House of Representatives, CD 10 – Beth Doglio

Legislative Questionnaire

Candidate Information

  • Candidate Name: Beth Doglio
  • Position Sought: House of Representatives, CD 10 (Non-incumbent)
  • Home Legislative District: 22nd
  • Democrat: Yes

Campaign Information

Part I – Candidate Background

1. Please briefly describe your qualifications, education, employment, community and civic activity, union affiliation, prior political activity, and other relevant experience.

I’ve spent my life as an activist for the last 30 years and my time in the State Legislature fighting for progress on the issues progressives care about: the environment, choice, housing, healthcare, gun responsibility, and an economy that works for everyone.

We’re in the middle of a climate emergency – we have very little time left to put policies in place to significantly reduce carbon emissions and there’s been little to no leadership at the federal level. I’ve spent much of the last three decades serving in that space. I am a climate activist and an organizer – the founding executive director of Washington Conservation voters, a senior advisor at Climate Solutions and was campaign director for the Power Past Coal campaign.

And, I have delivered significant policy and funding wins in the state legislature on housing, labor, women’s issues, healthcare, veterans, education and community priorities. As the only current elected Democrat and legislator in the race, I’ve worked to weave together the power of advocacy groups with the power of my Democratic colleagues in the caucus to deliver groundbreaking legislation. Put simply, I am running for this office because we need progressive leadership in the other Washington, and in my career, I’ve demonstrated that I am a proven progressive who can get stuff done.

I have a BA in Political Science and Telecommunications from Indiana University and have been politically active since I was 10. I have lived in the 10th CD for 22 years, making me one of the only major candidates to live in the district, and well prepared to represent the needs of our communities and region in Congress. I am a union member with WFSE Local 443.

I ran for, and was elected, State Representative in 2016, but I have been an organizer all my life. Starting with fighting to pass the ERA through the legislature in my native Illinois, I developed an understanding that we need to act to put our values into effect – otherwise, it won’t just happen on its own. I helped elect Jolene Unsoeld to Congress, worked as an organizer at NARAL to help elect Congressman Adam Smith, and have participated in countless local and state campaigns since then. Across every campaign, I’ve learned how to set smart and achievable goals, communicate a clear and distinct message, and build coalitions that convince voters and win elections. I am happy to provide a complete list of campaigns I have worked on – there are many!

2. What prompted you to run for this office? What are your campaign’s most important themes, issues, or priorities (three to five)?

I am running because the stakes are simply too high. We need proven progressive leadership that delivers results to take necessary action for our country’s climate, housing, healthcare, economy, women’s and immigrant rights and so many other important issues. We cannot settle for the status quo.

I’m really proud of the work we’ve accomplished in the State Legislature, and I wouldn’t be giving up my seat to run for this office if I didn’t think it was critically important that we send someone with the right progressive values and track record of collaboration and advocacy.

Three of the most pressing issues facing communities in the 10th are climate, housing, and healthcare. These are the issues constituents reach out to me about in the Legislature, that I hear about on social media, and that my family is most concerned about. We also have a very active organizing effort in the district around immigration and excessive use of force by law enforcement.

My sons and kids their age across the Puget Sound region (and the world) are deeply concerned about climate change and the permanent effects it will have on our planet and their future if we don’t act quickly. Homelessness and the soaring cost of housing has become a part of daily life here – we see neighbors on the streets or friends at risk of losing their homes because of skyrocketing rents. Finally, and made even more obvious by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, is our broken healthcare system. My husband is a family doctor who knows firsthand how our healthcare system fails those who need it most. We’ve seen family friends have to post GoFundMe pages because they can’t afford healthcare treatment. None of this is acceptable in one of the richest countries in the world.

With crises all around us – climate, housing, COVID19 and the broken healthcare system, a changing economy, gun violence – I can’t sit on the sidelines. I’m running to bring to Congress an activist’s voice, a career-long understanding of climate and environmental issues, along with a legislative history of delivering real results for families in Washington’s 10th Congressional District. We just can’t afford not to send a progressive and effective leader to Congress from this seat.

3. What steps are you taking to run a successful campaign?

We are seeking to run this campaign through a grassroots focused, people-powered approach, with an emphasis on field, inspired by my years as an organizer and activist. COVID-19 adds a difficult challenge to our campaign efforts that requires us to – for the health of our community – forego doorbelling, rallies, and other face-to-face means of voter persuasion and turnout. Instead, we are trying new things and innovating to meet the moment. This is a strong campaign – we are leading the field in endorsements and cash on hand, while running an unmatched and robust field program, and hope to translate this campaign success into votes.

Part II – Local and State Issues

1. Do you support Initiative Measure No. 940 (“De-escalate Washington,” requiring, among other things, that law enforcement officers be required to obtain violence de-escalation and mental health training, so that officers will have greater skills to resolve conflicts without the use of physical or deadly force)?

