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2007
Elected Candidates
2007 was another great year for Progressive Majority candidates - in all, Progressive Majority elected 74 candidates and flipped 13 local governments in 2007.
In the Spring elections in Wisconsin, 12 progressive majority candidates won and the Oshkosh City Council was flipped to a progressive majority. In Fort Collins, Colorado, Lisa Poppaw won by 58 votes to swing the Fort Collins City Council to a progressive majority. And in Inglewood, California, progressives took over the City Council in a runoff election.
In the fall, Progressive Majority finished the year strong as 55 of our recruits won their elections. We elected the first ever African American Sheriff ever in Washington state. We flipped the Fort Collins, Lakewood, and Longmont City Councils (Colorado); beat the conservatives in their stronghold of Maplewood, Minnesota; and helped progressives make key pick-ups in Arizona and California.
Melvin Carter III
Elected to St. Paul City Council - Ward 1 (Challenger)
Melvin Carter is a 28 year old, African American, lifetime resident of Saint Paul with a background in community and electoral organizing; most recently, he worked on the Policy Outreach Team in the office of Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Melvin won his 2007 election against a Chamber of Commerce-endorsed one-term incumbent, Debbie Montgomery. Melvin's election has shifted the St. Paul City Council from a moderate Council to a progressive Council. Melvin is a dynamic leader with the potential to make a difference in St. Paul.
Mike Cooper
Elected to Snohomish County Council - District 3 (Open Seat)
Mike Cooper is a Democrat on the Snohomish County Council. Mike recently retired as a Lieutenant from the Shoreline Fire District and is also a former State Representative from Washington's 21st legislative district. He is a union member with the International Association of Firefighters (Local 1760). He has been recognized as the 1999 Maritime Elected Official of the Year, 1999 Washington State Labor Council Legislator of the Year, and 2003 Inland Boatman's Union Legislator of the Year. In 2005 we elected Progressive Majority candidate Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Somers; Mike's election, along with Brian Sullivan's, means that the Snohomish County Council will have a progressive majority.
Marilyn Strickland
Elected to Tacoma City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Marilyn Strickland is a member of the Tacoma City Council. Marilyn is the Development Officer for the Tacoma Public Library, focusing on advocacy, fundraising, and community outreach. Born in Seoul, South Korea, her parents moved to Tacoma when her father was stationed at Fort Lewis forty years ago. She believes that education and literacy should be at the top of Tacoma's civic agenda. A graduate of the University of Washington, Marilyn earned an MBA from Clark-Atlanta University. She has worked in both public and private sectors, holding marketing positions with the American Cancer Society and Starbucks Coffee Company. Her community service and volunteer activities include the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees, the Grand Cinema Board of Directors, the Tacoma Pierce-County Black Collective, and the Elizabeth Wesley Youth Scholarship Program. She is currently the only person of color elected to the local school board, city council, or county government.
Brian Sullivan
Elected to Snohomish County Council - District 2 (Open Seat)
Brian Sullivan a member of the Snohomish County Council. Brian has built a career for himself in public service. A former small business owner, Brian was elected to the Mukilteo City Council and then mayor, then to the state legislature. For his leadership, Brian was named an honorary lifetime member of the Mukilteo Firefighters as well as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Aerospace Machinists Union in 2005. In 2005, we elected Progressive Majority candidate Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Somers; Brian's election, along with Mike Cooper, means that the Snohomish County Council will have a progressive majority.
Gael Tarleton
Elected to Seattle Port Commission - Position 2 (Challenger)
Gael Tarleton is a member of the non-partisan Seattle Port Commission. She has a background in intelligence, having worked as a Senior Analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency - a job which makes her immensely qualified for the office of Seattle Port Commission, with port security an increasing concern. She most recently worked at the University of Washington, becoming the first ever Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for the College of Arts and Sciences. She is deeply concerned about the environmental issues facing the port as well as the security problems that the Port faces.
Lisa Poppaw
Elected to Fort Collins City Council - District 2 (Open Seat)
Lisa Poppaw is a community leader who started a neighborhood watch organization that reduced break-in and auto theft levels. She is a nonprofit grant writer, member of the Fort Collins Human Rights Commission, a local columnist, and the Parent Teacher Organization President. Lisa won her race for District 2 on the Fort Collins City Council - the most competitive seat of three seats in the April 3, 2007 municipal election. Her victory switched the balance of power on the Fort Collins City Council from conservative to progressive.
