News Tribune endorsements: Our picks in the Aug. 5, 2025 primary election

Here are The News Tribune Editorial Board’s recommendations for the Aug. 5, 2025, primary election in five key Pierce County races. The links below will take you to our previously published full-length endorsements with videos introducing the candidates.

Endorsements were reached by consensus after we interviewed candidates and did other research. Endorsements are nothing more than informed guidance, intended to promote civic discourse and encourage voters to dig deeper.

For many of the remaining races, you’ll find endorsements from the board when ballots go out for the November general election. That includes the open seat in the mayor’s office, which six candidates are vying for in the primary. The Editorial Board will interview the two finalists from this race after the primary results come in, and then make an endorsement for the general election.

Pierce County voter guides were mailed earlier this month. It includes ballot measures and other primary races we did not make endorsements.

Tacoma City Council Position 6 (at-Large): Jessica Johnston

Tacoma’s City Council Position 5: Joe Bushnell

Tacoma City Council Position 4: Sandesh Sadalge

Port of Tacoma commissioners (2 seats): Tim Payne & JT Wilcox

Puyallup School District Board Position 1: Ellen Aronson

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM.