Midterm elections - Federal and Washington State
United States Representative
Position: U.S. Representative, Congressional District 6
Emily Randall (Democrat), Incumbent
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Emily Randall is a solid Democrat with a congressional track record of supporting progressive goals. Key accomplishments include securing $121 million in House-passed funding for military families and Navy installations, such as Naval Base Kitsap and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Randall also secured passage of a bipartisan measure to boost funding for tribes neighboring military bases. Her committee assignments include the Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Randall is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a more moderate, pro-business Democratic bloc and belongs to the Equality, Hispanic, and Progressive caucuses.
Candidate Profile Emily Randall
Candidate Questionnaire Emily Randall — no questionnaire submitted
Teresa Fox (Republican)
Teresa Fox, a Bremerton occupational safety professional, has never held elected office. On her campaign website, she presents a moderate image, emphasizing pragmatic, nonpartisan leadership. She emphasizes that she is “not a career politician.” Her Facebook posts tell a different story: she refers to Democrats as socialists and communists and has called for Indivisible to be investigated for “domestic terrorism.” Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Fox for this position.
Candidate Questionnaire Teresa Fox — no questionnaire submitted
Washington State Legislative Offices
Position: State Representative, Legislative District 24, Position 1
Adam Bernbaum (Democrat), Incumbent
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Adam Bernbaum is a first-term incumbent Democrat seeking reelection. He faces Republican Eric Pratt in the general election after winning 62.6% of the primary vote. His record shows him actively legislating rather than just voting present — he has sponsored or negotiated bipartisan bills on housing supply, mortgage escrow reform, wildfire insurance, childcare capacity, and permitting reform, several of which have already been signed into law. He holds a substantive committee post as vice chair of the House Transportation Committee. His endorsement base (labor unions, Planned Parenthood, environmental groups) reflects a conventional progressive coalition.
Candidate Profile Adam Bernbaum
Candidate Questionnaire Adam Bernbaum
Eric W. Pratt (Republican)
Eric W. Pratt is a first-time Republican candidate with no prior experience in public office. Born and raised in the Quilcene and Port Townsend area, he worked in construction and then spent about two decades managing sports-field installation teams nationally. He has been described as an active presence in Olympia, testifying against Democratic-backed bills. Although Pratt is a Republican, his platform leans more libertarian than typical GOP messaging. It emphasizes personal liberty, minimal government, and property rights, with no mention of abortion, guns, or other standard culture-war issues. His donors include small local contributors and at least one notable outside donor: Jesse Proudman, president and CTO of the Seattle AI startup Venice.ai. Pratt has the backing of Conservative Ladies of Washington, a statewide conservative grassroots group. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Pratt for this position.
Candidate Profile Eric W. Pratt
Candidate Questionnaire Eric W. Pratt — no questionnaire submitted
Position: State Representative, Legislative District 24, Position 2
Kaylee Kuehn (Democrat)
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Kaylee Kuehn is the Democratic candidate for the open seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Steve Tharinger. She was the top vote-getter among four Democrats in the August 4 primary and faces an Independent on November 3. A Sequim native with four generations of family in the district, she is a former high school teacher, a former State Senate intern and legislative aide, a registered lobbyist for the pulp and paper workers union, and a mother.
Her platform is moderate-progressive and centers on affordability, healthcare, childcare, education, and rural economic development. She supports universal healthcare, the millionaire's tax, the goals of the Climate Commitment Act, and reproductive rights, and backs law enforcement alongside alternative response programs. She positions herself as a pragmatic, rural Democratic voice.
Kuehn’s support is anchored by labor, Democratic Party organizations, gun-safety groups, and local and state officials, including Tharinger; she has also drawn business and industry backing, including the Association of Washington Business.
Candidate Profile Kaylee Kuehn
Candidate Questionnaire Kaylee Kuehn
Marcia Kelbon (Independent)
Marcia Kelbon is the Independent candidate for the open seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Steve Tharinger. As the only non-Democrat in a five-candidate field, she topped the August 4 primary with about 36% of the vote, and faces Democrat Kaylee Kuehn on November 3. Kelbon is a Quilcene fire commissioner, former Navy engineer, patent attorney, and longtime general counsel of the biotech company Omeros. She is a former vice chair of the Jefferson County Republicans and ran as a Republican in 2022 and 2024, losing in both general elections.
