Kurtis Engle

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Kurtis Engle

Union Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1979 - 1982

Personal

Birthplace

Seattle, Wash.

Religion

That's enough Jello for me, Mom.

Profession

Disabled veteran

Kurtis Engle (Union Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Washington's 10th Congressional District. He lost in the primary on August 6, 2024.

Biography

Engle was born in Seattle, Washington. He served in the United States Navy from 1979 to 1982.

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

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 348,044
= candidate completed 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

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 173,152
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jay Fratt (R)
• Edward Saner (D)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Engle in this election.

2022

See also: Washington Secretary of State election, 2022

General election

Special general election for Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Steve Hobbs defeated Julie Anderson and Brad Klippert in the special general election for Washington Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Hobbs (D)	49.8	1,468,521
		Julie Anderson (Independent)	45.8	1,351,926
		Brad Klippert (R) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	4.4	129,933

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,950,380
= 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

Special nonpartisan primary for Washington Secretary of State

The following candidates ran in the special primary for Washington Secretary of State on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Hobbs (D)	39.9	747,993
✔		Julie Anderson (Independent)	12.8	240,035
		Keith Wagoner (R)	12.2	227,842
		Bob Hagglund (R)	12.0	225,633
		Mark Miloscia (R)	10.0	187,774
		Marquez Tiggs (D)	7.9	148,716
		Tamborine Borrelli (America First Republican Party)	4.6	86,748
		Kurtis Engle (Union Party)	0.4	6,887
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	1,499

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,873,127
= 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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2020

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 20-Position 1

Peter Abbarno defeated Timothy Zahn in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 20-Position 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Abbarno (R)	70.7	58,484
	Submit photo	Timothy Zahn (D)	29.1	24,079
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	120

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,683
= 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 Washington House of Representatives District 20-Position 1

Peter Abbarno and Timothy Zahn defeated Brian Lange and Kurtis Engle in the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 20-Position 1 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Abbarno (R)	47.1	25,368
✔	Submit photo	Timothy Zahn (D)	26.1	14,056
		Brian Lange (R)	23.9	12,881
		Kurtis Engle (Unaffiliated)	2.8	1,502
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	91

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 53,898
= 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.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kurtis Engle did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Kurtis Engle did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Kurtis Engle completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Engle's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a disabled vet. Decade or so ago quit driving because woke up blind in half an eye, then hit a car. First time ever. I moved from the wild Oregon coast to Centralia so I could use the bus. It was possible, but isn't any more. The bus rolls the miles, but goes in several small circles, which don't even cooperate with themselves much less each other much less any other transit outfit. I have been going round and round with city hall over this for 3 years. And then COVID hit.

In the U.S. treason is limited to making war on us. And for COVID, Transit is revised to ensure anyone who wants a test has first to walk across Walmart. The very last place we want an infected person is the very place Transit dumps everyone. This is biological warfare, and every politician in town knows. I told them. Any of them could have stopped this, all of them should have, and none of them did. And now Pete wants a promotion.

I don't think rewarding treason is a good idea. And sabotaged transit is so easy to solve I could do it myself, if only local government would get out of my way for a day. And what about the other sabotage. A novelty dam with a hole in it, but no little Dutch boy? Windmills in a forest, across the main avian migration route? A powerplant slated for demolition with no replacement? Then there are the deeds undone. SW Washington has no basic industry, and one of the Worlds finest holes in the ground, where I say we should build a liquid Thorium nuclear reactor factory.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I can only explain the Americans with Disability Act to the Mayor so many times before it's clear I have been tuned out. So I escorted him to the political wilderness in my last campaign, left him there, and blessed the new Mayor with a helpfully highlighted copy of the Americans with Disability Act. Which has been ignored.
• "Onshoring" industry will mean deciding what factory goes where. The most important factory will mass produce Liquid Flourid Thorium Reactors. The place to build it is in the Pit, under the Giga-powerlines, at the end of the Rail. And the time to build it is first. I remember what Buzz said, but do you? Yes, first mover costs are high. But factories seldom move, and they pump out product. Notice the direction the money moves. Notice 50% of Lewis county residents live within 10 miles.
• The rise of China as a military threat shows the failure of the Nixon China Initiative. The specific problem is, the Commies are still in charge there. For you youngsters, a Commie is a fellow who say's, "Let's you and him, fight!" There are around 3,000 left in the World, and we need to focus on getting rid of them. Kill. Bribe. Whatever. We need to be very carefull about allowing the Provocatours among us to conflate anticommunism with racism. It's not about beating the Chinese, it's about freeing them. While at the same time avoiding seeing a million cross the beaches between Astoria and Aberdeen. Which of course is the Communists dearest dream.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am tired of getting the back of the hand from the governemnt. Ours is not an authoritarian system. The idea is, the government is supposed to make things better. By which I mean easier. And some seem to think otherwise. Here in Centralia, because I have no car, I enjoy all the disadvantages of living in the woods and all the disadvantages of living in the city, with none of the advantages of either, simply because the local government is in the hands of 'bleed the beast republicans' and/or out and out racists.

