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Page 1

2026 Washington Conservation Action Endorsement Questionnaire

ABOUT US

Washington Conservation Action is the leading policy and political voice in Washington’s environmental community, mobilizing action for conservation and environmental justice.

The vision of Washington Conservation Action is thriving communities where people and nature grow strong together. Our mission is to strengthen our democracy, elect champions, and mobilize the public for environmental progress and justice in the Pacific Northwest. To achieve our vision and mission, Washington Conservation Action is committed to dismantling systemic racism and advancing racial equity and environmental justice in all that we do.

2026 ENDORSEMENT PROCESS

Washington Conservation Action is committed to equal opportunity and to maintaining an accessible and equitable endorsement process. Accommodations for the endorsement process are available and can be made upon request.

No one answer determines an endorsement. All answers will be weighed in our decision-making process, and all candidates will be considered.
Our process includes this questionnaire, a board interview for select positions, background research on your candidacy, as well as outreach and collaboration with community partners.
Washington Conservation Action is a non-partisan organization committed to the principals of conservation and environmental justice no matter the political party.
Once you submit all the required items, we’ll review your submission. We may follow up to ask for your availability for a video interview.

Currently WCA is only engaging the following races: WA Supreme Court Justice, State Representative, State Senator, County Councilmember, County Commissioner, City Councilperson, County Auditor and Public Utility District Commissioner.

If you are running for another position or want clarification if WCA plans to engage in your race, please contact kenzie@waconservationaction.org before filling out a questionnaire.

INSTRUCTIONS

Please complete all pages.
If you are unsure about a question, please feel welcome to consult others in your local community or contact the WCA team directly.
When you complete your application, please press the "submit " button at the bottom of the page. You should immediately receive an email acknowledging the submission of your application.

PLEASE NOTE: Emailed questionnaires will not be considered. PRESS SUBMIT WHEN FINISHED. Questionnaires cannot be processed if you do not complete this step. If you do not receive a confirmation email upon submission contact kenzie@waconservationaction.com

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

First Name

Last name

Pronouns

Email- Campaign

E-mail - Personal (or best point of contact after campaign)

Phone

Campaign Information

Political Party (if running for a partisan position)

Campaign Website

Consultant

Consultant Phone

Campaign Manager

Campaign Manager E-mail

Campaign Mailing Address

Campaign Manager Phone

Treasurer

Campaign Tax ID Number

Treasurer Phone

Please list the full and exact position you are running for (Ex. State Representative, 22nd LD, Position 1)

Upload a resume

Demographics and Identity

The following questions are used internally at WCA and for accurate reporting to our national affiliate League of Conservation Voters (LCV) on candidates we endorse. No candidate is given or denied an endorsement based on any answer in this section.

Do you identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or person of color?)

YesNo

If you identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, please list your tribal affiliation.

Do you identify as LGBTQ+?

YesNo

Which of the following best describes your gender?

Are you a U.S. veteran?

YesNo

Please proceed to page 2

Page 2

OFFICE

Please read the following questions carefully and answer as appropriate. The answers to these questions load the correct questionnaire for your race. If you have questions, please contact tony@waconservationaction.org

Have you been previously endorsed by Washington Conservation Action (previously Washington Conservation Voters) for a past candidacy?

YesNo

Are you an incumbent running for re-election (ex. current State Rep running for State Rep, current City Councilmember running for City Councilmember) OR a current State Representative running for State Senator?

YesNo

What office are you running for in 2026?

If you are running for a different position, please contact tony@waconservationaction.org prior to filling out a questionnaire.

PREVIOUSLY ENDORSED ELECTEDS 1.01

The climate crisis threatens communities across the state with more intense flooding, harsh drought conditions, deadlier wildfires, and dangerous air pollution that causes or exacerbates health conditions and shortens life expectancy. Meanwhile, our state's habitats and ecosystems continue to be degraded, losing more than 20,000 acres of forest and riparian lands across the state each year due to land use policies that promote sprawl, degrade habitat, and increase costs of restoration in the future. At the federal level, Trump and the EPA repealed the “Endangerment Finding” which removes the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and weakening protections for public health, the climate, and the economy.

We rely on elected leaders who are committed to taking bold action year after year to tackle environmental issues people face today and build a sustainable future for the next generation of Washingtonians.

1. What specific environmental justice achievements have you made in the last 2 years? (e.g. passing legislation, securing funding, funding studies or workgroups.)

