A longtime community activist and former intern at the White House Council on Environmental Quality has declared his candidacy for the impending 43rd District House vacancy.
Sameer Ranade became the second publicly declared candidate for the open seat created by Rep. Brady Walkinshaw’s Congressional bid, joining Downtown Emergency Services Center housing director Nicole Macri in the race.
By mounting a bid, Ranade, who currently works as a climate and clean-energy campaign associate with the Washington Environmental Council, said there’s an opportunity to elevate certain issues to the forefront. In particular, he said he’s primarily driven by climate change.
“Being an elected official gives you a particular platform,” said Ranade, who lives on Capitol Hill. “And you’re right there. You’re the one writing the legislation.”
Broadly, he lists carbon reduction, investment in public schools and promoting a more tolerant society as the key points of his platform, but he cautioned that within those categories are many secondary issues that come into play. While climate change is just one social injustice among many, he said, all of the injustices are linked in some way.
In regards to the environment, Ranade admits that people may think Washington state alone can’t do much. However, by putting a price on carbon, he said the state could join California, Oregon and British Columbia in creating a West Coast bloc that can make a difference on the issue.
He also said the state shouldn’t tolerate its crumbling infrastructure and that by upgrading sewer and drinking water systems, it could cut pollution, create jobs and save the government money.
'Engage every voter'
While he said he sees eye-to-eye with Walkinshaw on most issues, Ranade did express frustration with the Legislature for the introduction of intolerant bills targeting the LGBTQ community this session and the lack of movement on funding education.
Ranade said his experience as an organizer, working on five different election campaigns (including both President Barack Obama’s election and reelection), makes him a good fit for the role.
“In those roles,” he said, “one thing I really liked was the fact that it’s kind of your job to engage every voter.”
He also cited his time working in the state Legislature as an aide and in the office of Sen. Patty Murray as a staff assistant as experience that allowed him to gain a good grasp of the importance of communication with constituents. To him, that means both listening to citizens and “making them push you on issues and inform you,” while also articulating one’s own line of thinking and how one approaches any particular issue.
Early endorsements
Among the early endorsers of Ranade’s campaign are former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Frank Loy and Tony Lee, the co-chair of the King County Chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition.
Loy said he was impressed by Ranade’s work ethic, creativity and enthusiasm, while Lee reflected on past presentations the pair gave on climate change.
“His ability to articulate the design of policy that meets the crucial goals of pollution and poverty reduction is remarkable,” Lee said in a release.
Moving forward, Ranade said one thing his efforts will be driven by is empathy.
“I would be really committed to fighting for justice, but also trying to actually move things forward by communicating effectively with everybody, across the aisle,” he said.
For more information on Ranade’s campaign, visit www.electsameer.com.
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