Jessica King
Elected to Oshkosh City Council (Challenger)
Jessica King won her election to the Oshkosh City Council in 2007, and has been a member of our farm team since 2005. She recently completed an intense, eight-month leadership development program for women. Jessica is an attorney and active on numerous community boards.
Marie Lopez Rogers
Elected to Mayor of Avondale (Incumbent)
Marie Lopez Rogers is the Mayor of Avondale. She was appointed Mayor in January 2006, has lived in the district for 50 of her 57 years, and is a former member of CWA. She won reelection in 2007. Marie is a strong progressive, and she is the key to halting or slowing legislation from a city council that is dominated by conservatives.
Avondale was previously an agricultural town that is rapidly growing with scores of subdivisions along Interstate-10 west of Phoenix. It also includes Phoenix International Race Way that attracts tens of thousands of people to NASCAR races. Marie wants to preserve the quality of life in Avondale by working for safer streets and neighborhoods, providing efficient cost-effective city services, and ensuring a vital economy through an appropriate balance of residential, commercial, and recreational development.
John Williams
Elected to Surprise City Council - District 3 (Challenger)
John is a member of the Surprise City Council, District 3. He is a high school teacher, husband, father of three, and member of the Peoria Education Association. This is a rapidly growing city whose previous Council's actions were very controversial on a number of issues. John wants to bring quality jobs to Surprise so people can live and work there. In addition, he hopes to attract health care facilities to the town. John wants Surprise to be a city with services and opportunities where the children being raised there now will ultimately to able to live and raise their children.
Danny Tabor
Elected to Inglewood City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)
Danny Tabor is a Councilman in the Inglewood City Council, First District. Inglewood is a large community in South Bay. He is an organizer with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, a community organization closely tied to labor that focuses on issues of economic justice.
Ralph Franklin
Elected to Inglewood City Council - District 4 (Incumbent)
Ralph Franklin is in his second term representing the Inglewood City Council, Fourth District. Inglewood is a major city in Los Angeles County. A retired member of UFCW Local 770, Ralph defeated the previous incumbent in a hard fought and expensive battle. Ralph has been a leader in opposing the construction of a Wal-Mart in Inglewood and authored anti-''Big Box'' store legislation.
Rick Hutcheson
Elected to Palm Springs City Council - At Large (Incumbent)
Rick Hutcheson was a first-time candidate when he ran for Palm Springs City Council in 2007. He is openly gay, and a former Staff Secretary in the Carter administration. Rick's election has ensured that we will maintain progressive strength here for years.
Pete Aguilar
Elected to Redlands City Council - At Large (Incumbent)
Pete Aguilar is a 28-year old, Latino city councilor in the city of Redlands, located within San Bernardino County. Pete was appointed to an open seat on the city council, and won his first election to the office in 2007. He has been involved for years in Democratic campaigns throughout the county.
Rikke Van Johnson
Elected to San Bernardino City Council - Ward 6 (Incumbent)
Councilman Rikke Van Johnson is a City Councilman representing the 6th Ward in the city of San Bernardino. In 2003, he defeated the Republican incumbent, Betty Dean Anderson, who is attempting to win back her seat. In 2007, Rikke successfully defended his seat in a rematch against Anderson. The 4-3 majority Republicans hold makes Rikke's seat a vital bulwark against conservative attack.
Pat Quinn
Elected to Mayor of Broomfield (Open Seat)
Pat Quinn is the Mayor of Broomfield. Pat is also a small business owner and community leader who has lived in the area for 25 years. Pat resides in House District 33, where we helped elect Democrat Dianne Primavera to the State House in 2006. Pat's 2007 victory brings a progressive mayor to the city of Broomfield.
Jacob Smith
Elected to Mayor of Golden (Open Seat)
Jacob Smith is the Mayor of Golden, Colorado in Jefferson County. Jacob served on Golden City Council from 2005 until his 2007 election to mayor. Jacob is Progressive Majority's first down-ballot candidate in Colorado or the country who is moving up from city council to Mayor.
Bob Murphy
Elected to Mayor of Lakewood (Open Seat)
Bob Murphy is Mayor of Lakewood. Before his election to Mayor in 2007, Bob served as the Ward 2 Councilmember and is also the city council president. Bob is the owner of a food brokerage business called Gourmet Marketing and he has long been a leader in the Lakewood community.
