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Read below for statements from WFSE endorsements for 2024.
LD 12, Senate - Jim Mayhew
"We have an historic opportunity in the 12th LD to elect representation committed to fair wages, worker protections, and opportunity for working families from Wenatchee to Monroe. WFSE’s endorsement of my campaign helps voters know which candidate will vote with workers rather than side with special interests."
LD 17, Senate - Marla Keethler
"I am honored to be endorsed by WFSE. I grew up in a union household, and I am now raising my family in one. In fact, my ability to be able to pursue this path of public service is in large part due to the benefits fought for and provided by my husband’s union. The labor movement is as important now as ever before, and I will continue the fight to ensure workers are given fair wages, good benefits, and a chance to save for the future. I promise to work for you and thank you for your support."
LD 17, House 2 - Terri Niles
"I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Washington Federation of State Employees. Throughout my career as a nurse, I have had the privilege of serving as a labor representative and negotiating contracts for my nursing union. This experience has profoundly underscored the critical importance of supporting labor unions and the invaluable work you do every day. It is our duty to ensure that workers have safe working conditions, robust retirement security, and fair contracts.
Washington is a strong union state, but we cannot take this for granted. There are always forces attempting to undermine our collective strength by advocating for right-to-work or anti labor legislation. Such policies erode the solidarity and power of unions, leaving workers vulnerable and without a strong voice.
In Olympia, I will continue to fight for your rights with the same passion and dedication I have shown for my fellow nurses. I understand the challenges you face and the sacrifices you make.
I promise to stand with you, listen to your concerns, and be your advocate in the state legislature. Together, we can ensure that the rights of workers are upheld and that our unions remain strong and effective. Thank you for endorsing me! Let’s continue to build a future where all workers are respected, protected, and empowered."
LD 22, House 2 - Lisa Parshley
"Being endorsed by the Washington Federation of State Employees has made me do the happy dance. Your endorsement is so important to me because you are my constituents, you are my community members, and you are who I am running to represent in the legislature. Having your endorsement means I have my community’s support. All I can say is a big, huge, thank you for your support. Should I win my race for LD 22 Representative, I will remember this support next year and all the years to come."
LD 23, House 2 - Greg Nance
"I am deeply honored to earn the endorsement of the WFSE membership. My mom, a long-time DSHS nursing home social worker, was able to provide for our family thanks to generations of WFSE members standing in solidarity for fair wages and benefits. As a second generation WFSE member myself, I promise to keep working hard for working families, like the one I grew up in."
LD 24, House 1 - Eric Pickens
"I am honored and grateful to receive the endorsement of the Washington Federation of State Employees. As a public employee myself, I know how challenging the last few years have been for those of us who work hard to keep our public services running. I look forward to working with WFSE to make sure you have the tools and support you need, to keep your workplaces healthy and safe, and to protect and expand collective bargaining rights."
LD 24, House 2 - Steve Tharinger
"Thanks for your support. My door is always open."
LD 25, House 1 - Cameron Severns
"I am honored to have the endorsement of the hard working folks of WFSE. I am committed to making sure our public employees have the best wages, benefits, retirement and healthcare in the country."'
LD 28, Senate - T’wina Nobles
"WFSE members work in service of Washingtonians and our communities everyday, and deserve not only safe and equitable working environments but the resources to build better lives for their families as well. From protecting child welfare workers and reducing child mortality rates due to fentanyl exposure, and from expanding retirement eligibility to securing critical funding for Harborview, I am proud to have worked side by side with WFSE over the past four years to secure incredible wins for working families and communities. There’s much more to do to ensure all of our working families have what they need to thrive, and together is how we get it done. Thank you for placing your trust in me—I am honored to once again earn your endorsement and look forward to another four years of hard work in service of equitable jobs, healthy families and strong communities."
LD 32, House 1 - Cindy Ryu
"I am honored to be endorsed by WFSE for the 2024 re-election to the Washington State House of Representatives. As a dues-paying member of Local 341 and Chair of the Innovation, Community & Economic Development and Veterans Committee, I will continue to support fellow WFSE members and working families in Washington State."
