Fuse has released our list of early endorsements for 2026. The candidates are all strong progressive leaders in important races who we are proud to support.
UPDATED 03/25/2026
Statewide Initiatives
No Hate in Washington State
While Washington families are struggling to pay for food, housing, and health care, mega-millionaire Brain Heywood from California is spending millions on two poorly-written initiatives that threaten the safety of all Washington kids. IL26-001 will roll back a key student privacy law, while IL26-638 is a trans youth sports ban that would force all girls to undergo invasive genital examinations just to play on a team with their friends. Heywood once again bought his way onto the ballot to put forth these measures in a cruel attempt to distract from the real issues facing students and families by attacking vulnerable kids. Instead of wasting time on dividing neighbors from each other we should focus on ensuring schools are safe, welcoming, and well-funded for every student.
State Legislature
Rep. Sharlett Mena for State Senate (LD 29)
State Representative and former Fuse Washington board member Sharlett Mena is running to succeed retiring state Senator Steve Conway in the 29th Legislative District. In the House, Mena has been a progressive champion on tax reform, housing, and environmental justice. She is also an active community organizer who has led actions for immigration reform and voting rights. In 2021, Mena co-founded Voter Turnup, a movement led by people of color focused on voter registration, cultural expression, and civic engagement. Electing Mena would add another strong progressive vote and voice to the state Senate.
King County Council
Teresa Mosqueda for King County Council (District 8)
Teresa Mosqueda is a former Fuse Washington board member, lobbyist for the Washington State Labor Council, and Seattle City Council member. She is now running for re-election to the King County Council on a platform focused on creating a healthy, housed, and resilient King County. On the County Council, she has been a champion for working families, housing affordability, climate justice, and progressive revenue. With mounting federal attacks on our most vulnerable communities, her re-election would help us defend workers’ rights, immigrant rights, and our access to health care and housing.
Claudia Balducci for King County Council (District 6)
Claudia Balducci is an impressive progressive champion who has been a leader on a wide range of issues and during her time on the council she has diligently delivered results on safe and accessible streets, mental health facilities, and protections from the MAGA regime. She has secured landmark investments in affordable housing and homelessness. She was a tenacious advocate for opening the East Link light rail early while Sound Transit fixed shoddy construction errors on the floating bridge. Her leadership delivered light rail service to hundreds of thousands of riders ahead of the full crosslake expansion that opened this year.
For questions about our endorsement process please reach out to our Campaigns & Advocacy Director Rosey Barber at rosey@fusewashington.org
Fuse's criteria for endorsements include:
- Supporting candidates who have outstanding leadership qualities and will fight for working people, a healthy environment, and a better future for our children.
- Supporting women, people of color, young people, and LGBTQ+ candidates running for office.
- Supporting strong progressive candidates in competitive races against more conservative opponents.
- Supporting progressives in races where the balance of power in the elected body is at stake and where Fuse’s efforts could help gain or protect a progressive majority.
Our 2026 endorsed candidates will be included in our Progressive Voters Guide when it is released in early July. You can help us support all of these candidates by making a donation to the Progressive Voters Guide here!