A 'bleed the beast republican' is a hyper-conservative wastrel whose dearest dream is to starve and abuse government to the point it can be drowned in a bathtub, so we can all be free of democracy. And a racist is a fellow who enjoys the fact Lewis county is one of the whitest in America so much he is willing to sabotage transit to keep the colored people out, and keep the neighbors barefoot and pregnant out on the farm. Yes, I know. It's just terrible I should say such things, much less do it while looking straight at Pete and wondering out loud what the deal is, Mr. Mayor pro tem.

I'm not saying I'm the guy who should be in Olympia, making important decisions for other people. I'm saying I sure as hell don't want to see in Olympia what I've seen in Centralia. There are too many important things going on to try to recreate 1950. For one thing, folks are raising children. For another, Commies are still trying to take over the World. Like, "Pinky and the Brain"

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I'm not a fan boy. I appreciate the difference between positive influences and negative ones. But I heve never had the urge to 'be like Mike'. I am more focused on not being like Eugene.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Little Big Man', starring Dustin Hoffman.

The diary of Anne Frank.
Letter from the Birmingham Jail, by MLK.
Gulag Archipelago, by Solzhenitsyn.
Siddartha, by Hesse.
Catch-22, by Heller.
The Prince, by Machiavelli.
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. This may be the collected writings of several unknown people.
Animal Farm, by Orwell.
The Persian Expedition, by Xenophon.
The Pelopenisian War, by Themistolcles.
Biography of Clarence Darrow, by Stone.
The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves, by Brian
On Asteroids, Prehistoric Civilizations, and the likely Fate of ours (50 hours) : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHY4t-R0YADjCkxB0PVYPqoSGrspbryHg
On Nuclear Power (5 minutes) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK367T7h6ZY

And there is more. But why read tea leaves? I believe governments are instituted to preserve peoples rights and to serve. Others, like the President, have the opposite view. I also view China, and to much lesser degree today, Russia, to be existential threats because they both are run by people owning regiems. Which all Free People should resolutely oppose. The President, again, takes the opposite view, and wants to put 82nd Airborne Paratroopers on American streets to ...shoot... Americans who disagree with him. Just like happened at Tianamin Square.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

This is a trick question, and I am flipping it. What charateristics and principles are most important to Trump? Do you see anything good, there? What is it?

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

None.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Adhere to the Oath. Serve the State, not just 'your voters'. Leave things in better shape than you found them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A succesful 'onshoring' of military and pandemic critical industries. Particular feature, LFTR factory behind Trans Alta powerplant.

Heavy economic stimules to kick-start the economy, to lift all boats.
Infrastructure Week.
Real Transit in Lewis County. This includes REAL bike paths on what are now abandoned rail lines.
Military, Coast Guard, & National Guard coordinated manuvers repelling an invasion between Astoria and Aberdeen.

