General Election November 8 - VOTE!
The WEA-PAC endorsement process is a two-step process. Candidates first provide written answers to a series of questions about public education and workers' rights. Then they attend an interview with WEA-PAC members. We use questionnaire and interview information to recommend the candidates who best support our beliefs and interests, regardless of their political party.
The general election is Nov. 8. As you consider your ballot, please check out the pro-education, pro-labor candidates who have been endorsed by WEA-PAC.
Check out our pro-education, pro-labor recommendations here.
This year's general election ballot is packed with candidates and issues. When you vote, make sure you vote the whole ballot, front and back! Some legislative races are expected to be extremely close, and every vote really does matter.
WEA-PAC Endorsement Convention
WEA-PAC, the state’s largest political action committee, has endorsed Gov. Jay Inslee for re-election, along with Rep. Chris Reykdal for superintendent of public instruction and Sen. Cyrus Habib for lieutenant governor.
All three candidates participated in the WEA-PAC convention March 19. More than 200 delegates representing their fellow WEA-PAC members voted on the endorsements after candidates answered questions and gave short speeches.
Inslee said his education priorities included competitive compensation for educators, upholding bargaining rights and fully funding K-12 schools as required by the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. He said he’s committed to ensuring there is a “well-prepared, well-resourced educator at the front of the classroom.”
“Gov. Inslee is going to be there with us,” said Pam Kruse, a delegate from Franklin Pierce EA.
Inslee’s Republican opponent was invited to participate but did not attend or complete a WEA-PAC candidate questionnaire.
Reykdal pledged to uphold union rights, including collective bargaining.
“Your power is derived from your ability to organize and to collectively bargain.” That is not to be taken lightly,” said Reykdal, a former educator. “This corporate (education reform) movement that has taken over our state is vicious.”
Habib stressed the crucial role public education and educators played in his life and said he would make education a priority if elected lieutenant governor (the position oversees the state Senate).
WEA-PAC legislative endorsements are made at the district level by local members.
What is WEA-PAC?
WEA-PAC is the Washington Education Association’s political action committee. Our mission is to recommend and elect pro-public education candidates to office. WEA-PAC makes recommendations in races for statewide, legislative and local candidates.
Why should I join WEA-PAC?
Electing pro-education candidates helps us have pro-education policy makers, that support things like fully funding education, smaller class sizes, professional and competitive wages, collective bargaining rights, affordable health care, common sense testing. For more information about WEA-PAC check out the resources below:
WEA-PAC membership is a gret way to stay engaged
The people we elect are part of the decision making regarding education proposals.
You can follow their actions and antics on the OurVoice blog page, or by signing up to receive the blog posts and action alerts on the same page.
Contribute to WEA-PAC online
You can now contribute to WEA-PAC online using a secure donation page! Or if you prefer, complete this membership form and make a lump sum contribution via check, cash, or Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT).
Our health care, collective bargaining and full funding for public schools are all up for debate in the 2014 legislative session. Investing in great WEA-PAC candidates this election just makes sense!
If you are already a WEA-PAC member you can click here to contribute.
WEA-PAC membership is up to us
Can you ask a colleague to join today? A WEA-PAC and NEA-FCPE form is quick and easy to fill out. Forms are available from your association building representative, your local association office or available below to print.
Print the WEA-PAC Payroll Authorization form to join WEA-PAC. Return it to your union building rep or mail it to: WEA-PAC, PO Box 9100, Federal Way, WA 98063-9100.
If you have questions, please e-mail WEA-PAC Coordinator Simone Boe or call her at 253-765-7100.
WEA locals at 50+ percent WEA-PAC membership
Congratulations to the 94 locals who have 50 percent or higher WEA-PAC membership! These locals are all over the state and include large urbans as well as small rural locals. Members statewide are supporting the mission of electing pro-public education, pro-union candidates to office. Check out the list of locals at 50 percent or higher here.