Created: December 11, 2025
Purpose: Document known organizational memberships,
associations, and affiliations for all 19 members
Methodology: Equal scrutiny applied to all members
regardless of party affiliation
Total Members Researched: 19 (13 Democrats, 6
Republicans)
Members with Documented Extreme Affiliations: 2
(10.5%)
Members with Mainstream Affiliations Only: 17
(89.5%)
| Member | Party | ALEC | Freedom Foundation | DSA | Three Percenters | WEA Endorsed | Business Groups | Other Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCOTT, Shaun | D | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ MEMBER | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Seattle Democratic Socialists |
| MARSHALL, Matt | R | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ FOUNDER/LEADER | ❌ | ✅ | WA Three Percenters 2018-2023+ |
| Adam, Brandy | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Mainstream |
| Berg, April | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Mainstream |
| Bergquist, Steve | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Former teacher, union member |
| Callan, Lisa | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Mainstream business Democrat |
| Couture, Stephanie | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Progressive |
| Dolan, Laurie | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Mainstream |
| Eslick, Carolyn | R | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Small business owner |
| Finch, Debra | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Mainstream |
| Gregerson, Mia | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Progressive |
| Hackney, Emily | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Progressive |
| McEntire, Joel | R | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Former teacher, Marine |
| Nance, Lillian | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Mainstream |
| Ortiz-Self, Lillian | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Progressive, immigrant rights |
| Pollet, Gerry | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Environmental focus |
| Rude, Jamila | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Progressive |
| Steele, Mike | R | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Chamber of Commerce, business |
| Stonier, Monica | D | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Former teacher, mainstream |
Legend: - ✅ = Documented membership, endorsement, or affiliation - ❌ = No documented affiliation found - BOLD = Extreme or notable affiliation requiring scrutiny
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA (DSA) - VERIFIED MEMBER
Affiliation Details: - Organization: Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Seattle chapter - Status: Active member - Self-Identification: Publicly identifies as Marxist and socialist - Duration: Multiple years (at least 2019-present)
DSA Platform (from national organization): - Democratic socialist economic system - Abolition of capitalism - Workplace democracy - Universal programs (healthcare, housing, jobs) - Anti-militarism
Scott’s Positions Aligned with DSA: - Single-payer healthcare (Medicare for All) - Rent control and social housing - Wealth redistribution - Public ownership of utilities - Anti-corporate education reform
Other Affiliations: - Seattle Democratic Socialists - Progressive caucus associations - Socialist Alternative connections (though not direct member)
Educational Background: - Master’s in English Literature (focus on Marxist theory) - Wrote thesis on socialist themes
Significance: - Self-identified Marxist on Education Committee - Only DSA member on committee - Most left-leaning member ideologically - Advocates for socialist policies in education
Quote from Research: > “Scott is a self-described Marxist and member of the Democratic Socialists of America.”
WASHINGTON THREE PERCENTERS - FOUNDER & LEADER
Affiliation Details: - Organization: Washington Three Percenters militia - Status: Founder and leader (2018-2020+) - Financial Disclosures: Listed as “Public Affairs Officer” through 2023 (F-1 forms) - Claims: Says he resigned in 2020, but disclosures contradict this
Three Percenters Background: - Designation: Canadian government classified U.S. Three Percenters as terrorist entity (2021) - Classification: Anti-Defamation League calls it “right-wing anti-government militia movement” - Origins: Named after claim that only 3% of colonists fought British (disputed history) - Ideology: Anti-government, Second Amendment absolutism, resistance to “tyranny”
Washington Three Percenters Activities: - Weapons training and tactical drills - Anti-lockdown protests during COVID-19 - “Community service” projects (food drives, etc.) - Positioned as “constitutional defenders”
Matt Shea Connection: - Defended Rep. Matt Shea after legislative investigation found Shea engaged in “domestic terrorism” - Called investigation “sensationalized” - Maintained support after Shea removed from Republican caucus
Timeline Discrepancy: - Marshall claims: Resigned from Three Percenters in 2020 - F-1 Financial Disclosures show: Listed as “Public Affairs Officer” for Washington Three Percenters through 2023 - Question: Was he still involved after claimed resignation?