2. Environmental justice is critical for environmental progress. How do you seek to improve the lives of BIPOC people, uphold tribal sovereignty, and protect heavily impacted communities from environmental harm?

3. What bold environmental actions are you planning to work on in the next term? Please be specific to the extent you are able. (Examples may include policies related to clean energy, climate action, salmon recovery, forest conservation, toxics, housing, transportation, democracy etc.)

4. What distinguishes you from your opponent(s) – particularly if you have any of the same party – and what’s your strategy to win?

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES ONLY

The following questions are regarding the 2026 legislative session and are required for all State Representative and State Senate candidates only.

5. In the new budget, the legislature tapped $546 million from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to help address the state funding shortfall with a promise to pay it back in the 2027-29 budget. Will you work to ensure the legislature follows through on this promise to restore funding and prioritize investments in reducing climate pollution?

6. The Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act (HB 1607) was an environmental community priority in 2026. It failed to pass but it is likely to be a priority during the 2027 legislative session. Will you support its passage in 2027?

7. Data center development is driving the largest increase in electricity demand in the United States in nearly twenty years. Ratepayers bear the risk through higher energy costs and footing the bill for infrastructure costs to support these large energy load facilities. Data centers also require large amounts of water and their pollution footprint are often hidden from the public. HB 2515 was an environmental community priority designed to address these, and other issues associated with rapid data center development. Unfortunately, it failed to pass in 2026 but this issue is not going away and will be a major topic for the 2027 legislature. Will you support passing this bill in 2027?

LEGISLATIVE, LOCAL, PUD 1.02

CAMPAIGN

1. Please describe what has motivated you to run for and serve in public office. What issues, individuals, or circumstances have inspired you?

2. Describe any campaign training or experience you have had that will help you run an effective campaign.

3. What is your win number (number of votes you need to win your race) in the primary election and general election? Please include the total number of voters expected to turnout.

4. What communities, groups or population segments make up your base of support? Why do you consider them your base?

POLICY

Leaders and decisionmakers play an integral role in strong environmental stewardship. Environmental decisions affect public health and safety, jobs, and costs for current and future generations. The climate crisis threatens communities across the state with more intense flooding, harsh drought conditions, deadlier wildfires, and dangerous air pollution that causes or exacerbates health conditions and shortens life expectancy. Meanwhile, our state's habitats and ecosystems continue to be degraded, losing more than 20,000 acres of forest and riparian lands across the state each year due to land use policies that promote sprawl, degrade habitat, and increase costs of restoration in the future. At the federal level, Trump and the EPA repealed the “Endangerment Finding” which removes the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions and weakening protections for public health, the climate, and the economy.

We rely on elected leaders who are committed to taking bold action year after year to tackle environmental issues people face today and build a sustainable future for the next generation of Washingtonians.

5. Describe the top three issues you are focusing your campaign on. Have you taken any proactive steps to help move those issues forward?

6. We look to endorse candidates who demonstrate a strong connection to environmental justice. What are the environmental justice issues that your community faces? As an elected official, how would you ensure impacted communities have meaningful input in policymaking/implementation?

7. Once elected, how will you work to reduce toxic pollution and modernize sewage and stormwater treatment to provide clean water and healthy habitat for people, salmon, and wildlife? How will you provide leadership for your community on these issues?

8. More and more communities are grappling with the impacts of climate change, and state and local governments are facing increasing costs because of the climate crisis. Please describe the challenges Washington and your district/jurisdiction faces as climate change unfolds and what priorities you have with respect to reducing harmful greenhouse gases and decarbonizing our economy.

9. How will you use your position as an elected official to uphold Tribal Sovereignty and prioritize meaningful consultation in government-to-government relationships?

10. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages 2 million acres of state trust lands with a mandate to provide benefits to both trust beneficiaries and the public, while also balancing regulations and Tribal treaty obligations. How should DNR balance tradeoffs between economic, ecological, and social values, and what opportunities (e.g., carbon markets) do you see to support win/win outcomes?

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES ONLY

The following questions are regarding the 2026 legislative session and are required for all State Representative and State Senate candidates only.

11. In the new budget, the legislature tapped $546 million from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to help address the state funding shortfall with a promise to pay it back in the 2027-29 budget. Will you work to ensure the legislature follows through on this promise to restore funding and prioritize investments in reducing climate pollution?

