WASHINGTON STATE FOCUS: Electing Progressives

Progressive Majority has been working on the Snohomish County Council since 2004. Back then the council had a 4-1 conservative majority. In 2005, we helped Dave Somers get elected. That made 3-2 conservative. This week, Progressives won big on the Snohomish County Council with the election of Brian Sullivan and Mike Cooper. Today, progressives now have a 4-1 progressive margin on the council. This is even more amazing as the developers spent nearly $100,000 in the last several weeks trying to defeat Cooper.

Many races where Progressive Majority endorsed in Washington are too close to call, with roughly 40% of the vote still out in many races (Washington uses a vote-by-mail system), but other notable wins include Ramona Fonseca, who will become the first Latina mayor of Granger; Sili Savusa, who by winning a seat on the Highline School Board becomes the first Samoan-American elected official in the state; Richard Rush, who beat a conservative incumbent for a seat on the Spokane City Council; and Marilyn Strickland, who won a seat on the Tacoma City Council and is the only person of color who serves on that body in a heavily diverse city.

Control of the Whatcom County Council and the Seattle Port Commission is still up for grabs with many close races in those jurisdictions.

You can keep up with the still developing races in Washington State here.

Keep in mind that in last Spring's elections Progressive Majority also did well in Washington. If you want to help them keep up the great work, join them! It could be the best investment in Washington's future you ever make.

And if you want to be personally involved with the progressive grassroots, get involved with your local Democracy for Washington group. It is a very social and enjoyable way to be involved with your local community.