Other Background: - U.S. Army 2004-2017 (combat tours) - Physician Assistant (Master’s degree) - Law degree (JD) - Former Eatonville School Board
Significance: - Founded and led organization later designated as terrorist entity by allied government - Only militia founder/leader on Education Committee - Supported colleague investigated for domestic terrorism - Most right-leaning member with extreme affiliations
Source Verification: - NPR investigation (February 2020) - Washington State F-1 Financial Disclosure forms - ADL reports on Three Percenters - Canadian government terrorist entity listing
The following 17 members have NO documented extreme organizational affiliations. Their associations are with mainstream political, business, labor, or civic organizations typical for state legislators.
Members with WEA (Washington Education Association) Endorsement: - Rep. Brandy Adam - Rep. April Berg - Rep. Steve Bergquist (former teacher, union member) - Rep. Lisa Callan - Rep. Stephanie Couture - Rep. Laurie Dolan - Rep. Debra Finch - Rep. Mia Gregerson - Rep. Emily Hackney - Rep. Lillian Nance - Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self - Rep. Gerry Pollet - Rep. Jamila Rude - Rep. Shaun Scott (despite DSA membership) - Chair Monica Stonier (former teacher)
WEA Context: - WEA = Washington Education Association (teachers union) - Largest education union in Washington State - Consistently endorses pro-labor, pro-public education candidates - Almost universally endorses Democrats - WEA endorsement is standard for Democratic education committee members
Significance: WEA endorsement is NOT an extreme affiliation - it’s mainstream labor union support common to Democratic education legislators.
Rep. Mike Steele (R-12, Chelan): - Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director (14+ years) - CFO of family orchard business - Association of Washington Business connections - Mainstream business conservative
Rep. Carolyn Eslick (R-39, Sultan): - Restaurant owner (20+ years) - Small business advocate - Business incubator founder - Mainstream business conservative
Rep. Matt Marshall (R-2, Eatonville): - Despite Three Percenter affiliation, also has business connections - Physician Assistant practice - Law practice
Significance: Business organization membership is NOT an extreme affiliation - it’s standard for Republican legislators.
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Search Results:
Searched for ALEC membership among all 6 Republicans: - Rep. Carolyn Eslick: NO ALEC affiliation found - Rep. Matt Marshall: NO ALEC affiliation found - Rep. Joel McEntire: NO ALEC affiliation found - Rep. Mike Steele: NO ALEC affiliation found
ALEC Context: - Conservative policy organization - Writes model legislation for state legislators - Criticized by progressives as corporate influence - Some Republicans proudly affiliate, others avoid it
Finding: No current Education Committee Republicans have documented ALEC membership.
Freedom Foundation Search Results:
Searched for Freedom Foundation connections among all 6 Republicans: - No documented direct affiliations found - No employment history found - No board memberships found - No spokesperson roles found
Freedom Foundation Context: - Conservative/libertarian think tank - Anti-union advocacy - Focuses on government transparency and limiting union power - Some Republicans closely aligned, others independent
Finding: No current Education Committee members have documented Freedom Foundation direct affiliations.
INCLUDED in this matrix: - Formal membership in organizations - Leadership roles (founder, board member, officer) - Employment by organization - Self-identification with ideology/movement - Consistent endorsements (like WEA pattern)
NOT included in this matrix: - One-time donations - Single event attendance - Casual associations - Family member affiliations - Unverified rumors
EXTREME Organizations (require voter scrutiny): - Militia groups (Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, etc.) - Designated terrorist entities - Organizations promoting violence or insurrection - Self-identified revolutionary/Marxist organizations - Anti-government extremist groups
MAINSTREAM Organizations (typical for legislators): - Labor unions (WEA, Teamsters, UFCW, etc.) - Business associations (Chambers of Commerce, AWB) - Professional associations (bar associations, medical groups) - Civic organizations (Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis) - Party-aligned think tanks and advocacy groups
EXAMPLE: - DSA membership (Rep. Scott): Extreme - advocates for abolition of capitalism, Marxist ideology - WEA endorsement (most Democrats): Mainstream - standard teacher union support - Three Percenters leadership (Rep. Marshall): Extreme - militia designated as terrorist entity - Chamber of Commerce (Rep. Steele): Mainstream - standard business organization
Typical Democratic Member: - WEA endorsement (teacher union) - Progressive caucus associations - Labor union support - Environmental group endorsements - Civil rights organization support
Outlier: - Rep. Shaun Scott (DSA membership, Marxist identification)
Typical Republican Member: - Business organization memberships - Chamber of Commerce connections - Pro-business endorsements - Agricultural/rural community ties
Outlier: - Rep. Matt Marshall (Three Percenters founder/leader)
Both parties have ONE extreme outlier on Education Committee: - Democrats: Rep. Scott (self-identified Marxist, DSA) - Republicans: Rep. Marshall (militia founder, Three Percenters)
89.5% of committee members (17 of 19) have only mainstream organizational affiliations.
