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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Notes for getting there: There is parking in the gravel lot to the north of the building (enter from Leary Way) or one block to the east in Redmond Town Center off NE 74th Street. It is also about 4 blocks from the Downtown Redmond light rail station and transit center.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

We are hoping for time to "mingle" from 6:45pm to 7:00pm. The meeting will then be called to order and myself and Angela Meekhof will be sworn in. After that (roughly at 7:30pm) there will be a short recess for congratulations and to allow anyone who wants to leave to do so.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Some of you have asked for more information regarding my official swearing in, so here it is. WHEN: tonight, suggest arrive by 6:45pm, meeting called to order at 7:00pm WHERE: LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA 98052)

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

For those who want to know or attend: my official "start date" and swearing in is December 8 at 7:00 pm at the LWSD Resource Center. Arrive: 6:45 pm Address: 16250 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA 98052 There will be a pause to allow audience members to leave after the initial portion of the meeting. 🙂

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

As I have said so many times during this race, thank you to everyone who helped, who spread the word, and especially who voted. You made this happen!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

It was clear from the beginning, but here's the final tally making it official: I won the race for LWSD School Board Director!

Image showing that Aspen Richter won 74.24% of the vote in their race for LWSD School Board Director position 4.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Thank you all for your support, and I'll see you after the results are announced after 8pm.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Candidates everywhere are waiting nervously for polls to close. Even with the nerves, many candidates say that--win or lose--they don't regret running for office. I couldn't agree more. Deepening my knowledge of LWSD and local government leaders this year has been a privilege and a whole lot of fun!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Sign waving to get out the last minute votes with Melissa Stuart was a blast! There are a few more hours left until the ballot boxes close, so please return your ballot if you haven't already.

Group of volunteers and candidates holding signs

Aspen and Melissa holding each other's signs

Delicious donuts from Voodoo Donuts, now open in Bellevue, WA!

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Reposted by Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official)

Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Come sign wave and Get Out The Vote with Melissa Stuart and Aspen Richter! Monday 11/3 @ 7:30am-9:30am Meet by Sunrise Espresso & Donuts in Redmond Coffee and Donuts provided! 😋🍩☕ RSVP here: secure.actblue.com/donate/volun... (No donation needed or required.)

secure.actblue.com

Donate to Melissa Stuart

Show your support with a contribution.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Thank you again to @mlklabor.bsky.social for your endorsement and your recognition of our shared values. 💪

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Great news: the MLK Labor Council has endorsed me in this race! The Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council is King County, Washington’s central body of labor organizations. Their mission is to unify all labor organizations in King County to build power and strength for all workers.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Come join us! We're going to have some fun! ☕🍩🎉 (Just remember to dress for whatever the weather decides to do.)

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Melissa Stuart is seeking re-election to the Redmond City Council. votemelissastuart.com Aspen Richter is a candidate for Lake Washington School Board. electaspen.com Both campaigns are supported by broad coalitions of progressive champions--including the Progressive Voters Guide!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

secure.actblue.com

Donate to Melissa Stuart

Show your support with a contribution.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has also created a joint donation page to support my campaign, which you can find here: secure.actblue.com/donate/vfasp...

secure.actblue.com

Join the movement: Elect LGBTQ+ Leaders!

Representation matters, now more than ever.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Great news! @lgbtqvictoryfund.bsky.social announced it is endorsing my race for LWSD School Board Director! It is supporting my candidacy because they know that I will be a strong voice for equality when elected and that, with your support, I'm on-track to win.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

If you've heard my explain my "why," you've heard about the teachers that were pivotal to my K-12 education and my life. Our teachers are amazing, and they have my unending gratitude for what they do. Thank you to the LWEA members of WEA-PAC for this recommendation. I am honored by your support.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

I'm proud to announce that WEA-PAC (Washington Education Association's Political Action Committee) has endorsed me for Lake Washington School District board director position 4. 🍎📚

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Reposted by Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official)

Beth Day @thebethocracy.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Hey safe streets nerds! Do you work flexible hours? Have a cool retired parent looking to stay active? Become a school crossing guard! Look at all those unfilled positions! Make it easier for your neighborhood kids to walk and bike to school! www.seattleschools.org/news/crossin...

Map that shows the city of Seattle and the locations of all the city's school crossing guards. Only about a third of the positions are filled (grey dots), while the rest are unfilled (red dots).

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

(Also, I loved seeing a PTSA shirt there! Horace Mann was representing!)

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

I'm a big supporter of infrastructure like this. After all, the majority of K-12 students aren't old enough to drive, and trails like this allow them and their families to engage in healthy movement and get around independently. Thank you to everyone who made this trail a reality!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Friday was the official opening of the last phase of the Redmond Central Connector, a strip of bike and pedestrian trail that runs from one side of Redmond to the another.

Elected officials, staff, and others posing with a red ribbon and ceremonial scissors before the Redmond Central Connector was declared open.

Grand opening sign with free coffee and donuts. Yum!

