Relentless attacks on immigrant and refugee communities under the Trump Administration are energizing a movement to create change at the ballot box in Washington State. Immigrants, refugees, and people of color are stepping up to run for office at record levels, and in communities across Washington State, grassroots community members are looking ahead to this fall’s elections.
We are proud to endorse the candidates below who we believe will be a voice for their community and for immigrant rights across Washington state.
OneAmerica Votes’ endorsement process is led by grassroots leaders from immigrant and refugee communities across Washington State interviewing dozens of candidates seeking office. Leaders directly asked candidates questions on issues important to their communities while learning more about different municipal offices from school boards to port commissions. OAV leaders evaluated the responses and made recommendations to the OneAmerica Votes Board of Directors for review and affirmation.
“It’s vital that we vote our values. I enjoyed interviewing the different candidates to search for an effective advocate for social justice, voting rights, acceptance, economic opportunity and gender and racial equity,” said OneAmerica leader, Mahamoud Djama, about his experience. “As a OneAmerica leader, our aim is to identify candidates who desire to make a positive difference in the community through true public service.”
“Elections matter, and recent history shows just how much of a difference communities can make when they vote in force,” said Rich Stolz, Chief Executive Officer of OneAmerica Votes. “It’s inspiring to see so many people of color and first and second generation Americans stepping up to run for office. Together, we’re changing our communities for the better, bringing new hope to communities under attack in so many ways under the current federal administration. OneAmerica Votes proudly announces our 2019 primary election candidate endorsements.”
OUR 2019 ENDORSEMENTS
YAKIMA
Yakima City Council District 1 – Matthew Sagen
Yakima City Council District 1- Eliana Macias
Yakima City Council District 3 – Berenice Ponce
VANCOUVER
Vancouver School District Director, Position No. 1 – Caressa Milgrove
Vancouver School District Director, Position No. 4 – Lindsey Luis
Vancouver School District Director, Position No. 5 – Tracie Barrows
Evergreen School District Director, District No. 2 – Bethany Rivard
Evergreen School District Director, District No. 4 – Divya Jain
WENATCHEE
Wenatchee City Council, At Large – Jorge Chacón
SEATAC
SeaTac Council Position No. 1 – Senayet Negusse
SeaTac Council Position No. 5 – Takele Gobena
SeaTac Council Position No. 7 – Mohamed Ali Egal
TUKWILA
Tukwila City Council Position No. 2 – Nancy J. Manos
Tukwila City Council Position No. 4 – Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson
Tukwila City Council Position No. 6 – Tosh Sharp
KENT
Kent City Council Position No. 3 – Hira Singh Bhullar
Kent City Council Position No. 3 – Sara Franklin
Kent City Council Position No. 5 – Mizan Rahman
Kent City Council Position No. 7 – Awale A. Farah
BURIEN
Burien City Council Position No. 6 – Sofia Aragon
Highline School District Director District No. 1 – Aaron Garcia
RENTON
Renton Mayor – Ruth Perez
Renton Mayor – Marcie Maxwell
SEATTLE
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 2 – Sam Cho
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 2 – Preeti Shridhar
Port of Seattle Commissioner Position No. 5 – Fred Felleman
Seattle School District Director District No. 3 – Rebeca Muniz
Seattle School District Director District No. 3 – Chandra Hampson
Seattle School District Director District No. 6 – Molly E. Mitchell
REDMOND
Redmond City Council Position No. 1 – Varisha M. Khan
PUYALLUP
Puyallup School District Director Pos. 5 – Turan Kayaoglu
ISSAQUAH
Issaquah School District Director District No. 3 – Minal Kode Ghassemieh
SAMMAMISH
Sammamish City Council Position No. 6 – Rituja Indapure