John,

There were definitely highs and lows as election results came in last night. A few of our priority races are too close to call, but we wanted to give you a quick update on where things stand as of now.

Tim Eyman’s I-976

Washington Conservation Voters joined a large coalition of business, labor, communities of color, and environmental organizations to stand up to Tim Eyman’s I-976. Unfortunately, it looks like I-976 will pass and that will have devastating consequences for our environment, increasing climate pollution, decreasing transit infrastructure, and more. We expect to work with the legislature and communities to navigate the impact this has on Washingtonians.

I-1000/R-88

Initiative 1000/Referendum 88 is trailing by a slim margin, meaning that Washington may reject affirmative action. WCV encouraged voters to approve I-1000/R-88 because the same forces that pollute our environment also prevent equitable access to public employment, contracting, and university admissions. Washington needs the talents of veterans, small business owners, women, and people of color to build solutions that create a clean, healthy environment, and everyone deserves to have access to those opportunities.

Whatcom County Executive & Council

Once again this election, WCV and our partners were battling fossil fuel interests in Whatcom County. In the race for County Executive, Satpal Sidhu trails his oil-backed opponent by only 61 votes. With tens of thousands of votes still left to count in Whatcom County, this race is too close to call. Carol Frazey won her Whatcom County Council seat which holds an environmental majority on the Council.

What’s on the line: Whatcom County is working to pass a new policy to prohibit new fossil fuel export facilities and new refineries in the heavy industrial area in Whatcom County, which would protect Cherry Point in the future. This would be huge for stopping new fossil fuel development and could be a model for many communities around the country.

Tacoma Port Commissioner

Tacoma Port Commission candidate Kristin Ang ran a bold pro-environment, pro-labor and business, and anti-fossil fuel campaign. She is 999 votes behind her opponent in a race that is too close to call. 

What the results mean: Kristin stepped up to run for Port Commission when the world’s largest methanol plant was to be built at the Port. With an oil refinery and proposal for a massive LNG facility, Tacoma is ground zero for the fight over dirty energy and Washington’s transition to a clean energy future. A seismic shift for Port politics is afoot. Win or lose, Kristin’s campaign was groundbreaking. She ran a strong campaign putting people and the economy first and standing up to fossil fuel interests.

Spokane Mayor & Council President

One of the most competitive and ugly races in the state this year was for Spokane Mayor. Thousands of dollars of developer money poured into this race and unfortunately, environmental and climate champion Ben Stuckart lost to anti-environment candidate, former TV Host Nadine Woodward.

What the results mean: Ben has been one of the state’s leading environmental champions fighting for safer oil transportation, 100 percent clean energy, and making sure to hold polluters accountable. This loss means we must defend the progress made under his leadership and work with our partners to stop bad policy that Nadine Woodward puts forward.

Other Important Races

• Won – Liz Lovelett (40th LD Senate): Senator Lovelett won her re-election campaign in the 40th Legislative District, including San Juan, Whatcom, and Skagit Counties. She’ll return to the Senate as an environmental champion.
• Won – Megan Dunn (Snohomish City Council): Megan is a life-long advocate for protecting our environment. She is dedicated to ensuring that all of our communities have access to clean air to breathe and fresh water to drink. She will work with other WCV-endorsed candidates Executive Somers and Councilmember Wright to build a sustainable Snohomish County.
• Won – Kristina Walker (Tacoma City Council): Endorsed by WCV and the Puyallup Tribe, Kristina has worked to improve transportation options for the past eight years. Now on the City Council, she will fight for better transportation and transit options, and implement Tacoma’s Environmental Action Plan.
• Won – Vanessa Kritzer (Redmond City Council): A former staffer for our national partner, the League of Conservation Voters, Vanessa made environmental planning and climate a distinguishing factor in her campaign. She’ll be a new regional voice for climate action at the local level.
• Won – Sam Cho (Seattle Port Commission): Sam ran a campaign centered on acknowledging the huge carbon footprint the Port has and how as Commissioner, he would want to tackle climate change more aggressively.
• Won – Jeremey Barksdale (Bellevue City Council): Jeremy is committed to making sure that Bellevue grows in a way that reduces its impacts on the climate, improves transportation options for all, and will work with neighborhoods to make sure everyone is heard.

YOU made the difference! Thanks to everyone who joined us to phone bank, canvass, and text neighbors. Our Field Team was busy in communities across the state from the Primary through the General Election, supporting local candidates and the No on I-976 campaign. With the help of over 300 volunteers across the state, we led 19 canvasses and nine phone and text banks to have one-on-one conversations with voters.  

Thank you for all you did to support our work and candidates fighting for the environment in 2019. Next year will be the most important election of our lifetime – together we can keep the momentum going.

Make sure to follow WCV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on election results.

Thanks for all you do,

Shannon Murphy
President