A person viewed from the back in a red shirt with large letters saying PTSA.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Pictured, left to right: Marta Trilles (BSD board director and candidate), Jane Aras (BSD board director and candidate), myself, My-Linh Thai (state representative and former BSD board director), and Tracy Mayclin (BSD board director candidate).

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

It was great to spend some time with these amazing human beings at the 41st Legislative Dems picnic. While board directors are always working first for their own school district, it's also important that they are collaborating beyond that, both across the state and at different levels of government.

Pictured, left to right: Marta Trilles (BSD board director and candidate), Jane Aras (BSD board director and candidate), Aspen Richter (LWSD board candidate and the poster of the photo), My-Linh Thai (state representative and former BSD board director), and Tracy Mayclin (BSD board director candidate).

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

At this point, it's too soon to say who my opponent will be in the November 4 election, with runner-up vote totals currently at 19.41% and 18.52%. Whoever it will be, I look forward to continuing to connect with community at doors and events and hearing what matters to you! Thank you again!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

We need to preserve the programs and teachers that make LWSD students great, while also ensuring the financial sustainability of our district.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

I'll build on my experience serving the district and our PTSAs and families as well as my lived experience as a special education, highly capable education, and performing arts parent with three kids in the district.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Thank you for seeing the strength of my commitment to all our students and my connection with our community. I want to be your next board direction in position 4 to bring fresh perspective and new energy to LWSD.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Thank you, voters of Lake Washington School District! With the early primary results in, I've received 61.42% of the election night votes. You spoke with your ballots, and it's a resounding endorsement!

The candidate in front of a group of celebrating people.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Trust me, your vote does matter. A recent primary election came down to around 50 votes. Candidates are out in this hot weather knocking on your doors because every single vote counts toward the totals and because this democracy can't function without all of us. So let's get out there and vote!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Ballot-procrastinators, I know you're out there .... because I am one too! But I've gotten mine into a drop box, and I know you can as well. Remember, ballots are due back by August 5. That's only 6 days. A little over 144 hours. Set aside time this week or weekend and get it done!

The candidate's hand sliding their ballot into a Big Blue Ballot Box.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Today was another great day of canvassing and speaking to voters about their experiences in LWSD!

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Reposted by Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official)

Anne Lutz Fernandez @lutzfernandez.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

"51% of public school K-12 teachers said they were not too or not at all satisfied with how much they were paid...Americans overall generally think teachers should earn more...74% of U.S. adults said teachers should be paid more, including 39% who said they should be paid a lot more."

pewresearch.org

About 1 in 6 U.S. teachers work second jobs

The share of teachers working second jobs outside the classroom did not change much from before the pandemic.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

And just to say it again, these Sustainability Ambassadors students from both LWSD and BSD are amazing, articulate, and thoughtful. I look forward to working with them as both a parent and (hopefully) as LWSD school board director! #AspenForSchooBoard

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

There was really great discussion centered around our cities and schools and how students can help bridge the two. We all need to be working as quickly as we can toward our shared carbon reduction and climate action goals. Community energizes us ... let's do this together!

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Solving complex problems takes collaboration and community. That's why I attended an Intergenerational Strategy Session with Sustainability Ambassadors yesterday at Kirkland City Hall. Also present were Kirkland city leadership and staff, parent advocates, and community advocacy groups.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Curious about something I didn’t touch on? Drop a reply below, and thanks for reading this.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Hopefully what you take away is that my personal passions and endorsements reflect the strength of my connection to our communities district-wide and a desire to make sure our schools are responsive to change.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

I believe we all care about the quality of education of our students and the continued prosperity and fiscal solvency of our district, while also wanting to avoid unduly burdening its residents. I believe in focusing on that common ground and doing what is right for our kids.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Our district must continue to monitor how the location, amount, and type of new housing influences enrollment trends, to broaden our analysis, to prepare for both expected and unexpected outcomes, and to build schools in ways that support strong communities and environmental sustainability.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

While I am an optimist to my core in vision, I am a pragmatist and data-driven in implementation and in evaluating for success.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

At the same time, while the school board isn’t a body that will be guiding housing policy, regardless of which decisions our cities make about growth and housing, the district must be ready to respond.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Honestly? Not much in terms of housing policy. The school board’s primary focus must be the education and well-being of our students, the fiscal soundness and sustainability of the district, and in actively engaging our community and stakeholders.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

As many of you know, housing affordability is a major issue locally and across the county. If you’re closely following the local housing conversation, you’ve likely noticed a pattern in my endorsements and wondered: what does it mean if Aspen is elected to the school board?

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

And now, a thread about local housing policy. 🧵 This may seem like a surprisingly specific topic, but I’m posting in response to a question I was asked in DMs. I want to share my answer for the benefit of others who may be wondering the same thing.

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Aspen Richter, LWSD Board Director (personal views not official) @electaspenrichter.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Also, have you moved recently? Are you traveling? You can still vote! Go to votewa.gov to update your registration by July 28. After that, you will need to visit the county elections office in person to update your information. If you're traveling or overseas, you can download a replacement ballot.

votewa.gov

VoteWA Voter Portal

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