But what I would REALLY like to do is SHAME the local politicians into working for us instead of against us. Simple example : Trivial : I want to be able to wave my credit card ONCE, and then NEVER EVEN THINK about the utility bill ever again. I should not have to know what the electric bill is. I have never NOT paid it, and I never will, because they will shut me off. So why do I have to read it, then pay it, or be the bad guy? The simple explanation is, to provide a monthly opportunity to screw up. So I can be punished. To put in fewer words, the electric bill is being used as a submission ritual. You either OBEY or you are PUNISHED. Regularly. That's not what democratic government is supposed to be doing.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Seattle earthquake of '65. I was 2.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a fry cook for KFC, after school. That job lasted 2 weeks. My boss woke my father, the multiple murderer, and frequent early riser, to call me down to the restaurant for a reason he forgot by the time I arrived, at 6:15 am. I fired my boss on the spot, for cause. Took a dishwashing job at Farrels Ice Cream Parlor, after school, and held it until I enlisted, on my 17th birthday, with GED in hand.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Chiltons manual.

Because I can't pay a mechanic.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

A non-fictional character.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Tough to say. Checking, it seems "Flight of the Valkiries" is in there just now.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My extremely poor choice of parents, combined with my assignment to 'the crazy boat' USS Haddo, and a week in the Salem Jail to "take me away from my medicine", have created together insurmountable difficulties. These days I am not trying to beat my problems. I am just trying to live with them.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

In theory, the longer terms of the Senators tend to insulate them against short term political turbulence. Flip that coin, and it reads the other way, Representative are supposed to be more representative.

But what about one chamber vs. two? The number of opportunities to cast a vote differs. More is usually better.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is beneficial for voters to have seen a persons work. But the thing a politician is putting forward is an opportunity to vote for or against a set of ideas, values, and priorities. Let's put it this way, I am not real pleased to have to vote for Joe, because he doesn't represent me. But we have seen Trump, and America needs to arrest him, try, convict and imprison him. So, of course, if the Democrats nominated a used up kitchen sponge, a broken garage door opener, last weeks leftover Pizza, or something the neighbors dog left on the lawn, I would vote for it.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Industrial reform. Infrastructure. Balance of trade. And making sure a million Chinese soldiers don't land between Astoria and Aberdeen.

I am making the wild assumption the infrastructure projects will massivly stimulate the economy and that THAT will improve the homelessness and poverty emergencies we have created with "Got mine, screw you!" policies that protect the rich from the poor.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

I have not the slightest idea as to what this question is getting at. We have a Constitution. THAT is the way it is supposed to be.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Political parties EXIST because organization works.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Scrupulously non-partisan. The way no one does it, now. And the way everyone should.

Gerrymandering has resulted in a number of states where the public votes its' pea-picking heart out to no avail. Point is, the States without this problem right now are much more likely to aquire it, than the States which do have this problem right now are likely to get rid of it. And should the States now so afflicted throw off their chains, it is very likely they will immediatly be gerrymandered the other way, and in the extreme.

I don't expect support from either party when I suggest drawing districts should not be a political prize. It should instead be an exercise in creating the most competative districts possible, so that peoples votes will matter. "Most competative" can be measured very precisely, and is exactly what politicians will not do. Therefore, the process should be placed in non-political hands.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I am not yet thinking about that.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I have intentionally distance myself from both parties.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I'm not a fan boy.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I will continue to run against members of the City Council untill it becomes possible to leave town. Then, I will.

Think about the unsubtle fact of not being physically able to move away from these morons. Most folks would call that imprisonment, of one sort or another. I call it 8 years house arrest by the transit authority.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The first constituant I ever talked to spoke of a young male relative who had to forgo employment because of sabotaged transit.

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 finance summary

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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.

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Kurtis Engle campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Washington District 10	Lost primary	$0	N/A**
2022	Washington Secretary of State	Lost primary	$0	$0
Grand total			$0	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

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Footnotes

[show]

Washington's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Maria Cantwell (D)

Patty Murray (D)

Representatives

District 1

Suzan DelBene (D)

District 2

Rick Larsen (D)

District 3

Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D)

District 4

Dan Newhouse (R)

District 5

Michael Baumgartner (R)

District 6

Emily Randall (D)

District 7

Pramila Jayapal (D)

District 8

Kim Schrier (D)

District 9

D. Adam Smith (D)

District 10

Marilyn Strickland (D)

Democratic Party (10)

Republican Party (2)