In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with Rep. Janice Zahn, the Democrat who has held the 41st Legislative District (Position 1) seat since January 2025. She faces Republican Elle Nguyen in the November 3 general election.

Janice immigrated from Hong Kong to Federal Way at 10, earned her engineering degrees at the University of Washington, and designed bridges before joining the Port of Seattle, where she oversees construction. She served on the Bellevue City Council from 2017 to 2025. She explains how she balances her Port job with legislative service and what she hears most from voters: education, affordability, and transportation safety.

We talk about education funding and special education, school choice within the public system, and why she voted for the new state income tax, including the sales tax relief on diapers and over-the-counter medication she pushed to include and the changes she expects in a follow-up bill. We also cover how the state planned for high earners leaving, where she sees room to cut costs, data centers and clean energy, and HB 2266 and the balance between state housing mandates and local control.

If you live in the 41st, this race is on your ballot. Give it a listen and hear her positions in her own words.

Links:

Janice Zahn campaign: https://www.janicezahn.org

Washington Secretary of State voter guide: https://voter.votewa.gov

King County Elections: https://kingcounty.gov/elections

Janice Zahn - Washington State Representative, Legislative District 41 Position 1

In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with Rep. My-Linh Thai, the Democrat who has represented the 41st Legislative District (Position 2) since 2019. She faces independent Michael Rosen in the November 3 general election.

My-Linh came to Washington from Vietnam as a refugee at 15, graduated from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, and served on the Bellevue School Board before running for the legislature. She is now the House Deputy Majority Leader and sits on the Appropriations Committee. She talks about how she approaches policy decisions and what she hears from voters, starting with affordability.

We spend time on HB 1110, the middle housing law, and the tension between state mandates and local control on Mercer Island, including whether she would support adjustments. We also get into the new state income tax: why she supported it, the changes she would like to see to the sales tax, B&O tax, and property tax, and why those weren't part of the same bill. We close with the growth of the state budget and where the money has gone.

If you live in the 41st, this race is on your ballot. Give it a listen and hear her positions in her own words.

Links:

My-Linh Thai campaign: https://www.mylinhthai.com

Washington Secretary of State voter guide: https://voter.votewa.gov

King County Elections: https://kingcounty.gov/elections

My-Linh Thai - Washington State Representative, Legislative District 41 Position 2

In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with Elle Nguyen, a Mercer Island resident running as a Republican for State Representative in the 41st Legislative District (Position 1). She faces incumbent Democrat Janice Zahn in the November 3 general election.

Elle talks about her background, including degrees in theology and divinity and a law degree, and how her father, who served as legal counsel to the president of South Vietnam, shaped her view of public service. She describes herself as a conservative Christian and says she's running to challenge spending in Olympia, push for audits and transparency, and protect parental rights.

We cover parental rights in schools, including HB 1296 and the parental rights initiative on this fall's ballot, and why she opposes the new state income tax (SB 6346). She explains where she disagrees with her opponent, including abortion and the siting of homeless housing, and why she believes cities and homeowners, not Olympia, should have the final say on local housing decisions. We also get into affordability, AI data centers, and how she would work across the aisle as a Republican in a Democratic-majority legislature.

If you live in the 41st, this race is on your ballot. Give it a listen and hear her positions in her own words.

Links:

Elle Nguyen for State Representative: https://thechoiceforchange.org

Washington Secretary of State voter guide: https://voter.votewa.gov

King County Elections: https://kingcounty.gov/elections

Elle Nguyen - Candidate for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 41 Position 1

In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with Michael Rosen, who is running as an independent for State Representative in the 41st Legislative District (Position 2), which covers Mercer Island and parts of Bellevue, Newcastle, Issaquah, and Renton. He faces incumbent Democrat My-Linh Thai in the November 3 general election.

Michael grew up on Mercer Island and went through the island's public schools. He describes himself as a recovering attorney, an investor, and a Washington-licensed nutritionist, and says he takes no special-interest money.

We start with the issue he hears about most: homelessness and HB 2266, the new state law that requires cities to allow supportive and transitional housing in residential zones. We get into what that means for local control, the Plymouth Housing building in Bellevue, and whether a facility like that could come to Mercer Island. Michael lays out his alternative, which treats housing, addiction, and mental health as three separate problems with treatment required.

From there we cover the state budget and his criticism of spending in Olympia, why he opposes the new 9.9% tax on income over $1 million even though he supports higher taxes on wealth, his views on the Climate Commitment Act and renewable energy, and why he chose to run as an independent. I also asked him where he thinks Democrats in Olympia are getting things right.

If you live in the 41st, this race is on your ballot. Give it a listen and hear his positions in his own words.

Links:

Michael Rosen for State Representative: https://rosenforwa.com

Michael Rosen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosenforwa

Washington Secretary of State voter guide: https://voter.votewa.gov

King County Elections: https://kingcounty.gov/elections

Michael Rosen - Candidate for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 41 Position 2

In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with longtime Mercer Island resident Jim Stanton, a member of the steering committee for Neighbors in Motion, a group that’s spent more than a decade advocating for safer cycling infrastructure on the island.

We dig into the Parks Department’s recent proposal to restrict e-bikes in parks and open spaces — what was proposed, why a number of residents (myself included) showed up to push back, and where things stand after the Parks Commission hit the pause button at their January meeting.

Jim and I also talk about the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles (it matters more than you’d think), the confusing signage around the island, why kids end up riding through parks in the first place, and what a better path forward might look like — including education, consistent signage, and the long-overdue Island Crest Way corridor project that would finally connect the island with a safe north-south bike route.

