Joshua Binda
Joshua Binda (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.
Binda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Joshua Binda was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and lives in Lynnwood, Washington. Binda graduated from Kamiak High School in 2017 and earned a certificate in aerospace engineering from Sno-Isle Skills Center. Binda earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from the University of Washington in 2019. His career experience includes working as an aircraft mechanic with Boeing, as an engineer with Blue Origin, and as a Lynnwood city council member.[1][2]
Elections
2024
See also: Washington's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
Washington's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 2
Incumbent Rick Larsen and Cody Hart are running in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Rick Larsen (D) | |
 | Cody Hart (MAGA Republican Party) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 2
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 2 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rick Larsen (D) | 50.4 | 56,472 |
| ✔ | | Cody Hart (MAGA Republican Party) | 19.4 | 21,779 |
 | Leif Johnson (R) | 10.0 | 11,164 | |
 | Daniel Miller (R) | 5.8 | 6,543 | |
 | Devin Hermanson (D) | 4.0 | 4,524 | |
 | Joshua Binda (D) | 4.0 | 4,499 | |
 | Edwin Stickle (D) | 3.5 | 3,924 | |
 | Jason Call (G) | 2.8 | 3,137 | |
| Total votes: 112,042 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joshua Binda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Binda's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Josh Binda is a first-generation African American who hails from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally from Liberia, his family escaped the civil war as refugees after winning an international lottery that brought them to the United States. In 2021, at the age of 21, Josh made history by becoming the youngest African American ever elected in Washington state. He has worked as an integration engineer for Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company and is the founder of his own business, Josh Binda Speaks LLC. Josh has received numerous awards, including the 425 Business 30 Under 30 Top Business Professionals of 2022, Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 Nominee 2023, and Snohomish County Emerging Leaders Award Nominee 2024. He is a passionate activist for racial and social justice and has dedicated himself to the city of Lynnwood, serving as the Chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission.
- Affordable Housing: One of the main points of my campaign is to address the pressing issue of affordable housing in our community. I am committed to implementing policies that promote affordable housing options and work towards reducing homelessness. I believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, and I will work tirelessly to make affordable housing a reality for all residents.
- Proactive Public Safety: Another crucial aspect of my campaign is proactively addressing public safety concerns. I will prioritize community policing initiatives, advocating for effective crime prevention strategies, and supporting law enforcement agencies. By fostering collaboration between law enforcement, community organizations, and residents, we can build safer neighborhoods and ensure that everyone feels secure in their daily lives.
- Investing in Medicare and Mental Health Resources: Recognizing the importance of healthcare, I will champion the expansion and improvement of Medicare coverage, ensuring that our community has access to affordable and quality healthcare services. Additionally, I am committed to investing in mental health resources, including increased funding for mental health facilities, support programs, and access to mental health professionals. Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, and I believe in providing comprehensive resources for all individuals in need.
I am personally passionate about several areas of public policy that are crucial for building a more equitable and just society. I am deeply committed to fighting for comprehensive healthcare reform, ensuring that every American has access to affordable and quality healthcare. I am also dedicated to addressing climate change and transitioning to a clean energy economy, creating green jobs and protecting our environment. Additionally, I am a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, advocating for fair sentencing, ending mass incarceration, and promoting rehabilitation and reintegration. These are just a few of the important issues that drive my passion for public service and inspire me to fight for meaningful change in Congress.
I greatly admire and look up to the late John Lewis as a role model and someone whose example I aspire to follow. John Lewis was a true champion for civil rights and social justice, dedicating his life to fighting for equality and making a lasting impact on our society.
I resonate with John Lewis's fearless commitment to activism and his willingness to make "good trouble" in the pursuit of justice. Like him, I started my journey as an activist, unafraid to challenge the status quo and speak out against injustice. John Lewis's unwavering dedication to standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity and violence, is an inspiration to me.
Furthermore, I am inspired by John Lewis's ability to break barriers and overcome obstacles. Being the youngest BIPOC ever elected to Washington state history was a significant achievement, and I believe that John Lewis's example of breaking barriers and making history is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.
John Lewis's commitment to public service and his tireless efforts to enact meaningful change through legislation also resonates with me as I run for Congress. His ability to bridge divides, build coalitions, and work towards bipartisan solutions is a quality I strive to emulate. I believe that by following his example, I can make a positive impact and continue his legacy of fighting for justice, equality, and a better future for all
1. Integrity: Above all, an elected official should demonstrate unwavering integrity. This means being honest, transparent, and accountable in their actions and decisions. Integrity builds trust between the elected official and the constituents they represent, fostering a strong and reliable relationship.
