The Sierra Club Political Committee interviews and endorses candidates we believe will be strong environmental leaders. We identify “priority races” and urge you to support these candidates:
Click candidate's name for their website.
Snohomish County Executive: Dave Somers
A fisheries biologist, Dave Somers offers valuable expertise in land use, clean air, water and other environmental issues. On the Snohomish County Council, he has distinguished himself as a collaborative leader while Snohomish County Executive effectively working with various organizations. He helped establish the Pacific Watershed Institute, helped manage the largest estuary restoration project in the State and has led efforts to restore salmon streams in the county.
Snohomish County Council: Megan Dunn
Megan Dunn has the experience, knowledge and energy to earn our endorsement. Her list of accomplishments is impressive, including her leadership as both the Chair of the Snohomish County Council and our region’s Clean Air Agency. She has pushed for language that preserves tree canopy in the county Comprehensive Plan and championed a Veteran’s Treatment Court. She supports efforts to increase recycling and reduce our waste stream. On labor issues she has advocated for hazard pay, the increased use of apprenticeships on work sites and labor representation on the board of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Snohomish County Sheriff: Susanna Johnson
Susanna Johnson will restore much needed professionalism and public trust to the office. She will be able to regain accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office which was lost by the incumbent. She is committed to a compassionate plan, involving a variety of community agencies, to create safe access to public spaces for families. She will work toward increasing use of electric vehicles and sustainable building designs. She will also reinstate programs designed to responsibly utilize resources and reduce waste such as the fuel use and idle monitoring program for patrol cars previously in place. She also accepts accountability to the community for the just and equitable operation of the county’s law enforcement operation.
Bothell City Council, Position 2: Mason Thompson
Mason Thompson’s leadership has earned the respect of his fellow council members who voted to name him as Mayor of the City. He is committed to making Bothell safe for low-impact transportation such as walking and biking. He has also helped the city prioritize restoration of salmon habitat and regional efforts to increase building efficiency.
Bothell City Council, Position 4: Carston Curd
Carston Curd has an earth sciences education, including geo-tech engineering. He also brings considerable experience in surface water management, stream restoration, salmon habitat research, water quality and land stabilization. In addition to his environmental education and experience, he will bring effective policy-making to the Council. He has served on the Bothell Planning Commission taking the lead on a Critical Areas Ordinance and also served on the Sound Transit Community Oversight Panel working to develop effective public transportation. He is committed to an equitable and balanced approach to accommodating expected growth within the city.
Bothell City Council, Position 6: Amanda Dodd
Appointed to the City Council about a year ago, Amanda Dodd has used her prior experience on the Bothell City Council to advocate for an increase in density which preserves existing forests, wetlands and critical habitat. She is a member of the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) where is supporting reduction of carbon-based energy. Within Bothell she is using her office to electrify the City’s vehicles, build out bike and pedestrian infrastructure and establish increasing tree canopy.
Edmonds Mayor: Mike Nelson
As an Edmond’s Councilmember Mike Nelson pushed the “100% Committed” campaign. As Mayor he has presided over and supported an updated climate action plan with ranked objectives and objective metrics. He has been a strong supporter of a plan to acquire additional property to restore the Edmonds marsh, which is a critical habitat and natural carbon-sink. He has worked to plan for parks and public opens spaces in high density housing areas as well as increased pedestrian and bike lanes. One of his strengths has been his ability to network and partner with state and federal elected officials as a way to fund environmental projects.
Edmonds City Council Position 2: Chris Eck
Chris Eck brings executive experience from a career in human services and practical experience with the Snohomish County Planning Commission, the Edmonds Tree Board and other community organizing to support Sierra Club Values such as accommodating additional housing without additional destruction of natural ecosystems or encroachment on farmland, protection and restoration of current natural areas such as the Edmonds Mash and implementation of transit options such as transit-on-demand to reduce carbon in the transportation sector. She is anxious to initiate educational programs to inform the residents of Edmonds about environmental degradation and the positive steps available.