12. The Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act (HB 1607) was an environmental community priority in 2026. It failed to pass but it is likely to be a priority during the 2027 legislative session. Will you support its passage in 2027?

13. Data center development is driving the largest increase in electricity demand in the United States in nearly twenty years. Ratepayers bear the risk through higher energy costs and footing the bill for infrastructure costs to support these large energy load facilities. Data centers also require large amounts of water and their pollution footprint are often hidden from the public. HB 2515 was an environmental community priority designed to address these, and other issues associated with rapid data center development. Unfortunately, it failed to pass in 2026 but this issue is not going away and will be a major topic for the 2027 legislature. Will you support passing this bill in 2027?

COUNTY AUDITOR 1.03

We understand that the role of an auditor is multi-faceted with many various functions, however, primarily concerned with the auditor’s role in administering and democratizing our elections. This year in particular it is crucial that we elect leaders committed to protecting and advancing Washington’s accessible, free, and fair elections as we face federal attacks on our democracy.

CAMPAIGN

1. Please describe what has motivated you to run for and serve in public office. What issues, individuals, or circumstances have inspired you?

2. Describe any campaign training or experience you have had that will help you run an effective campaign.

3. What is your win number (number of votes you need to win your race) in the primary election and general election? Please include the total number of voters expected to turnout.

4. What communities, groups or population segments make up your base of support? Why do you consider them your base?

SPECTRUM QUESTIONS

Indicate your level of agreement on the following questions.

	Strong Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
5. Jurisdictions should have the ability to move their local elections from odd-years to even-years to increase voter turnout.
6. Every citizen should have easy access to vote in every election.
7. President Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election in a free and fair election.
8. Washington’s universal vote-by-mail (VBM) system is secure and effective.

POLICY

Washington Conservation Action has a diverse range of programmatic work including our democracy and voting justice efforts. Our goal is to advance environmental progress and democracy by building political power through grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and strategic electoral action. This year in particular it is crucial that we elect leaders committed to protecting and advancing Washington’s accessible, free, and fair elections as we face federal attacks on our democracy.

9. Describe the top three issues you are focusing your campaign on. Have you taken any proactive steps to help move those issues forward?

10. Voter turnout in Washington reached an all-time low in 2023 with 36% turnout in the November General Election. What are the current challenges you see in voter registration and turnout and how do you specifically plan to address it as auditor?

11. In 2027, Seattle will become the first jurisdiction in Washington to use ranked-choice voting (RCV). What is your position on ranked-choice voting and how have you sought to educate yourself on this and other voting reform measures?

SUPREME COURT 1.04

RECORD

1. Why are you seeking election / re-election to a judicial position? What specific experiences and accomplishments in your life (both personal and professional) that you believe enhance your qualifications to serve as a Judge or Justice?

2. Please attach your resume or curriculum vitae. If not, please describe in detail your professional legal background, including your education, places of employment, specific clients, and specific areas of legal expertise.

Edit this text

3. Have you ever held public office other than a judicial office, or have you previously been a candidate for any public or judicial office? If so, please provide all relevant details (office, location, years held, etc.)

4. Please describe any work that you have done for environmental justice, racial equity, and/ or social justice related organizations.

5. Please list all bar associations, professional organizations, clubs, societies, etc.., of which you have been or are currently an active member, both legal and non-legal. Please include any positions of leadership held in the organizations identified, as well as your membership on any notable committees or subcommittees.

6. Please list any and all ratings you have received from state or local bar associations or groups. If you are not seeking or requesting any ratings, or if you have received a rating that you disagree with, please explain why.

7. Have you ever been the subject of a complaint to any bar association, disciplinary committee, court, administrative agency or other professional group, or have you been disciplined or cited for breach of ethics or unprofessional conduct? If so, please provide the relevant details.

ISSUES

8. What was the most important case you have had as a lawyer? Please describe the specific position that you argued in that case and why you pursued that position. Please also describe how that case and the result affected your professional career as an attorney and your decision to be a candidate for judicial office.

9. What do you perceive as the greatest obstacles to providing all citizens with equal access to justice? What can be done to provide wider and better access?

10. Please describe one instance in which you faced an ethical dilemma and how you resolved it.

11. What are your views on how the judicial system as a whole deals with racial and gender bias? What specific solutions do you believe would address this bias and discrimination?

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