2. Leadership: Strong leadership skills are essential for an elected official. They should have the ability to inspire and motivate others, while also being able to make tough decisions and take decisive action when necessary. Effective leaders have a clear vision, communicate it effectively, and are able to rally support and cooperation from various stakeholders.
3. Empathy and Compassion: An elected official should possess empathy and compassion towards the needs and concerns of their constituents. They should be able to listen actively, understand diverse perspectives, and advocate for the well-being of all members of the community. Compassion drives policies and initiatives that prioritize the greater good and address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
4. Commitment to Public Service: Serving the public should be the primary focus of an elected official. They should be dedicated to representing the interests of their constituents and working towards the betterment of the community. This commitment involves actively engaging with constituents, being accessible, and seeking their input in decision-making processes.
5. Collaborative Approach: Effective elected officials understand the importance of collaboration and cooperation. They should be skilled at building relationships, working across party lines, and forging alliances to achieve common goals. By fostering a spirit of collaboration, they can bridge divides, find common ground, and drive meaningful change.
1. Representation: The primary responsibility of a Congressperson is to represent and advocate for the interests, concerns, and values of their constituents. I am committed to being a strong voice for the people, listening to their needs, and fighting for their rights and well-being.
2. Legislation and Policy-making: Congress plays a crucial role in crafting legislation and shaping policies that impact our nation. If elected, I will prioritize working with colleagues to develop and support legislation that addresses pressing issues such as healthcare, education, climate change, and economic growth. I will focus on promoting policies that benefit the people and contribute to a prosperous and just society.
3. Oversight and Accountability: It is essential for Congress to provide oversight of the executive branch, ensuring that government agencies are held accountable and operate in the best interest of the public. I will be dedicated to conducting thorough oversight, promoting transparency, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and efficiently.
4. Constituent Services: As a Congressperson, I will be committed to providing exceptional constituent services. I will actively listen to the concerns and needs of my constituents, respond promptly to their inquiries and requests for assistance, and provide guidance and support in navigating government programs and services. It is my goal to be accessible and responsive to the people I serve.
5. Collaboration and Bipartisanship: In order to effectively address the challenges facing our nation, it is crucial to foster a spirit of collaboration and bipartisanship. I will seek common ground with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, working towards bipartisan solutions that prioritize the best interests of the American people over partisan politics.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Binda's campaign website stated the following:
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EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE. My parents came here for the American Dream. Unfortunately, too many Americans are living in a nightmare where, even in the age of Obamacare, medical debt is STILL the number one cause of personal bankruptcy. Access to medical care is a human right. Period. Every other developed nation treats it as such. Every other developed nation has better health outcomes than we do. Politicians who don’t acknowledge this have been bought and paid for by those who benefit most from our inhumane system. My generation must finally put an end to this cycle. Medicare For All reduces healthcare costs, improves health outcomes, and ensures that no one goes without the medical care that they need.
When my parents escaped the Liberian Civil War and came to the U.S. as refugees, my mom had to leave her oldest child behind in order to have the opportunity to bring him to the U.S. later. War, and the strategizing that my family had to do in order to escape it, literally separated my mother from her child. I KNOW -firsthand- the pain that families who are caught in the crosshairs of conflict are forced to deal with, even if they are fortunate enough to be able to start over in a safer place. This is one of many reasons why I was the first -and so far the only- elected official in Snohomish County to call for a ceasefire in Gaza (I did so early on, in November 2023), why I refuse to accept any money from groups like AIPAC, and why I have been endorsed by groups like Track AIPAC. I come from a family that was forced to flee for their lives because of war and unthinkable violence. I won’t ever support U.S. weapons or tax dollars being used to put other families through the same thing.
The freedoms of every American became significantly hindered when Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. Women’s rights are human rights. Reproductive freedom is a human rights issue. Codifying Roe into federal law will be one of my top priorities from day one of my term. The status quo essentially treats women as second class citizens who earn less money for the same amount of work as men. American women are among the few on this planet who are not given paid time off after giving birth. And in most states across the nation women have lost the right to make key decisions about their health and their futures. Protecting women’s rights is one of the defining issues of our time and one that my generation needs to be non-compromising on.
We are currently experiencing a mental health crisis in America, especially among our young people. On Lynnwood City Council I spearheaded an effort aimed at fighting this by putting specially trained, mental health clinicians in Elementary, Middle and High Schools across the city. I led the call for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for this initiative that now sets an example for other cities to follow. I will do the same thing in Congress.
