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2009 Washington state
Progressive Majority
Endorsed Candidates
Progressive Majority candidates are our rising progressive stars. They include union members, GLBT candidates and veterans. They are young and old, and candidates of color. Progressive Majority endorsed candidates are incumbents, challengers, and vying for open seats.
Fourteen of 20 Progressive Majority candidates were elected in Washington. Not only were 14 progressives elected, but there were some key victories:
- Well known progressive leader Julie Anderson, a member of the Tacoma City Council, beat conservative Jan Shabro, a former state legislator, for the critical office of Pierce County Auditor. Because the auditor oversees the elections in the 2nd most populous county of the state, and because it historically has been at the forefront of electoral reforms such as ranked choice voting and vote-by-mail, it is an essential office to hold.
- Longshoreman Jeff Davis was victorious in his bid for the Olympia Port Commission. Backed by strong union support, Davis was the 2nd place finisher in the August primary, but came back to win and usher in a new era of progressive change at the Port, which has important policy roles that effect both the environment and labor. Jeff's win also shifts the commission to a progressive majority!
- Rob Holland's victory last night makes him the first African-American and first openly gay member of the Port Commission.
- Marilyn Strickland is the first woman of color elected to head a large city in the state as mayor of Tacoma.
Julie Anderson
Candidate for Pierce County Auditor (Challenger)
Julie Anderson is well known to progressives in Pierce County and Washington. Julie was a two term member of Tacoma City Council member and previously was the executive director of the YWCA of Pierce County and political strategist of Planned Parenthood Votes! Washington. Prior to this campaign, Julie was with the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development as a senior policy advisor. As auditor, Julie will oversee the elections office of Washington's second most populous county and has a goal to increase voter participation and make ballot access easier for school districts for bonds and levies.
Ken Mann
Candidate for Whatcom County Council (Open Seat)
Ken Mann was elected to the non-partisan Whatcom County Council. He is a property manager and historic building re-developer in Whatcom County and a local talk radio host. Ken is currently chairman of the Whatcom Planning Commission and is involved with the Downtown Renaissance Network & City Club. Ken ran two years ago against a conservative incumbent, Sam Crawford, losing by less than 1,000 votes in a district that George W. Bush received over 60 percent in! This year, Ken was elelcted to an open seat being vacated by progressive Councilmember Laurie Caskey-Schreiber.
Marilyn Strickland
Candidate for Major of Tacoma (Open Seat)
Marilyn Strickland, whom we recruited and successfully fielded in 2007 for Tacoma City Council, was elected mayor of Tacoma. The seat was vacated by the incumbent due to term limits. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Marilyn's parents moved to Tacoma when her father was stationed at Fort Lewis a little over 40 years ago. A graduate of the University of Washington, Marilyn earned an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University and is the Interim Director of Marketing & Communications for Bates Technical College. She has worked in both public and private sectors, holding marketing positions with the American Cancer Society and Starbucks, and has an extensive list of non-profit boards she was served on. She is the first woman of color to be elected mayor of a major city in the state.
Brian Bennett
Candidate for Burien City Council (Open Seat)
Brian Bennett was elected to the Burien City Council. Brian, who has worked in the legislature and on the campaign trail for several progressive Democrats, was referred to us from about half of our South King County farm team! Brian is corporate counsel for F5 Networks, but also represents numerous clients on a pro bono basis through the Northwest Immigrant's Rights Project and other nonprofits. A passionate environmentalist, Brian has served as editor of the New York University Environmental Law Journal, president of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and worked at an environmental non-profit in Ukraine. Brian is a native of the Highline area (where Burien incorporated) and has lived there for five years with his wife, Oksana, and their daughter. Brian is a true progressive, and is eager to serve on the Burien City Council to ensure that all citizens have equal access and opportunity, particularly as it pertains to public access of shorelines, recreation opportunities and services.