Her platform is center-right on economics and public safety. She would loosen requirements of the Growth Management Act to make housing cheaper, cut state spending, oppose the millionaire's tax, repeal or cap the Climate Commitment Act, and restore felony penalties for drug use. She also favors a UK-style public health system and has said she supports abortion access. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Kelbon for this position.
Candidate Profile Marcia Kelbon
Candidate Questionnaire Marcia Kelbon
Washington State Judicial Offices
“There really is a bottom line here: State Supreme Courts have been methodically overtaken across the country to the detriment of civil liberty, voting rights, environmental protection and many other aberrations caused by the hard right. Washington must protect ourselves from this sort of sabotage to the rule of law. Our State Supreme Court affects us on vastly more issues than an opinion about income tax.”
— Betsy Robins
For more insight into the Supreme Court races, see Indivisible Sequim’s updated article, Nine Seats, Five Up - Why the 2026 Washington Supreme Court Races are Worth Your Attention.
Position: Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Position 1 (Nonpartisan)
Colleen Melody, Incumbent
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Justice Colleen Melody was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court in January 2026 by Governor Bob Ferguson, bringing experience as a former career civil rights lawyer, federal clerk, and instructor at the University of Washington. Her judicial philosophy emphasizes upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional rights, and maintaining equal access to justice, particularly for vulnerable, rural, and marginalized populations. Key accomplishments include leading the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division for 11 years and co-leading Washington’s multistate lawsuit to protect access to abortion medication, as well as challenges to the federal travel ban and the effort to end birthright citizenship. As an appointed incumbent, she is backed by high-level state leadership and established legal advocacy groups. She is locally endorsed by Clallam County Democrats and Olympic Climate Action.
Candidate Profile Colleen Melody
Candidate Questionnaire Colleen Melody
Scott Edwards
Scott Edwards has worked as a tax attorney for 30 years and says this experience prepares him to be a Supreme Court justice. He is a tax partner at Ballard Spahr and has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Washington for nearly 20 years. His judicial philosophy is rooted in judicial independence, originalism, and strict statutory interpretation, maintaining that judges should apply statutes strictly as written rather than expanding them through “judicial overreach” — a restraint-oriented, textualist approach. He is recommended by the Washington State Republican Party and Let’s Go Washington and endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business Washington PAC and Concerned Taxpayers of Washington State. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Edwards for this position.
Candidate Profile Scott Edwards
Candidate Questionnaire Scott Edwards — no questionnaire submitted
Position: Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Position 3 (Nonpartisan)
Jaime Hawk
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Judge Jaime Hawk serves on the King County Superior Court and brings a background as a public defender and former civil rights attorney with the ACLU of Washington. Her judicial philosophy centers on ensuring procedural fairness, eliminating racial bias, and expanding access to justice for working-class families. Key accomplishments include leading legal strategy for the ACLU of Washington’s Campaign for Smart Justice, which worked to reform extreme sentencing and protect voting rights for incarcerated people, and seven years as an assistant federal defender. Hawk’s endorsements include Governor Bob Ferguson, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, former Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, sitting Justice Helen Whitener, and major labor organizations such as the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. She is locally endorsed by Clallam County Democrats and Olympic Climate Action.
Candidate Questionnaire Jaime Hawk
David Stevens
David Stevens is a sitting Mason County Superior Court judge and spent most of his career as a county prosecutor. His judicial philosophy favors strict constructionism, prioritizing predictable law enforcement, property rights, and limiting administrative agency deference. He is recommended by the Washington State Republican Party and Let’s Go Washington, as well as the King County and Snohomish County Republican parties. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Stevens for this position.