Eric Drummond
Elected to Mayor of Manitou Springs (Challenger)
Eric Drummond was a first time candidate when he was elected Mayor of Manitou Springs in the fall of 2007. Eric is an African American attorney and a former Carpenters Union member. Since moving to Colorado four years ago, Eric has been involved with his community - particularly regarding environmental justice and open space issues. In May of 2007, Eric was appointed to the Manitou Springs City Council to replace outgoing Mark Morland. Our former endorsed candidate Liz Feder, who successfully ran for Manitou Springs city Council in 2005, referred Eric to Progressive Majority
Angelique Espinoza
Elected to Boulder City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Angelique Espinoza is a Latina member of Boulder City Council. Angelique is a small business owner, a mother, and Chair of the Boulder County Democrats Affirmative Action committee. Boulder City Council is fairly Democratic, but not always a progressive council, especially towards people from communities of color. Angelique is currently the only Latina councilmember.
Kevin Jacobs
Elected to Broomfield City Council - Ward 3 (Open Seat)
Kevin Jacobs is a member of the Broomfield City Council from Ward Three. Kevin is a fifth generation Coloradoan, and he serves on the Colorado Common Cause Board of Directors. He works as the Human Resources Director at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and has broad experience managing people and budgets.
Paul Lopez
Elected to Denver City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)
Paul Lopez is an SEIU organizer who defines the phrase ''community organizer.'' Paul was born and raised in District 3, where he has worked in the community since he was 13 years old (starting out as a dishwasher). He has spent his entire life improving the lives of people who live in West Denver through his work with multiple organizations and initiatives. Paul adds youth, diversity, and passion to the council and will serve the 3rd District well.
Chris Nevitt
Elected to Denver City Council - District 7 (Open Seat)
Chris Nevitt works tirelessly to promote healthy neighborhoods and responsible re-development. Chris understands and lives the commitment to public service. His parents were in the United States Foreign Service and he grew up understanding that representing America overseas was not just a job, but a way of life. He learned the value of hard work, commitment to ideals, passion to learn, and contribution to community. He is a lifelong, committed progressive who is a strong advocate for labor union issues and brings a progressive voice on the Denver City Council.
David Roy
Elected to Fort Collins City Council - District 6 (Incumbent)
David Roy is a lifelong retail and office supply manager and an avid environmentalist. He has been involved in numerous campaigns and issues, including the protection of the Poudre River. David's major goals include creating more public transportation, redeveloping the Foothills Mall, and expanding the clean energy cluster to stimulate the local economy. He was appointed to fill this seat in 2002 and won the election in 2003 by a margin of 63%-27%. David's 2007 victory has assured a progressive majority on the Fort Collins City Council.
Russ Arensman
Elected to Glenwood Springs City Council - District 2 (Open Seat)
Russ Arensman is a member of the Glenwood Springs City Council, from District 2. Russ has lived in Colorado for 35 years, and was a member of the Glenwood Springs planning and zoning commission as well as a member of the city's energy efficiency commission. Russ has also served on the school board's accountability commission and is a senior technical writer for a public relations firm. Glenwood Springs is in Garfield County, a top tier for two County Commissioner races in 2008, where we hope to gain a power shift.
Karen Kellen
Elected to Lakewood City Council - Ward 1 (Open Seat)
Karen Kellen won her 2007 election to Lakewood City Council, where she narrowly lost in 2005. Karen is a lawyer with the EPA and serves on the Lakewood Diversity Commission as a GLBT community representative. Karen's election places a strong environmental and GLBT advocate on the City Council, and makes Lakewood a progressive controlled city council.
Cindy Baroway
Elected to Lakewood City Council - Ward 2 (Open Seat)
Cindy Baroway is a member of the Lakewood City Council in Ward 2. Cindy has sold insurance for over 20 years and has been active in the community through Junior Achievement. She is Japanese-American, and will bring much-needed diversity to the Lakewood Council. Because of Karen Kellen and Tom Quinn, two other Progressive Majority-endorsed candidates, Lakewood now has a progressive-controlled Council.
Tom Quinn
Elected to Lakewood City Council - Ward 5 (Incumbent)
Tom Quinn is a member of the Lakewood City Council in Ward Five. Tom is a college professor and a labor and employment lawyer who has been active in numerous community organizations such as the Lakewood Planning Commission, and the Colorado Irish Festival. Tom is a long-time environmental advocate, and he is a past President of his Colorado Sierra Club chapter. Because of Karen Kellen and Cindy Baroway, two other Progressive Majority-endorsed candidates, Lakewood now has a progressive-controlled Council.