Amy Ockerlander
Candidate for Duvall City Council (Challenger)
Amy Ockerlander was a first time candidate, but she has packed a lot of progressive experience into her 31 years. Currently vice chair of the Duvall Planning Commission, Amy is an executive analyst for Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. She previously worked in the legislature for Rep. Larry Springer and managed Rep. Springer's campaign. Additionally, Amy is on the NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Board of Directors and chair of the PAC. A native of Washington, Amy has lived in Duvall with her husband Brady for eight years. . As a city council member, Amy will push for smart growth in an area that is a growing bedroom community for Seattle, Everett and the Eastside.
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
Candidate for Edmonds City Council (Challenger)
Adrienne Fraley-Monillas was elected to the non-partisan Edmonds City Council. She is an executive boardmember of the Washington Federation of State Employees, an affiliate of AFSCME. This year, Adrienne will be retiring from Fircrest, a Washington State Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) for the developmentally disabled, located just north of Seattle. Fircrest offers habilitation services to its permanent residents, and is able to offer various licensed professional services to developmentally disabled clients who are served in community settings. She is married and has one son, Dominic, who has Down's Syndrome. Adrienne is a Democratic Precinct Committee Officer and won her bid for the Edmonds City Council against the most conservative member, City Councilmember Ron Wambolt.
Strom Peterson
Candidate for Edmonds City Council (Incumbent)
Strom Peterson was elected to keep his seat on the non-partisan Edmonds City Council. Strom was appointed earlier this year filling the vacancy of a moderate Democrat. Since taking office, Strom has been a strong progressive council member, particularly on environmental issues, leading to his early endorsement from the Washington Conservation Voters, an Advisory Council Member. Strom and his wife, Maria, have been married for 15 years and moved to Edmonds in 2001. Strom and Maria own Olives Cafe and Wine Bar and Resident Cheesemonger in Downtown Edmonds. Strom became Vice President of the Downtown Edmonds Merchants Association in 2003 and President in 2004. In 2004, he was also appointed to the Board of the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. Maria is also the Executive Director of a charitable foundation that provides scholarships and grants to military families. Strom was recruited and fielded by Progressive Majority two years ago and lost by only 131 votes. Strom is one of the three progressives on the 7 person council, and protecting his seat can help lead to getting a progressive majority on the City Council in the future.
De'Sean Quinn
Candidate for Tukwila City Council - Position 7 (Incumbent)
De'Sean was appointed to the non-partisan Tukwila City Council in 2008 after losing a close race for Tukwila City Council in 2007, for which Progressive Majority recruited him. A Morehouse graduate, De'Sean represents a new generation of up-and-comers in the African-American community. His entry into politics began in 2001 with the management of Richard McIver's re-election campaign to Seattle City Council. He recently served as King County Executive Ron Sim's director of council relations. As liaison between the executive and county council, De'Sean was required to have an understanding of the region's complexities as well as the ability to build consensus on critical policies. He would like to use these skills to expand transportation choices, and preserve and strengthen sidewalks, parks and public safety for the residents of Tukwila. De'Sean is the second African American council member to represent the diverse community of Tukwila (30 percent people of color).
Eric Choiniere
Candidate for University Place City Council - Position 3 (Challenger)
Eric Choiniere, a military veteran and current member of Communication Workers of America Local 7800, has always been active on Democratic campaigns. After being referred to us by farm team member and fellow 2009 candidate, Sam Ross, Eric decided to finally run himself for University Place City Council. Eric previously served on the University Place Parks and Recreation Commission and on the Pierce County Citizens Advisory Council. Eric defeated the most conservative member of the city council, Lorna Smith. Smith has been elected three times, and has been an outspoken critic and denier of climate change at city council meetings. As a city councilmember, Eric will fight for living wage jobs and increasing opportunities for youth in the city.