Candidate Profile David Stevens
Candidate Questionnaire David Stevens — no questionnaire submitted
Position: Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Position 4 (Nonpartisan)
Ian Birk
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Ian Birk brings extensive judicial and appellate experience to his candidacy, having been appointed to the Washington Court of Appeals in 2022 by former Governor Jay Inslee following decades as a civil litigator fighting corporate interests. His judicial philosophy is rooted in traditional judicial independence, equal access to justice, and a commitment to applying the law neutrally without regard to political pressure while emphasizing the real-world impacts of legal rulings on marginalized communities. Key accomplishments include authoring more than 170 opinions on the Court of Appeals, writing a decision that upheld tribal sovereignty in a salmon-habitat case, and volunteering for more than 10 years at the King County Bar Association’s free Neighborhood Legal Clinics. Birk’s most notable endorsements include major political and legal figures, including former Governor Jay Inslee, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, multiple sitting Washington State Supreme Court justices, and progressive organizations like The Stranger. Birk is also locally endorsed by Olympic Climate Action and Clallam County Democrats.
Candidate Questionnaire Ian Birk
Sean O’Donnell
Sean O’Donnell’s qualifications are anchored by more than 13 years of trial-bench experience as a King County Superior Court judge, coupled with 12 years as a senior deputy prosecutor, when he served on the Green River Task Force. His judicial philosophy centers on a pragmatic, text-first interpretation grounded directly in the written text of the Constitution, legislative statutes, and binding precedent, combined with a strong focus on judicial ethics, courtroom management, and expanding language access. O’Donnell has a broad, cross-partisan base of endorsements, led by high-profile support from sitting Washington Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener, former Governor Christine Gregoire, the Washington State Republican Party, the Seattle Times editorial board, and a coalition of more than 60 active and retired judges across the state. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend O’Donnell for this position.
Candidate Profile Sean O’Donnell
Candidate Questionnaire Sean O’Donnell
Position: Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Position 5 (Nonpartisan)
Theo Angelis, Incumbent
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Justice Theo Angelis was appointed to this position by Governor Bob Ferguson in March 2026 to fill a vacancy. His judicial philosophy stresses a pragmatic approach to constitutional interpretation, procedural neutrality, and an emphasis on administrative stability in public law. Key accomplishments include 26 years at K&L Gates leading appellate and trial teams; pro bono representation of children denied counsel, wrongfully detained veterans, and refugees; and co-authoring the white paper that served as a founding document for the World Justice Project, whose mission is to advance the rule of law worldwide. As an incumbent, Angelis holds key endorsements from mainstream legal organizations, executive branch leaders, and a wide array of active appellate judges across the state. He is endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council and is locally endorsed by State Representative Steve Tharinger (24th LD), Clallam County Democrats, and Olympic Climate Action.
Candidate Profile Theo Angelis
Candidate Questionnaire Theo Angelis — no questionnaire submitted
Dave Larson
Judge Dave Larson has served for years as a Federal Way Municipal Court judge and has extensive experience handling local trial court matters. His judicial philosophy focuses on judicial accountability, public safety, and a literal reading of statutes, arguing that the court should refrain from policymaking. He is recommended by the Washington State Republican Party and Let’s Go Washington; was endorsed for the primary by the National Federation of Independent Business Washington PAC; and is publicly supported by Bellevue City Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis. Concerned Taxpayers of Washington State has financially supported and promoted his candidacy. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Larson for this position.
Candidate Questionnaire Dave Larson — no questionnaire submitted
Position: Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Position 7 (Nonpartisan)
Debra Stephens, Incumbent
Recommended by Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force
Endorsed by Clallam County Democrats
Endorsed by Olympic Climate Action
Justice Debra Stephens has served on the Washington Supreme Court since 2008 and is seeking reelection. Her judicial philosophy focuses on modernizing court systems, safeguarding equal access to justice, and maintaining steady stare decisis to preserve stability in state legal precedent. Key accomplishments include serving as chief justice in 2020–21 and again since 2025, joining the 2018 ruling that struck down Washington’s death penalty, and leading national judicial education on science and water law. Stephens maintains support across the political spectrum, backed by current Supreme Court colleagues, statewide judicial associations, legal educators, and various civic groups. She is endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council and locally by Clallam County Democrats and Olympic Climate Action.
