The 2026 WPEA Executive Board nomination period has closed, and we have several contested races that will be decided by member vote!

Contested Races:

Recorder: Shelley Withee, Tamlyn Crain & Carl Sofie

VP District 5: Jim McNelly & Guy Bergstrom

VP District 8: Wendy Glenn & Austin Lyman

VP District 10: Jonathan Bowers & Stephanie Hahn

WPEA Executive Board Election: Ballots Are on Their Way!

Make your voice heard! WPEA’s Executive Board election is underway, and ballots and the Voter’s Pamphlet were mailed on October 14. Keep an eye on your mailbox this month, and when your ballot arrives, take a few minutes to review the candidates and cast your vote.

Every three years, WPEA members have the opportunity to nominate and elect union officers who will help lead our union into the future. This year, the only statewide contested position requiring an election is WPEA Recorder. Districts 5, 8, and 10 are also contested elections.

The elected officers will serve three-year terms from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2029. The Voter’s Pamphlet includes information provided by the candidates to help members make an informed decision. WPEA does not endorse any candidate.

Important Election Dates

• October 14: Ballots and Voter’s Pamphlets mailed
• November 12: Deadline for ballots to be received at the WPEA post office box
• November 13: Ballot count

Don’t wait until the last minute! Your ballot must be received by the deadline to be counted, so be sure to return it promptly.

Visit wpea.org/2026election for more information about the election and candidates.

Your union is strongest when members participate. Make your voice heard and help shape WPEA’s future!

Voter’s Pamphlet Submissions

Check out the Voter’s Pamphlet Here!

Board Member Descriptions 

Officers 

President 

The President is the chief executive officer of the union and is generally responsible for the day-to-day operations of the union: appointing stewards, hiring and supervising staff, appointing committees of the Executive Board, disbursing union funds, and interpreting union bylaws. The President chairs Executive Board meetings.  

– Elected by the entire WPEA membership 

– Full-time position 

– Expected hours of work: 1920 per year 

– Current compensation: 

• $90,818 gross annual salary 
• Health care through PEBB 
• Retirement benefit (this is not PERS) 
• life insurance 

– Members covered under the two major state employee contracts may retain their leave balance, seniority, and right to return to their position if elected WPEA President. For specific terms, see Article 38.9 in the General Government contract or 39.10 in the Higher Education contract

Secretary-Treasurer 

The Secretary-Treasurer assists the President in conducting the business of WPEA, and fulfills the role and duties of President in case of a vacancy in that office. Along with the President, the Secretary-Treasurer serves on the Board of Trustees.  

– Elected by the entire WPEA membership 

– Part-time position 

– Expected hours of work: approximately 168 per year 

Recorder 

The Recorder is responsible for keeping the minutes of Executive Board Meetings or other union meetings. 

– Elected by the entire WPEA membership 

– Part-time position 

– Current compensation: 

• $125 stipend per regular 8-hour board meeting 
• $62.50 stipend per shorter meeting 
• $100 for taking meeting minutes 

Vice Presidents 

There are 10 Vice President positions on the Executive Board. Vice Presidents assist the President in conducting the business of the union. They may serve on committees of the Executive Board, conduct district meetings of the members in their districts, or serve on the Board of Trustees. 

Per Article 7, Section A.2. of the WPEA bylaws, Vice Presidents must reside in and be nominated and elected by the members of the district they represent. The districts are as follows: 

District 1:	Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties
District 2:	Thurston county
District 3:	Pierce county
District 4:	King county
District 5:	Grays Harbor, Lewis, and Pacific counties
District 6:	Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties
District 7:	Snohomish county
District 8:	Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties
District 9:	Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties
District 10:	Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason county

– Elected by districts 

– Part-time position 

– Current compensation: 

• $125 stipend per regular 8-hour board meeting 
• $62.50 stipend per shorter meeting 

Executive Board 

The WPEA Executive Board is made up of a President, Secretary-Treasurer, Recorder, and a number of Vice Presidents. The Executive Board is responsible for the overall direction, budget, and governance of the union. 

Executive Board Meetings 

The Executive Board meets at least six times per year, and additional meetings can be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Board. Meetings may be conducted remotely via teleconference. 

District Meetings 

WPEA holds quarterly district meetings, typically over Zoom. These may be led by Vice Presidents or other Executive Board members. 

Committees 

At various times, the Executive Board has set up a number of committees for specific work. These include: 

• Policy Committee 
• Scholarship Committee 
• Bylaws Committee 

These committees change over time based on union needs. 

Board of Trustees 

The Board of Trustees is made up of the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and one Vice President (who serves on a one-year rotating basis).  

The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that union finances are well-managed in the interest of the union and according to relevant laws and accounting practices.

WPEA Election FAQs 

Can I nominate myself? 

Yes. You can nominate any WPEA member, including yourself, for any office you are eligible to vote for. Vice Presidents must reside in, and be nominated by members of, the district they represent. 

What offices are up for election? 

Every WPEA office is up for election this year: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Recorder, and 10 Vice Presidents. Terms are three years long, beginning January 1, 2027. These elected officers make up the WPEA Executive Board.

Who is eligible to serve as a WPEA officer? 

According to the UFCW Constitution and WPEA bylaws, any WPEA member in good standing is eligible to serve on the Executive Board if they have been a WPEA member for at least one year; OR a member of UFCW in good standing for at least two years. 

How does campaigning work? 

Candidates are responsible for communicating with members, and no WPEA resources can be used to promote any individual candidate or candidates. Candidates can send campaign literature to members through the mail, at their own expense, through a mailing house. To learn more about this process, read the election rules [here]. 

Who runs the election? 

The WPEA election committee is made up of WPEA members and is responsible for counting ballots, setting election rules, and addressing election concerns. The election committee is chaired by Aubrei Hansen. You can contact the election committee at Elections@wpea.org.