Are our union dues used to pay for contributions to political candidates?

No, the Revised Code of Washington 42.17A.495 forbids it.

If you still want to contribute, you can join the Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality (PEOPLE), which is AFSCME’s Political Action Committee (PAC).

PEOPLE is a voluntary, independent political organization to lobby on behalf of AFSCME members and is supported by members’ voluntary donations.