Name: Kevin Schilling
Running for: WA State Rep. 33rd District Position 1
Location: Burien, WA
****All Candidates have been endorsed by The Victory Fund******
What are the major issues that are getting you into public service as a politician?
The major issue that drives me to public service is the fact that working class folks are being left behind by political insiders. Obviously the worst example of this is radical conservatives using LGBTQAI+ people existing as a cudgel to distract the public while they cut taxes for the billionaire class’s interests and gut services that regular people rely on. But unfortunately, many people in my own party are more focused on aligning with political insiders and special interests than delivering real results for better-paying jobs, affordable housing and healthcare and safer communities.
What is the core of your platform that represents you today?
I’m running to fix what’s broken in the Washington State. That means showing that government can be a positive force, delivering badly needed services, expanding opportunity, and fostering vibrant, safe communities. Too often in Washington State, folks are focused on what’s happening in Washington D.C. But we’ve got problems here. The State Legislature cut Medicaid, abortion access, reimbursements to hospitals and healthcare providers, we have record rates of homelessness and no state run psychiatric care facilities to provide services from, utility rates are through the roof, gas is the most expensive it’s ever been, and we are not building enough housing. We need Democrats focused on fixing those problems to make Washington State the best place to live and work.
What is the thing you are most proud of achieving thus far, and how will it help you as
an elected official?
I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done in Burien to provide services to people experiencing homelessness and to help move them from the streets and into shelter or housing. We’ve helped over 400 people relocate into safer spaces and that’s making a real, positive difference in their lives. I think this is exactly what the public is calling for, and frankly the broken status quo is inhumane and unsustainable, so I’m running to bring that same model to the rest of the State.
What goals are you trying to accomplish?
As discussed above, my goals are to make government work better for the people. This means actually delivering real results. I think too many politicians vote based on what they think will make a good fundraising email or text, instead of how what will actually help their communities. My goal is to make government accountable again.
What are your political ambitions?
My political ambition has only ever been to serve my hometown and community. I grew up here in Des Moines and Burien, and it annoys me to see our out-of-touch leaders aligning with entrenched special interests to make our community less safe and less affordable. So I’m running for Legislature to ensure that our community has a stronger voice in Olympia.
I ran for Burien City Council in 2019 with the same desire and focus to make the government accountable to people again. Not everything has been perfect, but being involved and making change requires people to step up. I’ve loved serving the community I grew up in, and hope to continue to do so.
Who inspires you to keep fighting even when the battles seem too much?
It’s been really shocking and yes – frankly really disheartening – to see so much vitriol especially coming even from my own Party for standing up to the status quo. The sheer amount of negative advertising, lying about my partisanship, my background, and my positions. But ultimately this just makes me fight all the harder because it shows both how important it is to shake things up, and how afraid of me the special interests are!
Outside of politics though, my parents are the reason I do what I do. Can I make my community better for them? If I can, I’m going to try.
Who is your role model from history in public service?
Both Barack Obama and Joe Biden are two role models. I think people can idolize presidents too much, however. And a lot of America’s progress is not due to politicians, but to the countless regular individuals who have been so impactful. So outside of presidents I’m greatly moved by Dorothy Day, especially.
What advice do you have for the community to help make change happen, beyond
voting?
Call your Legislators, or if you can make the time, meet with them in person in your district or in Olympia. Elected Officials need to remember that they’re working for the people, and when the only folks they hear from are party insiders and special interests, even well-meaning leaders sometimes get out of touch. We can help that by making sure that it’s real folks from our community who are spending the most time talking to them.
