King County Elections has mailed the ballots to voters and now the Aug. 6 primary awaits.

Elections communications manager Halei Watkins said that ballots were released on July 17 and they should expect to land in voters’ mailboxes by July 22. If that doesn’t occur, voters can call 206-296-8683 to arrange for a ballot delivery. The general election is set for Nov. 5.

Four incumbents have filed as candidates for the 2024 races in 9th Congressional District and 41st Legislative District, both of which cover Mercer Island.

In the 9th, current U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D), David Ishii (Bipartisan), Mark Greene (R), Melissa Chaudhry (D) and Paul Martin (R) will compete in the primary.

In the 41st, current State Rep. Pos. 1 Tana Senn (D), Stan Lippmann (Antiadministration) and Emily Tadlock (R) are set for the primary. Also in the 41st, current State Rep. Pos. 2 My-Linh Thai (D), Al Rosenthal (R) and Pamela J. Randolph (R) will face off in the primary. There will be no primary for the third 41st seat, which features current State Sen. Lisa Wellman (D) and Jaskaran Singh Sarao (R).

The Reporter sent all 11 primary candidates requests for statements for this article and received responses from nine of them at deadline. The following segment features portions of their statements so voters can get a feel for what they bring to the political table.

Smith:

“As our nation faces unprecedented challenges, I am focused on strengthening the middle class, ensuring equality of opportunity for all, and investing in our future. We must provide a progressive path forward where everyone can thrive. Working class families, like the union one I grew up in, do not have the same opportunities as previous generations. This must change. We must grow from the middle out, increase economic opportunities, protect unions, make higher education more affordable and accessible, and provide good paying jobs.”

Greene:

“If elected, I will work on America having safe streets, good traditional education, secure borders, a robust economy (including back to using our own natural resources for our energy needs again), and staying clear of foreign entanglements and foreign wars. My campaign is based on the new Republican vision of working class, America first, and anti-interventionist values. The new Republicans realize that America is our homeland of centuries-long-settled people. We’re not some internationalist country where any foreigner can lay claim to some kind of fuzzy rights.”

Senn:

“As an elected official, I am focused on making life easier for busy families. From quality education and a healthy environment to economic security and public safety, I work on issues that make a difference in families’ daily lives. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare will remain my top priority. Families too often can’t find or afford high-quality childcare, which harms the workforce needed for a robust economy. Further, our behavioral health system needs continued investment and fine tuning, focusing on children’s mental health to help reduce the long-term need for substance abuse treatment and crisis services.”

Lippman:

“We should each have our own electricity supply in our own homes. We can get there as a sovereign state if we take back control of our lives by divorcing as much as possible from the bankrupt federal government. The first bill I will present to the Legislature is Article the First. It will reduce the size of a congressional district to 50,000, thus destroying the evil gerontocracy in DC if 25 additional states follow our example. We need to double the productive economy with clean tech factories. Establish trust funds for children in lieu of public brainwashing schools. Establish a state silver dollar bank and conduct business in silver voluntarily.”

Tadlock:

“My focus will be on result-driven policies, not agenda-driven policies. Are we truly fixing problems like homelessness or simply adding administrative layers to them? I will prioritize public safety and solutions for reducing crime, promote policies that create economic opportunity and incentivize business growth and encourage affordable homeownership. I will fight for school excellence, not just for families who can afford private school, but for everyone. Empowering our parents with school choice and supporting public charter schools will provide alternative learning environments to children who need them and reduce administrative costs.”

Thai:

“As the first refugee elected to serve in the Washington state Legislature, I bring a unique perspective and lived experience to the table. I aim to represent and advocate for those who have not been represented in our government system. Our youth inform my efforts to take decisive action on climate change, actions that have a direct and lasting impact on future generations. As a former director and president of the Bellevue School Board, I know that safe, supportive communities must be built on a strong foundation: high-quality education, affordable childcare options, equitable access to health services, and affordable housing in safe neighborhoods.”

Rosenthal:

“My wife, Wafa, and I have lived in Bellevue since 1991. The safety and security we once enjoyed here have deteriorated, evidenced by constant reports of violence, break-ins, and robberies. Being lenient on crime directly harms victims. Major fentanyl dealers are mass murderers and should be prosecuted as mass murderers. To reduce gun crime, people that commit crimes with a gun should face significant mandatory sentences. I believe that homelessness and drug addiction should be addressed with a balanced approach of compassion, accountability, and required treatment. I’m running for office to reinstall public safety and make academic excellence a priority.”

Chaudhry:

“Undue influence of special interests and big money corrupts our political system. We deserve a representative who is beholden only to the people, not to powerful lobbying groups. I am running a grassroots-funded campaign that puts our communities first. I am committed to universal healthcare, affordable housing, comprehensive climate action, economic opportunity, and protecting Constitutional rights. Together, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I ask for your support to bring a new generation of principled, independent leadership to Congress.”

Randolph:

“Our current legislators are more focused on raising taxes, social engineering and misguided compassion than measuring results. I will fight against harmful policies by evaluating the long-term consequences of decisions. By prioritizing public safety, education, affordability and families, we can find efficiencies and savings in order to help those struggling with homelessness, mental health and addiction without raising taxes. We must support those who want help and are homeless, suffer from mental health illness or have an addiction until they can stand on their own. Those who do not want help should be held accountable for the consequences of their choices.”

For a glimpse into all the candidates, visit the King County Elections site at: https://tinyurl.com/4dzpc7ah .

Initial primary results will be posted on the elections site shortly after 8 p.m. on election day and will be updated at 4 p.m. on weekdays until the election is certified on Aug. 20.

Voters can drop their ballots off at 24-hour drop boxes, which are open beginning on July 18 and close at 8 p.m. on election day. Mercer Island’s drive-up ballot drop box is located at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St. Check the elections site for other locations.