Since May, The Times editorial board has interviewed more than 180 candidates running for office to help you make decisions in the races and measures on the ballot.
Editor’s note: The Seattle Times editorial board is making recommendations for voters in legislative districts throughout King and Snohomish counties, in statewide and federal races and for some ballot measures on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Each endorsement will explain our thinking, but generally we look for moderates with a commitment to work across party lines.
Read summaries of each choice for selected races below. And click here if you’d like to subscribe via an RSS feed to receive updates as endorsements are published.
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- President
- U.S. Senator
- U.S. House of Representatives
- State Senate
- State House of Representatives
- Statewide elected offices
- Statewide ballot measures
- Local ballot measures
- State Supreme Court
- King County Superior Court
U.S. President
Hillary Clinton for U.S. President
Strengths: Experience, knowledge and temperament; superior understanding of America’s challenges, opportunities and its role in building prosperity and stability around the world
Clinton has demonstrated courage, strength and resilience — the traits we especially value in a president. She does this not by tweets and talking tough but through unflagging public service through personal and political crises that would crumble an ordinary person. …”
U.S. Senator
Patty Murray for U.S. Senate
Strengths: Shows valuable bipartisan leadership and has been a strong representative for the state of Washington
While Congress grew more dysfunctional in recent years, Murray found common ground and still got things done.”
U.S. House of Representatives
Suzan DelBene for 1st Congressional District
Strengths: Represented the divergent interests of farm and technology in her sprawling district; nuanced, regionally focused solutions
It says quite a bit about DelBene that the district appears now to be firmly hers. With a solid legislative record over two terms, and minimal competition this year, DelBene easily earns an endorsement for a third term …”
Rick Larsen for 2nd Congressional District
Strengths: Willingness to take positions that go against his liberal base, deep understanding on international trade
The power of incumbency continues to favor U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. A popular Democrat from the 2nd Congressional District, he is the most credible candidate and deserves a ninth term.”
Derek Kilmer for 6th Congressional District
Strengths:Pragmatism, has been effective in influencing legislation
His priorities align well with his district, including developing jobs and helping the timber industry move beyond the old fights between conservationists and timber interests and keeping the district’s military installations vital.”
Brady Walkinshaw for 7th Congressional District
Strengths: Intention to move beyond liberal orthodoxy; temperament, pragmatic instincts
The Democrat has the capacity to be a progressive leader from one of the nation’s most left-leaning districts. He also has the temperament, pragmatic instincts and drive to squeeze legislation out of the gridlocked Congress.”
Dave Reichert for 8th Congressional District
Strengths:Advocate for trade and fiscal responsibility; has had some legislative successes in conservation and in human services
Representing the 8th Congressional District, which straddles the west and east slope of the Cascades, Reichert is the closest approximate for a moderate in Washington’s GOP congressional delegation.”
Adam Smith for 9th Congressional District
Strengths: Represents diverse voice of constituents in Washington, D.C., works on behalf of military families and veterans
Smith continues to get endorsements from people and groups representing all kinds of citizens. He has spoken out on issues such as abuses of immigrants in federal detention and the $15 minimum wage …”
Denny Heck for 10th Congressional District
Strengths: Champion for economic opportunity; leader on federal banking reforms necessary for marijuana legalization
U.S. Rep. Denny Heck is the first and only congressman from Washington’s 10th Congressional District, created in 2012 to represent the south Puget Sound. Voters should choose to keep him there.”
