Each year, legislators gather to talk about issues affecting Washington and vote on bills that may become new state laws.

2025 - Washington State Elections
November 12, 2025

After several days of ballot returns, statewide voter turnout stands at 38.91%. Democrats prevailed in all contested legislative races against Republican opponents, and in the two Democrat-versus-Democrat contests, the more progressive candidates also prevailed. With ballots now largely counted, voters have signaled confidence in their state elected officials, sending appointed legislators back to Olympia to continue serving the citizens of Washington.

While some voter behavior may reflect the broader federal environment, including reactions to the ongoing shutdown and views of the current president, the Washington results point to a consistent theme: the majority parties have received a reaffirmation of public support and can continue advancing their priorities heading into the 2026 session.

Legislative Races:

• 5th LD – Senate (Hunt v. Magendanz): AppointedDemocrat Victoria Hunt will retain her senate seat.
• 26th LD – Senate (Krishnadasan v. Caldier): Appointed Democrat Deborah Krishnadasan will retain her senate seat.
• 33rd LD – House (Obras v. Schilling): Appointed Democratic Rep. Edwin Obras will retain his house seat.
• 48th LD – Senate (Slatter v. Walen): Appointed Democrat Sen. Vandana Slatter will retain her senate seat.
• 41st LD – House (Zahn v. Whitney): Appointed Democrat Rep. Janice Zahn will retain her house seat.
• 48th LD – House (Salahuddin v. Ellis): Appointed Democrat Rep. Osman Salahuddin will retain his house seat.

Local Races:

• Seattle Mayor: Katie Wilson will prevail over incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. While both Democrats, Wilson ran on a more progressive platform. This race may end up in a recount, however election analysis are reporting that it is mathematically impossible for Harrel to catch up.
• King County Executive: Councilmember Girmay Zahilay will prevail over Councilmember Claudia Balducci. While both Democrats, Zahilay ran on a more progressive platform.
• Tacoma Mayor: Former Councilmember Anders Ibsen will prevail against current Councilmember John Hines. While both Democrats, Ibsen ran on a more progressive platform.
• Seattle - Proposition 2 (Business Tax Rewrite): Seattle voters have decided on a measure to restructure the city’s business tax system - lowering taxes for most small and mid-sized businesses while increasing rates larger businesses. Proposition 2 has passed.
• Olympia – Proposition 1 (“Worker’s Bill of Rights”): Olympia voters have decided on Proposition 1, a local initiative that would raise the city’s minimum wage above the state level and establish additional employment related requirements. Proposition 2 has failed.

2025 - Washington State Elections
November 5, 2025 – 6:00pm

Additional ballots were counted and results were updated on November 5, offering a clearer picture of the election landscape. While voter participation remains below average, turnout is still expected to reach approximately 40% once all ballots have been processed. Election officials report that roughly 406,000 ballots are currently on hand and awaiting tabulation.

The latest ballot returns did little to shift the trajectory of most races, with margins holding steady across the state. However, the contest drawing the most attention continues to be in the 33rd Legislative District, where two Democrats are competing for the House seat. Challenger Kevin Schilling maintains a narrow lead over appointed Rep. Edwin Obras, with a current advantage of 199 votes. Given the tight margin and volume of ballots left to count, this race remains highly competitive and will be a key one to watch in the coming days.

Below are the key races to watch:

• 5th LD – Senate (Hunt v. Magendanz): AppointedDemocrat Victoria Hunt leads Republican Chad Magendanz.
• 26th LD – Senate (Krishnadasan v. Caldier): Appointed Democrat Deborah Krishnadasan leads Republican Michelle Caldier.
• 48th LD – Senate (Slatter v. Walen): Appointed Democrat Sen. Vandana Slatter is leading Democrat Rep. Amy Walen.
• 33rd LD – House (Obras v. Schilling): Appointed Democrat Rep. Edwin Obras was trailing Democratic challenger Kevin Schilling by 358 votes on election night; now 199 votes separate the candidates.
• 41st LD – House (Zahn v. Whitney): Appointed Rep. Janice Zahn (D) leads Republican John Whitney with 69% of the vote.
• 48th LD – House (Salahuddin v. Ellis): Appointed Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D) leads Republican Dennis Ellis with 68% of the vote.
• Senate Joint Resolution 8201 – Investment of WA Cares Dollars: Appears on track to pass with 56% of the vote.

