretary of State
Kim Wyman (R)
Gael Tarleton (D)
State Treasurer
Mike Pellicciotti (D)
Duane A. Davidson (R)
State Auditor
Pat (Patrice) McCarthy (D)
Chris Leyba (R)
Attorney General
Bob Ferguson (D)
Matt Larkin (R)
Commissioner of Public Lands
Hilary Franz (D)
Sue Kuehl Pederson (R)
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Chris Reykdal
Maia Espinoza
Insurance Commissioner
Mike Kreidler (D)
Chirayu Avinash Patel (R)
Legislative District 2
State Senator
Rick Payne (D)
Jim McCune (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Andrew Barkis (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
JT Wilcox (R)
Veronica Whitcher Rockett (R)
Legislative District 3
State Senator
Andy Billig (D)
Dave Lucas (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Marcus Riccelli (D)
Laura D Carder (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Timm Ormsby (D)
Bob Apple (R)
Legislative District 4
State Senator
Mike Padden (R)
John Roskelley (D)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Bob McCaslin (R)
Lori Feagan (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Lance Gurel (D)
Rob Chase (R)
Legislative District 5
State Senator
Ingrid Anderson (D)
Mark Mullet (D)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Bill Ramos (D)
Ken Moninski (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Lisa Callan (D)
Legislative District 6
State Rep. Pos. 1
Mike Volz (R)
Zack Zappone (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Jenny Graham (R)
Tom McGarry (D)
Legislative District 7
State Rep. Pos. 1
Jacquelin Maycumber (R)
Georgia D. Davenport (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Joel Kretz (R)
JJ Wandler (D)
Legislative District 8
State Rep. Pos. 1
Brad Klippert (R)
Shir Regev (D)
Legislative District 9
State Senator
Mark G. Schoesler (GOP)
Jenn Goulet (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Joe Schmick (GOP)
Legislative District 10
State Senator
Ron Muzzall (R)
Helen Price Johnson (D)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Greg Gilday (GOP)
Angie Homola (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Bill Bruch (R)
Dave Paul (D)
Legislative District 11
State Senator
Bob Hasegawa (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Steve Bergquist (D)
Sean Atchison (R)
Legislative District 12
State Senator
Brad Hawkins (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Keith Goehner (R)
Adrianne Moore (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Mike Steele (R)
Legislative District 13
State Rep. Pos. 1
Tom Dent (R)
Eduardo Castañeda-Díaz (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Alex Ybarra (R)
Legislative District 14
State Senator
Curtis P. King (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Chris Corry (R)
Tracy Rushing (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Gina Mosbrucker (R)
Devin Kuh (D)
Legislative District 15
State Rep. Pos. 1
Bruce Chandler (R)
Jack McEntire (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Jeremie Dufault (R)
AJ Cooper (D)
Legislative District 16
State Senator
Danielle Garbe Reser (D)
Perry Dozier (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Mark Klicker (R)
Frances Chvatal (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Skyler Rude (R)
Carly Coburn (D)
Legislative District 17
State Senator
Lynda Wilson (R)
Daniel Smith (D)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Vicki Kraft (R)
Tanisha L. Harris (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Paul Harris (R)
Bryan White (D)
Legislative District 18
State Senator
Rick Bell (D)
Ann Rivers (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Brandon Vick (R)
Kassandra Bessert (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Larry Hoff (R)
Donna L. Sinclair (D)
Legislative District 19
State Senator
Dean Takko (D)
Jeff Wilson (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Jim Walsh (R)
Marianna Everson (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Joel McEntire (R)
Brian E. Blake (D)
Legislative District 20
State Senator
John Braun (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Peter Abbarno (R)
Timothy Zahn (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Ed Orcutt (R)
Will Rollet (D)
Legislative District 21
State Rep. Pos. 1
Strom H. Peterson (D)
Brian Thompson (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Lillian Ortiz-Self (D)
Amy Schaper (R)
Legislative District 22
State Senator
Sam Hunt (D)
Garry Holland (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Laurie Dolan (D)
