PRIMARY ELECTION – 2026
This Primary Voter Guide won’t tell you how to vote, but can help you decide if you follow the links to see who is running, campaign sites, financial supporters and more. The League is nonpartisan and does not endorse or oppose any candidate or party at any level of government.
Want to be reminded to vote? Click here!
Follow The Blue Links!
- Are you VoteReady? Register to vote or check your voter registration status at VoteWA.org.
- Click here to read the Kittitas County Voter Pamphlet and here for a sample Kittitas County primary ballot.
- VoteSmart.org is a nonpartisan resource which can show candidate bio, past votes, issues positions, ratings, speeches, and funding. (It now requires sign up – free). We link to VoteSmart bio, but if they have a prior voting record, we link to that.
- During an election, the LWV of Washington State asks all state or federal level candidates to complete a LWV questionnaire describing themselves and their candidacy. You can view their responses by going to Vote411.org.
- TVW nonpartisan Video Voter’s Guide for statewide supreme court races. Learn more about candidates for our Supreme Court by visiting the LWV Washington justice interviews. Check out this Supreme Court explainer page, as well. It includes funds raised, endorsements, and more.
- We also link to nonpartisan sites such as Ballotpedia, which collects information on candidates. This is especially useful if candidate does not have a campaign site or does not respond to our outreach.
- Judgeship races are nonpartisan and as such, unless there are 3 or more candidates for the office, won’t appear on the Primary Ballot. When rated, we will link to the Washington Women Lawyers (WWL) judicial ratings. The American Bar Association also has advice on choosing qualified judges. Check it out here.
- Follow the money! Who pays in support and opposition? The PDC is the state agency tracking campaign and initiative spending for local and state office. FEC is the federal agency tracking campaign spending for federal office. Because it is important to know who is paying to elect or oppose a candidate or initiative, be sure to follow the money. Also, check out the nonprofit site Open Secrets, that tracks campaign money. NOTE: Candidates running for a local office that does not include the entire county, and with less than 1,000 registered voters, and who expect to raise less than $5,000 are not required to file with the PDC.
While our Primary Voter’s Guide contains all propositions on a primary ballot in Kittitas County, only registered voters within the sponsoring districts or municipalities will be asked to vote on them.
2026 PRIMARY BALLOT
PROPOSITIONS IN KITTITAS COUNTY
CITY OF CLE ELUM Levy Lid Lift
PROPOSITION #1: Two year levy lid lift for Fire Department Operations & Improvements
Providing for increased funding for the Cle Elum Volunteer Fire Department’s ongoing operations. This proposition would increase the City’s regular property tax rate by $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed value to a total authorized rate of #1.87 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection starting in 2027 and for one year thereafter with a limit factor at 103%. Txpayers who qualify for an exemption under RCE 84.36.381 are exempt fro the increase. Should this proposition be approved? Yes [ ] No [ ]
KITTITAS VALLEY FIRE AND RESCUE SINGLE YEAR PERMANENT LEVY LID LIFT
This proposition authorizes the District to restore its regular property tax levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to be assessed in 2026 and collected in 2027. The funds will maintain and improve fire protection, and emergency medical services, replace apparatus and equipment, and provide for firefighter safety. the dollar amount of the 2026 levy collected in 2027 shall serve as the base for computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by chapter 84.55.RCW. Should this proposition be: Approved [ ] Rejected [ ]
This proposition would help fund public library services for residents. It authorizes a maximum regular property tax rate for collection in 2027 of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation (an approximately $0.25 per $1,000 increase). The 2027 levy amount will be used to compute the limitations for subsequent levies under chapter 84.55 RCW. Low-income seniors, disabled veterans, and others with disabilities may be exempt from the increase under RCW 84.36.381. Should this proposition be approved: Yes [ ] No [ ]
SNOQUALMIE PASS FIRE AND RESCUE BENEFIT CHARGE
Proposition: Shall Snoqualmie Pass Fire and Rescue be authorized to continue voter-authorized benefit charges each year for up to a six-year period, not to exceed an amount equal to sixty percent of its operating budget, and be prohibited from imposing an additional property tax under RCW 52.16.160? Yes [ ] No [ ]
CANDIDATES
Only candidates in contested elections are posted below.
Followed all the links and still need help deciding? Check out: How to pick a candidate and Your Vote 2021 (which gives tips on preparing to vote) for more information. Advice on choosing qualified judges is here.
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
US HOUSE – CD 8 REPRESENTATIVE (listed in ballot order)
- Kim Schrier (D), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
- Trinh Ha (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
- Spencer Meline (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
- Keith Arnold (D), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
- Andres Valleza (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
- Bob Hagglund (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, FEC, VoteSmart
WASHINGTON POSITIONS
SUPREME COURT JUSTICE (nonpartisan, listed in ballot order)
POSITION 1
- Colleen Melody (appointed), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL, LWVWA Interview
- Laura Christensen Colberg, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL, LWVWA Interview
- Scott Edwards, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL, LWVWA Interview
POSITION 3
- Jaime Michelle Hawk, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL, LWVWA Interview
- David Stevens, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL, LWVWA Interview
- Mike Diaz, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
POSITION 5
- Greg Miller, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Theo Angelis (appointed), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Dave Larson, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Sharonda Amamilo, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
POSITION 7
- David R Shelvey, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Debra L. Stephens (incumbent), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Karim A. Merchant, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
- Todd A. Bloom, Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, WWL Rating, LWVWA Interview
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 13
POSITION 1
- Tom Dent (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Juan “Jerry” Garcia (D), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
POSITION 2
- Deanna Martinez (R), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Joshua Thompson (R), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Don Myers (R), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
KITTITAS COUNTY POSITIONS
CORONER
- Cori McKean (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Charlie Divine (no preference), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
- Jodi Hammond (R), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Aaron Reiman (I), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Patricia Todd (R), Campaign, Primary Candidate Forum, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
SHERIFF
- Ben Kokjer (R), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart
- Darryl Chepoda, Jr. (I), Campaign, Facebook page, Candidate Statement, PDC, VoteSmart

