2023 Endorsements
Karen Howe
In just three and a half years, Councilmember Karen Howe has led Sammamish to new heights — balancing economic growth, environmental stewardship, public safety, and community engagement in a way that strengthens both Sammamish’s quality of life and local business climate.
On transportation, Howe has laid the groundwork for a multimodal system by adopting Sammamish’s first Transportation Master Plan and Transit Plan, alongside work on the city’s inaugural bike and pedestrian plan — improving connectivity for residents and reducing climate impact.
She has also invested in Sammamish’s parks and recreation system, opening new turf fields with lighting, improving baseball facilities,...
Michelle Evans
Resilience is at the core of Michelle Evans’ campaign for Woodinville City Council, as she is bulldozing through the political noise to get things done for her community. A 17-year resident, Evans began serving on the Council in 2021, since then serving on the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council, as a board member for the Woodinville Arts Alliance, and as the liaison to the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce.
She helped champion the City’s first-ever Economic Development Plan — which she is now set on fully implementing — as well the jurisdiction’s first Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program.
She knows that a strong...
Julie Hsieh
First time Mercer Island City Council candidate Julie Hsieh is a proven community leader, working mother, and entrepreneur who understands the vital connection between a thriving local economy, responsible municipal governance, and a welcoming community. Through her work as a physician, small business art gallery owner, and volunteer work for social services and the arts on Mercer Island, she’s demonstrated her ability to collaborate and build consensus to achieve results by focusing on shared values to accomplish shared goals.
Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and received her Medical Doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine. She...
Neal Black
Neal Black has shown himself to be the kind of dedicated, forward-thinking leader Kirkland needs on their City Council. Over his two terms, Neal has consistently stepped up to tackle the challenges that matter most to our community, keeping Kirkland strong and well-positioned for the years to come.
His active participation in city-focused legislative workgroups and regional crisis response initiatives demonstrates his commitment to both local solutions and regional collaboration. Neal understands that Kirkland's success is interconnected with the broader King County community, which is why his partnership work on critical issues like public safety, transportation, climate action, and regional transit...
Jay Arnold
Jay Arnold has proven himself an exceptional leader during his tenure as Deputy Mayor and City Councilmember. His forward-thinking approach to governance has consistently delivered results that strengthen our community, while preserving what makes Kirkland special.
Jay's comprehensive vision for public safety, coupled with his innovative work on sustainability initiatives in transportation, building, and energy policies, demonstrates the kind of strategic thinking Kirkland needs. His commitment to long-term investments in “parks, people, and places,” shows he understands that today's decisions shape tomorrow's community.
What sets Jay apart is his ability to balance economic vitality with environmental stewardship. He recognizes that supporting existing...
Katia Zakharoff
As a first-generation immigrant, small business owner, and current Planning Policy Commissioner, Katia Zakharoff brings a unique combination of lived experience, business acumen, and civic leadership that will serve Issaquah well. She understands the challenges cities can face — housing, public safety, mobility, environmental stewardship, and sustaining a vibrant local economy — and approaches each with collaboration and practical solutions. Her personal and professional journey has given her a clear, balanced perspective, and a deep appreciation for the importance of effective, transparent governance in building a thriving community.
For Katia, the endorsement of the business community serves as a testament to...
Melissa Stuart
Melissa Stuart brings policy depth, accessibility, and a practical mindset to the Redmond City Council. First elected in 2021, she has distinguished herself as one of the council’s most informed and engaged members. From hosting regular office hours at the library to initiating quarterly listening sessions in neighborhoods, Stuart has made herself available to residents in ways that build trust and accountability.
She also brings a rare level of technical fluency to her role. With a background in nonprofit leadership and more than a decade of experience managing public funding programs, she approaches public policy with an emphasis on outcomes...
Christina Schiefer
Christina Schiefer brings a grounded, community-focused perspective to her campaign for Kenmore City Council. As a former small business owner, Christina understands the economic realities facing working families and the importance of maintaining a strong local economy that supports both residents and entrepreneurs.
Christina chose Kenmore for its affordability, livability, and accessibility — and she’s running to preserve and strengthen those values as the city grows. Her vision centers on thoughtful planning that ensures Kenmore remains a welcoming and vibrant place to live for all generations.
On housing, Christina supports expanding diverse housing options to keep Kenmore affordable without...
Vishal Bhargava
Appointed earlier this year to fill a vacancy, Vishal Bhargava has already demonstrated the temperament, analytical ability, and policy expertise that the city needs as it faces complex decisions on housing, growth, and infrastructure.
Bhargava brings more than six years of service on Bellevue’s Planning Commission, where he developed a reputation for attention to detail and deep subject matter knowledge. A trained architect and urban planner with an MBA and experience in senior roles at Amazon, he approaches planning and land use issues with a rare combination of technical fluency and data-driven decision-making. Colleagues and observers have noted his ability...
Maggie Lo
As a longtime resident and civic-minded leader, Maggie believes local government should put Newcastle first: Focusing on smart spending, balanced growth, and practical solutions that reflect community priorities.
She is deeply committed to fiscal responsibility, and recognizes the financial strain many Newcastle homeowners already face, particularly seniors and families on fixed incomes. Instead of increasing taxes on residents to pay for the City’s policy goals, she supports a budget strategy rooted in smart spending, eliminating inefficiencies, and growing the city’s tax base through responsible economic development and thoughtful partnerships.
On housing, Maggie supports expanding diverse housing options in a way that...