Kathryn Lewandowsky

Lewandowsky was born on March 1, 1959, in Tacoma, Washington. She graduated from Tacoma Community College with an associate degree in 1991 and a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in 2017. She has professional experience as a registered nurse[1] and in banking. Lewandowsky has been affiliated with Whole Washington, Inc., One Payer States, Inc., and Back Country Horsemen of Washington.[2]

Kathryn Lewandowsky has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Kathryn Lewandowsky, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

Help improve [the profile publisher] - send us candidate contact info.

Kathryn Lewandowsky did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Mother, Wife, Grandmother and a Registered Nurse here in Washington state for 40 years. I have lived in Arlington since 2008. I've been a Union Local unit chair, Grievance Officer, Negotiating Team member through most of my early years in nursing. After caring for my elderly parents I went back to school and completed my Bachelors Degree in Nursing and I have been actively working for Medicare for All since graduating in 2017. I currently work at my local community hospital as a night shift supervisor and I am working with a grassroots organization called Whole Washington here in Washington state and One Payer States nationally, fighting for universal, single payer healthcare at the state level as we work to achieve it nationally. We are currently in the middle of an initiative campaign, I-1471, which would create the Washington Health Trust. This health financing plan would create a comprehensive, single payer plan that would cover the healthcare expenses for every resident of Washington. It would save all of us 5-9 Billion dollars every year and everyone would have healthcare. Every provider would be in network and providers would have the ability to negotiate for sustainable reimbursements with the trust. I am running as an Independent candidate as I am not satisfied with the top down leadership that is inherent in our two party system. As an Independent, I will be free to support legislation based on its merits and not on the instruction of party leadership.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am fighting for a Public Citizen's takeover of our healthcare financing system. Expanded and Improved Medicare for All at the state level initially that would lead our nation to full Medicare for All!We need to listen to our scientists and do what we need to do to save our planet. If we had taken to heart the platform of the republican party in 1956 we would not be where we are today. We need to stop being a parasite on this planet and learn to work synergistically with Mother Earth.With the money we take back from our healthcare system we can work on all our other problems like Housing, Food Insecurity, Education and a jobs for everyone that pays a living wage and allows for a balanced Work/Home life.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about Healthcare and then creating a sustainable economy on a sustainable planet for my children and my grandchildren. We need to create a society where all of our people are cared for and are able to reach their full potential.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Boy, there are many people that I look up to but I think probably the person I respect most is Colonel Ernest Lee Oliver and his wife Dorcas. They were my parents very best friends. He was a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel from the Army and educated at Tuskegee University. He was a World War II veteran. He was retired when I met them and when I was a young nurse Ernie taught elementary school at a public school on Hilltop (the very low income area of my hometown of Tacoma, WA). His wife was also a public school teacher. I am certain that they were a very positive influence on many of those children. They were the reason that I do feel that I do not see color. And people may think that I'm just using that, but my parents taught me to judge people on their actions and not by the color of their skin. I think that Ernie and dorcas Oliver created a life of laughter and love for everyone that touched their lives.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Actually, it's not out yet. So in the short term I would recommend, The Purple World, by Dr. Joseph Jarvis.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity and Humility.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am steadfast and determined. I have always fought for people who need protection ever since I was a child and throughout my life. I don't know why. In my heart I know it's just the right thing to do.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I feel that the core responsibilities of our state elected representatives is to make the right choices that benefits not only the people in their district, but also the state as a whole. If we don't have a functional state governmental system no representative can really help the people in their own districts. We also should be responsible to maintain a government that is accountable to the people and that they can trust has their best interests first.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope I leave a legacy that will give my children and grandchildren to not be afraid to stand up and fight for what is right. Not through anger or frustration, but by protecting the rights and lives of each other and everyone in our community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

That would be the assassination of John F. Kennedy. I remember watching it over and over on the news, just watching his head fly back. I think I was only 4 years old. I remember just feeling sick and wanting to cry.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was working for my Father's business in the summertime. I did that for 2 years. I moved to Washington DC for 4 years right after high school where I got into banking.

What is your favorite book? Why?

