Kelabe Tewolde
Candidate for State Representative, 37th Legislative District, Position 1
Background
- Occupation
- Associate Director of Leadership Development, Rainier Scholars
- Campaign website
- kelabeforwashington.com
Associate Director of Leadership Development at Rainier Scholars since 2018 and a Seattle Planning Commissioner since 2020; formerly a casework and legislative intern for U.S. Senator Patty Murray. First-time candidate with a BA in political science from Colgate University.
Documented positions
Public safety
Supports expanding non-police crisis response teams statewide
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“Expand investments in non-violent services like the CAREs team across the state.”
Education
Supports fully funding transition-to-kindergarten and early literacy
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“fully fund our transition to kindergarten programs, early literacy supports”
Supports restoring the Education Legacy Trust funding
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“I will work to bring back funding for the education legacy trust fund”
Housing
Supports banning rental junk fees and regulating utility billing
Refers to Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS), which divide utility costs among renters.
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“We need a ban on junk fees and regulations on Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS)”
Supports state investment in social housing developers
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“I will be an advocate for investing in social housing developers all across the state.”
Health & human services
Proposes limits on interest charged on medical debt
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
“interest limits on medical debt”
Priorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“I will work to create limits on interest incurred on medical debt.”
Supports universal health care through a Washington Health Trust
ReportPriorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State RepresentativeCampaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
“I will support the establishment of the Washington Health Trust funded by progressive revenue.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Kelabe Tewolde on them.
- Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
- Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
- Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
All sources (5)
- 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
- 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
- Priorities — Kelabe Tewolde for State Representative
Campaign website · kelabeforwashington.com
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.