Amber Waldref
Candidate for Spokane City Council (Open Seat)
Amber Waldref was elected to Spokane City Council, Position 2, an open seat. Amber was referred to us from former Progressive Majority candidate, Spokane City Councilmember Richard Rush, and with his help, we were able to recruit Amber to run. Although only 32 years old, Amber has an incredible resume; organizer for Heart of America Northwest, Vice Chair of her neighborhood council, founding board member of the Faith and Environment Network and is currently the development director for The Lands Council. Amber, a Spokane native, lives in Northeast Spokane with her husband, Tom Flanagan, a high school chemistry teacher and their 1 year old daughter, Karolina. Amber will be a strong environmental and neighborhood advocate, and put a second progressive on the city council. Spokane is Washington's second largest city, and has fairly high number of progressives. However, the city council has a conservative majority, located in a swing county that has a conservative county commission. Progressive Majority successfully fielded a candidate for Spokane City Council in 2007 and we are looking to continue build on our success.
Roger Zabinski
Candidate for Bremerton Port Commission (Challenger)
Roger Zabinski was a first-time candidate elected for Bremerton Port Commission, position 1. Although Roger's career is as a scientist in the bio-tech industry, he is a very involved member of the environmental and Democratic community on the Kitsap Peninsula. The West Sound Conservation Council and Hood Canal Watershed Education Network are just a few examples of his leadership in the area. Roger also served as a flight-crew medic and hospital supervisor with the US Air Force Reserves. Roger ran for port commissioner to address the lack of leadership on the commission. Many of the Port's contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder resulting in jobs outside the area. Roger wants to strengthen the local economy by prioritizing contracts with local companies. He also plans to address food security issues as any emergencies resulting in closure of the Port also closes off food supply to the Peninsula.
Jeff Davis
Candidate for Olympia Port Commission - Position 3 (Open Seat)
Jeff was a first-time candidate from Olympia, WA elected to the Olympia Port Commissioner, position 3. Jeff previously served on the Washington State Labor Council's Transportation and Economic Development Committee, where he was active in keeping Washington state prosperous as the most trade-dependent state in the country. Jeff is also the political affairs coordinator for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. We met Jeff through our relationship with Longshore and Warehouse Union. He has been a leading voice in labor on the need to reform trade policies to reduce incentives for companies to move production to countries with low wages and weak environmental protection. This is an important race for progressives. A win for Jeff means a powershift on the commission to a progressive majority. Despite the title of Olympia Port Commissioner, the commission overseas all ports in Thurston County. Jeff will make environmental issues a priority by aiming to reduce the carbon footprint through curbing emissions and making all ports, 'clean ports.' In his work at the union, Jeff has been instrumental in the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C. adopting new emission standards. Jeff will bring these emission curbing standards to Thurston County ports.
Rob Holland
Candidate for Seattle Port Commission (Open Seat)
Rob was elected to the Seattle Port Commission, position 4. As Rob's qualifications are quite extensive, a highlighted few include: industrial real estate professional, marine transportation specialist, former King County Agriculture Commissioner and has a degree in Seaport Management at the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. Rob's history with the Port began with his childhood as his father worked for the Washington State Ferries for 34 years and was a member of the Inland Boatman's Union. Rob will bring his passion for the environment and his experience to help the Port become a leader in providing green jobs. Being a community leader has paid off for Rob. He received the endorsement of seven Seattle City Council members and a number of VIPs in the local Democratic Party. Rob will not only be the first African-American to serve as Seattle Port Commissioner, he will also be the first openly gay man on the commission. Rob had been on our farm team member for a number of years. We connected him with the Blue Green Alliance, a coalition of environmentalists and labor.
Angelica Alvarez
Candidate for Highline School Board - Position 2 (Open Seat)
Angelica Alvarez was a first-time candidate and was elected to the Highline School Board. Angelica, who has worked for Child Care Resources for 10 years, is the first Latina to serve on the Highline School Board, and her goal as a school board member is to represent all children, no matter their social or economic background and to bridge the gap between early learning and entering the public school system. Angelica is married to a local minister, and they have four children, two who have graduated from Highline High School and the other two are soon to follow. Angelica has strong progressive ties, including being a member of the California School Employees Association, and her long list of endorsements including Rep. Dave Upthegrove and Highline School Board Member Sili Savusa.