Sean McCoy
Elected to Longmont City Council - Ward 3 (Open Seat)
Sean McCoy is a member of the Longmont City Council, representing Ward 3. Before his 2007 election victory, Sean was a first time candidate and local teacher and an active member of the Boulder Valley Education Association. His father was on the Longmont City Council for nearly 30 years.
Eva Henry
Elected to Thornton City Council - Ward 2 (Challenger)
Eva Henry is a member of the Thornton City Council, Ward Two in Adams County. Eva is a long-time community activist, born and raised in the city of Thornton. Eva's victory means a more progressive, Democratic majority on the Thornton City Council.
Faith Winter
Elected to Westminster City Council - City-wide (Open Seat)
Faith Winter is a member of the Westminster City Council. Faith is also the National Field Director for The White House Project and has been active in promoting women to run for office for three years. Faith will be a powerful progressive voice on the Westminster City Council, especially on Wal-Mart land transaction issues.
Jan Tanner
Elected to Colorado District 11 School Board (Incumbent)
Jan has been the Executive Officer of the family business in Colorado Springs for 19 years. She served as PTA State Secretary, and she founded the Alliance for Quality Public Schools, a citizen activist organization. In 2005, Progressive Majority partnered with Jared Polis and the Colorado Education Association to create a power shift on a District 11 School Board that had long been dominated by conservatives.
Tom Strand
Elected to Colorado District 11 School Board (Incumbent)
Tom is a progressive lawyer and retired Colonel in the United States Air Force. In 2005, Progressive Majority partnered with Jared Polis and the Colorado Education Association to create a power shift on a District 11 School Board that had long been dominated by conservatives.
John Nephew
Elected to Maplewood City Council - At Large (Challenger)
John Nephew is a small business owner and member of the Maplewood City Council. John is a lifetime resident of Minnesota and has lived in Maplewood for six years. John has participated in Maplewoodvoices.com (a local blog that addresses the city of Maplewood's problems) and before his election, frequently attended City Council meetings as a citizen to voice his concerns over the mismanagement of the city. John's election shifts the Maplewood City Council from a conservative to a progressive Council. John is committed to returning pride to the city of Maplewood, delivering on promises of fiscal responsibility and restoring good government to the city.
Kim Ross
Elected to Eden Prairie School Board - At Large (Open Seat)
Kim Ross is a member of the Eden Prairie School Board. She is a lifetime resident of Minnesota, has lived in Eden Prairie for 13 years, and has a six year old daughter. Kim is a marketing consultant, with a background in information technology and communications. Kim serves on the Citizens for Eden Prairie Schools and has been a tireless advocate for K-12 Education, lobbying at the legislature on behalf of her community. Kim's election to the Eden Prairie School Board maintains a strong progressive majority, and prevents a shift to a conservative board. Eden Prairie is located in Western Hennepin County and is a conservative-leaning area, but local electoral successes like Kim's will help bolster the district's progressive base and build a bench of future leaders.
Janet Glover
Elected to Monticello School Board - At Large (Open Seat)
Janet Glover is a union member and school board representative in Monticello (Wright County), MN. Janet has lived in Monticello for six years and in Minnesota for over 30. She is a former AFSCME Council 65 member, former president of her local chapter, a current member of MAPE (Minnesota Association of Professional Employees), and very active on the Wright County Labor Council.
Pam Rykken
Elected to St. Louis Park School Board - At Large (Open Seat)
Pam Rykken is a lifetime resident of Minnesota, has lived in St. Louis Park for 41 years, and was a first time candidate for St. Louis Park School Board before her 2007 victory. Pam is a fitness instructor and has been very involved in the Democratic Party serving on the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Education Foundation and as a volunteer on a variety of political campaigns. Most recently Pam joined Secretary of State Mark Ritchie's campaign staff. While St. Louis Park is a strong Democratic district, Republicans are often elected to the non-partisan city council and school board. Winning this race helps to strengthen the progressives in this suburb and build the bench for future legislative races. In addition, Pam is a strong, confident candidate with deep connections in her community. With enrollment declining and talks of additional school closings in the St. Louis Park School District, Pam is committed to addressing the tough problems in her community with creative and realistic solutions.
