In this year’s elections, our Committee on Political Education (COPE) drafted a rigorous, wide-ranging questionnaire, comprising 13 questions on issues such as racial equity, progressive revenue, cost-free college, artificial intelligence, funding for education and educators’ salaries, economic inequality, climate change, healthcare, retirement security, and support for labor and collective bargaining.
You can find our full list of endorsed candidates on our website. If you do not know your legislative district, you can find it at the Washington State Legislature District Finder.
Bob Ferguson
In the Governor’s race, AFT Washington has endorsed Bob Ferguson. COPE was particularly impressed with his track record. As Attorney General, Ferguson is the first Washington AG to criminally prosecute wage theft, and to pass legislation ensuring violators face consequences for it. His pro-worker stance has played out in several ways, notably his suit against the federal Department of Energy to force greater protections for dangerously ill Hanford workers, and his defense of Washington state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave initiative. He has stood up for the rights of workers, defending pregnant people facing illegal discrimination in the workplace, women agricultural workers facing sexual harassment, disabled veterans, and DREAMers.
He has set and exceeded standards for how an Attorney General can hold powerful interests accountable, and we believe he will bring that same spirit to the office of the Governor. Washington faces tough questions on key issues including climate change, taxation, and investment in Washington’s individuals and future, among others, and we think Bob Ferguson has the tested mettle to meet those challenges unflinchingly. Learn more at https://www.bobferguson.com/.
Nick Brown
Nick Brown has been a staunch advocate for the rights of people to live free from fear and abuse. He was appointed general counsel for Governor Jay Inslee and in that role stood up to President Trump’s Muslim ban and oversaw Inslee’s work to end the death penalty in Washington. As US Attorney for Western Washington, he received praise for his work fighting drug cartels and sex trafficking, addressing the fentanyl crisis, and reducing violent crime. He believes that every Washingtonian has the right to be safe from crime, gun violence, and discrimination. He has demonstrated amply that he believes in the rights of workers, the dignity of work, and has ambitious goals to make Washington a stronger state that protects and supports Washingtonians. He currently works as a lawyer. You can learn more about Nick at his website, https://nickbrownforag.com/.
We believe that Nick Brown is a talented, qualified individual who would be a strong leader confronting the challenges facing Washington, and are delighted to endorse him.
Patty Kuderer
In the race for Insurance Commissioner, AFT Washington has endorsed Patty Kuderer. Currently serving as a Washington state senator, Senator Kuderer has been an advocate for working families, particularly on issues including access to affordable, quality healthcare, gun safety, voting rights, and women’s health. Her vision for a strong Washington state includes working to expand access to healthcare and holding insurance companies accountable for their actions, as well as promoting fairness and transparency in the insurance market. Most crucially, she sees implementation of universal healthcare in Washington state as not only possible, but imperative and will work to create such a system.
Healthcare is a key issue for Washingtonians, and AFT Washington members are no exception. We see the need for and benefit of a universal healthcare system, and our endorsement reflects the fact that we believe Senator Kuderer will make it a priority. You can learn more about her and her platform at her website, https://www.pattykuderer.com/.
Chris Reykdal
For OSPI, AFT Washington has endorsed Chris Reykdal, our incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction. He knows first-hand the value of public education, which allowed him to escape extreme childhood poverty, and in the paramount duty of public education. His track record of helping districts improve graduation rates shows his commitment; Washington state has reached record levels in graduation under his guidance. Additionally, Reykdal has consistently demonstrated that he understands the difficulties educators in preK-12 face. His agency’s 2024 budget request included a $7/hr pay increase for paraeducators, and in the 2024 legislative session, his agency championed a revision of the prototypical school staffing model (a concern first raised by OSPI in 2021’s budget declaration) that makes some improvements to staffing ratios in preK-12 schools.
We believe that Chris Reykdal is invested in improving school outcomes and in evidence-based educational initiatives. We need a superintendent of public instruction who can run a complex education agency and understands the needs of Washington state’s educators; Reykdal’s record bears this out. You can read more about Chris Reykdal at https://www.chrisreykdal.org/.
Sal Mungia
In a less familiar race, the non-partisan race for State Supreme Court position 2, AFT Washington has endorsed Sal Mungia. As a practicing trial and appellate lawyer, Mungia has consistently been recognized for his trial skills, legal knowledge, and high ethical standards; he has received recognition and superlative designations from multiple legal journals, associations, and schools. In addition to this, we are impressed by his advocacy and work for an improved justice system, one that better serves our communities regardless of historical access to justice or the ability to hire a lawyer. He has been repeatedly recognized for his pro bono work, as well as his justice access work.
An endorsement for a judicial position is a little unusual compared to our other endorsements, because the position is non-partisan, and the actions that the judge is able to take depend on the cases that come before the court. The cases that he’s worked on have not, to our knowledge, involved representing any of our members as clients. However, we like that Mungia brings a working class family background and a passion for access to justice to his campaign. Both are, we believe, good indicators that Mungia is a person who understands the concerns of working Washingtonians, and will consider them as he hears cases on the Supreme Court. We are pleased to endorse him for the Washington State Supreme Court, position 2. You can learn more about Sal Mungia at https://www.salforjustice.com/.