King of the Wind, by Margaret Henry. Because it shows dedication of honoring commitments throughout your life and how life's circumstances can change at a whim.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Helen Reddy's "I am Woman!" Just last week at the Poor People's Campaign in DC.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I think that a lot of my life has been trying to stand up for my rights as a woman in a world controlled by men. In my youth it was very difficult for me to do and I feel like I was easily manipulated by men. So it's something that I am now always on guard about in the back of my mind.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I think I have seen that the Legislature too often is working for the Governor. Too often I see things that are introduced "on behalf of the Governor" being just walked through the legislature. I think that the Governor should be supporting legislation that is being introduced by our elected representatives. Rather than the legislature doing his bidding.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I am hopeful that we can fix this broken healthcare system quickly. People have been working on it piece by piece for over 30 years and it is still broken. We plan on completing this quickly, because we need to get onto more important things like the environment, global warming and stopping the use of fossil fuels for energy. Not addressing those issues will only compound the issues of inadequate housing, immigration needs and food insecurity as every day passes.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

I would love to see a unicameral state legislature. It would reduce the costs and the time to making progress for all concerned. All of the people and organization have to double their investment of time and energy as they try to make positive changes within our government systems. Our current system just complicates and increases the work required; especially for volunteers, but also for paid lobby groups.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I suppose it's a benefit to an extent. But when people stay in too long, it becomes a deterrent to progress in my opinion. Some of these people need to understand that it's time to retire and pass the torch. Those older legislators tend to view the world through glasses that are reflective of where they came from rather than where our country is heading.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

I suppose that would depend on the relationships. I look at our elected representatives as similar to a job. You don't have to like each other, you just have to work together to get the job done. They are working for the benefit of the people of Washington.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Especially after watching the fiasco this year oth in Washington and around the country. I would be very supportive of changing our whole system. I think it would be good to have the counties be the district lines and the number of representatives be based on the population of each county. So proportional representation. Stop wasting time redrawing lines all the time and just change it by the population within each county. I have always said that there is only so much energy in a life; stop wasting mine!

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would want to be a part of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee, Environment and Energy Committee and College and Workforce Committee.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

N/A

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I definitely look up to Senator Maralyn Chase as a mentor.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not really, I sort of want to retire and I don't see myself really doing this for too many years. Although if things don't change nationally, I could see myself possibly running for Congress. I would want to see things through at the state level first before I considered any Congressional office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, one in particular from a woman who lost her job and she could not afford any of the ACA policies. Her only asset was her home. She was considering going without insurance for 3 years until she could qualify for Medicare. It was either pay for healthcare premiums or pay for food. Her children were adamant that she not go without insurance as she would be at risk of losing everything. I don't know whatever happened. I hope she made it to Medicare age.

Tell us your favorite joke.

It sort of has to be done in person. LOL

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Although I feel that the Governor mard some hard political choices I do sort of feel that there should have come a point where he needed to make his case for emergency powers with the legislature. It's also not really fair that he took the brunt of the criticisms. That should have been a shared responsibility of all of our elected officials.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, we always have to have compromise. The best compromise though is when both parties win.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Pierce County Washington and moved to Snohomish County in 2007.

I am a proud wife and mother of 3 Sons, 4 Granddaughters & 2 Grandsons and volunteer as a board member of Whole Washington, Inc. Board and One Payer States, Inc.

I have been a Registered Nurse in Washington for over 30 years working in Oncology, Critical Care, IV Therapy, Hospice Care, Nursing Admin, and recently opened MacLeod House Adult Family Home.

I have been an active member of WSNA and SEIU nurse Unions serving as a Grievance Officer, Negotiating team member, Local Unit chair and National Delegate.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a Nurse I am committed to achieving Expanded and Improved Medicare for All. At the state level we can assist with this by enacting legislation like the Whole Washington Health Trust which will save our state 9 billion dollars a year while providing our residents comprehensive, universal healthcare to all of our citizens in Washington. We need to immediately work on implementing the Green New Deal here in Washington. This will require us to make tough changes. There will be winners and there will be losers, but we have no choice. These decisions have needed to be made for decades. We cannot continue to elect the same old politicians from the 2 major parties and expect different results. We need to elect representatives who will represent the views and the needs of their constituents, not the corporations that line our representatives pockets and so we must get the money out of politics. I believe we need to publicly funded elections in order to allow regular people the ability to serve as representatives of their communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Obviously, as a nurse, I am passionate about healthcare. The pandemic has exposed the greed and corruption within our society. Lobbyists continue to defend a healthcare financing system that has produced one of the least healthy populations in the developed world at the most cost! It has exposed the foolishness of tying our healthcare to our place of employment. We must accept that our healthcare financing system is broken and change course.

