Endorsements are listed in order by Legislative District, Initiative, City, County and Port positions,
House of Representatives - 30th Legislative District (Federal Way and surrounding area)
State Initiative 1401- Washington Animal Tracking
Vote Yes to toughen penalties for trafficking certain animal species which includes elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, pangolin, marine turtle, shark, and ray. Trafficking products of covered animal species would also come with tougher penalties.
Carol Gregory
Ms. Gregory lists environment as one of her top two or three issues for the state legislature. She feels that education is also a top-ranked issue, but now that the state has done most of its work on education, environment will be the next big priority to tackle. She is very concerned with the impact of global warming, both locally and globally. Locally, she feels that the health of Puget Sound is also a major issue in her district and that there is citizen support in the 30th District for local environmental protection. On transportation, she would like to find solutions that limit road-building, improve transit, and prioritize habitat protection. She will vote according to these environmental priorities, and wants to work closely with the Sierra Club.
City of Everett
Charlene Rawson: City Council, Position 5
Charlene Rawson has been active in local civic and political issues since 2003, including serving as chair of the Everett Council of Neighborhoods, helping lead the restoration of Forgotten Creek, and working to oppose oil and coal trains in Everett. With a focus on neighborhoods, she seeks to empower citizens at large to take a more active role in civic matters. She has demonstrated a thorough grasp of environmental issues.
City of Kirkland
Dave Asher: City Council, Position 6
Dave is a life time member of the Sierra Club and a champion of environmental issues on the Kirkland City Council. He led the recent effort to have Kirkland ban the use of plastic bags in the city. He has consistently worked to improve the availability of public transportation in the city. He actively supports the Kirkland’s membership in the King County Climate Collaborative and has been an active supporter of Sierra Club’s Coal Free PSE Campaign.
City of Mercer Island
Bruce Bassett: City Council
Bruce Bassett is running for a third term on the Council, and has served as Mayor. He was endorsed by the Club on his first run and was unopposed in the second. During his time on the Council and as the Mayor of Mercer Island, he has supported intelligently increasing density on Mercer Island; he has been active working with Sound Transit and Metro to improve Mercer Island's mass transit options, and; he has worked to improve fish habitat on Mercer Island's Shorelines. His engagement and support of our issues through his past terms merit our support.
City of Olympia
Judy Bardin: City Council, Position 2
Judy Bardin, whose long career in public health includes 15 years as an environmental epidemiologist for the Washington Department of Health. In her five years serving on city advisory committees, she has focused on climate change, clean energy and green space. She urges interagency collaboration to develop an environmentally responsible urban design that fosters non-car dependency, energy-efficient homes and lower exposure to noise and air pollution.
City of Seattle
Tammy Morales: City Council, District 2
Tammy Morales offers robust management skills and important experience in environmental advocacy. With a background in food systems policy, community planning and government management, Morales is a strong progressive who has a proven record in south Seattle, a neighborhood whose environmental justice needs have often been neglected. Morales will take strong stands for environmental priorities. The Sierra Club is proud to endorse her.
Kshama Sawant: City Council, District 3
Kshama Sawant has earned a remarkable record of environmental leadership while on the Council. She is a key ally in efforts to oppose Shell's arctic oil drilling and their agreement with the Port of Seattle as well as the fight against dangerous coal trains and new export terminals. She has worked to adopt progressive revenue sources to build better transit in Seattle and ask tough questions about the SR-99 tunnel project.
Rob Johnson: City Council, District 4
As executive director of Transportation Choices Coalition, Rob Johnson demonstrated expertise and strong support for transit and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure. Johnson has an in-depth understanding of how better transportation infrastructure and housing can provide the basis for a livable, affordable, lower-carbon city that does not push lower income individuals into the suburbs. The Sierra Club is pleased to endorse his candidacy for City Council.
Mike O'Brien: City Council, District 6
Mike O'Brien, a former Sierra Club leader, strongly upholds Sierra Club's values. He has been a crucial ally in efforts to make Seattle more sustainable by leading development of the city's Climate Action Plan and forging a coalition of affordability by fighting for more affordable housing and increased density. He has also provided strong support for both transit expansion and safe pedestrian and biking infrastructure. Sierra Club is proud to endorse Mike.