Yes

I also know the level of police violence in this country is wrong, and disproportionately affects Black men and women at a rate that is wholly unacceptable. I not only voted for I-940 in the legislature (and on the ballot), I dropped the first bill of the session on this topic in 2017 – HB1000. This initiative will lead to significant reform in how we train our police and how they are held accountable in the event of police violence – but as we are seeing today in the case of Manny Ellis – there is still more work to be done to strengthen and improve these provisions. I will bring the same dedication to eliminating police brutality to Congress.

2. Do you support the right of public workers, excluding military, to bargain and strike?

Yes

Every worker – whether they’re employed by a private corporation or the government – should be able to collectively bargain and have a union represent their best interest. The Janus decision is terrible. We can’t let the decision of conservative Supreme Court Justices and the efforts of anti-union forces decimate our public workforce. I completely and totally support the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.

In response to that decision in Washington State, we passed a slate of legislation to give unions more power to organize. My bill to allow part time state employees was one of them.

3. Would you support a statewide “Ban the Box” law, prohibiting employers from asking about job applicants’ criminal history until after an initial screening or interview?

Yes

I was a strong supporter of HB 1298, the Washington Fair Chance Act, which “banned the box” here in Washington. I would pursue the same effort nationally.

4. Do you support legislation that reimburses the cost of reproductive health care services, such as SB 6105, the Reproductive Health Access for All Act?

Yes

I strongly support expanded access to and coverage of reproductive healthcare. I have been an organizer at NARAL and have fought on campaigns and in the legislature to defend a woman’s right to choose. Washington has been a leader on protecting women’s health, including passing the Reproductive Parity Act. In Congress, I will fight for similar legislation, push to reverse the Hyde Amendment, fund Planned Parenthood, and never support restrictions on women’s health, including contraception and abortion.

5. Would you support an automatic voter registration act such as HB 2595 (Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2018), streamlining procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote?

Yes

One of the first bills we passed in the Legislature after taking the majority back in the Senate was a voting rights package with “Access to Democracy” bills, including a Washington Voting Rights Act, automatic voter registration, same day registration, and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year olds. I think this is the same model we need to follow in Congress, as well as require states to offer vote by mail options, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Conservative attempts to limit voting and dismantle voting rights for people of color have gone unhindered for too long – we can’t let that stand. The next Congress must ensure ALL voters have equal, easy, and safe access to the polls.

6. Would you support a bill that would enable the state of WA to create a single health financing entity to provide health care financing for all Washington residents, independent from employment, such as the WA Apple Care Trust?

Yes

Healthcare is a human right, and no one should go bankrupt trying to get healthy. For that reason, I support Medicare for All and believe everyone should have access to a streamlined and accessible healthcare system. I also know that, nationally, getting Medicare for All passed will be no easy feat, so if in the meantime Washington state can successfully pass and implement this kind of single-payer system, I would support it.

Part III – Free Response

1. Why are you running as a Democrat? What aspects of the Democratic platform most resonate with you?

I consider myself both a Democrat and a progressive. I believe in ideas and values that will make this country better for everyone – equity, diversity, fairness, and justice. I’ve spent my life and my time in the legislature fighting for progress on the issues Democrats care about: the environment, choice, an economy that works for everyone. And now I’m running for Congress to support ambitious and progressive policies like a Green New Deal and Medicare for All. This is all to say, my values are progressive values and my goals are progressive goals, and that’s the unwavering vision I would bring to Congress, if elected.

2. In the past, many Democrat-sponsored bills have died in the Republican-controlled Senate. Please list three failed bills from the past legislative session that you will champion when elected.

While I am tremendously grateful we now control the Senate here in Washington, a similar conundrum can now be found in Washington, D.C., where Senate Republicans block and delay progressive legislation from the Democratic House. Three bills House Democrats have passed this year that I would champion include:

H.R. 1 (For The People Act) – We must prevent attacks on our Democracy, protect our elections, and ensure everyone can freely cast a ballot.

H.R. 8 (Bipartisan Background Checks Act) – We need to strengthen background checks and close loopholes that currently allow dangerous individuals to get their hands on guns they shouldn’t have.

H.R. 2474 (Protecting the Right to Organize Act) – While states are continuing to pass laws that gut the ability for workers to organize, we have an obligation to stand with the labor community and strengthen federal protections for workers. This is a truly comprehensive bill that would go a long way in enshrining ambitious – and necessary – rights for workers.

3. What important state and local issues have you worked on (or taken an interest in) that you feel aren’t getting enough attention from elected leaders and the media?

There are a lot of issues I have worked on that I believe could use more thoughtful and robust coverage from the media and action from elected officials – from climate change, to income inequality, to the diverse challenge of homelessness and housing. Through the work of protesters and demonstrators we are starting to see needed action on police brutality and racial injustice – but those efforts must continue.

