WA Bikes Voter Guide: Read our 2026 Endorsements for Better Biking

The Nov. 3 general election is pivotal for the future of bicycling due to current hostility toward bike infrastructure funding at the federal level and gloomy budget forecasts at the state level. With Congressional and state House and Senate seats on the ballot across Washington, voters have a real chance to elect bike champions this November.

Ballots began arriving this week. Washington Bikes has vetted candidates and endorsed the individuals who support our vision of a Washington state where all communities are connected by bike. Please read our endorsements below, and please vote. Here’s what’s at stake:

Big Changes at the State Legislature

All 98 House members and 24 of the 49 Senate seats are on the ballot. There are a lot of open seats this election cycle, with several retirements in the Senate and House colleagues vying for those spots. A handful of incumbents face serious challenges that could further shift the make up of the 2027 state legislature. 

As the state government heads to a legislative session with big budget shortfalls we need electeds who understand the vital importance of funding safe streets and bike programs.  That’s why Washington Bikes wholeheartedly endorses re-electing bike champions including Marko Liias (LD21), Deb Krishnadasan (LD26), Jake Fey (LD27), Joe Fitzgibbon (LD34), Julia Reed (LD36), and Jamie Pedersen (LD43). 

This election is also an opportunity to bring new bike-friendly faces into the legislature. Ten new candidates sought our endorsement and distinguished themselves as people  who understand  the needs of the bike community and who will fight to advance bicycling in Washington. 

If you live in their districts, we urge you to  vote for: Kaylee Kuehn (LD24), Renee Hernandez Greenfield (LD26), Patrick Stickney (LD29), Keith Scully (LD32), Kalebe Tewolde (LD37), Jaelynn Scott (LD37), Michael Shepard (LD42), Vanessa Kritzer (LD45), Jessica Forsythe (LD45), and Kim D. Harless (LD49).

Nilu Jenks for Seattle City Council District 5

WA Bikes supports Nilu Jenks for the special one-year election for Seattle District 5 (North Seattle). Through the endorsement process, Jenks articulated a vision for Seattle that integrates biking into daily life. She understands that bicycling is climate action, and she has pledged to push for safer biking on notoriously dangerous Aurora Avenue. Jenks also promises to push for speedy completion of bike projects in the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy.

Elect New Champions on King & Pierce County Councils

Several seats on King County Council are on the ballot including an open seat for District 2. In that race we endorse state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña. Saldaña spent the past decade in the Senate advocating for funding and policies that advance bicycling. We are excited to work with Saldaña to close trail gaps, expand trail access, build more bike infrastructure, and make King County roads safer for people to bike. 

We’re also backing incumbents Jorge Barón, Claudia Balducci and Teresa Mosqueda for their commitment to active transportation in their districts and across the County. 

Pierce County needs strong Council voices in support of Vision Zero and safe streets. That’s why we endorse  Brenda Lykins for the District 7 open seat  and why we urge  voters to  return Bryan Yambe for a second term.