Kathi Cozzone
Elected to Chester County Board of Commissioners - At Large (Open Seat)
Kathi Cozzone is a Chester County Commissioner. Kathi brings extensive background in financial management and planning to the Board of Commissioners, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility for county operations. Kathi ran for County Controller in 2005, and narrowly lost in an open seat race. She won election to the County Commission in 2007.
Joe Hoeffel
Elected to Montgomery County Commissioner (Challenger)
Joe Hoeffel, Attorney, former State Representative, Commissioner, Congressman and 2004 Candidate for Pennsylvania Senate, was recruited by the Montgomery County Democratic Committee to run for Montgomery County Commissioner. Joe was previously County Commissioner from 1992-1998, before running successfully for Congress 13th District in 1998. Now he begins his fight again as the minority member on a Republican Commission.
Lamont McClure, Jr.
Elected to Northampton County Council - District 3 (Incumbent)
Lamont McClure, Jr. has been a member of the Northampton County Council since his appointment in 2006, and in 2007 he won a four-year term. Since his appointment to Council, Lamont has been a tireless advocate for open and green space and farmland preservation. A practicing attorney, Lamont represents members of the United Steelworkers of America as well as the Ironworkers, Teamsters, Operating Engineers, Steamfitters, Electricians, and Carpenters.
William Reynolds
Elected to Bethlehem City Council - At Large (Challenger)
At age 25, J. William Reynolds secured one of three Democratic spots of four candidates running for three at-large seats for Bethlehem City Council. In an upset victory in the primary in May 2008, William defeated an incumbent. He went on to win in the general election, becoming the youngest city official in the history of Bethlehem.
William is a legislative aide to State Representative Steve Samuelson, is a life long resident of Bethlehem, and a proud product of the Bethlehem Area School District.
During his first term, William will focus on the issues of open city government, crime in Bethlehem, the impending redevelopment of Bethworks, and the issue of economic revitalization.
Jason Salus
Elected to Conshohocken Borough Council - Ward 1 (Challenger)
Jason Salus represents Conshohocken in the Council's 1st Ward. Currently a Director of Real Estate Development for a non-profit organization that helps working families purchase first time homes, Jason is a volunteer member of his local Conshohocken Planning Commission. With an M.B.A. from Temple and a B.S. in Finance from Penn State, Jason has the skills to manage a township budget in spite of his young age of 29. Jason is a strong supporter of labor and teachers' unions.
Jessie Cocks
Elected to Kennett Square Borough Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Jessie Cocks has been an activist all her life. She has personally been arrested for protesting against homelessness and nuclear proliferation in the 1980's. In the late 1970's she co-founded and directed the Women's Resource Center (currently known as the Domestic Violence Center) for battered and abused women and children. Jessie is a Reiki Healer and performs with a troop of GLBT Women called Playback For Change. Jesse is currently the Chair of the Kennett Square Democratic Committee and a committee person for her precinct. Jessie's strength as a mediator in conflict resolution will assist in bringing harmony back to a contentious environment on the council.
Heather Arnet
Elected to Pittsburgh School Board of Directors - District 2 (Open Seat)
Heather Arnet is a member of the Pittsburgh School Board of Directors, District 2. Heather is Executive Director of the Women and Girls Foundation (WGF) and is the Regional Vice President of the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund Board of Directors. Heather spearheaded the WGF's effort to pursue legislation at the city, county, and state levels for fair representation for women and people of color on Pennsylvania's appointed boards, authorities and commissions. As Progressive Majority works in Allegheny County to recruit new candidates and progressive leaders, Heather will be an asset as a progressive advocate.
John Lovick
Elected to Snohomish County Sheriff (Open Seat)
John Lovick is the Snohomish County Sheriff. Recently retired after 31-years with the Washington State Patrol, Sgt. Lovick was named the ''Trooper of the Year'' and holds many awards for his service. John is a union member with the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association. From 1999 until his election to Sheriff, John served in the Washington State House of Representatives, rising to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore. From 1994-1999, he served on the Mill Creek City Council, two of those years as Mayor. John is one of only three people of color currently elected at the county level in Washington state and the only one outside of King County. In addition, he is first person of color in Washington state to serve as an elected sheriff.
