By Daria Kroupoderova
Northwest Asian Weekly
Sarah Sanoy-Wright, Republican, is running for Representative position no. 2 in Legislative District no. 11. She is running against incumbent Steve Bergquist, who beat her during the last general election in 2012. Sanoy-Wright and Bergquist are unopposed in the primary election.
Shari Song, Democrat, is running for State Senator in Legislative District no. 30 against Mark Miloscia. Song supports pro-choice, equal pay for women, helping veterans, and passing a transportation package. According to her campaign website, she currently works in real estate at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and is a board member on Children’s Campaign Fund. She has also received honors and awards, including the King County Recognition Award for Community Service in 2007. Song and Miloscia are unopposed in the primary election.
Incumbent Cindy Ryu, Democrat, is running for Representative position no. 1 in Legislative District no. 32. She has no opponent and has won this spot in the past two elections. According to Ryu’s campaign website, she “is a strong advocate for the small business owner, public transportation, environmental and consumer protection, and public safety.” While in office, Ryu has sponsored bills that protected consumers, dealt with insurance reform, and encouraged economic revitalization.
SeaTac Mayor Mia Su-Ling Gregerson, Democrat, is running for Representative Position no. 2 in Legislative District no. 33 against Jeanette Burrage and Les Thomas. According to her campaign website, Gregerson wants to improve transportation, close tax loopholes, protect the environment, make healthcare affordable, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
Pramila Jayapal, Democrat, is running for State Senator in Legislative District no. 37. Jayapal is running against five others, including Claude Burfect, John Stafford, Sheley Secrest, Louis Watanabe, and Rowland Martin. Jayapal is a founder of OneAmerica, an immigrant rights group and was the CEO of it for 11 years. Currently, she is working for the Center for Community Change. She supports income tax for the rich and a higher minimum wage.
Louis Watanabe, Democrat, is running for State Senator in Legislative District no. 37. Watanabe is running against five others: Pramila Jayapal, Claude Burfect, John Stafford, Sheley Secrest and Rowland Martin. Watanabe is a professor of statistics and business at Bellevue College. According to his website, his main issues are education, jobs, crime and zoning. District no. 37 is one of the most diverse districts, with over 80 languages spoken there. There is a high crime rate and not many jobs which Watanabe wants to put a stop to.
Jessica Spear, Socialist Alternative, is running for Representative Position no. 2 in Legislative District no. 43 against incumbent Frank Chopp. Spear helped lead the $15 minimum wage movement alongside Kshama Sawant, who also is a supporter of Spear. Spear is fighting for housing, including rent control, workers’ rights, the environment and education funding. According to her campaign website, Spear is a climate scientist that “understand the crisis humanity faces in the coming decades with extreme weather, rising sea levels, and heat waves” and wants to better the environment by starting renewable technology projects.
Incumbent Cyrus Habib, Democrat, is running for State Senator in Legislative District no. 48 against Michelle Darnell. Habib has served on the Business and Financial Services committee, Technology and Economic Development committee, and the Transportation committee during his time in office. Habib was named one of the “legislators to watch for” by Governing Magazine this past year. Habib lost his eyesight at the age of 8 due to a rare cancer. However, he went on to Yale Law School and perused a legal career back home.
Incumbent Sharon Tomiko Santos, Democrat, is running for Representative Position no. 1 against John Dickinson and Daniel Bretzke. Santos has held her seat since 1998. According to the Washington State House of Representatives website, Santos’ “key policy interests include civil rights, women’s rights, economic and environmental justice, affordable housing, and quality public education,” along with education.
Marcus Naylor is running for Judge Position no. 3 against Rick Leo and Lisa O’Toole. Naylor is has been supervising attorney for King County Defenders since 2012. He has also been a judge pro tempore, someone who gets to sit in for an absent judge in King County District Courts. He has about 20 years in court and is endorsed by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and Justice Mary Yu of the Washington Supreme Court, along with over 30 judges in King County and others. (end)
Daria Kroupoderova can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.