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Desirée Toliver
Desirée Toliver (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 10th Congressional District. She lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.
Toliver completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Desirée Toliver was born in Denmark. She graduated from North Thurston High School. She earned an associate degree from South Puget Sound Community College in 2021. Her career experience includes working as an activist. She has been affiliated with Thurston County Democrats, Washington Tenants Union, and Palestine Action of South Sound.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Washington's 10th Congressional District election, 2024
Washington's 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 10
Incumbent Marilyn Strickland defeated Don Hewett in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 10 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Marilyn Strickland (D) | 58.5 | 203,732 |
 | Don Hewett (R) | 41.2 | 143,492 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 820 | ||
| Total votes: 348,044 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 10
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 10 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Marilyn Strickland (D) | 54.3 | 93,942 |
| ✔ | | Don Hewett (R) | 26.7 | 46,258 |
 | Nirav Sheth (R) | 11.7 | 20,208 | |
 | Desirée Toliver (D) | 3.7 | 6,424 | |
 | Eric Mahaffy (D) | 2.0 | 3,527 | |
 | Richard Boyce (Congress Sucks Party) | 1.2 | 2,056 | |
 | Kurtis Engle (Union Party) | 0.3 | 545 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 192 | ||
| Total votes: 173,152 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jay Fratt (R)
- Edward Saner (D)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Toliver in this election.
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Olympia, Washington (2023)
General election
General election for Mayor of Olympia
Dontae Payne defeated David Ross in the general election for Mayor of Olympia on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dontae Payne (Nonpartisan) | 69.5 | 11,197 |
| David Ross (Nonpartisan) | 30.0 | 4,841 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 72 | ||
| Total votes: 16,110 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Olympia
Dontae Payne and David Ross defeated Desirée Toliver in the primary for Mayor of Olympia on August 1, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dontae Payne (Nonpartisan) | 65.2 | 8,454 |
| ✔ | David Ross (Nonpartisan) | 29.6 | 3,845 | |
| Desirée Toliver (Nonpartisan) | 4.9 | 637 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 34 | ||
| Total votes: 12,970 | |||
| = 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
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Toliver in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Desirée Toliver completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Toliver's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Graduated from North Thurston Public schools with a High school diploma in 2010. Graduated from South Puget Sound Community College in 2021. With a genuine passion for helping others through some of their most vulnerable moments, it is no surprise I have worked as a Claims Adjuster, mobile Lab Supervisor for covid testing, or as a Peer Mentor.
While praised for the resilience they have for overcoming barriers, such as housing, they have no desire to see that kind of resilience through experience in anyone else.- Ceasefire and beyond. I have called for stop to the attacks on civilians in Palestine since the onset of this current conflict. I have maintained my dedication by collaborating with other State Party leaders in the Washington Democrats to be one of many who voted to pass 3 resolutions calling for a Cease fire at the Wa Dems Convention of 2024, which made national headlines.
- Unity in the community through a foundation for all. I believe that when all the basic needs of community members are met and there are clear pathways for them to follow their dreams, tools of division do not hold the same weight. Through ensuring there is adequate supply of safe, affordable, diverse housing options as the base of this foundation. Community members will be able to focus on how to make intentional decisions about their life.
- Control in the community. I want to focus on techniques to give control of the local economy directly to the people living with in the district. Allowing communities pathways to maintain ownership not only in the community, but the direction as well.
Hearing how steady and sure of her self as she testified, reading about her runs for senator and the work that she was able to do with the creation of Mississippi freedom Democratic Party, and getting them two delegate seats.
I have the quote tattoo’d on my arm that says “ Since my earliest childhood a barb of sorrow has lodged in my heart. As long as it stays I am Ironic — if it is pulled out I shall die”
Their willingness to take action.
Their willingness to ask questions.
Their ability to find non-traditional solutions.
Their flexibility.
Their ability to grow.
Their ability to admit they were wrong.
How well they advocate for the desires of their community.
A deep understanding of what a representative should be, how they should be able to offer strong foundational supports for the community to flourish off of.
To ensure someone is standing in unity with their community to ensure the goals of the community are met.
I want people to resonate with that, and understand that love
As a Wild thing themselves my daughter has always loved when I read Them that book. So that makes it a favorite for me because I enjoy the memories.