Local Races Drawing Attention

• Seattle Mayor: Incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, who is seeking a second term, faces a challenge from community organizer Katie Wilson, who placed first against Harrell in an upset during the August nonpartisan primary. If reelected, Harrell would become the first Seattle mayor elected to a second term since Greg Nickels in 2005. While both Democrats, Wilson is running on a more progressive platform.
• On election night, Harrell led Wilson by a margin of 53.32% to 46.18%. After returns on 11/5, Harrell now leads by 53.84% to 45.69%; 11,183 votes.
• King County Executive: Two current King County Councilmembers are both vying to be the next King County Executive. Councilmember Girmay Zahilay is running on a more progressive platform focused on expanded social services, housing, and criminal justice reform. Councilmember Claudia Balducci, a former Bellevue mayor and Sound Transit Board chair, has positioned herself as a pragmatic executive with experience managing regional systems and large-scale policy implementation. While both candidates are Democrats, the race has emerged as a key test of voter preference between progressive and more centrist leadership styles at the county level.
• On election night, Zahilay led Balducci by a margin of 50.07% to 48.44%. After returns on 11/5, Zahilay now leads by 50.56% to 48.17%; 7,566 votes.
• Olympia – Proposition 1 (“Worker’s Bill of Rights”): Olympia voters will decide whether to adopt Proposition 1, a local initiative that would raise the city’s minimum wage above the state level and establish additional employment related requirements. The measure would increase the minimum wage to $20 per hour for large employers, with gradual phase-in schedules for businesses with fewer than 500 employees. In addition to wage increases, the initiative would require advance notice of schedule changes, increased workplace standards, and give existing employees priority for additional hours before new staff are hired. Supporters argue it will help workers keep pace with rising costs and stimulate the local economy, while opponents - including Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne and several local nonprofits - warn it will burden employers, increase operating costs, and discourage businesses from locating or expanding in the city.
• After two nights of returns, Prop 1 is still considered too close to call, however the margins remain at 55% of Olympia voting no, and 44% voting yes. The proposal is failing by 1,401 votes.
• Seattle - Proposition 2 (Business Tax Rewrite): Seattle voters will decide on a measure to restructure the city’s business tax system - lowering taxes for most small and mid-sized businesses while increasing rates larger businesses.
• After two nights of returns, Prop 2 is slated to pass with 67% of Seattle voting yes.

2025 - Washington State Elections

November 4, 2025

Today’s general election may offer meaningful insight into voter sentiment heading into 2026, particularly within the state Legislature. However, results may be influenced by the broader national environment, including voter reactions to President Trump and the ongoing federal shutdown, which could cloud how much of tonight’s outcomes reflect state-specific political dynamics. Voters statewide will weigh in on local offices and ballot measures, as well as four competitive special legislative elections.

In Washington state, Representatives are elected for two-year terms, and Senators for four-year terms. These special elections stem from a variety of reasons, including early retirement, a successful statewide election, the tragic passing of Sen. Bill Ramos, and Governor Bob Ferguson’s tapping two sitting lawmakers for positions in his administration. This prompted a cascade of vacancies filled by the local appointment process. Now, those appointees must face voters to retain their seats through the remainder of their terms.

Democrats currently hold commanding 60% majorities in both the House (59-39) and Senate (30-19), and while this election will not change the majority control, it will be one to watch as voters could shape the political narrative heading into the 2026 session.

Key Trends and Races to Watch:

• Voter response to tax policy: These races may serve as early indicators of how voters are reacting to the $9.4 billion in new taxes approved earlier this year.
• Moderate vs. Progressive Democrats: Two of the races feature competitive intraparty contests that highlight ideological divides between moderate and progressive Democrats.
• Safe seats, limited suspense: Of the nine contests, five feature appointees who are either unopposed or expected to easily advance. The remaining four are attracting significant outside spending and campaign activity.