State Senate
Guy Palumbo for 1st Legislative District Senate seat
Strengths: Small-business owner; impressive public-service résumé
Well-versed in the options before the Legislature, Palumbo has the right approach, supporting local-levy reform, some new revenues and shifting to a carefully constructed approach to statewide collective bargaining for teacher contracts. Importantly, he also acknowledges that any new money must be spent on improving outcomes for students. …”
Mark Mullet for 5th Legislative District Senate seat
Strengths: Nondogmatic Democrat Washington needs; can help hammer out a compromise on funding basic education
An independent thinker, he has shown he can work across the aisle to find solutions to complicated problems. Mullet should be re-elected. …”
Bob Hasegawa for 11th Legislative District Senate seat
Strengths: Strong connection to his district
Hasegawa should be elected for another term serving the area where he continues to live in his childhood home on Beacon Hill. While this editorial board frequently disagrees with Hasegawa on policy issues, he is a clear choice over his challenger. …”
Steve Litzow for 41st Legislative District Senate seat
Strengths: Effective leader; has much-needed experience for education funding solutions
Litzow already is a key player. He chairs the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee in the Senate, where his party currently holds the majority. He’s used this perch to advance early childhood programs and education reforms, increase education funding and fund charter schools. …”
State House of Representatives
Derek Stanford for 1st Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Runs small business; budgeting and auditing background
Stanford runs a small business specializing in analytics solutions and statistical consulting. In the Legislature, he is vice chair of the House Capital Budget Committee and vice chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. …”
Jim Langston for 1st Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Open-minded about solutions; education and volunteering background
Langston, an Echo Lake Republican, is the best choice for his understanding of the broad challenges facing the Legislature and his open-mindedness about solutions, including new tax revenues for school funding. …”
Jason Ritchie for 5th District House Position, Position No. 1
Strengths: Would bring a vital small-business perspective to Olympia.
Ritchie would keep middle-class taxpayers in mind when crafting a solution to fully fund basic education, accurately noting that an income tax is a “nonstarter” to meet that challenge. …”
Paul Graves for 5th Legislative District House, Position No. 2
Strengths: On the pressing McCleary funding obligation, Graves is well-informed and practical.
Paul Graves is a smart, pragmatic moderate Republican who best fits the 5th Legislative District. …”
Zack Hudgins for 11th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Record of bipartisan policy wins; strong voice to improve and reform Washington’s creaky IT infrastructure
A former tech-industry manager, Hudgins has a record of bipartisan policy wins, most prominently as prime sponsor in the House of the state’s version of the Dream Act. …”
Strom Peterson for Legislative District 21, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Priorities include water-quality programs and treatment for opioid addiction
Voters should re-elect Peterson, owner of an Edmonds cheese shop. His challenger, Libertarian Alex Hels, is a political novice who needs more public-service experience before he’s prepared to serve in the Legislature. …”
Lillian Ortiz-Self for Legislative District 21, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Committed to helping solve the state’s underfunding of basic education; understands issues of equity
Lillian Ortiz-Self, a school counselor and vice chair of the House Education Committee, is committed to helping solve the state’s chronic and unconstitutional underfunding of basic education. She is well-versed in the challenges and possible solutions. …”
Mike Pellicciotti for 30th Legislative District, Position 1
Strengths: Has a unique skill set; an investigator’s mindset
Pellicciotti’s background makes him a refreshing addition to the Legislature as it addresses the education-funding gap underscored by the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. Pellicciotti approaches the problem like an investigator, dissecting proposals to boost funding while adding reforms. …”
Teri Hickel for 30th Legislative District, Position 2
Strengths: Deep roots in Federal Way’s civic fabric; a smart, informed and moderate voice
Hickel has focused on fixing the state’s broken education-financing model, which leaves districts like Federal Way at a disadvantage, and she effectively channels her constituents’ angst about intractable traffic congestion. …”
Drew Stokesbary for 31st Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Pro-education policy wonk; can work across party lines
Stokesbary has been a particularly effective representative during his first term. A thoughtful, pro-education policy wonk, he can also help the entire state by advancing education-funding reforms. …”