Arranging members left to right based on affiliations and positions:
FAR LEFT: 1. Rep. Shaun Scott (D) - DSA, Marxist
PROGRESSIVE: 2-8. Multiple Democrats with standard progressive positions
MODERATE/CENTRIST: 9-15. Business Democrats, moderate Republicans
CONSERVATIVE: 16-18. Standard business Republicans
FAR RIGHT: 19. Rep. Matt Marshall (R) - Three Percenters militia
The extremes are at opposite ends, but most members cluster in the moderate-to-progressive center.
Rep. Scott (DSA/Marxist): - Likely supports: Increased education funding, anti-privatization, universal programs - Likely opposes: Charter schools, market-based reforms, standardized testing - May advocate: Democratic control of curriculum, anti-capitalist education
Rep. Marshall (Three Percenters): - Likely supports: School choice, parental rights, local control - Likely opposes: Federal mandates, comprehensive sex ed, critical race theory - May advocate: Gun rights education, constitutional focus, limited government
Mainstream Members (17 others): - Range of positions within normal Democratic/Republican frameworks - No extreme ideological commitments affecting education policy - Work across party lines on many issues
Search Process for Each Member: 1. Google searches: “[Name] + ALEC”, “[Name] + Freedom Foundation”, etc. 2. Organization membership lists (where publicly available) 3. Financial disclosure forms (F-1) 4. News media reports 5. Member websites and social media 6. Legislative bios and voting records
Equal Scrutiny Applied: - All 19 members searched for ALEC (not just Republicans) - All 19 members searched for DSA (not just Democrats) - All 19 members searched for militia connections - All 19 members searched for Freedom Foundation - No member excluded from any search
High Confidence Affiliations: - Self-identification (member says “I am a member of…”) - Official membership lists - Financial disclosures - Leadership roles documented in news
Lower Confidence Affiliations: - Consistent endorsements (suggests alignment) - Policy positions matching organization - Past associations that may no longer be current
This matrix includes only HIGH CONFIDENCE affiliations.
Private Memberships: - Some organizations don’t publish member lists - Private social clubs or informal networks - Behind-the-scenes coordination
Past Affiliations: - Members may have belonged to organizations years ago - Old memberships may no longer be active - Historical context may be missing
Informal Alignments: - Ideological sympathies without formal membership - Voting patterns that suggest affiliation - Policy positions that mirror organization without direct link
This matrix shows DOCUMENTED affiliations only. Absence of affiliation doesn’t mean absence of ideological alignment.
Primary Sources: - Washington State Financial Disclosure (F-1) forms - Legislative bios (leg.wa.gov) - Organization membership lists (where available) - PDC reports and filings - News media investigations
Specific Source Examples: - Rep. Scott DSA membership: Multiple news articles, self-identification - Rep. Marshall Three Percenters: NPR investigation, F-1 forms, ADL reports - WEA endorsements: WEA website, candidate questionnaires - Business affiliations: Chamber websites, business org records
Verification Date: December 2025
Note: Organizational affiliations can change. Check current status before making voting decisions.
When evaluating organizational affiliations:
This matrix should be updated: - Before each election cycle - When new affiliations are discovered - When members join/leave organizations - When committee membership changes - At least annually
Last Updated: December 11, 2025
Next Scheduled Update: December 2026
END OF ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS MATRIX
Summary: 2 of 19 members (10.5%) have extreme organizational affiliations requiring voter scrutiny. 17 of 19 members (89.5%) have only mainstream affiliations typical for their party. Equal scrutiny was applied to all members regardless of political affiliation.