Candidate Profile Debra Stephens
Candidate Questionnaire Debra Stephens — no questionnaire submitted
Todd A. Bloom
Todd A. Bloom is a tax attorney, accountant, and U.S. Navy veteran who previously ran for the Supreme Court in 2024 and, as a Republican, for Congress in the 6th District in 2016 and 2022. His judicial philosophy centers on strengthening public trust, protecting the separation of powers, and enforcing strict checks on government regulations. He is endorsed by the Mason County Republican Women’s Club and recommended by the Washington State Republican Party and Let’s Go Washington. Indivisible Sequim does not recommend Bloom for this position.
Candidate Profile Todd A. Bloom
Candidate Questionnaire Todd A. Bloom — no questionnaire submitted
Position: Court of Appeals Judge, Division 2, District 2, Position 1 (Nonpartisan)
Erik D. Price, Incumbent Uncontested
Judge on the Court of Appeals since 2021 and now its acting chief judge; previously a Thurston County Superior Court judge (2012–2021) and a civil litigation attorney for 19 years. He says he is committed to “continuing to decide cases fairly and consistently with the law.”
Source: candidate statement, 2026 Clallam County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Statewide Measures
Indivisible Sequim Election Task Force Recommendations
Initiative IP26-645 — Repeal of the Income Tax on Income Over $1 Million: NO
Why: It would cut about $11.4 billion over five years from schools, health care and childcare, mainly to benefit the wealthiest taxpayers.
Initiative IL26-001 — Parental Rights in Public Schools: NO
Why: It would end immediate notice to parents when a child is a crime victim at school and could put vulnerable and LGBTQ+ students at risk.
Initiative IL26-638 — Participation in Girls’ Athletics at K-12 Schools: NO
Why: It would require medical sex verification for girls who want to play sports, to target a very small number of transgender students.
Clallam County Democrats also recommend: Vote NO on all three measures
Initiative Measure No. IP26-645: Repeal of the Income Tax on Income Over $1 Million
This initiative would repeal the 9.9% tax on individual income over $1 million that the 2026 Legislature passed, which is set to take effect in 2028. It would also prohibit any future state or local tax on individual income. Under current law, 95% of the tax’s revenue would go to the state general fund and 5% to childcare and early learning. The Office of Financial Management estimates the repeal would reduce state revenue by about $11.4 billion over fiscal years 2027–2031.
Supporters say voters, not the Legislature, should decide on an income tax. They say the repeal would keep the state from later expanding the tax to everyone. Opponents say it would cut funding for K-12 schools, higher education, health care and childcare. They also argue it mainly benefits the wealthiest taxpayers and would shift costs onto working families.
Source: 2026 Washington State Voters’ Pamphlet.
Initiative Measure No. IL26-001: Parental Rights in Public Schools
This initiative would repeal the Legislature’s 2025 changes to the state’s list of parents’ rights regarding their children’s public schooling and restore the 2024 version. It would shorten the deadline for providing records to parents from 45 days to ten business days. It would expand notice requirements for medical services and police contact, and broaden the topics parents can opt their children out of. It would also remove the 2025 provisions on enrollment, language access and special education.
Supporters say it restores parents’ right to timely information about their children, while keeping protections for children at risk. Opponents say it would end immediate notice to parents when a child is a crime victim at school. They also say it could require schools to release sensitive records to parents under investigation for abuse, and could expose LGBTQ+ students to harm by disclosing their identities to their families.
Source: 2026 Washington State Voters’ Pamphlet.
Initiative Measure No. IL26-638: Participation in Girls’ Athletics at K-12 Schools
This initiative would bar students defined as “biologically male” from competing on girls’ teams in public schools and in private schools that belong to the WIAA or similar associations. Any student seeking to compete in girls’ athletics would need a form signed by a health care provider verifying the student’s biological sex, based on reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup or normal testosterone levels. Current state rules prohibit discrimination based on sex and gender identity in school sports.
Supporters say sex-based categories ensure fair competition for female athletes. Opponents say it would require all girls who play sports, including young children, to undergo medical sex verification. They say this could discourage girls from playing, and the measure affects very few students, where decisions are better made case by case.
Source: 2026 Washington State Voters’ Pamphlet.