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August 15, 2025

WAMPAC Primary Election Update

Breaking down the primary election results and looking ahead to 2026

In an unusual turn of events for a post-presidential, off-election year, there are nine special elections for legislative seats on this year's ballot across six legislative districts. All nine seats up for grabs are currently held by Democrats and many are in "safe" districts for progressives, but Republicans have expressed optimism this year's contests could signal a change in the political climate in Olympia ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

With most of the primary ballots now counted, Republicans are holding out hope of picking up one Senate seat, but it appears that Democrats are retaining an advantage in voter enthusiasm and firm control of the state Legislature. Once the primary results are finalized, the top two vote getters in all races will advance to the general election on Nov. 4.

In the meantime, WAMPAC-the WSMA's bipartisan campaign arm-will continue to work on multiple fronts to ensure we are well-positioned to be effective and influential in the 2025 campaign cycle and to build relationships for the 2026 legislative session and beyond. If you have any questions about WAMPAC's engagement on campaigns, please contact WAMPAC Director Alex Wehinger.

Special election watch: 2025 primary election results

5th Legislative District

State Sen. Bill Ramos died unexpectedly on April 19 and Rep. Victoria Hunt was appointed to the Senate. Sen. Hunt is running to retain the seat, facing Republican candidate Chad Magendanz, a former state legislator. Despite the district being reliably Democratic in recent years, it has a history of divided representation and is considered potentially competitive. The 5th District includes Issaquah, Renton, and Snoqualmie, among other areas.

  • Sen. Victoria Hunt (D): 54.37%
  • Chad Magendanz (R): 45.47%

26th Legislative District

Former state Sen. Emily Randall was elected to Congress during the 2024 elections, creating an open Senate seat in the 26th District. Deb Krishnadasan was appointed to fill the vacancy, serving as the district's state senator during the 2025 legislative session. Rep. Michelle Caldier, the longstanding Republican representative in this district, is also running for the Senate seat. There are significant health policy implications in this race as Sen. Krishnadasan's spouse is a physician and Rep. Caldier is the assistant ranking minority member of the House Health Care Committee. The 26th District includes parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties and is one of the few remaining swing districts in the state, with voters sending Democrats and Republicans to Olympia every election.

  • Sen. Deb Krishnadasan (D): 50.98%
  • Rep. Michelle Caldier (R): 48.81%

33rd Legislative District

The most tenured member of the state Senate, Sen. Karen Keiser, announced her retirement last year after serving the 33rd Legislative District for 29 years. Her retirement came mid-term and Rep. Tina Orwall, a longtime member of the House representing the same district, was appointed to fill the Senate seat. Sen. Orwall is running to retain the Senate seat to finish out the legislative term and is unopposed.

This domino effect created an open House seat in the 33rd District and Rep. Edwin Obras, whose background is in human services, was appointed and is running to retain his seat. Fellow Democrat and Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling is also running for the House position. Both Sen. Orwall and Rep. Obras sit on their chambers' respective health care committees.

The 33rd District includes SeaTac, Normandy Park, and Des Moines and is overwhelmingly Democratic.

  • Senate race
    • Sen. Tina Orwall (D): 94.72%
  • House race
    • Rep. Edwin Obras (D): 46.85%
    • Kevin Schilling (D): 31.07%
    • Darryl Jones (R): 21.85%

34th Legislative District

Following Gov. Bob Ferguson's election, he selected then-state Sen. Joe Nguyen of the 34th Legislative District to serve as the director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. Then-Rep. Emily Alvarado was selected to the Senate seat and Brianna Thomas was appointed to the resulting vacated House seat. Both Sen. Alvarado and Rep. Thomas are running to retain their positions and are unopposed. The 34th District encompasses West Seattle, Vashon Island, and parts of Burien and White Center.

  • Senate race
    • Sen. Emily Alvarado (D): 97.04%
  • House race
    • Rep. Brianna Thomas (D): 96.87%

41st Legislative District

In another open seat created due to Gov. Ferguson's appointments, then-Rep. Tana Senn was selected to lead the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The King County Council appointed Bellevue City Councilmember Janice Zahn, who is running to retain the seat. The 41st District includes Mercer Island and the surrounding cities and is reliably Democratic.

  • Rep. Janice Zahn (D): 64.05%
  • Vinita Kak (D): 7.45%
  • John Whitney (R): 28.37%

48th Legislative District

Patty Kuderer was elected to statewide office, becoming the state's insurance commissioner and leaving an open Senate seat. Then-Rep. Vandana Slatter was selected to fill the Senate position and Osman Salahuddin was appointed to the House seat. Sen. Slatter sits on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and Rep. Salahuddin worked as a researcher at Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and UW Medicine. Both legislators are running to retain their respective seats. Additionally, 48th District Rep. Amy Walen, who chairs the Consumer Protection and Business Committee, is running for the Senate seat against her former seatmate, setting up a Democrat vs. Democrat race in a reliability Democratic district.

  • Senate race
    • Sen. Vandana Slatter (D): 59.73%
    • Rep. Amy Walen (D): 38.21%
  • House race
    • Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D): 62.59%
    • Ranga Bondada (D): 8.33%
    • Dennis Ellis (R): 28.93%
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