Washington Primary Election Update: WAMPAC Announces Promotion Winner and Early Results
Midterm elections tend to see the party out of power in the White House gain seats both up and down the ballot. Buttressed by this outlook, state-level Democrats sought to grow their existing majorities by focusing on voters’ discontent with the federal administration this campaign season, while Republicans aimed to hold the line by prioritizing state budget woes and the recent passage of a state income tax on millionaires.
Our state utilizes a mail-in voting system, and many ballots have not yet been tabulated (or in some cases received), so races can shift substantially in the coming days. The WSMA will provide another update when results solidify, and in the meantime, you can stay up to date on the most recent ballot returns on the Secretary of State’s elections results webpage.
While many of these races are currently too close to call, the winner of WAMPAC’s special promotion to spend a day at the Capitol with WSMA’s government affairs team is clear-congratulations to John Scott, MD! Thank you to all who participated, as your support helps give WAMPAC, the WSMA’s nonpartisan campaign arm, the resources we need to advocate on your behalf and promote the house of medicine’s priorities.
Physician candidates
At the federal level, physician candidate Rep. Kim Schrier is running for her fourth reelection to the 8th Congressional District. The primary results show Rep. Schrier advancing to the general election in a strong position, facing a too-close-to-call Republican challenger.
Pam Kohlmeier, MD, is one of four candidates running for an open seat in the state’s 3rd Legislative District of Spokane. An emergency medicine physician and attorney, Dr. Kohlmeier is in a close race to determine who will advance to the general election, leading her Democratic opponent by around 100 votes based on returns as of this writing. The WSMA and the physician community are supporting Dr. Kohlmeier’s campaign, and if she wins election she would become the first physician in the Washington state Legislature since 2013.
Judicial elections
Washington Supreme Court justices are elected in our state and four of the nine seats on the Court were on your primary ballot, a rare occurrence resulting from a combination of retirements, appointments, and age restrictions. While ballots continue to be counted, all three judicial incumbents are currently advancing to the general elections.
State Legislature and federal elections
More than two-thirds of the state Legislature is up for election this year, including the entirety of the House of Representatives and roughly half of the Senate. As it stands, Democrats will maintain their majorities in the Legislature, with a number of competitive races being too close to call.
At the federal level, all 10 of the state’s U.S. House seats were also on the ballot. All incumbents will advance to the general election, with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez facing a tough battle ahead from Republican challenger Sen. John Braun in the 3rd Congressional District.
WAMPAC will provide more detailed coverage of these races in the coming days as the election landscape becomes clearer with ballots continuing to be counted. As a reminder, WAMPAC works year-round to identify and support political candidates whose priorities align with the house of medicine, which helps further our legislative advocacy. Your support of WAMPAC helps ensure the physician community voice is at the table-consider donating today.
With questions regarding WAMPAC or our engagement on campaigns, reach out to WAMPAC Director Alex Wehinger.