Just like the landscape of our country, and our technology, and our job markets change. I do believe that politicians should not be able to spend endless time in their seat.
As someone who was unhoused myself, it was hard to navigate these systems and try to deal with everyday life stressors with no foundation. There was no situation that I was in while I was unhoused that could have went on 1 week longer, and I still be the person I am today, in the position I am today. So, I do not take it lightly when these women share that with me.
You drop it in water if it sinks it’s Girl ant,
But, the truth is in Washington, at least in CD 10, there are plenty of people who learn trade skills at colleges, specially there community colleges. and, If college loans were waived for everyone but trade schools were excluded, the community would have gladly accepted any follow up measure that would have included those left out who went to trade schools.
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
Toliver’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Issues
Desirée demands an end to hostilites, the return of all prisoners, immediate access to humanitarian aid and no military support for Israel while apartheid conditions exist. She supports self-determination by the Palestinian people, equality for all people living in historic Palestine and the right of Palestinians to return to their homes. 2. Housing Desirée believes in housing for all. Research consistently proves that 'Housing First' strategies are the strongest way to support and enrich the community. Housing First reduces the burden on tax payers while providing opportunity for success to our most vulnerable populations. 3. Mental Health Desirée is a fierce advocate of 'wrap around' mental health support services. Models such as New Journeys ( More information can be found here) provide patient lead services and multiple advocates to dismantle the barriers to recovery as well as support regaining independence. 4. Taxes Every person and every corporation should pay their fair share to support the long term health of a good society for all. Unfortunately current tax laws support off-shore wealth hoarding and place greater burdens on middle and lower earners than those at the top. This leaves communities impoverished and unable to manage on behalf of all the people. With an fair tax system, including a wealth tax for the super rich, Americans will have the means to support economic democracy, creating jobs, schools, health systems and overall communities that are reflections of what they hold dear. 5. Education Desirée believes in Education for all. Education standards must prepare our youth to be engaged critical thinkers so they can succeed in any career path from a trade to a degree. Along with the mindset for achieving one's full potential, there must be opportunity. Ensuring that every American has access to quality education beyond K-12 is a core part of uplifting the community. 6. Environment A strong supporter of rural working land and protected waters, Toliver believes in preserving systems where small farms support schools and indigenous communities have expanded stewardship over environmental policy and resources. She takes fossil fuel reduction seriously and will hold the line on developing infrastructure and urban planning to meet science-based global targets for climate justice. 7. Health Care Expanding Medicare to include dental health, it is known that our teeth are important factors in both physical and mental health. A single Payer Health insurance system, Universal healthcare would eliminate unforeseen medical emergencies destroying American citizens with insurmountable debts. Capped prescriptions, healthcare should not be for profit, life saving medications should never have to be weighed against paying for basics such as food, or transportation to work. 8. Worker rights No one who works a full time job should be priced out of housing options. There should be a work/life balance to ensure that working families have involved parents and children are not left in the role of caretaker for younger siblings. Individuals should be able to work and pursue passions in their free time that allow them to find purpose. I support the right of workers to organize, a 32 hour work week and a minimum wage that keeps pace with historical increases in worker productivity. 9. Veterans I come from a strong military family background. Our country must uphold its promises to those who serve. We are also obliged not to misuse their service engaging in wars on behalf of corporate profits or false pretenses. 10. Reproductive rights It is a persons right to choose what is best for their body with the communication and assistance of medical professionals. 11. Gun Violence I believe that law abiding citizens do have a right to defend themselves. However, I do not believe that lowering barriers to access guns access makes our communities safer. I support tight restrictions and removal of guns in situations where there is a high risk of domestic violence. Palestine and Gaza In Palestine and Gaza Desirée demands an end to hostilites, the return of all prisoners, immediate access to humanitarian aid and no military support for Israel while apartheid conditions exist. She supports self-determination by the Palestinian people, equality for all people living in historic Palestine and the right of Palestinians to return to their homes.Add your issue summary here. Read More [2] |
” |
| —Desirée Toliver's campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
2023
Desirée Toliver did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
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 10 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 3, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Toliver for Congress, “On the Issues,” accessed July 17, 2024
