Elect Emily Randall, Senate, LD 26

Emily Randall
Emily Randall, candidate for Senate, LD 26

WEA-PAC members endorse Democrat Emily Randall for election to the Washington Senate in the 26th Legislative District. The district includes southeastern Kitsap Peninsula from Bremerton and Port Orchard in the north to Gig Harbor in the south.

Emily Randall was borrn on the Kitsap Peninsula and raised in Port Orchard. She is the daughter of two union workers — her father was a shipyard worker for over 25 years, and her mother has been a paraeducator at South Kitsap High School for nearly 20 years. Emily understands that our community has struggled to bounce back after the recession and that we need to refocus on building our local economy, including bringing back living wage jobs with benefits.

After graduating from South Kitsap High School, Emily became the first in her family to attend 4-year college. She strongly believes that all students deserve access to high quality education, including higher education. As state senator, Emily will prioritize affordable college, apprenticeship, and job training programs, so that all students are well prepared for the jobs needed most by local businesses.

Emily is a community organizer and a healthcare and education advocate, who has more than a decade of experience working at organizations including Boston Children’s Hospital and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Emily’s passion for these issues comes from first-hand experience; her sister Olivia was born with severe developmental and physical disabilities, and because of their family’s access to Medicaid, Olivia was able to live a happy life for 19 years in their family home. Emily believes no one should go bankrupt or risk losing their jobs to take care of family members in need — and with healthcare at risk at the national level, it’s time for states like Washington to pick up the slack.

We asked candidates: "If you had one minute to convince teachers and support staff to vote for you, what would you tell them?"

This is Emily's answer:

I am running for Washington State Senate in the district I grew up in, the daughter and granddaughter of veterans and union workers, a firefighter and a hospital employee, an educator and a peewee football referee. I understand the hopes and concerns of my community in a way that previous candidates nor our current legislators have.

I believe we need to invest in our schools, so that educators are well compensated and well trained, and all kids graduate high school with a plan and a path -- whether it’s more affordable college or expanded apprenticeship programs. I believe we need to build pathways to good jobs right here at home, strengthening workers rights and investing in small and mid-sized businesses with the potential to grow and expand. And we need to invest in our roads, ferries, and bridges, so that folks can get to work. I believe that healthcare is a human right, and we need to ensure that each and every one of us has access to affordable, high quality, comprehensive care.

I’m running for State Senate because I believe we need to set aside partisan political games and put the hardworking people of our community first.

WEA members support Emily Randall for state Senate

Sheri Alheim
Teacher Sheri Alheim supports Emily Randall for state Senate.

"I encourage you to vote for Emily Randall because she is committed to public education and our children’s futures, and not beholden to corporate backers."

Sheri Ahleim, math teacher, Peninsula Education Association member