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Educators and Labor Allies to Rally, Visit Voters in Vancouver

Government and Politics

October 23, 2024


Educators and union members John Zingale and Adrian Cortes hope to win seats in Legislature

Vancouver — Washington Education Association (WEA) educators and their labor allies will gather to hear speeches by pro-public-education, pro-labor candidates and then fan out to talk with voters on Saturday, Oct. 26. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Vancouver Girls Softball Fields, 800 NE 117th St., Vancouver.

Speakers include:

  • Rep. Monica Stonier, LD 49 incumbent candidate for State House
  • Adrian Cortes, LD 18 candidate for State Senate
  • John Zingale, LD 18 candidate for State House position 2
  • Deken Letinich, LD 18 candidate for State House position 1

“It’s exciting that educators are volunteering precious weekend time to help elect not one but TWO fellow members of WEA,” said WEA Vice President Janie White, who will attend the event. “John and Adrian will bring real classroom experience to discussions about what schools need.” 

“WA Democrats are proud to support our siblings in organized labor as they Get Out the Vote for our great candidates,” said WA Dems Chair Shasti Conrad. “Washington voters want the best education possible for their kids and they know Democratic candidates will work to strengthen our education system, not dismantle it.”

“I can’t wait to represent educators in Olympia and have a partner in the Senate with Adrian,” said John Zingale, who teaches history in Vancouver. “Working people in Southwest Washington know that Monica, Deken, and the two of us will stand up and make our voices heard for their interests every day.”

Hundreds more members in 10 other locations statewide will be holding similar events on the same morning with nearly 30 candidates, including an event at the union’s headquarters in Federal Way, where the event will be hosted by WEA President Larry Delaney and members will be joined by:

  • Bob Ferguson, candidate for governor 
  • Chris Reykdal, candidate for superintendent of public instruction
  • Nick Brown, candidate for attorney general
  • Mary Kusler, National Education Association (NEA) Senior Director of Advocacy 

Other rally/canvass locations are Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Lakewood, Mill Creek, Mount Vernon, Redmond, Spokane and Yakima.  Please see https://wea.mobi/actioninfo24 for more information.

Washington Education Association is more than 90,000 K-12 teachers, support staff and higher-education employees across the state.