Lane Walthers for 31st Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Moderate, pragmatic lawmaker; first-responder background
Walthers is a veteran firefighter and paramedic and a captain of East Pierce Fire and Rescue. He has deep roots in the community and prioritizes fixing critical local problems, such as the bottleneck crossing between Enumclaw and Buckley. …”
Cindy Ryu for 32nd Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Her résumé: as a business owner, former Shoreline City Council member and mayor
Ryu is chair of the House Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee, putting her in the middle of issues important to a district that serves North King and South Snohomish counties. And she intends to expand her focus on serving those Washington citizens who are too often underrepresented. …”
Ruth Kagi for 32nd Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Political leanings match her district well, but are tempered with a mature pragmatism
Kagi is a Washington treasure. The North Seattle Democrat has been a champion of the state’s youngest citizens, advocating for the best education from their earliest moments to ensuring care when their families can’t provide it. …”
Tina Orwall for 33rd Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Solution-based approach; works across Olympia’s ideological divides
Orwall is progressive on social policy, but her solution-based approach gives her an independent streak. Her experience and nuanced understanding of the education-funding challenges are an asset to her district and Legislature. …”
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson for 33rd Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Challenge of the suburbanization of poverty
Gregerson needs to become a stronger legislator. And she needs to be able to take responsibility for her role as a SeaTac council member. By a hair, she is the better candidate this time for the 33rd District’s House Position 2. …”
Eileen Cody for 34th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Expertise in health-care and hospital-workplace issues; moderation, experience and willingness to compromise
Cody’s experience and expertise in health-care and hospital-workplace issues have been an asset as the state implemented the Affordable Care Act and worked to improve the system. Her background is also valuable as the state struggles to improve its mental-health programs and Western State Hospital. …”
Joe Fitzgibbon for 34th Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Solid understanding of the education-funding challenge; leader on environmental issues
Fitzgibbon has been a leader in the Legislature on environmental issues, but the 34th District centered in West Seattle needs a representative with a broader focus. His opponent, Andrew Pilloud, has no government experience. …”
Sharon Tomiko Santos for 37th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Focus on K-12 education funding; supports a capital-gains tax
Santos knows the Legislature’s major job next year is to finish reforming the way the state pays for K-12 basic education — to satisfy the Washington State Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. …”
Eric Pettigrew for 37th Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Communication and consensus-building skills
Pettigrew is the kind of thoughtful leader who pushes other lawmakers to seek compromise and can step beyond traditional party or interest-group agendas. …”
Tana Senn for 41st Legislative District Position 1
Strengths: Understands the nuances of the state’s education-budget challenges
Senn understands the nuances of the state’s education-budget challenges and is not ready to commit to statewide collective bargaining for teachers, a local levy swap and guard rails around education-budget items. …”
Judy Clibborn for 41st Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Influential and a major force in transportation policy
With the next Legislature facing an enormous challenge to modify taxation, fully fund education and avoid a constitutional crisis, Clibborn’s leadership and deep relationships on both sides of the aisle are vital. …”
Dan Shih for 43rd Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Worked in the private equity field and clerked for the prestigious federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.; understands the monumental task of adding at least $3.5 billion to the state education biennium budget
With a superb résumé, a nuanced grasp of policy and a steady temperament, Shih has the potential to be an excellent lawmaker from a legislative district with a history of producing leaders in Olympia. …”
Janice Huxford for 44th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths:Small-business background, would bring fresh, multidimensional approach to school-funding reform
For progress in the Legislature, voters should elect Huxford, who has the smarts and has done her homework.”
Mark Harmsworth for 44th Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Smart and pragmatic, has shown leadership on transportation issues
In a legislative session with many new lawmakers facing their paramount duty of fixing education funding, Harmsworth’s experience and record of representing his district makes him the best choice.”
