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Community Election Connection 2026: The Voter’s Guide to Candidates, Issues & Community Voices

Presented by Rainier Avenue Radio and powered by the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Community Election Connection brings together 90 days of civic engagement through candidate interviews, political debates, community conversations, and issue-focused discussions. This collection offers voters valuable information, diverse perspectives, and commentary on the candidates, policies, and issues shaping our communities and our future.

More than campaign promises, these programs provide an essential resource to help voters evaluate candidates, understand the issues, and make informed decisions at the ballot box. Through community-powered civic journalism, Rainier Avenue Radio creates space for diverse voices, meaningful dialogue, and greater civic participation. Inform. Engage. Amplify. Our mission is to empower our communities with the information they need to become informed, prepared, and engaged voters.

The team behind Community Election Connection

General Manager: Tony Benton
Project Manager: Taylor-Corrine Benton
Audio/Video Producer: Daniel Belles
Hosts: Juan Cotto and Tanya Woo
Interview Contributors: Cliff Cawthon, Brionne Jeffrey, and John Yasutake
Monique Taylor: Administrative
Annie McDougal: Social Media

IRAN WAR TOWN HALL WITH CARLTON WINFREY SEATTLE TIMES COLUMNISTMarch 19thThe community gathers at the Columbia City Theater to deliver their opinions live on the growing tensions and war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States and how these events are affecting our thoughts, our communities, and our hopes for peace featuring Seattle Times Editorial Writer Carlton Winfrey.

Clean Greens Living 232CANDIDATE JAELYNN SCOTT JOINS QUEEN BRIMarch 31st

Director of Lavender Rights Project & candidate for State Representative Jaelynn Scott joins the show as she campaigns for the 37th district.

COMMUNITY ELECTION CONNECTION POST PRIMARY KICK OFF SHOWAugust 5th

90 days of midterm election coverage begins live at the Columbia City Theater in a special broadcast hosted by Rainier Avenue Radio personality Juan Cotto.

DOREEN MCGRATH FREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY ORGANIZER & EMMA ALLEN RADICAL WOMEN ORGANIZER

SEATTLE/KING COUNTY CHAPTER NAACP PRESIDENT HAYWARD EVANS

Community Conversations 1COBI CLARK HOUSE DISTRICT 47 CANDIDATEOctober 9th

This first of several live broadcasted Community Conversations before the 2026 Midterm Election Washington State House District 47 Position 1 candidate Cobi Clark of the Libertarian Party is interviewed by Rainier Avenue Radio personality Juan Cotto at the Columbia City Theater.

Community Conversations 2

RENEE WALLS KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE POSITION 5 CANDIDATEOctober 12th

Former Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo hosts an interview with King County District Court Judge Position 5 candidate Renee Walls broadcasting live on Rainier Avenue Radio at the Columbia City Theater.

Community Conversations 3

ELLE NGUYEN HOUSE DISTRICT 41 POSITION 1 CANDIDATEOctober 12th

Washington State House District 41 Position 1 Republican candidate Elle Nguyen is interviewed live from the Columbia City Theater by former Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo

Community Conversations 4

TERESA MOSQUEDA KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8 CANDIDATEOctober 12th

Incumbent candidate for King County Council District 8 Teresa Mosqueda of the Democratic Party is interviewed by Rainier Avenue Radio political personality Cliff Cawthon live from the Columbia City Theater as part of a series of broadcasted Community Conversation before the 2026 Midterm Election.

Community Conversations 5

RODNEY THORNLEY HOUSE DISTRICT 46 POSITION 2 CANDIDATEOctober 13th

Rainier Avenue Radio personality Juan Cotto speaks with WA House District 46 Position 2 independent candidate Rodney "Star" Thornley live from the Columbia City Theater.

Community Conversations 6

NICK DUDA KING COUNTY CIUNCIL DISTRICT 8October 20th

King County Council District 8 candidate Nick Duda is interviewed live at the Columbia City Theater by former Seattle councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 7

CANDIDATE KARINA WALLACE HOUSE DISTRICT 9 POSITION 2October 21st

Speaking with WA House District 9 Position 2 Democratic candidate Karina Wallace with host former Seattle councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 8

LIZ HUIZAR SOUTH SEATTLE EDUCATION COALITIONOctober 22nd at 3 pm

Executive Director Liz Huizar of Southeast Seattle Education Coalition gives her perspective on this year's midterm election with host former Seattle councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 9

CANDIDATE HARRY STEINMETZ KING COUNTY SOUTHWEST DIVISION JUDGE POSITION 4

October 23rd at 4 pm

King County Southwest Division Judge Position 4 Candidate Harry Steinmetz chats with Rainier Avenue Radio.

Community Conversations 10

DOMINIQUE DAVIS FOUNDER OF COMMUNITY PASSAGEWAYS

October 23rd at 4:30 pm

A fresh perspective on public safety from Dominique Davis, the Founder of Community Passageways, with host former Seattle councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 11

DEVIN HERMANSON SEATTLE STRIKE COALITION

October 26th at 1 pm

A member of the leadership team for Seattle Strike Coalition, Devin Hermanson, who previously ran in the primary for Washington's District 2 U.S. House race, speaks with host Tatiana Brown who is up for election this November to represent WA Senate District 37.

