The Political Leadership Council (PLC) is a grassroots team of community leaders who vet, endorse and support BIPOC candidates running for public office in Washington State.

The Council utilizes an anti-racist, feminist endorsement process to model as an alternative to transactional politics that embraces Sage’s core values – relationships, community building, collective leadership, trust, humility, creativity, honoring histories, and love through accountability. Council members conduct political research, shape the interview process and get candidates committed to policy positions that benefit communities of color.

Sage Leaders plans to endorse candidates from around Washington state, prioritizing candidates from King, Pierce, Clark, Snohomish, Yakima, Benton, Spokane and Franklin County who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, and/or women.

 
Call for Applications! Shape Sage Leader’s candidate endorsements for the 2026 Election Cycle
Apply Now

Applications are due by 5:00 PM on February 2, 2026. 

📩 Questions? Contact alisa@sageleaders.org 

Applications are open for the 2026 Political Leadership Council

Join the Political Leadership Council and play a hands-on role in shaping the Sage slate for the upcoming election cycle! The Political Leadership Council (PLC) is a grassroots team of community leaders who vet, endorse and support BIPOC candidates running public offices in Washington State. 

We are looking for alums from the Community Leadership Institute and community organizers from across the state for this year's cohort. 

Sage Leaders provides coaching, training, and program access for candidates from historically marginalized communities across Washington State, and this council is a key part of that work.  

This year’s program evolves our impact even further. Participants will:  

  •  Learn about Washington’s legislative and political landscape

  • Conduct and lead 8–12 candidate interviews  

  • Help determine Sage Leaders’ 2026 endorsements  

  • Grow their own leadership, political analysis, and decision-making skills  

If you’re passionate about building a more just, inclusive democracy, and want to help elevate bold, values-driven leaders, this is your chance to step in. You will need to commit to attending eleven (11) Zoom meetings and two (2) in-person canvas events.

Participants will receive a $600 stipend if they participate in the full program and attend 75% of all meetings.

2026 Political Leadership Council Schedule 

  • March 4th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / Relationship building, Overview of process, Political education, Legislative Districts and how they work, Overview of solidarity slate 

  • March 18th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / Team building, Candidate Questionnaire review, Political Research, Assigning jurisdictions

  • April 1st / Candidate Questionnaire is published online

  • April 1st, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / Panel of people who have run will talk about challenges, what endorsements do for campaigns, and the realities of running for public office

  • April 15th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / 2nd Research Report Back, Review questionnaires, Voting on current questionnaires if any

  • April 29th, Wednesday, 6:00 – 8:30pm / Research Report Back, 3rd Review of any questionnaires that have come back, Review Interview Questions, Identify candidates for interviews and candidates to endorse early

  • May 4th - 8th / Candidate Filing Week

  • May 13th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / Incumbent Interviews/Early filer interviews, Questionnaire Reviews, Research Report Back   

  • May 27th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / Research Report back, Candidate Interviews, Voting on questionnaires 

  • June 3rd, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / More interviews if needed, Voting on remaining candidates if needed, Decide on Day of Action location 

  • June 17th, Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30pm / More interviews if needed, Voting on remaining candidates if needed, Decide on Day of Action location 

  • July 11th Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm / Day of Action: Location TBD

  • August 4th / Primary Elections

  • August 12th, Wednesday 6:00 - 8:30pm / Decide who we invite to the second round from that pool and who we want to interview

  • August 26th, Wednesday 6:00-8:30pm / Candidate interviews, plan 2nd Day of Action

  • October 17th, Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm / Day of Action: Location TBD

  • November 3rd / General Elections

  • November or December / PLC Alum Event