Sally Bagshaw: City Council, District 7
Sally Bagshaw has worked to improve Seattle's bicycle infrastructure, and supports a smart balance between density and open space. Advocating for the city’s Safe Routes to Schools program, she helped to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure. She has focused on the housing issue, and has worked with Sound Transit to develop affordable housing near light rail stations and on Sound Transit surplus property. The Sierra Club supports her reelection.
Lorena Gonzalez: City Council, Position 9
Lorena Gonzalez is a civil rights attorney who served as Mayor Murray's chief legal counsel. With a strong focus on environmental justice, she will call attention to issues that have a disproportionate impact on low-income communities in Seattle. Her priorities include addressing environmental justice issues related to the Duwamish River cleanup and minimizing the impacts of growth by expanding transit and promoting alternative forms of transportation.
City of Spokane
Ben Stuckart: City Council President
Ben Stuckart is a leader in the efforts to assure safety for Spokane residents and businesses via stronger oil and coal train regulations. He supported restrictions on the city's purchase of products containing environmentally hazardous chemicals and worked for the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles for the city. He has also worked to increase urban farming and market gardens and helped establish the food policy council.
City of Tacoma
Ryan Mello: City Council, Position 8
Ryan Mello has provided leadership on the Council for passage of several environmental and transit improvements since being elected in 2011. As co-chair of the city’s Green Ribbon Task Force on Climate Change, he was the primary author of the City’s Climate Action Plan. He has been city spokesperson on climate change and coal/oil train health and safety issues. The Sierra Club is pleased to support his reelection.
Anders Ibsen: City Council, Position 1
The Sierra Club endorses the reelection of Tacoma native, Anders Ibsen. As a city council member since 2011, he has shown consistent support for the environment, especially through his leadership on Tacoma’s Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability Committee. He has voted to support increased urban density and transit expansion. Recently, he has been working to get Tacoma Power to support solar panel installation along with other energy saving programs.
City of Vancouver
Bart Hanson: City Council
Sierra Club endorses Bart Hanson for his proactive stance on environmental matters. As an employee of Clark Public Utilities, he works with homeowners to install individual residential solar panels. Hanson is a member of the statewide Safe Energy Leadership Alliance advocating for clean energy. He also works with the city’s community centers and public transportation to develop a program that will provide transportation for high school students to community centers after school.
Ty Stober: City Council
Ty Stober believes that “Environmental considerations should be integrated into every aspect of city management.” Stober demonstrates this in his support of public transportation, energy efficiency and the preservation of open spaces. Passionate about increasing Vancouver’s tree canopy, he advocates for “walkable neighborhoods based around urban villages.” The Sierra Club is proud to endorse Stober for city council.
City of Washougal
Joyce Lindsay: City Council
Of being supported by the Sierra Club, Joyce Lindsay says that it is a “valuable endorsement, a serious endorsement. I want people to know I care about the environment.” Lindsay is opposed to construction of the oil terminal. She supports public transportation, open space and environmentally thoughtful urban planning. Sierra Club is pleased to endorse Lindsay for her second term on the council.
Clallam County
Mark Ozias: County Commissioner, District 1
Mark Ozias is a long-standing member of the Sierra Club and active member of the Sequim community. As County Commissioner, he would work to mitigate the consequences of climate change, address water scarcity and work for environmental health by improving air, soil and water quality monitoring. He believes in a culture of strong public engagement and advocates for active participation from all stakeholders.
Clark County
Chuck Green: County Council, District 2
Chuck Green has been involved in conservation and transportation policies since 1970 when he participated in the first Earth Day. He was active in the development of Clark County’s first comprehensive plan, created in 1994, and he advocates for small farms, greater use of green space in parks and open areas and an interconnected public transportation plan. The Sierra Club is proud to endorse Green as candidate for Clark County Council, District 2.
Snohomish County
Dave Somers: County Executive
A fisheries biologist, Dave Somers offers valuable expertise in land use, clean air, water and other environmental issues. On the Snohomish County Council, he had distinguished himself to be a leader at all levels, serving as chair to the Council for many years. He helped establish the Pacific Watershed Institute, a non-profit research and education organization and has been a major leader on Puget Sound ecosystem recovery efforts. Sierra Club proudly endorses Somers.