Steve Oliver
Elected to Whatcom County Treasurer (Open Seat)
Steve Oliver is the Whatcom County Treasurer. Steve has served two terms on Ferndale's City Council including his current position as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a former member of Teamsters Local 231, previously served on the Ferndale Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments serves as Board President of the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club, and represents small cities on the Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence. Steve has worked in the Treasurer's office since 1998 and was appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer in 1999. He won election to County Treasurer in 2007.
Bob Kelly
Elected to Whatcom County Council - District 1 - Position B (Open Seat)
Bob Kelly is a Whatcom County Councilman. He is a member of the Nooksack Tribe in Northern Western Washington. Bob first became interested in politics with his work on salmon recovery issues as Natural Resources Director with the Nooksack. He is also heavily involved in his community, serving as treasurer with the NW Indian Fish Commission, which is comprised of 20 tribes. He is not only the first Native American to serve on the Whatcom County Council, but also the first Native American to hold County office in Washington State.
Ramona Fonseca
Elected to Mayor of Granger (Challenger)
Ramona Fonseca is the Mayor of Granger, a small town in the Yakima Valley. A retired state employee and activist, Ramona ran for office for several reasons. Granger has a heavy Latino/a population (86%), yet before her election, this overwhelming majority was not reflected in city government. After years of pressuring the city council and mayor to respond to citizen's request for information, Ramona decided a change was needed; she won her election to Mayor in 2007.
Barry Peters
Elected to Bainbridge Island City Council - Position 1 (Open Seat)
Barry Peters is a member of the non-partisan Bainbridge Island City Council. Barry is cofounder and president of the non-profit Sustainable Bainbridge and co-chairman of Bainbridge Conservation Voters. Barry received a bachelor's degree in public and international affairs from Princeton University and attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania. Barry ran on a ''clean campaign pledge'' and only accepted contributions of $100 or less.
Hilary Franz
Elected to Bainbridge Island City Council - Position 2 (Open Seat)
Hilary Franz is a member of the Bainbridge Island City Council. She is an accomplished environmental land-use lawyer, with ten years experience working with local governments, non-profit organizations and community groups on land use and environmental issues. She is a board member for the Washington Environmental Council and Bainbridge Island Trust for Working Landscapes, and she has been endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters and the 23rd District Democrats.
Laurie Carter
Elected to Bonney Lake City Council - Ward 3 (Open Seat)
Laurie is a member of the non-partisan Bonney Lake City Council. A member of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3937, Dist. 11, she has worked in public service for 16 years, working to administer federally-regulated social security programs in Washington. In 2005, she was appointed to the Bonney Lake Park Board, and served as the Executive Director of the non-profit ''Beautify Bonney Lake,'' a partnership of citizens, commerce and government to enhance the beauty of the city. For her efforts she received the 2007 Community Impact Award. Her family has lived in the downtown area for 10 years and in the greater Bonney Lake area since 1986. She supports a walking downtown that will invite families to shop downtown and allow the current businesses to remain and thrive in a revitalized downtown.
Joshua Schaer
Elected to Issaquah City Council - Position 4 (Open Seat)
Joshua Schaer is a member of the non-partisan Issaquah City Council, Position 4. Joshua is a defense attorney of six years' experience. Since 1996, Joshua has been an elected precinct committee officer of his local district Democratic organization. Joshua's experience includes being qualified to serve as a Judge Pro Tempore in King County, and serving on the Eastside Transit Sounding Board. Joshua's 2007 election was crucial to start building a Progressive Majority on the Issaquah city council, which is currently controlled by four conservatives; the other three seats are moderates.
Suzanne Quigley
Elected to Lake Stevens City Council - Position 5 (Open Seat)
Suzanne Quigley is a member of the non-partisan Lake Stevens City Council. Suzanne was appointed to the seat after the incumbent resigned, and won her first election to the post in 2007. Suzanne holds a Ph.D. in hearing sciences and had a successful career directing a pediatric and adult cochlear implant program. Now a homemaker, she is very involved in her community, serving on the Lake Stevens Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, as President of the Lake Stevens Concerned Citizens and on the Board of Trustees of the Listen & Talk School. She is married to former State Senator (and former Congressional Candidate) Kevin Quigley.
Bruce Bassett
Elected to Mercer Island City Council - Position 5 (Open Seat)
Bruce Bassett is a member of the non-partisan Mercer Island City Council. Bruce currently serves on the Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust Board and is Treasurer for the Mercer Island Soccer Association. After a career that included 10 years as founder and CEO of a small high tech company, he wants to devote time to addressing pressing local issues.
