MLK Labor Endorses 20 Candidates Additional for Office

May 18, 2023

Former Amazon worker and organizer Maren Costa earned the exclusive endorsement of the Labor Council

At their May 17 meeting, MLK Labor Delegates endorsed more than 20 candidates for local office across King County. To receive an endorsement, candidates must have received support from at least two-thirds of delegates, which represent more than 150 local unions.

“Working people across King County have made their voices heard tonight by selecting candidates to receive the MLK Labor endorsement,” said Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor. “The labor community is supporting candidates who are honest about the challenges we face and what it will take to solve them. The Labor Council endorsed candidates who we know have the fortitude and experience to get things done. Whether it is supporting good jobs or ensuring that we can afford to live in the city where we work, the labor community is supporting candidates who are committed to prosperity that is shared and progresses us forward. We are dedicated to talking with our fellow union members about the importance of supporting candidates who are accountable to the needs of working people.”

Endorsed candidates are:

• Maren Costa for Seattle City Council, District 1
• James Jeyaraj for Auburn City Council Position 3
• Cydney Moore/Brittany Williams for Burien City Council Position 2 (DUAL)
• Krystal Marx for Burien City Council Position 6
• John Stokes for Bellevue City Council Position 1
• Mo Malakoutian for Bellevue City Council Position 3
• Janice Zahn for Bellevue City Council Position 5
• David Hamilton for Bellevue City Council Position 7
• Denise Yun for Federal Way City Council Position 7
• Jennifer Jones for Federal Way School Board Director Position 2
• Luckisha Phillips for Federal Way School Board Director Position 3
• Gavin Downing for Federal Way School Board Director Position 5
• Leslie Hamada for Kent School Board Director Position 3
• Osman Salahuddin for Redmond City Council Position 1
• Elizabeth Greninger for SeaTac City Council Position 3
• Armen Papayn for Tukwila City Council Position 2
• Jovita McConnell for Tukwila City Council Position 6
• Anthony Berkley for Public Hospital District 1 (Valley Hospital Commission)
• Amber Wise for Public Hospital District 2 (Evergreen Medical Center)

These are in addition to earlier endorsements in March and April:

• Tammy Morales for Seattle City Council D2
• Dan Strauss for Seattle City Council D6
• Andrew Lewis for Seattle City Council D7
• Girmay Zahilay for King County Council D2
• Claudi Balducci for King County Council D6
• Teresa Mosqueda for King County Council District 8
• Kate Kruller for Tukwila Mayor
• YES on the Reton Minimum Wage Campaign
• Kim-Khanh Van for Renton City Council Pos. 7