We started this guide because local elections are full of candidates making big promises they can’t deliver. The Pragmatic Voters Guide recommends Democratic candidates who have track records of managing budgets, solving problems, and getting results.
We focus on what candidates have actually accomplished. How did they vote when budgets got tight? What policies have they implemented? Can they explain how they’ll fund their proposals? We look for Democrats who base decisions on evidence rather than ideology and who prioritize fiscal responsibility alongside progressive values.
This guide serves Democrats and independents who want effective local leadership. We cover key races across Washington State, though we’re just getting started and plan to expand our coverage over time.
The Pragmatic Voters Guide is supported by Jackson Legacy Fund, an organization focused on effective Democratic governance in Washington State.
We evaluate Democratic candidates based on their actual records of governance and leadership. We look at budget votes, policy achievements, management experience, and ability to deliver results. We prioritize candidates who demonstrate fiscal responsibility, support evidence-based solutions, and show they can work effectively with others to solve community problems.
We look for Democrats who manage public resources responsibly, base decisions on evidence, and focus on solutions that can realistically be implemented. They can explain how they'll fund their proposals and have track records of working with others to solve problems rather than just making speeches about them.
The Pragmatic Voter's Guide is affiliated with the Jackson Legacy Fund, a political action committee that promotes a "big tent" Democratic party and only supports candidates who identify as Democrats. The Jackson Legacy Fund is independent of any party organization or candidate campaign committee. Recommendations are based on our own research and evaluation criteria.
We update our recommendations for each election cycle based on current races and candidate information. Check back regularly as elections approach for the most current recommendations.
We evaluate all candidates in the races we cover. If you have information about a candidate's record or achievements that you think we should consider, you can contact us.
Our recommendations are meant to inform your voting decisions, not replace your own research and judgment. We encourage you to read our full explanations for each candidate, visit their websites, and consider how their records align with your own priorities and values.
We're just getting started, so we focus on races where we think our research adds the most value. As we grow, we plan to expand coverage to more local elections across Washington State.
We expect voters to make their own decisions based on their priorities and values. Our recommendations reflect our assessment of which candidates are most likely to govern pragmatically and effectively. We encourage you to read our full explanations and do your own research.
Yes, we encourage it!
Candidates may indicate that they're "Recommended" by the Pragmatic Voters Guide, and may use the logo file, which is available here.