Rebecca Francik
Elected to Pasco City Council - Position 5 (Incumbent)
Rebecca Francik is a member of the non-partisan Pasco City Council, on which she has been serving for 11 years. She is a librarian and teacher in the Pasco School District. She is also a union member with the Washington Education Association. During her time on the council she has worked to both conserve water in the Columbia River and recruit more large-scale employers to Pasco. She is one of a few progressive leaders in elected office in Eastern Washington.
Mia Gregerson
Elected to SeaTac City Council - Position 7 (Open Seat)
Mia Gregerson is a member of the SeaTac City Council. Mia is a third generation resident of the SeaTac community. She lives with her husband, Scott, and their daughter. She is very involved in the community by working with and coaching young athletes through Special Olympics and volunteers for the SmileMobile, which provides dental services for the poor. Professionally, she works as a surgical assistant. While the community is highly minority (40% people of color, heavy concentrations of Asians, Hispanics and African-Americans), she is the only person of color on the seven-member city council. She will also bring a fresh perspective as a young person to the council.
Terry Scott
Elected to Shoreline City Council - Position 6 (Challenger)
Terry Scott is a member of the non-partisan Shoreline City Council. He currently serves as a University of Washington faculty member in the School of Medicine. In 2006, he was chosen to be a member, and then was elected Vice-chair of the City of Shoreline's Citizen's Housing Committee, which is currently making suggestions to the City Council on issues such as housing affordability and housing choices for area residents. Terry has lived in Shoreline with his wife Lyanne and their four children for almost a decade. He is a former president of the Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants, and has served on various committees at the local and national level, such as the UW Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine Curriculum Committee, and the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants Health Policy Council. As a Physician Assistant in family practice, Terry has been active in advocating for patient access to care, and health care issues and concerns.
Richard Rush
Elected to Spokane City Council - Position 1 (Challenger)
Richard Rush is a member of the non-partisan Spokane City Council in District 2. Richard has a business management background, but is currently a stay-at-home dad of two children. In a city where neighborhood communities are well organized, he is member of the Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood Council and participated in the city's rewriting of its comprehensive plan. The council is currently made up of four conservatives and three progressives, so Richard's 2007 victory sets us up to take back the council in 2009.
Ed Pacheco
Elected to Toppenish City Council - Position 7 (Challenger)
Ed Pacheco is a member of the non-partisan City Council of Toppenish, a small town located in the Yakima Valley. A social worker whose family has lived in the city for over 30 years, Ed has seen the city in harsh conditions with a plummeting economy. Spurred to action by dedication to his hometown, Ed pushed the city council to hire a Spanish language interpreter for the residents of the over 75% Latino/a city. Despite this high Latino/a population, before Ed's election only two city council members out of seven represented this majority. Ed brings further representation to the Latino/a residents of Toppenish.
Sili Savusa
Elected to Highline School Board - District 1 (Open Seat)
Sili Savusa is a member of the Highline School Board. She currently is the Family Center Coordinator for South West Youth and Family Services, a non-profit that provides free services to at-risk youth and families. At the age of 25, she became a Samoan chief. She also serves her community by being a Trusted Advocate, a group of people representing the various ethnic communities in North Highline. In response to the dropout rate, poor performance, and neglect Samoan children receive in the school system, Sili organized the first Samoan Parent Teacher organization in the country. Sili is the only person of color on the Board, although it represents one of the most diverse areas of Washington State.
Cindy Poysnick
Elected to Puyallup School Board - Position 2 (Open Seat)
Cindy is a member of the non-partisan Puyallup School Board. She is a business-owner and a mother of school-age kids who graduated from schools in the district. The conservative Puyallup school board has thus far prevented comprehensive, medically-accurate sex education from being taught in Puyallup schools. Cindy, however, has testified in Olympia on behalf of a bill mandating medically-accurate sex education. She ran for the school board in 2005 and came within 1% of winning; in 2007 she won her election to the Board.
