By: Ben Avery, Sierra Club Washington Chapter Director
With so much attention on the balance of power in the “other Washington,” I wanted to give you a summary of the races our local Sierra Club team is watching closer to home. After all, even if the US House and Senate flip blue (let’s do this!), we’ll still face a long, hard road to stop attacks on our air and water at the federal level. Bold environmental leadership from Washington state can and should be one of the bright spots on the map over the next two years.
So what’s at stake here at home on November 3rd? First we have a chance to elect the most pro-environment slate of legislators in the state’s history, with more than 10 seats available to flip. We also have the chance to elect five judges who are more likely to uphold laws that protect the environment.
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The outcome of this election will also decide some of the biggest questions facing our state: Can we prevent data centers from destroying our air and water? Will the state ramp up clean energy or will we backtrack on our climate commitments? Can we find the funding to protect public land in the face of an unprecedented assault from the federal government?
Here’s a closer look at key races:
All Eyes on Southwest Washington.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (MGP) is in a tight race in the 3rd Congressional District, and the stakes are very high. There is a clear difference between MGP and John Braun (R) on the environment, and we strongly support her return to Congress as opposed to a Trump-endorsed candidate with a long history of bad environmental positions.
At the state level, there are four (yes, four!) close races around Vancouver. We’re heavily engaged in all of them. In the 18th, a district that’s trending blue, Democrat Randi Knott is fighting to oust Stephanie McClintock (R), while Deken Letinich (D), a labor champion, could unseat John Ley (R), who has fought conservation efforts for years. In the 17th district, Ben Christly (D) is running strong against sitting Rep. Kevin Waters (R). Meanwhile, Diana Perez (D), a champion for clean energy investments, is favored against incumbent David Stuebe (R).
We’re knocking on a lot of doors in the area over the next two weekends. Volunteer for an upcoming event in the 3rd CD!
Are the 26th and 42nd Light Blue Districts Now?
Turning to south Kitsap County’s 26th district, Renee Hernandez Green (D), a supporter of climate action and salmon restoration, has a good chance of flipping another House seat against Katy Cornell (R). This is a seat left vacant following the retirement of Michelle Caldier Valdez (R).
Further north in the 42nd district, Port Commissioner Michael Shepard (D), a champion of smart data center regulation, is vying to replace retiring environmental champion Sharon Shewmake (D) in an expensive race against Erica Creydt (R). Both of these districts were considered purple in past cycles, but demographic shifts are inching them closer to the blue column.
Races That Will Signal a Blue Wave.
We’re investing heavily in a few races that we didn’t expect to be competitive earlier this year. The first is Stacey Willoughby's (D) impressive efforts to flip a House seat in the 12th district, which straddles both sides of the Cascades from Wenatchee to Duvall. She’s running against Rep. Brian Burnett (R), who’s consistently voted against common sense environmental bills.
The 35th district, just to the west of Olympia, also has a few surprisingly tight races. We’re closely watching Carolina Mejia’s (D) fight to wrest a Senate seat from incumbent Sen. Drew MacEwen (R). There’s also a chance Jim Pierson (D) can win a tough race against Rep. Dan Griffey (R). These would be the first flips in the 35th in years.
Blue vs. Blue Battles.
We’re supporting a couple of House races where Democrats are going head-to-head. In the 32nd, Sierra Club endorsed Keith Scully (D) in a battle with Danica Noble (D). Both would be newcomers, but Keith is an outspoken environmental advocate and would be a tremendous asset in the legislature.
In the 48th district (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland), we’re cheering on Jessica Forsythe (D), a vocal leader on climate issues, over incumbent Rep. Amy Wallen (D).
Crucial Washington State Supreme Court Races.
In a historic moment, five out of nine State Supreme Court seats are open simultaneously. Judicial candidates are limited in how they speak publicly about their positions on issues, so our team of volunteer attorneys did the homework for you. We’re supporting Colleen Melody (pos. 1), Jaime Hawk (pos. 3), Ian Birk (pos. 4), Theo Angelis (pos. 5), and Debra L. Stephens (pos. 7).
Now it’s Time to Vote—Key Dates and Resources
Ballots are already in mailboxes, so now is the time to make a voting plan and check in with friends and family to ensure they do too.
If you aren't already registered, you can do so online until October 26 or in person at a County Elections Office until 8pm November 3.
If you're planning to mail in your ballot, we strongly encourage you to be a first week voter as ballots must be postmarked by November 3. Beyond October 27 we highly recommend placing them in local ballot boxes. And be sure to track your ballot to ensure it is counted. All ballots are due by 8pm on Tuesday, November 3.
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If you’re anxious about the election, you’re in good company. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to put that energy to use. Join us at a candidate event near you to talk to voters and make a difference.
Together, we've got this! Thank you for staying engaged and using your voice to make a difference.