2024 Washington state election results

In Washington’s statewide and legislative elections, we had many wins, with a large percentage of WSNA Political Action Committee (PAC)-endorsed candidates winning their races, while the ballot initiatives opposed by WSNA lost at the ballot box.

The WSNA PAC is nonpartisan, supporting candidates who support nursing’s policy agenda. WSNA PAC is run by a board of trustees appointed by the WSNA board of directors

The following WSNA PAC-endorsed statewide candidates fared well in this election, bringing new leadership to Washington state: Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson, Attorney General-elect Nick Brown, Incoming Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer and Incoming Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove.

Other statewide elected officials who won their re-election campaigns are Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs), State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, State Auditor Pat McCarthy, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

There are still races that are too close to call. Election results are certified by each county on Nov. 26, 2024, and the Secretary of State certifies the final results by Dec. 5, 2024. Find up-to-date election results on the Secretary of State website.

For the state legislative races, Democrats will keep control of the House and Senate.

Locate your legislative districts (LD) here.

Some notable races to follow:

• In the 10th legislative district, incumbent State Sen. Ron Muzzall is fending off a challenge from Island County commissioner and social worker Janet St. Clair. As of Nov. 14, Muzzall is leading by 1,517 votes and appears on track to retain his seat.
• In the 17th legislative district:
  • Nurse Terri Niles is trailing Washougal Mayor David Stuebe by just over 800 votes. While it’s still possible for Niles to close the gap, it seems likely that Stuebe will win this seat.
  • Rep. Paul Harris, who is running for the state senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Lynda Wilson, increased his lead over White Salmon Mayor Marla Keethler.
• In the 18th legislative district:
  • Teacher Adrian Cortes is holding onto a 232-vote advantage over 29-year-old Brad Benton, a sales rep.
  • Delta pilot John Ley is likely to prevail over teacher John Zingale.

Some new faces in the state legislature include:

• Matt Marshall (LD 2)
• Natasha Hill (LD 3)
• Victoria Hunt (LD 5)
• Andrew Engell (LD 7)
• Hunter Abell (LD 7)
• Jeremie Dufault (LD 15)
• Lisa Parshley (LD 22)
• Adam Bernbaum (LD 24)
• Adison Richards (LD 26)
• Joshua Penner (LD 31)
• Shaun Scott (LD 43)

The following state representatives have been elected to the Senate:

• Marcus Riccelli (LD 3)
• Bill Ramos (LD 5)
• Jessica Bateman (LD 22)
• Mike Chapman (LD 24)

Initiatives

All three of the state initiatives opposed by WSNA failed. This was the first year that initiatives required fiscal impact statements in the ballot title.

Washingtonians cast a commanding ‘NO’ vote on:

•  I-2109 repealing the capital gains tax (63% NO).
• I-2117 repealing the state’s carbon cap-and-trade program (61% NO).
• I-2124 making Washington’s long-term care program optional (55% NO).

Because these initiatives failed, we protected essential investments in our education, environment, and long-term care program.

Initiative 2066 regarding electrification and natural gas appears to be on track to pass. However, this measure will most likely face a legal challenge, with climate advocates arguing that it violates the single-subject rule. This issue does not seem to be resolved anytime soon, especially given the potential legal challenges in the coming months.

Federal election results

In Washington state, Senator Maria Cantwell won re-election to the U.S. Senate and Rep. Pramila Jayapal won re-election to the 7th Congressional District (CD). Two new faces will be representing Washington state in Congress: Michael Baumgartner won the 5th congressional district (CD) and State Sen. Emily Randall, who has a strong record of supporting nursing issues, won the 6th CD.

Locate your congressional district here.

Some U.S. House races to note:

• Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a first-term Democrat representing the 3rd CD, a rural, working-class district that former President Donald J. Trump won twice, holds on to the House seat against Trump-endorsed candidate Joe Kent. This is the second election in which Glusenkamp Perez has defeated Kent.
• In the 4th CD, incumbent Rep. Dan Newhouse is expected to win his re-election campaign against another Trump-endorsed candidate Jerrod Sessler.
• In another competitive district, the 8th CD, incumbent Dr. Kim Schrier has won her re-election campaign over challenger Carmen Goers.