For Boeing and Paine Field workers: Filing week closed May 8. The August 4 primary is set. Here is the voter guide for the races that directly affect your job, your commute, and Everett’s defense and aerospace economy — starting with the Congressional District 2 race that puts NAVSTA Everett funding, KC-46 program oversight, and Sound Transit Everett Link authorization in the same congressional office.
The Race That Matters Most for Paine Field: CD-2
Congressional District 2 covers Everett and Snohomish County. It is the district that Rick Larsen has held since 2001, and his committee assignments make this the congressional seat most directly connected to Paine Field’s legislative environment: House Armed Services Committee (KC-46 program, defense aerospace contracts, NAVSTA Everett funding advocacy), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (FAA oversight, which affects Boeing’s aircraft certification timelines and the 777X and 777-8F programs), and the broader portfolio of Sound Transit Everett Link Extension authorization that affects how workers get to and from Paine Field.
Four challengers filed to face Larsen: Edwin H. Feller (R), DevinErmanson (D), Raymond Pelletti (R), and Tomas Scheel (D). Washington’s top-two primary means Larsen and the strongest challenger — most likely the Republican with the consolidated right-of-center vote — will be the November matchup. As an aerospace worker, the question worth asking in the primary: which candidate, if elected, has the committee positioning, institutional knowledge, and district relationships to be effective on the specific federal policy levers that affect Paine Field?
What CD-2 Controls That Paine Field Workers Should Know
KC-46 follow-on procurement: The Air Force has paused KC-46 follow-on orders pending resolution of outstanding technical issues. The Armed Services Committee, where Larsen serves, has oversight jurisdiction over that procurement pause and the conditions under which it is resolved. KC-46 tanker line production volume at Paine Field depends in part on how that procurement resumes.
NAVSTA Everett and FF(X) homeport advocacy: The Navy’s FY27 budget has now officially funded the FF(X) frigate with a late-2028 launch target and spring-2030 delivery. Whether Naval Station Everett is designated as homeport for those frigates is a decision that will move through the defense policy apparatus — the Armed Services Committee is where that advocacy happens at the federal level.
Sound Transit Everett Link authorization: The Sound Transit board’s proposal to end Sounder North commuter service in 2033 — leaving Everett without a direct Seattle rail connection until Link arrives — makes the federal authorization and funding for the Everett Link extension more time-sensitive. The Transportation Committee has jurisdiction here. For Paine Field workers who commute from south King County or north Everett, this is a commute-pattern question.
District 38: The State Legislature Races Covering Everett
District 38 covers Everett directly. The state legislative races here affect Washington’s workforce training programs (which fund aerospace retraining at Everett Community College and Sno-Isle Tech), Washington’s unemployment insurance policy (relevant if a layoff follows the 767 close in 2027), labor law (affecting Boeing’s bargaining environment alongside SPEEA’s October 2026 contract expiration), and aerospace industry B&O tax incentives that influence Boeing’s Washington production decisions.
State Sen. June Robinson (D) faces Brad Bender (R). In the House, Rep. Julio Cortes (D) faces Annie Fitzgerald (D) and Thomas Kelly (Cascade) in a three-way Position 1 race. Cortes represents the Everett district directly; his committee assignments in the state legislature determine which of these workforce and aerospace policy issues he can move.
The EMS Levy: Affects Everett Residents, Not All Paine Field Workers
The Everett EMS levy lid lift (Proposition No. 1) is on the August 4 ballot for Everett city residents only. If you live in Everett, you vote on it. If you live in unincorporated Snohomish County, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, or elsewhere outside city limits, you do not. The levy question is about whether Everett’s EMS tax levy is adjusted above the existing lid to fund expanded emergency medical services. For aerospace workers who own property in Everett, this directly affects the property tax bill.
How and When to Vote
Ballots mail July 15. Return by 8 PM August 4 — by mail or drop box. Voter registration deadline: July 27. Register or check registration at sos.wa.gov or Snohomish County Elections Office, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett. If your work schedule puts you in the factory during ballot-return hours, Washington’s mail ballot system means you can return your ballot anytime in the three-week window before August 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which primary race most affects Boeing workers?
Congressional District 2 — the seat covering Everett and Paine Field. Includes Armed Services Committee jurisdiction over KC-46 procurement and NAVSTA Everett homeport advocacy.
When do ballots mail?
July 15. Return by 8 PM August 4. Registration deadline: July 27.
Who is running against Larsen in CD-2?
Edwin H. Feller (R), Devin Hermanson (D), Raymond Pelletti (R), Tomas Scheel (D).
Does the EMS levy affect Paine Field workers?
Only if you live within Everett city limits. It is a property tax question for Everett residents only.
What state races affect aerospace workforce policy?
District 38 state legislative races — Robinson vs. Bender (Senate), Cortes vs. Fitzgerald vs. Kelly (House Position 1). These affect workforce training programs, labor law, and aerospace B&O tax incentives.
Related coverage: Complete 2026 Primary Voter Guide | SPEEA 2026 Bargaining Season Guide | Sounder North Ending 2033: What It Means for Everett Commutes
Leave a Reply