Joshua Penner
Candidate for State Representative, 31st Legislative District, Position 2
Background
- Occupation
- State Representative; executive strategy consultant
- Campaign website
- votepenner.com
State representative for the 31st District and assistant ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee; former Orting mayor (8 years) and city council member. Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War and co-founder of the veterans' network PNW Vets.
Documented positions
Education
Opposed cuts to early education
ReportCandidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General ElectionProvided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“prevented disastrous cuts for early education, protected care facilities for fentanyl-exposed newborns”
Roads & infrastructure
Opposed SB 6309 on Sound Transit and local zoning
ReportJosh Penner for State RepresentativeCampaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
“Fought SB 6309 to prevent Sound Transit from sidestepping local zoning laws and dodging financial accountability”
Secured funding to repair White River and Fairfax bridges
ReportCandidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General ElectionProvided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“cut red tape to fund the repair of the White River and Fairfax bridges”
Health & human services
Proposes changing the Keeping Families Together Act child-removal standard
Says the law's 'imminent physical harm' standard kept caseworkers from removing children from fentanyl-exposed homes; offered an amendment to SB 5998 in 2026.
ReportThe Unacceptable Tragedy of State NeglectCampaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
“I fought to amend the law so our caseworkers could intervene proactively.”
Opposed closing Residential Habilitation Centers such as Rainier School
ReportJosh Penner for State RepresentativeCampaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
“Fought SB 5167 to stop the legislature from shutting down Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs)”
Government & transparency
Opposed SB 5925 on Attorney General investigatory powers
ReportJosh Penner for State RepresentativeCampaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
“Led the charge against SB 5925, fighting back against unchecked investigatory powers”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Joshua Penner on them.
- Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
- Public safetyNo documented position found.
- HousingNo documented position found.
All sources (9)
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election (statewide and district contests)
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: King County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Sample ballot (all races and measures in King County), November 3, 2026 General and Special Election
Election filing · King County Elections · cdn.kingcounty.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Pierce County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- General Election Provisional / Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026
Election filing · Pierce County Auditor · piercecountywa.gov
- Protecting Disability Care
Campaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
- The Unacceptable Tragedy of State Neglect
Campaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
- Josh Penner for State Representative
Campaign website · Josh Penner campaign · votepenner.com
- Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.