2017 Political Endorsements:
Be sure to vote in the Primary Election. Ballots are being mailed today and must be returned by Aug. 1
In the current political climate local elections have become even more important. The people you elect for Tacoma Mayor, Tacoma City Council and the Port of Tacoma will determine the direction Tacoma will take.
Here are the Sierra Club endorsements for Primary:
Tacoma Mayor:
Jim Merritt
Jim Merritt has Sierra Club’s support for the open mayoral seat in Tacoma. He lost a close mayoral race to Mayor Strickland in 2009. He graduated from the University of Washington in Architecture and Urban Planning. Over the last 30 years he has been a business owner, architect, planner and facilitator. His expertise is collaborating with citizens, non-profits, schools, city, county and port authorities to find cost-effective solutions to the many challenges in Tacoma. He has been a long-time Sierra Club member and significantly involved in facilitating clean-up and alternative uses of Super Fund sites around Tacoma’s Commencement Bay. He is pushing for clean solutions, with maximum community involvement, to address climate change. Environmental protection and sustainability are cornerstones of his philosophy to find a balance between societal needs and a transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Tacoma Council, Pos. #4
Kevin Grossman
Kevin Grossman has laid out his vision for representing District #4: building on the strengths of strong, diverse neighborhood involvement; improving support for community policing; revitalizing business districts; coordinating regional approaches for growing quality jobs; and addressing housing options and affordability. He is professionally connected to the environment via sustainability and his embracing of the Growth Management Act (GMA). He negotiated the first LEED Gold adaptive reuse for light manufacturing in Washington State. He completed the development of two Community Solar projects using Washington State’s Renewable Energy Cost Recovery program, bringing together private capital, made-in-Washington equipment, and Federal tax breaks to make them work for a greener, cleaner environment.
Tacoma Council, Pos. #5
Chris Beale
His focus is on promoting livable-wage job growth, affordable housing, addressing homelessness, community safety, environmental protection and an improved transportation grid that serves all modes of transportation. He graduated from University of Washington-Tacoma with a B.A in Urban Studies, works as a Senior Planner for the neighboring City of Puyallup, and chairs the City of Tacoma’s Planning Commission. He is committed to one of Sierra Club’s highest priorities of halting fossil fuel industry expansion at the Port of Tacoma tideflats. He also has a well-organized viable campaign organization.
Tacoma Port Commission, Pos. #1
Jim Jensen has officially withdrawn as a candidate for this office. Vote for one of the two remaining candidates.
Sierra Club has not endorsed a candidate for this position in the primary.