Voters will also decide on Senate Joint Resolution 8201, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow WA Cares long-term care tax dollars to be invested in the stock market, similar to how the state manages pension funds. Supporters argue this change would generate higher long-term returns and strengthen the program’s financial stability, while opponents caution that exposing taxpayer dollars to market risk could undermine prudent fiscal management. A similar proposal failed in 2020, but this year’s version includes safeguards requiring investment earnings to remain within the WA Cares program. Approval requires a simple majority.

As a reminder, Washington’s vote by mail system closes at 8pm. Results from early voters will be released at 8pm, with results trickling in over the next several days.

Below are the key races to watch:

5^th Legislative District: This race was prompted by the sudden passing of Senator Bill Ramos in the final days of the 2025 legislative session. Ramos had only recently been elected to the Senate after serving several years in the House. Representative Victoria Hunt (D-Issaquah), who had just won her House seat in November 2024, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Hunt is now running to retain the Senate seat and faces a known challenger to the district: former Representative Chad Magendanz (R-Issaquah). Magendanz previously served two terms in the House and lost to Ramos in last year’s Senate race. He also ran unsuccessfully for a House seat in 2022 and 2018, as well as an unsuccessful attempt against former Sen. Mark Mullet in 2016. A major focus of this race has been the $9.4 billion in new and higher taxes.

26^th Legislative District: Following Emily Randall’s election to Congress, Deborah Krishnadasan (D-Gig Harbor) was appointed to Randall’s state Senate seat. She is running to retain this position and is being challenged by Michelle Caldier (R-Gig Harbor), a well-known figure in the district who has won six consecutive House races, most recently with nearly 55% of the vote. For the past decade, the district has had representation from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Notably, Krishnadasan broke with her caucus to vote against the $9.4 billion in new taxes passed earlier this year, and has positioned herself as a moderate voice in the Democratic caucus. Caldier, has centered her campaign on the message that Democrats overreached and argues that reducing their numbers in the Senate is the best way to prevent further tax increases in 2026.

48th Legislative District: This Senate seat was vacated when Senator Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) was elected to serve as Washington’s Insurance Commissioner. Representative Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) was appointed to fill the vacancy, but the appointment sparked tension within the delegation, Representative Amy Walen (D-Kirkland), the other House member from the district, had also sought the appointment and is now challenging Slatter in one of the most high-profile intraparty races of the year. Both candidates are well-known to voters in Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland, and each has strong support in the district. Slatter, aligns more with the progressive wing of the party, and Walen, aligns more as a business-friendly moderate. They voted similarly on many bills last session however split on several key issues. Slatter supported the gas tax increase and rent cap bill; Walen opposed both. Both supported expanding the sales tax to certain services, but they also shared opposition to a broad increase in business taxes and corporate surcharges. With no Republican on the ballot, the outcome could offer insight into where Democratic and independent voters on the Eastside currently stand on tax, housing, and fiscal issues.

33^rd Legislative District: This seat was vacated when longtime Representative Tina Orwall was appointed to the Senate following Senator Karen Keiser’s resignation. Edwin Obras (D-SeaTac) was appointed to fill Orwall’s House seat and is now seeking election to serve the remainder of the term. While the 33rd is considered a safe Democratic district, this race has become a test of the party’s ideological leanings. Obras, considered more progressive, is facing a strong challenge from Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling, who aims to position himself as a more moderate Democrat.

Additional Legislative Races of Note:

• 41^st Legislative District: This seat was held by Representative Tana Senn (D, Mercer Island) who was selected by Governor Ferguson to run the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Following Senn’s resignation, Janice Zahn (D - Bellevue) was appointed to the position. The candidates are:
• Janice Zahn (D, incumbent)
• John Whitney (R)
• 48^th Legislative District: This seat was held by Representative Vandana Slatter until she was appointed to the Senate seat following the 2024 general election.  Osman Salahuddin (D - Redmond) was appointed to the position. The candidates are:
• Osman Salahuddin (D, incumbent)
• Dennis Ellis (R)

Uncontested Races:

• 33^rd Legislative District –Appointed Sen. Tina Orwall (D - Des Moines) will retain the seat.
• 34^th Legislative District –Appointed Sen. Emily Alvarado (D - West Seattle) will retain the seat.
• 34^th Legislative District – Appointed Rep. Brianna Thomas (D - West Seattle) will retain the seat.