I am also very concerned about climate change. It is probably the most important issue of our time right now. Every other area of policy development is dependent on us having a healthy, livable planet. We must address her needs first and foremost and we must accept that her needs are more important than our short term profits and conveniences. Our children's future depends on us making wise but difficult choices now!

Realistically we will only correct our broken policies by getting the money out of our politics and by electing representatives who are not beholden to corporations. Corporations who glorify their profits over the needs of the planet and of the people.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Boy, there are many people who I look up to that I have met all through my life. I don't know that I would like to follow anyone's life specifically as I feel that I am living my own life which has had many twists and turns.

I had several high school teachers who I looked up to and several who showed me who I did not want to emulate. Certainly my father's best friend, Ernie Oliver, was a person whom I always admired as a retired Colonel in the US Army. I was so impressed with how he then became an elementary school teacher and worked in the poorest areas of Tacoma. I am certain that he influenced many young children of color for the good.

Politically, I definitely look up to our past Governors, Dixie Lee Ray and Chris Gregoire. I think they have been exemplary leaders and have encouraged women to rise up to all levels of leadership. I think though that it is Bernie Sanders whom I most look up to in the political realm. When I discovered him in 2015, He was the first politician who was finally saying all of the things that I believed. I was most impressed with the fact that his commitment to his ideals has been unwavering throughout his career.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity, endurance.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, Perseverance, Collaboration

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe that elected officials owe their allegiance most importantly to their constituents and then to the state as a whole.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That we can all make a difference.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My first historical event I can remember was the shooting of President Kennedy. I remember sitting on my knees in front of the TV and watching the news replay it over and over. It made me very sad. I was 4 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was working for McDonalds. I had it for about six months and then after a short stint as a waitress, I started working for the Alexandria National Bank of Virginia which I did for a couple of years which led me into the banking industry. Nine years and three children later I finally left banking and pursued a career in Nursing and I have had a very rewarding career in Nursing ever since.

What is your favorite book? Why?

King of the Wind. I feel that it instilled my love of horses in my life. It also instilled commitment to something or someone other than yourself.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Dealing with men. From my father, to husbands, to being blessed with three wonderful, but very challenging sons; I think that dealing with the men in my life has been one of my most difficult lessons.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

I personally don't believe that the two chambers offers any benefit to the citizens of the state. I feel it just increases costs to taxpayers and makes it more difficult for work to get done as everything is duplicated. I feel that the two houses at the state level is just a roadblock to getting the work done that needs to be done.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I am undecided on that. Certainly it's good for there to be some experience. But when legislatures start feeling that they are all powerful, then I think it's probably time for them to go. And there always needs to be an influx of new blood into the system in order to keep it alive and functioning.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Our greatest challenge will be climate change. We will have to be making decisions that some very rich people won't like. And many of our elected officials won't be willing to make them.

Along with that will be the need to provide healthcare for our residents. We can do this at the state level and we can use the money saved to avoid the upcoming projected budget cuts due to this pandemic.

We need to get the money out of our politics. We need elected officials who will represent us and we can achieve that by having public funding of elections.

We need to stop this embarrassing escalation of income inequality. It is unsustainable and immoral.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The Governor needs to be working with the legislature as a team with the Governor overseeing progress in the legislature and helping to facilitate a functional legislature. The Governor should be the oil that makes everything move in unison and minimal glitches.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, because we all need to work together for the benefit of all of the residents of the state.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Personally, I would like us to see us move to a system of proportional representation and multi member districts. Right now we are stuck in a two party system that only represents the political views of the upper class rather than the rest of us.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Most importantly, I would want to be on the healthcare committee. Also with my experience both in banking and in contract negotiations, I believe I would be good on the budget committee.