Maren Norton
Elected to Shoreline School Board - District 4 (Challenger)
Maren Norton is a member of the non-partisan Shoreline School Board. Maren is an attorney with Stoel Rives, where she has worked on telecommunications, software licensing, and representing municipal clients in superfund cleanup litigation. She has represented numerous pro bono clients, including for public housing tenants, immigration appeals, and other such cases which earned her the Volunteer of the Year award by the King County Bar Association. She served as campaign manager for Carolyn Edmonds 1998 campaign for State Representative, beating a conservative incumbent and later for King County Council, as Edmonds' legislative assistant in Olympia, and has been involved in the 32nd District Democrats.
Donald Gargas
Elected to Toppenish School Board - District 5 (Open Seat)
Dr. Donald Gargas is a member of the non-partisan Toppenish School Board. He has been a pediatrician with the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Toppenish since 1973, advocating for the health and safety of children of migrant and seasonal farm workers. 2007 was his first run for political office.
Jamie Aulik
Elected to Manitowoc County Clerk (Challenger)
Jamie Aulik was an Iraq war veteran and a Progressive Majority candidate in the fall of 2006 as a candidate for Wisconsin State Senate. Although he lost the race, Jamie ran a solid campaign in a challenging district that helped him gain name recognition. His opponent in that race, a key incumbent conservative senator, was kept so busy running against Jamie that he was unable to help other conservative colleagues win election. In Spring of 2007, Jamie ran for Manitowoc County Clerk and defeated a conservative Republican opponent.
Andrew Halverson
Elected to Mayor of Steven's Point (Open Seat)
Andrew Halverson won his 2007 election for Mayor of Steven's Point, a central Wisconsin community which includes both a key swing Senate district and an Assembly seat. A dynamic young leader who opened a chain of clothing stores (the first within a year of graduating from the local UW campus), Andrew has been honored as Wisconsin's 2005 Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Portage County's 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Amy Loasching
Elected to Janesville City Council (Challenger)
Amy Loasching is a current member of the Janesville City Council. A UAW/GM health and safety trainer, Amy is the only woman member of the Council. Located in Rock County, Janesville is a rapidly developing and changing community. Amy is on the United Way board and serves as President of the YWCA of Rock County.
Tim Swanson
Elected to Magnolia Town Board (Open Seat)
Tim Swanson is an SEIU member, a registered nurse, and now a member of the Magnolia Town Board. Tim emerged as a strong campaign volunteer in Janis Ringhand's (a Progressive Majority candidate) unsuccessful bid for State Assembly in 2006 and ran a top-notch campaign to win his 2007 election.
Bryan Bain
Elected to Oshkosh City Council (Incumbent)
Bryan Bain was first endorsed by Progressive Majority in 2005 when he ran and won his first election. Bryan is part of our Fox Valley strategy that has also elected Gordon Hintz to the State Assembly, Jeff Hall to the Winnebago County Board, and Mark Harris as Winnebago County Executive. Before his election to the Council, Bryan worked at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising.
Ray DeHahn
Elected to Racine City Council (Incumbent)
Ray DeHahn was first elected to the Racine City Council as a Progressive Majority candidate in 2005, and successfully defended his seat in 2007. He is an experienced leader and campaigner; prior to winning his first City Council race he was elected to the County Board for 32 years. He is Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 432 in Racine.
Michael Shields
Elected to Racine City Council (Challenger)
Michael Shields lost his Racine City Council seat in 2005, but ran an impressive successful campaign to reclaim the seat for progressives in 2007. Michael now again represents one of the most diverse districts in Racine.
Andrew Becker
Elected to Green Bay School Board (Incumbent)
Andrew Becker is currently serving his fouth term on the Green Bay School Board where he has been a voice for progressive values. His 2007 re-election was critical to preserving a progressive majority on the board. Andrew has worked to improve alternative programs for at-risk students, resulting in a 70% drop in the explusion rate.
Johnnie Winston, Jr.
Elected to Madison School Board (Incumbent)
Johnnie Winston, Jr. is currently serving his second term as President of the Madison School. Johnnie is a Madison firefighter and his background includes years of volunteering with teen centers, community service groups, and within the school district to help at-risk children. He is a member of the Firefighters Local 311, a father of three, and a progressive voice on the school board. Johnnie is the only African American serving on the school board in a district where 22% of all students are African American.
Terry Falk
Elected to Milwaukee Public School Board - District 8 (Challenger)
Terry Falk won his 2007 race for the Milwaukee Public School Board against then-board president, Joe Dannecker. Terry is a former Milwaukee Public High School (MPS) teacher and a former member of the MTEA Executive Board (MTEA is an affiliate of NEA).
