I’m spending July focusing on some of my key platform points. Last week, I discussed accountability and oversight for our Sheriff’s office. This week focuses on the expanding access to county council seats, which I believe is essential for working class access to power, but others see as a highly polarizing and risky move. Please read on for why, then remember to vote in the primary and support truly progressive candidates however you can.
Let’s empower our diverse working class!
Our Current County District Map
Learn about RCV in this quick video
I’ve long believed in an expansive definition of democracy that goes far beyond voting for your next oppressor, and must include meaningful access to power and debate for working people of all backgrounds. I support democratizing workplaces, housing, public safety, and more. Much of that can be achieved through powerful working class social movements, but it will always rely on -or be constrained by- local, state and federal policy. That’s why it’s essential that we make it easier to elect working class people and movement leaders.
Expanding council districts means that there are smaller voting populations and districts can better represent diverse constituencies. Ranked-Choice Voting with proportional representation encourages voters to “vote their conscience,” rather than supporting someone they don’t like out of fear of a worse option. Both options make it less expensive for working class and less traditional candidates to run and elevate the voices and interests of often neglected minorities.
There’s tons of historical political science evidence suggesting expanding council districts (and, similarly moving from “at large” to districted positions) creates more representative government. Our current council districts are huge both geographically and by population size, and more similar to state legislative districts than districts in other counties. Expanding districts makes sense. And Ranked-Choice voting was a major contributor to Zohran Mamdami’s people-powered, progressive win in the New York City Democratic Primary.
Some local politicians are understandably anxious about Ranked-Choice Voting, after a short-lived experiment with RCV occurred alongside the election of the notoriously terrible Dale Washam to Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer. But as a wonderful Sightline piece from a few years ago notes, RCV actually helped democratize access in other races and was not what decided Washam’s win (he won in the “first round”, meaning name recognition and being a perennial candidate led him to win, not RCV). Sightline also notes that the Auditor at the time was anti-RCV and implemented it in problematic and expensive ways. We can do it much better this time, and I support a “Single Transferable Vote” model over the “Instant Runoff” model Pierce County briefly used. Wonky, I know! But I promise to explain more in the fall.
other charter review candidates I’m supporting
By now, you should have your ballot in hand, or possibly already even returned. You’ve likely also noticed I’m not in the Voter’s Guide or on your ballot. As a reminder, that’s because there are only two people in my race, meaning we don’t have a primary. But there are tons of great candidates running in different races and folks throughout the county get (and shockingly read) my emails. I shared about the other great District 4 candidates last week, and I’m listing all my preferred charter candidates below. They mostly align with recommendations from Indivisible Tacoma. Bolded candidates are in particularly important races or folks I’m working hard to support. I encourage you to donate or volunteer.
District 1, Pos 1 Kelsey Barrans
District 1, Pos 2 Nathanial Downes
District 1, Pos 3 Tamara Stramel
District 2, Pos 1 Billy Jo Hetherington
District 2, Pos 2 Marianna Hyke
District 2, Pos 3 Teresa Maston
District 3, Pos 3 John Linboe
District 4, Pos 1 Kate Ginn (Maricres Castro and Thai Vo are great, too)
District 4, Pos 2 Devin Rydel Kelly (DUH!)
District 4, Pos 3 Jake Hunter
District 5, Pos 1 Giovanni Vendetti
District 5, Pos 2 Troy Serad
District 5, Pos 3 Jenn Strickling
District 6, Pos 1 George Conzuelo
District 6, Pos 2 Lisa Boyd
District 6, Pos 3 Jeremy Kamel
District 7, Pos 1 Justin Leighton
District 7, Pos 2 Brenda Lykins
District 7, Pos 3 Martha Lantz
Please remember to vote by August 5th, and voting earlier makes things easier for candidates and our County Elections department. And please sign up to be a volunteer or donor with my campaign today! We’ll be starting our own door knocking shortly after the primary.
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