To help prepare you to vote in the Aug. 5 primary, The Seattle Times editorial board has interviewed candidates and made recommendations for some of the most important political jobs in King County.
Since early June, we have been interviewing candidates running for King County offices, and city council and school board positions, in Bellevue and Seattle. Also, some legislative offices are on the ballot as people appointed to vacancies try to earn their spots on the ballot. In our endorsements, we explain our reasoning so readers can gauge for themselves if they agree. These recommendations are offered for consideration as voters do their other homework.
If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by Aug. 5. If you deposit your ballot in an official drop box, it’s due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Agree or disagree with our recommendations, please be sure to vote.
Here are our endorsements so far; check back, as we’ll add more candidates.
KING COUNTY
King County Council, District 5: Steffanie Fain
Fain’s public-service experience is likely to inform her work on the County Council. She has an appropriately flinty disdain for ideological fashions and, instead, wants to shift the driving policy focus from mere good intentions to measurable results on homelessness, affordability and public safety. Read full endorsement →
SEATTLE
Mayor: Bruce Harrell
Seattle needs a mayor who can demonstrably improve quality of life in the city, which is better off than it was four years ago but is still falling short of its promise. Harrell deserves a chance to keep trying in a second term. Read full endorsement →
City Attorney: Ann Davison
Seattleites who want a competent leader who prioritizes public safety and understands the bounds of the office ought to reelect Davison. Read full endorsement →
City Council
Position 2: Adonis Ducksworth
In a crowded field, Ducksworth stands out as the strongest candidate to represent the values and aspirations of the community. Read full endorsement →
Position 8: No recommendation
None of the three serious candidates — Ray Rogers, Rachael Savage or Alexis Mercedes Rinck — checks off enough boxes to earn an endorsement. Read full position→
Position 9: Sara Nelson
An effective lawmaker, Nelson challenges conventional Seattle thinking and champions underdogs — from struggling small business owners to those concerned about police responding to emergency calls in their neighborhoods. Read full endorsement →
School Board
District 5: Janis White
A seasoned attorney and parent of a special-needs student, White has deep knowledge of special education and the law — areas of expertise the school board needs badly. Read full endorsement →
BELLEVUE
City Council
Position 6: Lynne Robinson
A retired physical therapist and business owner, Robinson helped guide the city through the pandemic, reviewing police use of force, developing an affordable housing plan and rewriting the city’s comprehensive plan. Read full endorsement →
STATE
State House of Representatives
Legislative District 33, Position 1: Kevin Schilling
The Legislature needs lawmakers who will seek not just to raise taxes but to ensure what is already being spent is effective at improving the lives of Washingtonians. Schilling is the best candidate in the race to do that. Read full endorsement →