Roger Goodman for 45th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Deep, nuanced understanding of education and law enforcement
Goodman’s biggest asset to voters, and the reason for this endorsement, is his capacity to help the Legislature resolve the state Supreme Court’s education-funding mandate. …”
Gerry Pollet for 46th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Strong advocate for higher education and government transparency
A standout accomplishment for Pollet was his work on a new law passed this year that makes electronic-cigarette and “vape” products less accessible to youths. He hopes to expand this by taxing e-cigarettes and raising the minimum age for their use to 21. …”
Patty Kuderer for 48th Legislative District, House Position No. 1
Strengths: Knowledge of education and transportation issues; passionate about the environment and small businesses assistance
Kuderer, an attorney and former PTA president from Bellevue, says education and transportation are the top two issues in her district, but she is knowledgeable about a variety of concerns facing state government. The Democrat is passionate about the environment and for using tax incentives to help small businesses. …”
Joan McBride for 48th Legislative District, House Position No. 2
Strengths: Has good intentions and legitimate concerns about local-government operations
McBride ought to be well-prepared to represent the Eastside’s 48th Legislative District in the state house. But she is not representing the people’s interests with legislation she introduced last session that would undermine the state Public Records Act. …”
Statewide elected offices
Jay Inslee for Governor
Strengths: Strong political skills; some notable accomplishments; has improved as he has settled into Olympia
Inslee gets The Seattle Times editorial board’s endorsement because he is more likely to be constructive as the Legislature pushes through crucial reforms of Washington’s broken education-financing model. …”
Bob Ferguson for Attorney General
Strengths: Enforcing campaign-finance violations; also has been effective in consumer protection
Ferguson has wielded the power of his office effectively and wisely, and, with a few exceptions, has managed well the state’s law firm. He easily deserves four more years. …”
Hilary Franz for Commissioner of Public Lands
Strengths: Extensive knowledge of state policies, energetic advocacy
Franz, a Seattle environmental attorney and activist, narrowly wins our endorsement because of her extensive knowledge of state policies, her energetic advocacy and her pledge to uphold the state’s forest-trust-land program. …”
Mike Kreidler for Insurance Commissioner
Strengths: Industry knowledge; consumer advocacy; ability to change his mind when the situation calls for change
Kreidler is the clear choice. He should keep working to make his office better and not rest on his successes with the Affordable Care Act here in Washington, which has put him in the national spotlight. …”
Lieutenant Governor
Kim Wyman for Secretary of State
Strengths: Years of experience refereeing elections; bipartisan support
Wyman has more than 23 years of direct experience in election work, probably the most important aspect of the office. And she has the endorsement — and therefore confidence — of county election officials, both Republican and Democrat, from across the state — from King County to Garfield County. …”
Mark Miloscia for state auditor
Strengths: Range of experience; legislative experience and connections
Miloscia’s range of experience in and out of state government, combined with his intense commitment to service, should invigorate the Auditor’s Office. It needs a boost after suffering from the extended absence of outgoing Auditor Troy Kelley …”
Duane Davidson for State Treasurer
Strengths: Would bring a statewide perspective to education funding, knows how to compromise
Lawmakers need someone to work with them and not just tell them their ideas belong in the waste bin. Davidson could do that well.”
Erin Jones for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Strengths: Experience addressing inequity in public schools; ability to bring educators, parents, lawmakers and school officials together.
As a parent of kids who attended public schools, in some of the state’s most challenging school districts, Jones has a deep understanding of Washington’s public school system.”