Whether you’re a parent with kids on e-bikes, a cyclist, a pedestrian, or just someone trying to figure out what all the fuss is about — give this one a listen.

Links:

 * Mercer Island Parks & Recreation: https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec
 * Parks & Recreation Commission (meetings, agendas, how to comment):https://www.mercerisland.gov/bc-parksandrecreationcommission
 * Email the Parks Commission: ParksAndRec.Commission@mercerisland.gov
 * Email Parks Department staff: miparks@mercerisland.gov | (206) 275–7609
 * Contact the City of Mercer Island: https://www.mercerisland.gov/contact | (206) 275–7600
 * Let’s Talk Mercer Island — Transportation Improvement Plan: https://letstalk.mercergov.org/tip–2026
 * Neighbors in Motion: http://www.neighborsinmotion.org/ | info@neighborsinmotion.org
 * MI Cycling Google Group: Search “MI-Cycling” on Google Groups

E-Bikes, Parks & Safer Streets with Jim Stanton

In this episode of Mercer Matters, I sit down with Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle to break down the upcoming EP&O (Enrichment Programs and Operations) levy on the ballot for February 10. We cover the basics—what the levy funds, how it fits into school financing in Washington state, and the differences between levies and bonds. Dr. Rundle shares a fact-based overview from his perspective as district leader, including how the levy supports day-to-day operations like staffing, class sizes, nurses, intervention teachers, electives, and the seven-period day at the high school. We also touch on enrollment trends, budget challenges, and what happens if the levy doesn't pass.

This conversation aims to give Mercer Island residents the info they need to make an informed vote—no spin, just the details. If you're a parent, taxpayer, or community member, this one's worth a listen as ballots are already in mailboxes.

Check out previous episodes on the school bond measure for more context. Subscribe to stay updated on local issues that matter.

2026 Mercer Island School District EP&O Levy Discussion with Dr. Fred Rundle

In this episode of the Mercer Matters Podcast, I speak with Julie Hsieh, candidate for Mercer Island City Council (Position 7). Julie discusses her journey as a physician, small-business owner, and community volunteer, and outlines her priorities: ensuring fiscal responsibility while maintaining core city services and infrastructure, supporting a vibrant town center and local businesses, fostering public safety, and promoting civic engagement—especially through the arts and neighborhood partnerships.

To learn more about Julie Hsieh’s campaign for Mercer Island City Council Position 7, visit: http://www.julieformicity.org

Julie Hsieh - Candidate for Mercer Island City Council Position 7

I sit down with Stephanie Burnett, longtime Mercer Island resident and MISD alum, to discuss her path from systems engineer on the F-35 program to aviation attorney and school volunteer (room parent, PTA president at Lakeridge, and most recently IMS PTSA president). With three children—one MIHS grad, one at IMS, and one at Hamlin Robinson—Stephanie outlines priorities shaped by both parent and board-room perspectives: restoring trust and civility, clearer communication and transparency, and steady fiscal stewardship through tight budgets.

We cover her focus on meeting students where they are: strengthening math pathways and appropriate acceleration, taking a hard look at how tools like i-Ready are used and supplemented, and expanding supports for language-based learning differences (including the dyslexia pilot). She shares views on right-sizing future bond proposals, setting clear safety protocols and expectations following the Twombly case, and calibrating technology (cell phones, iPads, AI) by grade with consistent guidance. Stephanie closes on opportunities ahead—especially in math, literacy supports, and thriving arts/music—while emphasizing community engagement and data-informed decisions.
stephanieformischools.com [https://stephanieformischools.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com].

Stephanie Burnett - Candidate for Mercer Island School Board Position 4

I sit down with Julian Bradley, unopposed candidate for Mercer Island School Board (Position 2), to discuss his decade of volunteering in the district—from classroom reading programs to serving on the PTA and PTA Council. Julian talks about his personal journey to Mercer Island, his experience raising two children (one in high school, one in middle school), and how his involvement has shaped his views on district policy and communication.

The conversation explores three key themes: funding challenges (especially the role of the operations levy and state contributions), academic priorities and gap-filling, and parent–school transparency and tech systems (like ParentSquare). Julian also shares his perspective on open enrollment as a tool to preserve course diversity in high school and weighs in on how future bonds might be structured. For more on his candidacy, visit bradleyforboard.com

Julian Bradley - Candidate for Mercer Island School Board Position 2

I speak with Rob O’Callahan, candidate for Mercer Island School Board (Position 4), about his background in software engineering and AI, his family’s experience at Island Park, and the issues he sees in the district. We discuss his concerns about curriculum rigor (including math and heavy iPad use), student-safety governance following the Twombly case, and financial transparency.

Rob outlines why he believes trust needs to be rebuilt—with emphasis on student-facing staffing (nurses, librarians), enrollment recovery, and clearer prioritization of capital projects after the recent bond’s failure. He shares a cautious view of introducing AI tools in earlier grades, and highlights goals around literacy, extended writing, and updating assessment tools. More about his campaign: https://rob4mischools.com/ [https://rob4mischools.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Rob O'Callahan - Candidate for Mercer Island School Board Position 4

Ben Sharpe (@kedlinco) · Zencastr

Ben Sharpe (@kedlinco)

Hosted by Ben Sharpe, "Mercer Matters" is your local source for candid conversations with candidates running for office right here on Mercer Island. Each episode introduces you to the people who aspire to shape our community, providing a platform for them to discuss their views on key local issues—ranging from education to city planning. Our aim is to foster informed dialogue and community involvement so that when election day arrives, you'll have the insights you need to cast your vote. Simple, down-to-earth, and undeniably Mercer Island—this is "Mercer Matters."