As Washington State voters prepare for the upcoming elections, it’s crucial to be informed about all candidates, especially those representing progressive values. While much attention is given to the candidates from the two major parties, exploring third-party and independent candidates offers a broader perspective and may better align with progressive ideals. This guide provides Washington State progressive voters with an overview of alternative candidates in the current election cycle, examining their platforms and priorities.
The current political landscape is heavily influenced by the shadow of former President Donald Trump. His actions and policies continue to be a significant concern for progressive voters. His tenure was marked by the mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, the separation of immigrant families, attempts to dismantle healthcare access, and the rollback of crucial environmental protections. Furthermore, his role in inciting the January 6th insurrection and his ongoing propagation of white nationalist rhetoric pose a direct threat to democratic institutions and civil liberties. The prospect of another Trump term, potentially amplified by figures like his running mate JD Vance, who himself once criticized Trump, represents a significant step backward for progressive values.
However, the ballot extends beyond the familiar names of the two major parties. Several third-party and independent candidates are vying for the presidency, each offering distinct platforms that may resonate with progressive voters in Washington State.
Jill Stein – Green Party
Jill Stein, a perennial Green Party candidate, is once again seeking the presidency. Having secured the Green Party nomination after Cornel West’s departure, Stein’s campaign centers on policies considered even more progressive than the Green New Deal. Her key priorities include radical climate action, advocating for an immediate withdrawal of American support for both Israel and Ukraine, and significant reforms to the Supreme Court, including changes to its size and term limits. Furthermore, Stein champions universal access to free education, from pre-kindergarten through college, appealing to progressive values of social and economic justice.
Cornel West – Justice For All Party
Cornel West, a distinguished scholar, author, and professor, is running as a candidate for the Justice For All Party, with Professor Melina Abdullah as his running mate. West’s campaign is particularly focused on protesting President Biden’s strong support for the Israeli military amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a stance that resonates with many progressive voters concerned about international human rights. Beyond this, West’s platform is deeply rooted in social justice, aiming to address systemic inequalities and historical injustices. He seeks to build community safety and prosperity through policies that acknowledge and rectify historical wrongs, offering a comprehensive justice-focused vision.
Chase Oliver – Libertarian Party
Chase Oliver represents a more moderate faction within the Libertarian Party, particularly in contrast to its rising far-right elements. As an openly gay candidate, Oliver brings a unique perspective to the Libertarian platform, which he discovered through his involvement in Atlanta Pride. Running alongside Mike ter Maat, a former economist in the George H.W. Bush administration and a retired police officer advocating for reform, Oliver’s platform includes decriminalizing marijuana, ending aid to Ukraine and Israel, and streamlining pathways to citizenship – positions that may appeal to some progressive voters. However, his alignment with traditional Libertarian stances, such as defending NRA gun rights and advocating for the elimination of the Federal Reserve, may present points of divergence for progressive voters.
Claudia De la Cruz – Socialism and Liberation Party
Claudia De la Cruz, representing the Socialism and Liberation Party, campaigns on a distinctly anti-capitalist platform. De la Cruz, an educator, working mother, organizer, and theologian from the South Bronx, and her running mate Karina Garcia, a Chicana organizer, working mother, and educator, offer a leftist vision for empowering working people. Their key policies include the nationalization of America’s top 100 largest corporations, a drastic 90% reduction in the U.S. military budget to prioritize peace, and advocating for reproductive freedom for all and reparations for Black Americans. Their platform also includes criminalizing corporate lobbying, directly addressing issues of economic inequality and corporate influence in politics that are central to progressive concerns.
Rachele Fruit – Socialist Workers Party
Rachele Fruit, a candidate from the Socialist Workers Party and a former Baltimore resident, presents a pro-Israel, pro-working class platform. Fruit argues that while major parties are overly capitalist, other socialist movements fail to adequately oppose anti-semitism. Her campaign is primarily centered on upholding the state of Israel as a refuge for the Jewish diaspora against rising anti-Jewish hatred. She strongly supports Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies, including settlement expansion, Palestinian displacement, and the eradication of Hamas. Fruit’s singular focus and extreme stance on this issue may find limited resonance within the broader progressive voter base.
Joseph Kishore – Socialist Equality Party
Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party, along with his running mate Jerry White, representing Trotskyist ideals, is also in the race. Kishore’s platform is rooted in mobilizing the global working class against what he describes as late-stage international capitalism. He critiques the United States’ support for Israel in the Gaza conflict, warns against the rise of fascism within Trumpism, and advocates for the nationalization of major corporations. His campaign aligns with socialist goals of global worker solidarity and opposition to capitalist structures, potentially appealing to a segment of progressive voters focused on systemic economic change.
Krist Novoselić – Cascade Party
Krist Novoselić, the bassist and co-founder of Nirvana, has recently established the Cascade Party, based in Washington State, as a centrist option. The Cascade Party aims to represent moderate voters, with priorities including protecting family farming, reforming judicial appointments to include voter input, and environmental conservation and protection. Notably, their platform proposes creating a hypercompetitive healthcare market where hospitals can use credit scores to assess a patient’s ability to pay. While Novoselić’s local roots and focus on environmental issues might attract some Washington voters, the centrist approach and market-based healthcare proposals may not fully align with core progressive values.
Shiva Ayyadurai – Independent
Shiva Ayyadurai, running as an independent, is known for his anti-vaccine activism and controversial claim of inventing email. Ayyadurai lacks a clearly defined campaign platform in this election. His past Senate run indicated a potential misunderstanding of progressive priorities within the Democratic party. Given his controversial background and lack of a concrete progressive platform, he is unlikely to garner significant support from progressive voters.
Conclusion
For progressive voters in Washington State seeking alternatives beyond the mainstream, this election presents a diverse array of candidates. From Green Party’s radical climate action to socialist calls for economic revolution, and even centrist options focused on local issues, each candidate offers a unique perspective. Understanding these platforms is essential for Washington State progressive voters to make informed decisions that reflect their values and vision for the future. By looking beyond the traditional two-party system, voters can explore options that more closely align with their progressive ideals and contribute to a more representative and dynamic political landscape.
