MLK Labor Endorses More Than 20 Candidates for Local Office

May 20, 2025

Endorsements include Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and seven union members running to represent the needs of working families

MLK Labor Delegates, representing more than 150 unions and 220,000 workers across King County, voted to endorse 24 candidates for local office. All endorsed candidates received at least a two-thirds majority of voting delegates and participated in an interview with rank-and-file union members. 

The endorsements featured seven union members, including two MLK Labor Delegates.

“King County has a long history of working-class values, and we expect anyone elected to public office to fight for working families. Our endorsements are the result of hundreds of rank-and-file union members coming together to interview, evaluate, and choose candidates who share our values,” said Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of MLK Labor.

Here is the full list of newly endorsed candidates:

• Bruce Harrell for Seattle Mayor
• *Jamie Fackler for Seattle City Council District 2
• Ryan Calkins, Port of Seattle Commissioner Pos. 1
• Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle Commissioner Pos. 3
• Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commissioner Pos. 4
• *Joe Mizrahi, Seattle School Board District 4
• Rod Dembowski, King County Council Pos. 1
• Naren Briar, Bellevue City Council Pos. 2
• Claire Sumadiwirya, Bellevue City Council Pos. 5
• Jenne Alderks, Bothell City Council Pos. 3
• Hugo Garcia, Burien City Council Pos. 1
• Sarah Moore, Burien City Council Pos. 5
• *Rocco DeVito, Burien City Council Pos. 7
• Lindsey Walsh, Issaquah Mayor
• Kurt Dresner, Kirkland City Council Pos. 7
• Holly Muenchow, Northshore School Board Pos. 5
• Melissa Stuart, Redmond City Council Pos. 4
• *Mike Westgaard, Renton City Council Pos. 1
• Lin Yang, Sammamish City Council Pos. 5
• Karen Howe, Sammamish City Council Pos. 7
• *Caitlin Konya, SeaTac City Council Pos. 2
• *Kate Kruller, Tukwila City Council Pos. 5
• Verna Seal, Tukwila City Council Pos. 7
• *Amber Wise, Woodinville City Council Pos. 3

*union member

This is in addition to previous endorsements for Sarah Perry (King County Council – District 3), Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Seattle City Council – Position 8), and Dionne Foster (Seattle City Council – Position 9).

MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Katie Garrow issued these statements about the following candidates:

Mayor Bruce Harrell:

“MLK Labor is proud to offer our sole endorsement to Mayor Bruce Harrell for re-election because he has a proven track record of delivering real results for working people. In the last four years, he has delivered two strong, pro-worker levies, defended Seattle’s nation-leading worker protection laws, and demonstrated the resolve to stand up to federal overreach when working people’s rights are at stake. Now more than ever, blue cities like Seattle need experienced, strong elected leaders to uphold our values.”

Jamie Fackler, Seattle City Council:

“Jamie Fackler is a longtime public servant at the City of Seattle, delegate to MLK Labor, and active member of his union, PROTEC17. It is an honor to endorse Jamie for Seattle City Council because he would bring his experience as a working parent and unionist to the halls of City Hall at a time when it is desperately needed. Jamie’s campaign is centered on the needs of working families, and as a council member, he would fight every day for a fairer and more affordable Seattle.”

Rod Dembowski, King County Council:

“MLK Labor proudly endorses Rod Dembowski for re-election to the King County Council. Councilmember Dembowski has been committed to using the King County government to safeguard working people and their rights. We are lucky to have leaders like him and look forward to re-electing him this November.”

Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle Commission: 

“MLK Labor wholeheartedly endorses Toshiko Hasegawa for re-election to the Port of Seattle Commission. Commissioner Hasegawa understands the vital role the Port plays in the livelihoods of working families as both an employer and driver of billions in economic activity. She understands the grave threat of climate change, and is doing everything she can to mitigate the Port’s impacts on the natural environment and working-class neighborhoods most impacted by poor air and water quality.”

Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commission:

“Commissioner Mohamed understands that a thriving port runs on the backs of hundreds of thousands of workers from the SEA airport to SODO. As a Commissioner, she has always centered the needs of Port workers and their families. She consistently fights to ensure the Port is providing good, family-wage jobs, especially the lowest-paid workers at the airport where her mother worked for years. We are proud to endorse Commissioner Mohamed for re-election and look forward to supporting her this fall.”

Ryan Calkins, Port of Seattle Commission:

“Throughout his two terms as a Commissioner, Ryan Calkins has been a steadfast champion for working families by ensuring the Port of Seattle serves as a force for economic opportunity. His focus on sustainable economic development has fostered a culture of positive change at the Port, strengthening its commitment to workers and the environment. MLK Labor proudly endorses Commissioner Calkins in his re-election campaign!”

Amber Wise, Woodinville CC:

“As a rank-and-file grocery worker and member of UFCW Local 3000, Amber Wise understands the daily challenges that working families face. MLK Labor is proud to endorse her campaign for Woodinville City Council because we know she will be a strong advocate for good jobs and a more affordable community.”

Joe Mizrahi, Seattle School Board:

“We couldn’t be more proud to endorse our union brother, Joe Mizrahi, for the Seattle School Board. As a leader of his union, UFCW 3000, Director Mizrahi works night and day to advocate for the needs of low-wage workers and their families. As a working parent, Joe understands what Seattle students need to succeed. His long-standing commitment to the labor movement speaks volumes about his dedication to fairness and opportunity for all. There is no one better suited for the Seattle School Board than Joe Mizrahi.”

Michael Westgaard, Renton City Council:

“MLK Labor proudly endorses Michael Westgaard for Renton City Council. Michael is a shop steward and a dedicated member of his union, SEIU 925. His campaign is centered around policies to create good jobs and make Renton more affordable for working families. His work was instrumental in raising the minimum wage in Renton. He is the right choice because he knows what working families need firsthand.”

Rocco DeVito, Burien City Council:

“We are proud to endorse Rocco DeVito for Burien City Council. As a PROTEC17 member and public servant with King County Metro, he understands what working families need from their local government. He will be a tireless advocate for Burien families and workers.”

Caitlin Konya, SeaTac City Council:

“The Labor Community is proud to support Caitlin Konya for SeaTac City Council. Her experience as a WFSE member and state social worker is foundational to her values of dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all working families. She will be an unwavering champion for SeaTac.”

Kate Kruller, Tukwila City Council:

“As a longtime member of IATSE 15 and Teamsters 117, Kate Kruller will bring a much-needed voice for working families to the Tukwila City Council. She shares our commitment to building communities where working families can prosper. Her dedication to good jobs, worker rights, public safety, and affordability makes her the clear choice for Tukwila.”

Lindsey Walsh, Issaquah Mayor:

“From living wages to affordability, Lindsey Walsh will fight for policies as Mayor that put working families first in Issaquah. The King County labor community is proud to support her campaign.”

Hugo Garcia, Burien City Council:

“Councilmember Garcia knows that strong unions mean stronger communities. With his leadership, working families can trust that their rights will be defended, their wages protected, and their neighborhoods affordable.”

Sarah Moore, Burien City Council:

“Deputy Mayor Moore has consistently stood with working families in Burien and understands what it takes to build a fair and affordable community. Her leadership will continue to ensure good jobs, strong labor protections, and a city where workers can afford to live.”

MLK Labor represents more than 150 unions and more than 220,000 workers. United, we are a voice for the interests and needs of working people in King County.