Edmonds City Council Position 6: Susan Paine
Susan Paine has a long career working in the public interest. She has worked as a Domestic Violence Coordinator protecting vulnerable residents from abuse and then with the City of Seattle working with land-use issues. She is responsible for the Seattle’s first Street Tree Manual. In Edmonds she has helped the City move to protect the marsh, develop the 2023 climate action plan and develop plans to put solar panels on municipal buildings. Working with Community Transit she has pushed for increasing their fleet of renewable energy powered vehicles. In her next term she will advocate for an Climate Action Plan Navigator to fix responsibility for monitoring progress and strategies.
Edmonds School Board Position 1: Carin Chase
Carin Chase is trained as a biologist and has devoted many years working for a better environment: cleaning the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez, restoring salmon habitat, acting as a shoreline naturalist and a member of the board of the Shoreline Solar Project. As a school board Director she has advocated for Environmentalism and Sustainability as part of the curriculum, buildings that are “solar-ready,” and funding for a Conservation Resource Manager.
Edmonds School Board Director, Dist. 5: Nancy Katims, Ph.D.
Dr. Nancy Katims, as President of the Edmonds School Board has provided needed leadership in prioritizing efficient building design, recycling programs, and efforts to transition to electric transportation. She is a consistent voice in the efforts to shift the School District’s operations to renewable-based energy and has supported using this transition as a teaching tool for students.
Everett School Board Position 2: Jennifer (Jen) Hirman
(Note: General Election candidate, not on Primary ballot) Jen Hirman was appointed to the Everett School Board about twelve months ago. She has been a leader in the Green Schools Workgroup for the last fifteen months. The Workgroup is a collaboration effort of the Sierra Club, PTSA leaders and Local Educators working to support the Everett School District’s transition to a zero-carbon and sustainable operation. As a School Board Director she has supported the formation of a citizen’s advisory committee on sustainability and the Sustainability Resolution recommended by that group which was adopted by the District. She is committed to integrating environmental concerns into all of the decisions of the school district, including: curriculum, building and facilities, transportation, behavior (recycling / food choice, etc.) while providing equitable educational opportunities throughout the District.
Everett School Board Position 5: Charles Adkins
Charles Adkins has devoted himself to creating a better environment as the Advisory Councilmember representing Tribal Nations to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, a Legislative Policy Analyst for the Tulalip Tribes and Vice Chair of the Everett Planning Commission. As a School Board Director he will advocate for an organization which both models and educates about sustainability using a variety of perspectives. Sensitive to the needs of vulnerable students, he is committed to a safe, healthy and positive outcome for all students.
Langley City Mayor: Kennedy Horstman
Kennedy Horstman will bring organizational and managerial experience along with demonstrated leadership to the office of Mayor for the City of Langley. She was a founding member of of City of Langley Dismantling Systemic Racism Commission and a Supporter of the “Kicking Gas Campaign,” the Langley Climate Crisis Action Commission and the transition of the City’s fleet of vehicles to electric propulsion. One of her highest priorities the protection of the City’s water source and the responsible management of surface water and septic systems. She is outspoken about the threats of climate change.
Langley City Council Position 3: Chris Carlson
With an Executive Masters in Public Administration and participation in multiple commissions, Chris Carlson will bring both education and practical experience to the Langley Council. He supports the Kicking Gas campaign and the plans to transition City vehicles to electric propulsion. He believes that every policy decision has environmental opportunities. One of his goals is for the City of Langley to achieve carbon neutrality. Through education, policy and networking with other organization, he plans to have the City step up to a leadership role in sustainability efforts of citizens.
Langley City Council, Position 4: Craig Cyr
Craig Cyr was elected to the Langley City Council as an environmental advocate. In that position he has become an environmental leader. He successfully banned fireworks in the city: reducing noise pollution, injuries and fire risk. He helped preserve the integrity of Washington State Parks by helping to secure a court order banning US Navy special forces training inconsistent with recreation and natural habitat. Through his Council position and as Vice Chair of Island Transit he has accelerated the transition to fossil free transportation and the installment of solar energy capture.
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