Community Conversations 12

WAYLON MENZIA PRESIDENT YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF WASHINGTON

October 26th at 2:30 pm

The President of the Young Democrats of Washington Waylon Menzia gives his perspective on this year's midterms with host former Seattle councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 13

CANDIDATE TATIANA BROWN WA SENATE DISTRICT 37

October 27th at 5 pm

Hear from WA Senate District 37 candidate Tatiana Brown as she speaks with host former Seattle Councilmember Tanya Woo.

Community Conversations 14

CANDIDATE ASHLEY FEDAN WA HOUSE DISTRICT 11 POSITION 1

October 27th at 6:30 pm

WA House District 11 Position 1 candidate Ashley Fedan shares with host Rainier Avenue Radio personality Juan Cotto about her attempt to unseat David Hackney.

Community Conversations 15

CANDIDATE CHIPALO STREET WA SENATE DISTRICT 37

October 28th at 5 pm

Washington Senate District 37 incumbent Chipalo Street discusses his re-election bid with Rainier Avenue Radio personality Juan Cotto.

Community Conversations 16

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

October 30th at 5 pm

Washington Senate District 37 candidate Tatiana Brown hosts a conversation on environmental justice live at the Columbia City Theater

WA SENATE DISTRICT 37 DEBATE October 29th at 5 pm CHIPALO STREET vs TATIANA BROWN https://youtube.com/live/OvtRl0lxt1o Your vote is on the line in Rainier Avenue Radio's broadcast political debate at the Columbia City Theater for Washington Senate District 37 between incumbent Chipalo Street and challenger Tatiana Brown.

WA House District 37 Position 1 Debate SHARON TOMIKO SANTOS vs KELABE TEWOLDE October 26th at 7 pm https://youtube.com/live/aV872seNgjI One of this year's tightest Washington State House races is highlighted in a debate live on Rainier Avenue Radio from the Columbia City Theater as our own 37th district representative of over 27 years Sharon Tomiko Santos for position 1 faces her toughest opponent yet in political newcomer Kelabe Tewolde who surprising got 1,400 more votes than her in the primary.

WA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE POSITION 5 DEBATE October 22nd at 6 pm https://youtube.com/live/VPb2eZ75Pt0 Live from the Columbia City Theater on Rainier Avenue Radio a debate featuring one of the closest Washington State Supreme Court races this season for Position 5 between incumbent Justice Theo Angelis and the challenger former Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Dave Larson.

Seattle Here & Now 362 DEMOCRATS FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION October 15th https://youtube.com/live/6l3pyjlTDfo Members of the political activist organization Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion (DDI) including President Clarence Gunn and Vice President Azziem "The Dream" Underwood discuss the importance and the impact of the upcoming mid-term elections.

King County Council District 2 Debate REBECCA SALDANA vs TOSHIKO HASEGAWA October 13th https://youtube.com/live/v9TdEwHmV4s The King County Council District 2 Debate live from the Columbia City Theater between candidate Rebecca Saldaña and Toshiko Hasegawa's surrogate Kevin Chang.

DEFEND FREE SPEECH & THE RIGHT TO DISSENT TEACH IN

September 26th

Live coverage of Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women Seattle's special event "Defend Free Speech & the Right to Dissent Teach-In" from Columbia City Theater featuring speakers Neil Fox of National Lawyers Guild,Mirabelle Girvan of Radical Women, Treasure Thoreson of Minneapolis Federation of Educators, and Linda Averill of Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity (OWLS) and airing as part of Rainier Avenue Radio's 90 days of Community Election Connection.

OUR RIGHTS. OUR VOTE. OUR FUTURE. RALLY: URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE

September 19th

Live coverage of Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and New Beginnings Christian Fellowships' special morning Constitution Day themed rally entitled "Our Rights. Our Vote. Our Future" from Garfield High School airing as part of Rainier Avenue Radio's 90 days of Community Election Connection.

Seattle Here & Now 361

SEATTLE/KING COUNTY CHAPTER PRESIDENT HAYWARD EVANSOctober 8th

The new President of Seattle-King County Chapter of the NAACP Hayward Evans and Political Action Chair Azzeim "The Dream" Underwood" share the work of the local chapter & their thoughts on this year's midterms.

Seattle Here & Now 362DEMOCRATS FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

October 15th

Members of the political activist organization Democrats for Diversity and Inclusion (DDI) including President Clarence Gunn and Vice President Azziem "The Dream" Underwood discuss the importance and the impact of the upcoming mid-term elections.

FAITH IN THE VOTING BOOTH: FAITH LEADERS PANEL DISCUSSION

10/29

Members of multiple faith denominations including Baptist, Christian, Conservative Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Non-Denominational gather live on Rainier Avenue Radio at the Columbia City Theater to have a panel discussion on faith, politics, and civic responsibility.