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 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.