Whatcom County
Satpal Sidhu: County Council, District 2
Satpal Sidhu offers a solutions-oriented approach to issues. The Sierra club is proud to endorse Sidhu, who was first elected 4 years ago. Sidhu is a trained engineer who advocates for clean renewable energy solutions, such as solar power. Having worked and lived in the area for 30 years, Sidhu has strong ties to diverse groups within the community and strives to find common ground and improve economic equity using innovative strategies.
Todd Donovan: County Council, District 1
Todd Donovan believes in responsible leadership for the long-range future of Whatcom County. With a history of making objective evidence-based decisions, he searches for creative solutions that meet the real needs of the community. As a member of the 2015 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission, he garnered praise from colleagues for his thoughtful and cooperative demeanor.
Port of Olympia
E.J. Zita: Commissioner, District 3
E.J. Zita holds a Ph.D. in physics and has done energy research in industry. She calls for improved SEPA processes at the Port of Olympia, a new strategic plan, and the port’s first climate action plan. As a member of the Port Advisory Committee, Zita has advocated for sustainable development, financial accountability, and open community-based planning. She has also led local sustainability initiatives. The Sierra Club supports her candidacy.
Port of Seattle
Commissioner Gregoire, a Microsoft attorney with experience working on trade issues for the Obama Administration's Department of Commerce, deserves re-election. Gregoire was one of the two No votes at the Commission on the Terminal 5/Shell lease and has spoken out about the need for more transparency in future decision-making processes. Her platform includes finding ways to reduce emissions at both the seaport and the airport and continuing to work on Duwamish cleanup issues. She has been endorsed by major media outlets and a broad coalition of Democratic, environmental, progressive, and labor organizations.
Fred Felleman - Seattle Port Commission, Position 5
Felleman is a marine environmental consultant and well-known Port watchdog with more than two decades of experience in advocating for marine sustainability. He has worked on oil spill regulation and legislation and was involved in the creation of marine sanctuaries for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. This year he has been highly engaged in opposition to the Port of Seattle's controversial lease with Foss Maritime to support Shell's arctic drilling rig at Terminal 5. He is the best candidate in the race to lead on environmental issues, make sure the Port pursues a sustainability agenda, and represent Sierra Club values at the Port.
Port of Tacoma
Clare Petrich: Position 5
Clare Petrich has been a Port Commissioner for 20 years now and the only commissioner to seriously recognize the importance of dealing with the numerous environmental issues that the port faces. The Club first endorsed incumbent Petrich some 12 years ago. Although all port commissioners put economic development at the top of their priority list, few give much attention to environmental sustainability. Petrich understands we must recognize and deal with these difficult environmental issues. She was the primary mover in establishing the Sea Port Alliance recently with the Port of Seattle. This agreement to share marine cargo moving will prevent delays in getting freight in and out in an efficient expeditious manner. She is also willing to promote more communication and cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions to facilitate environmental sustainability.
Port of Port Townsend
Diana Talley: Commissioner
The Port is one of the largest remaining “do-it-yourself” boatyards in the NW but, unfortunately, years of less-than-adequate environmental controls have resulted in contaminated soils and runoff and air pollution. In addition, the Port is one of the top water users in the area, a concern because of the severe drought on the northeast Olympic Peninsula. Progress in addressing these areas has been slow. Diana Talley, whose marine trades business is located at the Port, is keenly aware of these problems and the importance of correcting them. She has a proactive environmental agenda that includes: paving the yard to reduce toxic dust and better manage runoff, recycling water to reduce the Port’s high consumption, and providing enhanced monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental “best management practices.” For these reasons we feel she is the best person for addressing the Port’s serious environmental problems.
Port of Vancouver
Eric LaBrant: Commissioner
In a statement outlining his environmental priorities, Eric LaBrant indicated his intention to continue the fight against the proposed oil-by-rail terminal, restore funding to the Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership and support environmentally sustainable operations for new and existing tenants. In summary, he said, “I believe there is a business case to be made for responsible, sustainable business.”