Statewide ballot measures
Reject Initiative 732 (Carbon Tax)
I-732 would create a significant hole in the state budget — and the budget of working-class Washingtonians — and provide questionable environmental benefits. …”
Reject Initiative 735 (Citizens United)
Voters should reject I-735 as unnecessary, overreaching and a little bit odd. In this case, the cure is worse than the disease. …”
Approve Initiative 1433 (Minimum wage)
The wage floor must rise. Voters should say yes to Initiative 1433, but also demand the Legislature fix some of the initiative’s flaws. …”
Approve Initiative 1491 (Extreme-risk protection orders for removing guns)
Voters should approve Initiative 1491 to fill in a gap. It sets up a court procedure for a judge to issue extreme-risk protection orders to temporarily prevent someone from accessing firearms if there is demonstrated evidence the person is a danger. …”
Reject Initiative 1501 (Identity theft and open-records measure)
I-1501 is a bad proposal that should be rejected. It’s unclear whether it would have any effect on identity theft. But that’s not really why it’s on the ballot. I-1501 is a Trojan horse. …”
Reject Initiative 1464 (Campaign finance)
Reject this half-baked campaign-finance proposal, which seizes public dollars that should go toward higher priorities like education. …”
Maintain Advisory Votes Nos. 14 and 15
The Legislature made two financial decisions during 2016 that citizens should endorse. One continues sales-tax exemptions for some alternative-fuel vehicles, and the other would extend the insurance-premium tax to family dental plans, which are being sold on the state health-care exchange for the first time. …”
Approve Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210
SJR 8210 would revise the constitution again to move up the deadline for the state redistricting commission by a month-and-a-half. Why is Nov. 15 a better deadline that Jan. 1, as the law currently requires? It would enable the public to play a more active roll in the process …”
Local ballot measures
Reject Sound Transit 3
Voters should say no to this measure — appearing as Proposition 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot — which would commit them to a lifetime of taxation for a $54 billion project with unclear benefits and little accountability. …”
Approve Highline Public Schools bond
Highline Public Schools has demonstrated that a little trust plus a lot of information can make a big difference in building authentic community support. With this process, the district has earned the voter’s confidence. This bond measure merits a yes vote. …”
Reject Seattle Initiative 124 (hotel-worker safety)
If the safety of Seattle hotel employees is a problem, the laws that protect them should be strengthened. Seattle ballot Initiative 124 is a sloppy, possibly illegal first draft that should be rejected by voters. …”
Approve King County Charter Amendment No. 1
Voters should say “yes” to King County Charter Amendment 1 and add the prosecutor to the list of nonpartisan offices. …”
Approve King County Charter Amendment No. 2
The language of the King County Charter should be updated to gender-neutral wording. …”
State Supreme Court
Mary Yu for state Supreme Court Position 1
Strengths: Bipartisan support; supports racial-justice causes
Yu contends McCleary is not an example of judicial activism. She said the court was presented with a legal question — to interpret what it means to amply provide for education and whether it’s the state’s paramount duty. …”
Barbara Madsen for state Supreme Court Position 5
Strengths: Led the court on education-funding rulings
Madsen is the better candidate for a term in which the McCleary case and its potential remedies — both judicial and legislative — will dominate. Voters should re-elect her. …”
Dave Larson for state Supreme Court Position 6
Strengths: Trial, bench and civic experience; a strong, credible challenge to the court
Larson presents a strong, credible challenge to a court that has at times veered off course. He deserves a six-year term to the state Supreme Court. …”
King County Superior Court
Nicole Gaines Phelps for Position 14
Strengths: Longtime attorney; experience, compassion and philosophy
Gaines Phelps has been an attorney for more than 20 years, including more than eight as an administrative law judge. She could step onto the King County Superior Court bench and not miss a beat. …”
David Keenan for Position 26
Strengths: Passion for the law and his thoughtfulness and commitment to help other young people
Keenan is a man with a story worth sharing even if he weren’t running for King County Superior Court judge. His tale could be the plot for a TV show about the criminal justice system. …”
Helen Halpert for Position 31
Strengths: Demonstrated leadership during her extensive career; an extensive list of endorsements
Halpert has demonstrated leadership during her extensive career. She served terms as a chief criminal and juvenile judge, on the court’s executive committee and co-chaired task forces, such as one that reformed juvenile sentencing. …”
Eric Newman for King County Superior Court Judge Position 44
Strengths: Extensive legal and community experience, has perspective on the demands and consequences of serving as a judge.
Newman edges out the other candidates because of the breadth of his experience, including three years serving as judge pro tempore in King County District Court.”
Kristin Richardson for Position 52
Strengths: Extraordinary experience in Superior Court as a trial lawyer for 25 years
Richardson has worked extensively with vulnerable witnesses and victims, people who ‘didn’t know they could trust someone in the justice system and they ended up trusting me,’ she said in an interview. …”
Mariane Spearman for Position 53
Strengths: Rated “exceptionally well qualified” by six legal organizations; has worked to diversify the judiciary
Spearman has a been a steady, respected judge in King County for two decades. She has given voters no reason to turn her out now as she seeks four more years in the Superior Court. …”