Meet the Candidates

Joe McDermott has a long career as a successful progressive leader - serving in the  Washington State Senate and House of Representatives. Now, he's bringing his proven leadership to King County Council. From protecting Maury Island and Puget Sound to preserving farms and open space, King County needs proven champions like Joe, committed to our quality of life.

Cathy Lehman is an advocate for urban sustainability and is well versed in the issues facing the City of Bellingham today. She’s running for City Council to take her experiences as a volunteer and her work in environmental advocacy to City Hall and maintain Bellingham’s high quality of life. Cathy will bring a fresh new energy to the City Council and if elected would be the only female councilmember. Bellingham and Whatcom County are at the heart of the debate on growing urban density versus allowing more urban sprawl and Cathy is poised to represent her dynamic downtown district as it grows over the next four years.

Stephanie Wright is a progressive leader who is ready to fight the challenges Snohomish County faces such as tough budgets, affordable housing, improving public safety and implementing a sustainable vision for our community while providing for economic opportunity. After Snohomish County Councilmember Mike Cooper, a 2007 Progressive Majority candidate, was appointed to serve as the Mayor of Edmonds, Lynwood City Councilmember Stephanie Wright was appointed the County Council in August 2010. Returning Stephanie will mean securing our progressive majority on the County Council for the next four years

Robert Gelder was appointed to the Kitsap County Commission earlier this year, and is now running to serve out an unexpired term before running for a full-term in 2012. Robert brings over two decades experience in the non-profit and private sectors to the Kitsap County at the heart of Puget Sound. Robert is also the Commission's only openly gay member. Robert is focused on sustainable budgeting and growing the local economy while protecting the unique and pristine landscape of Kitsap County.
 

Richard has a business management background and has been focused on keeping Spokane a sustainable vibrant urban city. After years of experience on his local neighborhood council, Richard was elected in 2007 and this year faces a challenge from Mike Allen, a conservative former Council Member.

Ben Stuckart is a successful businessman who also founded a non-profit in Spokane, Communities in Schools, to help local students. Stuckart is now looking to serve his community as the next Spokane City Council President. Stuckart's priorities include building better relationships between the community and public safety officers, improving neighborhood programs, and strengthening public safety. 

As a mother and dedicated community member, Joy Jones knows what it takes to move Spokane’s
City Council forward. Running in an open seat, Jones is running for City Council against a Republican, and is a part of our effort to secure a progressive majority on the Spokane council this year. In addition to being a mom and wife, Jones has a background in urban planning and has worked with business and community groups to improve public safety and support the youth of Spokane. Jones will bring her unique balance of non-profit activism and socially responsible small-business owner background to the City Council and keep Spokane moving forward.

After tea-party gains on the Whatcom County Council last year, Christina Maginnis has stepped forward to challenge a conservative, 11-year incumbent this year. Maginnis works as a stormwater specialist for the State Department of Ecology, and is a member of the Washington Federation of State Employees. Her hands on experience in some of the most critical issues the council faces makes her extremely qualified to help lead Whatcom County through redeveloping the local economy and protecting its critical outdoor resources.

After election in 2007, Mia Gregerson has been at the forefront of local government for the City of SeaTac. One of the most diverse cities in Washington, SeaTac has a growing immigrant population and faces unique challenges with the growing number of residents working at Sea-Tac International Airport. In her day job Gregerson manages a dentistry office, but on the Council Gregerson has been a strong advocate of enhancing public transportation and building green spaces for the city’s residents. Gregerson is a part of our slate of candidates running to increase diversity on the Council in this ever increasingly diverse city.

Leslie works in campus security for the Bremerton School District and is an active member of her union, SEIU 925.  Leslie is focused on a long-term vision for Bremerton, seeking to continue revitalizing all of the city’s neighborhoods after decades of improvements focused on the downtown district.  Leslie and her husband have fostered more than 50 children in addition to raising their own children.

John Stokes has been a strong advocate for the environment as a member of the Bellevue Parks and Community Services and Friends of the Cedar River Watershed Boards. John’s focus is on smart growth and investment in Bellevue’s infrastructure, as well developing strong partnerships between the city and the local schools. He currently serves on the Bellevue School District’s fiscal advisory committee and has been a site facilitator and PTA leader. 

Jeff Gadman has been active in his community his entire adult life as a youth soccer coach, PTA President, committee member for North Thurston Public Schools, and currently as President of his homeowners association.  Gadman is also a former Chapter Chair and shop steward for AFSCME local 618, active in fundraising for St. Jude's Children’s Hospital and a member of Lacey Rotary. His long resume of community involvement makes Gadman a great candidate for city council. 

When Linda Barnfather talks about Fiscal Responsibility, she knows what she's talking about. She is an experienced, hands-on businesswoman who knows what it takes to meet a payroll, and is committed to continuing the budgetary discipline that has marked the work of our Board of Commissioners. She is a native Washingtonian, a graduate of WSU and a long-time Clallam County resident. She understands her community's needs and values. Her business and legislative experience make her a true problem-solver – she’s in tune with her neighborhoods and community agencies.

As a former Peace Corps volunteer, June Robinson is not a stranger to public service.  Currently she serves as the Executive Director of the Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County, a group focused on increasing the availability of affordable housing in her community. June is focused on the real issues facing the City of Everett, including responsible growth, helping boost the local economy with job creation – especially in this critical aerospace community – and managing the city’s finances in a responsible way. 

Yoshie Wong is running for an open seat on the Steilacoom School Board. Yoshie works with children and families suffering from mental illness, and is hoping to bring her passion for service to the school board and help her community.

Shauna Willner is running for the position of Fire Commissioner in Snohomish County’s Fire District 7. Shauna is a small business owner looking to bring a progressive voice to this non-partisan board.

Todd Fredrickson is running for the Monroe City Council in Snohomish County. After getting involved with city politics by passing an initiative to establish a city ethics commission. Todd is a member of Teamsters Local 117 and works as a Seargent at the Monroe Correctional Facility. 

Pam LeSesne is running for the Everett School Board in Snohomish County. Pam is a retired Navy Captain and Pam serves as an Everett Civil Service Commissioner, and served on the Everett School Strategic Planning Council and the Everett Public Schools Fiscal Advisory Council.

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate up for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election. 

Progressive Majority previously endorsed candidate running for re-election.