I grew up in Section 8 housing in Rhode Island and have personally experienced housing instability at different times in my life. The difference between me and someone sleeping on the street is that I had the couches of friends that I could sleep on until I was able to fix my situation. On the opposite side of that spectrum, I have also worked in real estate and I have an insider’s understanding of how our system works and who it was designed to benefit. Even with that, I am still not a homeowner myself. Almost no one in my generation is. The affordable housing crisis in America has priced an entire generation out of being able to become homeowners. This is unprecedented and the long-term consequences of this on our economy are bleak. Finding affordable housing should not be as difficult as it is in America today. The federal government needs to do a better job of incentivizing and subsidizing affordable housing. We also need to implement more renter-friendly protections that aim to keep people housed, even if they are going through a tough time. Solving the affordable housing crisis, finding homes for the unhoused, and ensuring that today’s young people will be able to afford homes of their own one day is one of the reasons why I got into politics and I look forward to more leaders from my generation stepping up to find a solution to one of the defining issues of our time.
In 2022, the pay disparity between S&P 500 CEOs and the average U.S. worker was 272-1. I have been a union worker, working as a mechanic at Boeing. I have also been a security guard working the night shift at one of the nation’s largest tech companies. My dad is STILL a union worker at Boeing. My quality of life is so strongly linked to the strength of the unions that either I or my parents have worked for. I stand with our union workers, I stand with our hourly workers. I am one of you and I will fight for your rights, always.
Because of the engineering certificate that I was able to earn while I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to be able to have a full-time, salaried job while I attended full-time college. This enabled me to pay for my classes myself and avoid having student debt. Student debt is a full-blown crisis in America that impacts nearly every young person I know. Not only am I a proponent of tuition-free, four-year public universities, but I will also champion skill-specific certificate programs like the engineering program that I was able to benefit from at such a young age. There should be many paths that lead to the American dream, instead of our current system where young people are told that the only way to get there is to saddle themselves with 5- or 6-figures-worth of debt before their careers even begin.
All of the tools that we need to prevent catastrophic levels of climate change already exist. The problem isn’t a lack of technology, but a lack of willpower from our current elected leaders. This is abundantly clear among members of my generation, and doing everything within our power to prevent climate-related disasters is non-negotiable with us. Young people feel the urgency of climate change everyday. The failure of current elected leaders to properly address this issue is one of the biggest reasons why candidates such as myself need to step up and take charge. Stopping the funding and subsidizing of fossil fuels is a no brainer. Funding the expansion of renewable energy sources prevents climate change while creating jobs at the same time. It is one of many solutions that is a win-win for both people and planet. The beautiful future that all of us dream of is possible and within our grasp, if only our leaders were bold enough to take the action that is needed.
As a frequent transit rider, I know firsthand how under invested America is when it comes to public transportation compared to the rest of the world. We need to invest in a system where taking public transit is the most convenient option, along with the cheapest. We need to expand public transit networks, fully invest in our infrastructure, make walking and cycling more accessible both within our communities and as a means of commute, and create a system that allows for Americans to be less dependent on expensive, polluting cars.
Growing up in the projects on the East Coast, gun violence was a consistent part of daily life, something that I had hoped I would be able to leave behind when I moved to Western Washington. Unfortunately, even in the safer confines of District 2, I still had classmates and friends who wound up being killed by guns. Today’s students are sick and tired of having to worry about not being safe while at school. Parents are sick and tired of living with the uniquely American fear that their children could be gunned down while shopping at a mall. And all of us are collectively tired of our representatives in Congress not doing even the bare minimum required to put an end to this madness. From gang violence to school shooters, domestic abuse to suicides, guns are one of the leading causes of death in the United States and we need to elect bold leaders who aren’t afraid to take a tough stand on this issue. We need stricter gun control laws, enhanced background checks, more accessible gun safety programs, comprehensive mental health support, and funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives NOW.
Community investment has never been more important than it is right now. I am someone who has experienced living in a chronically under-invested area on the East Coast, who then moved to an area where when I walked into my first day of school, my high school was so nice that I thought it was a castle. I have personally experienced the benefits of what can happen to your life when you live in a community that invests in its people, and especially in its future generations. I want every child in District 2 to benefit from the same level of community-based investment that I benefited from when I first moved here. For many cities and towns, this will mean choosing to invest more in programs and resources that support the community in a more holistic way, than in programs that over-police and arrest people. Police are an active and important part of community resources, meant to work in sync with social services, not instead of them. Our policing systems are overburdened with police being asked to field mental health-related calls and other issues that fall outside of the very specific training that police officers receive. It’s time to give both our police and our communities a break by working to share the burden of public safety between real-time crime clean-up and crime prevention that can only happen if all members of a community feel more secure and stable. [3] |
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| —Joshua Binda’s campaign website (2024)[4] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Washington District 2 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 20, 2024
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Josh Binda," accessed July 19, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Josh Binda for congress, “Priorities,” accessed July 19, 2024