An area I believe could use additional attention regards LGBTQ issues, often best viewed through an intersectional lens, meaning issues we are aware of but don’t have targeted and specific solutions to meet the needs of LGBTQ people – and other underrepresented minorities – who are affected. LGBTQ people and youth are disproportionately likely to be homeless, suffer from mental health challenges, and face violence and discrimination.

As a bisexual woman, these issues are very personal to me, and I am committed to being a strong advocate for inclusive and specific solutions like updating the Housing Discrimination Act, providing specific services for homeless LGBTQ youth, strengthening our efforts to prevent hate crimes across the country, taking on bullying in schools, and ensuring full access to healthcare, especially for trans people.

Similarly, as protesters rightfully march for an end to white supremacy and police brutality against Black Americans, we must acknowledge the devastating trend of violence against transgender people, especially Black trans women. We must not forget Tony McDade as we seek justice for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and so many others.

There are even more LGBTQ issues that do not receive the attention they deserve, and only by electing someone committed to listening to, acting for, and representing all members of our community can we make progress.

4. Do you think Washington public schools are adequately funded? If not, what minimum requirements should be met in an adequately funded public school system? What specific forms of taxation would you support to attain that funding?

The government has an incredibly important role to play in supporting and promoting public education. Education is one of the greatest investments we can make – and ensuring that every child, regardless of race, zip code, or income level, can learn from good teachers and in good schools is critical. I believe our education system, in both Washington state and across the nation, deserves increased funding that better allows our schools to support their students and teachers.

I support closing the Trump tax breaks on giant corporations and the wealthiest Americans, closing corporate loopholes, and ending subsidies for fossil fuels to drive new and increased investments in our teachers, school infrastructure, and curriculum, so we can truly improve outcomes for every kid. I also support increasing access to free and affordable public colleges and universities, trade schools, and apprenticeships, so that the next generation of students can enter the workforce debt-free and ready to succeed.

5. What are some obstacles inherent in proposed legislative solutions to climate change? How would you approach those obstacles in order to best overcome or minimize any negative effects?

Besides opposition from climate deniers, one of the main obstacles to enacting bold legislation to take on climate change is ensuring workers in existing fossil fuel industries are protected and secure. Even as we move to a new, robust green economy, we must support the workers who have sacrificed for decades to provide our country with energy.

I’m committed to working with the labor organizations, unions, and workers in the fossil fuel industry to ensure we develop and implement a truly ‘Just Transition’ that will protect current fossil fuel workers (and their families) through grants, job trainings, and other resources. As well as ensuring that new jobs in the green economy, such as installing and manufacturing clean energy technology are unionized, with high wages and good benefits for all. Washington’s groundbreaking 100% Clean Electricity law built labor standards into the bill by creating a three tiered tax incentive that increases the stronger the labor standard is for each project. I would like to do the same in Congress.

We should be all in on developing domestic energy – but the focus should be in sustainable, renewable energy. Transitioning to a clean energy economy over time will ultimately allow for a more robust investment plan that will create new union jobs throughout the country, now and in the future.

6. What are some obstacles inherent in proposed approaches to tax reform in Washington State? How would you approach those obstacles in order to best overcome or minimize any negative effects?

Enacting new progressive revenue in Washington has been an ongoing challenge. Our state currently has the most regressive tax system in the nation – as low- and middle-income people pay far more of their wages in taxes than our state’s highest earners. Though we have seen some modest progress in the past several years, creating a more fair tax system has been challenging because of both constitutional obstacles and obstinate legislators.

I believe we need representatives in Congress who will fight for solutions for working families, not just the ultra wealthy. I have fought for new progressive revenue locally, and in Congress, I will fight to do the same. As mentioned, let’s begin by reversing the Trump tax cuts that primarily benefited the wealthiest among us and the largest corporations. Then we must close corporate loopholes, end subsidies for fossil fuel companies, and consider other progressive revenue options that ensure everyone is paying their fair share.

7. Do you support the voter-approved call for a Constitutional Amendment to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision (I-735), and if so, how do you propose to work toward that goal?

I strongly support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and to reduce the influence of dark money in politics. Corporations are not people and should not have the same rights. The system of massive independent expenditures, Super PACs, and dark money organizations is out of control.

We must ensure our government is acting in the best interests of the people, and our representatives need to spend less time in call time and more time solving the challenges facing our country. If elected, I will work to revise and reform this system so that we can once again have effective leadership focused on the right priorities at the federal level.

In Washington, I proudly supported our local DISCLOSE Act and increased financial transparency to take on “dark money” in local politics. I’ll continue to advocate and support similar efforts nationally – so that even if passing a constitutional amendment is not immediately possible, we are passing bills that ensure election reform and get big money out of politics like HR 1, Representative Kilmer’s Honest Ads Act, Rep. Raskin’s Get Foreign Money out of US Elections Act.

By typing my name below, I declare under penalty of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.

Printed Name: Beth Doglio

Date: 06/23/2020

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