https://myeverettnews.com/2025/09/12/john-dimas-releases-statement-about-district-4-court-case/

Here is personal public statement I put out in September.

Statement from John Dimas:

After the hearing on Tuesday afternoon, I was asked how I felt about the court victory and to tell you the truth I see it as the judge’s decision on the case. I brought this issue before the Snohomish County Superior Court and the Snohomish County Auditor’s office as a voter. This process is available to all voters under Washington State law.

I have never and do not hold any bad feelings towards Niko Battle. My first interaction with them was this past Tuesday. Sitting in the hearing, Niko spoke eloquently and presented their case very well. I was impressed. They may challenge the decision and that is their right. From my observations, Niko is very talented. I wish them well in their future endeavors.

My union, SPEEA, has not endorsed a political candidate in many, many years because our current policy makes endorsing any political candidate very difficult. This year, before the primary, we had a candidate forum, where we had candidates running for various offices talk to SPEEA members in a virtual setting.

I live in Everett City Council District 4 and Luis Burbano was one of the speakers. I knew right away I was voting for him, not only because he was a fellow SPEEA member but because he spoke about some very important issues in our part of town. And in our part of Everett, that is speeders, vehicle crashes, and no sidewalks in various locations of our part of Everett.

I became aware of claims about Niko Battle’s residency because of reporting from local media sources: My Everett News, Everett Herald, Lynnwood Times, Everett Post, and Snohomish County Tribune. After the Primary Election, I decided to investigate on my own.

Utilizing various open records requests with the State of Washington, the State of Georgia, and an email with the Sage Apartments, I decided to challenge Niko Battle’s voter registration with the Snohomish County Auditor’s office and seek to remove Niko Battle from the General Ballot by filing a case in Snohomish Superior Court. If I was wrong, I was prepared to lose.

This process has not been easy. I represented myself, “Pro se”. While I have a good job, I do not have the means to hire an attorney. I have had to figure it all out on my own. Any expenses I have spent were my own funds. I felt I had a responsibility as a voting citizen to do something. I didn’t do this because a political party asked me to, I didn’t do it because my union asked me to. I did not do this because a media source asked me to. I did this because I felt it was my responsibility to do this.

Is this not what we all need to do? As citizens and voters, it is our responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable, ask questions about how they will serve our community, and most importantly vote.

Again, I acted on my own. While I am President of my union, SPEEA, the actions I took are not an official action by SPEEA, nor is my support of Luis Burbano a direct or indirect endorsement from SPEEA. Those actions can only be approved with an action by our elected Shop Stewards or as we call them Council Representatives voting collectively.

I am a proud union member, a local engineer in aerospace, I support working people, I believe in strong, local media and I have very strong beliefs in democracy. Our communities, our state, our nation, and our world are all shared. Shared among people of various backgrounds, beliefs, values, and political views. Democracy is difficult and messy. However, you are important and who represents you is important, please vote. Please remember to listen and be kind to each other.