John,

On Election Night, two of the most important races for the environment this year were two close to call – Whatcom County Executive and Tacoma Port Commission. Now, we’re happy to report that both Satpal Sidhu and Kristin Ang won! Read below for information on their races along with the ballot measures or read our full 2019 Election overview here.

Altogether this year, WCV won 75% of our endorsed candidate races. Of the 63 candidates we endorsed across the state, 59% were women, 23% were candidates of color, and 25% were first-time candidates.

Congratulate all of the WCV-endorsed candidates who won their races!

Whatcom County Executive & Council – WON

In a historic election, WCV-endorsed candidate Satpal Sidhu won the seat for Whatcom County Executive! Carol Frazey also won her Whatcom County Council seat – which maintains an environmental majority on the Council. Congratulate Satpal and Carol on their wins!

Once again, WCV and our partners battled fossil fuel interests in Whatcom County: Out-of-state oil companies dumped $75,000 into the County Executive race at the very last minute, trying to prevent Whatcom County from passing groundbreaking new anti-fossil fuel policy.

What it means: 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. The current pro-fossil fuels County Executive was a roadblock to much of this work. Flipping the Executive seat and holding the Council majority will allow us to move forward on this anti-fossil fuel work.

Tacoma Port Commission - WON

Tacoma Port Commission candidate Kristin Ang ran a bold pro-environment, pro-labor and business, and anti-fossil fuel campaign. After a close race, Kristin has won!

What it means: With an existing oil refinery and proposal for a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, Tacoma has become ground zero for the fight over dirty energy and Washington’s transition to a clean energy future. A shift for Port politics is afoot, and Kristin’s campaign was groundbreaking for the region. The Tacoma News Tribune stated, “Ang is set to be a notable addition to the port commission. She has been a vocal critic of Puget Sound Energy’s liquefied natural gas project on the Tideflats and other fossil-fuel projects, and is set to bring historic change to a commission that has not seen diversity in its ranks in 101 years.”

Congratulate WCV's endorsed candidates who won their races!

I-976 and I-1000/R-88

We are sad to report that Tim Eyman’s I-976 has passed and will have devastating consequences for our environment, increasing climate pollution, decreasing transit infrastructure, and more. WCV is ready to work with the legislature and communities to navigate the impact this has on Washingtonians, and will advocate that funding prioritize projects that decrease climate pollution, provide more transit options, reduce traffic, and focus on communities most impacted. In the meantime, the City of Seattle and King County have filed a joint lawsuit to stop the measure from taking effect.

Unfortunately, Initiative 1000/Referendum 88 will also fall just short of approval. 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.

Elections matter – and once again, last Tuesday proved that elections have consequences. Read our full election results here.

Thanks for all you do for Washington's environment,

Shannon Murphy
President

P.S. Missed last week’s email? Click here to read our full election results.