2025 - Washington State Elections
August 5, 2025

Today’s primary election will offer early clues about how the political landscape might remain or shift in the fall, particularly in the state Legislature. Voters across Washington will weigh in on local offices and ballot measures, but four (of the nine) special legislative elections are drawing the most attention and could preview key dynamics heading into November.

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 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.

As a reminder, Washington’s vote by mail system closes at 8pm on August 5. Results from early voters will be released at 8pm, with results trickling in over the next several days. In Washington, the top two vote getters in each race will advance to the general election regardless of party.

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, 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. Both candidates will advance, however this will be one to watch as Rep. Hunt voted mostly with her caucus in support of the tax increases.

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. With only two candidates on the ballot, both will advance to November, but this primary is being closely watched as a bellwether for which campaign messages are gaining traction, and where voters may be headed this fall.

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 of the primary will not decide who holds the seat, however it will 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. Republican Darryl Jones is also on the ballot. A Democrat is almost certain to win the seat, but the race is one to watch as the primary will determine the shape of the November contest. Depending on how the vote breaks, either one Democrat will face Republican Darryl Jones in the general election, or both Democrats could advance, setting up another intraparty matchup in November.

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 for this seat in the special election are:

• Janice Zahn (D, incumbent)
• Vinita Kak (D)
• 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 and is seeking to retain the spot. Candidates for this position are:

• Osman Salahuddin (D, incumbent)
• Ranga Bondada (D)
• Dennis Ellis (R)

Other races to note, however, are not contested:

• 33^rd Legislative District – Longtime State Senator Karen Keiser held this seat but retired from the legislature mid-term. Rep. Tina Orwall (D, Des Moines) was appointed to the position to fill the vacancy. She has no opposition on this years ballot and  will retain the Senate seat.

• 34^th Legislative District – Sen. Joe Nguyen (D, West Seattle) held this seat until he was appointed Director of the Department of Commerce earlier this year. Rep. Emily Alvarado (D, West Seattle), was appointed to Nguyen’s vacancy. She has no opposition on this years ballot and  will retain the Senate seat.

• 34^th Legislative District – After the appointment of Rep. Emily Alvarado to the Senate, Brianna Thomas was appointed to the vacant House seat. She has no opposition on this years ballot and  will retain the House seat.