The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Executive Board has called for a 2025 Special COPE Endorsing Convention to be held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The purposes of the convention are (a) To receive a report from the Statewide COPE Committee of the Washington State Labor Council and (b) To make endorsements for the 2025 special elections for the Washington State Legislature. Under this year’s theme, “Our Voice, Our Power, Our Movement,” we recognize that democracy and working people collaborating across sectors is how we build worker power. Delegates representing affiliated unions from across Washington state will deliberate and vote to determine which candidates have earned the WSLC’s endorsement. By WSLC Constitution, the council’s endorsements require a two-thirds majority vote.
It is at this convention that hundreds of delegates representing WSLC-affiliated unions from across the state will vote on endorsements for congressional, statewide, state legislative and judicial candidates, plus state ballot measures.
Unlike corporations and industry groups — which outspend unions more than 24-to-1 on politics — labor’s support doesn’t just come in the form of a check. It comes in the form of volunteers who do household walks, worksite leafleting, and make personal (not automated) phone calls to other voters. Plus, it includes direct mail and other forms of political outreach intended to explain why endorsed candidates and ballot measures have earned labor’s support.
Delegate Information
REGISTRATION — All WSLC-affiliated unions were notified about the number of delegates/alternates they can send. If you are interested in representing your union as a delegate or alternate at the WSLC COPE Convention, contact your local union for more information.
Candidates
Candidates seeking WSLC endorsement participate in a process that includes completing candidate questionnaires and interviews with local unions and regional Central Labor Councils.
Delegates will be sent a link to review candidate questionnaires prior to the Special COPE Convention.
The Process
Candidates seeking WSLC endorsement participate in a process that includes completing candidate questionnaires and interviews with local unions and regional Central Labor Councils.
STATEWIDE COPE — The night before the COPE Convention, the Statewide COPE Committee meets to vote on recommendations to make to the convention body. The Statewide COPE Committee consists of the WSLC’s Executive Officers, members of the WSLC Executive Board, Central Labor Councils, the WSLC Political and Strategic Campaigns Director, and a representative of AFSCME, AFT (includes WSNA), IAM, IBEW, IBT, SEIU, SPEEA and WEA.
Delegates can download an electronic list of candidates that includes Statewide COPE recommendations. Because Statewide COPE recommendations are privileged information, this version of the candidate list is posted on the password-protected Candidate Questionnaires page. All registered delegates have received the the link/password to access that page. If you are a registered delegate/alternate and don’t have that information, contact us.
ENDORSEMENT ACTION — On Saturday, the Chair will proceed through each of races that are under consideration. In each race, the Chair will announce whether Statewide COPE has made a recommendation in the race, and if so, make an opening motion with that recommendation. Delegates will then debate or amend the motion under Robert’s Rules of Order. At the conclusion of debate, delegates will vote on the motions for each race. A two-thirds majority of is required for WSLC endorsement.
Questions?
If you have registration questions, email Willa Kamakahi at wkamakahi@wslc.org
If you have questions about the COPE endorsement process, email Osta Davis at odavis@wslc.org.