LD 37, House 1 - Sharon Tomiko Santos
"I am honored to receive this expression of confidence in my commitment on behalf of working people and our families. I am grateful to the leadership and membership of the Federation for your partnership and support through many years. I look forward to continuing our collective efforts to improve the lives of public employees throughout our state."
LD 41, Senate - Lisa Wellman
"I am writing to express my deep appreciation in receiving the endorsement of the WFSE membership. America needs unions and the benefits they bring to the working men and women of this country.
As Chair of Early Learning & K-12 Education, I can share that we see the strain that families are under to keep afloat reflected in their children every day in our schools. We must build back better. I stand with you and your membership in that effort and so proud you stand with me. We all do better when we all do better."
LD 42, House 2 - Joe Timmons
"From our colleges and universities to government agencies across Washington, our public employees keep our state running and do incredible work. As someone who has worked in the public sector throughout my career, I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of WFSE members. I look forward to continuing to partner and stand together for our shared values and goals to support workers and working families across the state."
LD 46, House 2 - Darya Farivar
"Thank you so much for your support! Having the support of WFSE means so much to me. Having your support means that you trust me to support working people in Washington and build bridges for a better tomorrow. It is up to all of us to keep Washington a worker friendly state and one that takes care of those furthest from privilege."
LD 49, Senate - Annette Cleveland
"Endorsement by AFSCME Council 28 underscores my commitment to championing labor rights in the Legislature. Your support helps to increase the visibility of my campaign and increases voter trust in my prioritization of workers rights, particularly for our public sector employees. It helps differentiate me from my opponent and allows voters a better understanding of my focuses. I am humbled and honored to have earned your endorsement and am grateful for our continued partnership in the future."
District 2 - Rick Larsen
"I am proud to have earned the endorsement of AFSCME Local 28, the 49,000-strong members of the Washington Federation of State Employees. WFSE's members work in health care, public safety, agriculture, education, veterans' homes, and more, making it an essential union in Washington.
I know firsthand that a good paying, union job is the key to growing the middle class. My father was a lineman for Snohomish County PUD and a proud member of IBEW Local 77. His union membership meant a decent wage, cost-of-living pay increases, and health insurance. In short, it afforded our family the dignity that all families deserve.
Today, we need unions more than ever. Decades of corporate assaults have led to declining union membership, which has gutted the middle class.Organized labor is one of the greatest collective achievements our country has ever made. As the representative of the 2nd District in Congress, I will always be a voice for working families in Northwest Washington — and beyond. Thank you to the 49,000+ members of WFSE for supporting my work."
District 3 - Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
“From healthcare to road repair, over 50,000 members of the Washington Federation of State Employees keep critical state services running every day. I’m proud to stand with working people wherever they fight for fair compensation, safe conditions, and opportunity, and I’m excited to have the endorsement of WFSE/AFSCME.”
Attorney General - Manka Dhingra
"I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Washington Federation of State Employees, who have been tireless champions for the rights of public employees, working diligently to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity in the workplace.
As Attorney General, I will continue to stand with you to advance workers' rights, fair labor practices, consumer protections, voting rights, and justice for all Washingtonians."
Commissioner of Public Lands - Kevin Van De Wege
"It’s an honor to earn the support of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). As a career union firefighter and as a state legislator, public service is important to me. WFSE is a symbol of public service, and I’m humbled to have earned your endorsement. I appreciate the legacy that WFSE’s built across the state. WFSE and its members have fought to improve working conditions, defend collective bargaining, increase wages and benefits, and have made countless other contributions to workers and the communities where they live. As Commissioner of Public Lands, you will be able to count on me to advocate for working people and strengthen communities across the state."
Position 9 - Sheryl Gordon McCloud
"Thank you WFSE! I appreciate your endorsement as I run for re-election as a Justice on the Washington Supreme Court. I first ran for this office in 2012 because constitutional and civil rights matter. I believe your endorsement is an indication of your agreement with that principle. All working people deserve to have their rights protected, and I hope my work on the court continues to add to the importance of that principle. I will proudly display your endorsement."