J. D. Ingram (R)
Legislative District 23
State Senator
Christine Rolfes (D)
Pam Madden-Boyer (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Drew Hansen (D)
Elaina Gonzales-Blanton (R)
Legislative District 24
State Senator
Kevin Van De Wege (D)
Connie Beauvais (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Mike Chapman (D)
Sue Forde (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Steve Tharinger (D)
Brian Pruiett (R)
Legislative District 25
State Senator
Chris Gildon (R)
Julie Door (D)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Kelly Chambers (R)
Jamie Smith (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Cyndy Jacobsen (R)
Brian Duthie (D)
Legislative District 26
State Rep. Pos. 1
Jesse L. Young (R)
Carrie Hesch (D)
Legislative District 27
State Senator
Jeannie Darneille (D)
Kyle Paskewitz (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Laurie Jinkins (D)
Ryan Talen (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Jake Fey (D)
Barry Knowles (I)
Legislative District 28
State Senator
Twina Nobles (D)
Steve O’Ban (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Mari Leavitt (D)
Kevin Ballard (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Dan Bronoske (D)
Chris Nye (R)
Legislative District 29
State Rep. Pos. 1
Melanie Morgan (D)
Koshin Mohamed Fidaar (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Terry Harder (R)
Steve Kirby (D)
Legislative District 30
State Rep. Pos. 1
Jamila Taylor (D)
Martin A. Moore (R)
Legislative District 31
State Rep. Pos. 1
Drew Stokesbary (R)
Katie Young (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Eric E. Robertson (R)
Thomas R. Clark (D)
Legislative District 32
State Rep. Pos. 1
Cindy Ryu (D)
Shirley Sutton (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Lauren Davis (D)
Tamra Smilanich (NP)
Legislative District 33
State Rep. Pos. 1
Tina L. Orwall (D)
Kerry French (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson (D)
Marliza Melzer (L)
Legislative District 34
Legislative District 35
State Rep. Pos. 1
Dan Griffey (R)
Colton Myers (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Drew C. MacEwen (R)
Darcy Huffman (D)
Legislative District 36
State Rep. Pos. 1
Noel Christina Frame (D)
Legislative District 37
Legislative District 38
State Senator
June Robinson (D)
Bernard Moody (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Emily Wicks (D)
Bert Johnson (R)
Legislative District 39
State Rep. Pos. 1
Robert J. Sutherland (R)
Claus Joens (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Carolyn Eslick (R)
Ryan Johnson (D)
Legislative District 40
State Rep. Pos. 1
Debra Lekanoff (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Alex Ramel (D)
Russ Dzialo (R)
Legislative District 41
State Senator
Lisa Wellman (D)
Mike Nykreim (R)
State Rep. Pos. 1
Tana Senn (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
My-Linh Thai (D)
Al Rosenthal (R)
Legislative District 42
State Rep. Pos. 1
Luanne Van Werven (R)
Alicia Rule (D)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Jennifer Sefzik (R)
Sharon Shewmake (D)
Legislative District 43
State Rep. Pos. 1
Nicole Macri (D)
Leslie Klein (R)
Legislative District 44
State Rep. Pos. 1
John Lovick (D)
John T. Kartak (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Mark A. James (R)
April Berg (D)
Legislative District 45
State Rep. Pos. 2
Larry Springer (D)
Amber Krabach (R)
Legislative District 46
State Rep. Pos. 1
Gerry Pollet (D) read response
Note: Rep. Pollet’s questionnaire was received after the deadline for responses. While we have not changed our rating due to non-response, we wanted to share the response for our community’s information.
Eric J. Brown (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Javier Valdez (D)
Beth Daranciang (R)
Legislative District 47
State Rep. Pos. 1
Debra Entenman (D)
Kyle Lyebyedyev (R)
Legislative District 48
State Rep. Pos. 1
Vandana Slatter (D)
Victor H. Bishop (R)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Amy Walen (D)
Tim J. Hickey (R)
Legislative District 49
State Senator
Annette Cleveland (D)
Rey Reynolds (IR)
State Rep. Pos. 2
Monica Stonier (D)
Park Llafet (R)
Justice Position #4
Charles W. Johnson
Justin Forsman (R)
Justice Position #6
Richard S. Serns
G. Helen Whitener
Justice Position #7
Debra L. Stephens
King County Superior Court
County Races
Pierce County Executive
Bruce Dammeier
Larry Seaquist
Pierce County Sheriff
Ed Troyer
Cyndie Fajardo