Dems lead most toss-up WA legislature races, GOP remains hopeful
Nov 9, 2022, 5:13 PM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:31 am
Whether you’re looking at the U.S. Senate race or the race for King County Prosecuting Attorney, there is little evidence of the much-hyped red wave in Washington state in the 2022 midterms.
The same holds true in state legislative races where Republicans had high hopes of chipping away at the significant majorities held by Democrats in the House and Senate, but after the initial results have been released, that is looking less and less likely of coming true.
Early primary returns suggest GOP failed to flip targeted legislative districts, Dems say
Right now Democrats enjoy a 57-41 majority in the state House with a 28-21 majority in the state Senate, now Democrats might flip three more Republican-held seats.
Among the seats targeted by Republicans, the 26th LD Senate seat is currently held by Emily Randall – who was seen as the most vulnerable among state legislative targets. But after initial election night returns, Randall was ahead by about 2,500 votes, with 53% of the vote compared to Republican challenger Jesse Young’s 47%.
Other races that were expected to be closer are shaping up to be further losses for Republicans, including the open seat in South King County’s 47th District where Democrat Claudia Kauffman is leading Republican Bill Boyce, 53% to 47%.
Democrat Sharon Shewmake was ahead by about 1,250 votes in her challenge to Republican Simon Sefzik in Whatcom County’s 42nd LD Senate seat formerly held by the late longtime Senator Doug Ericksen.
In the House, Democrats also were leading in two of the most closely watched races, including those in the 10th LD between Democrat Clyde Shavers and Republican incumbent Greg Gilday, and Rep. Dave Paul and GOP challenger Karen Lesetmoe.
Despite making late headlines for embellishing his military record in official election materials Shavers is leading incumbent Gilday 47% to 53%. Rep. Paul leads Lesetmoe by 54% to 46% despite in the previous two elections winning by fewer than 750 votes.
Another Democratic House candidate is leading in at least one other Republican-held House race – the 18th legislative district, where Democrat John Zingale leads Republican Stephanie McClintock 50% to 49% in the district formerly controlled by Republican Brandon Vick.
Republican State Senate Leader John Braun says the races are close though so he is still optimistic, and even if they don’t take back the majority it’s important they pick up some seats.
“We know in Washington that the way our election system works we often don’t know the actual result on election night,” Braun said. “I think our key races in LD 26 and LD 42 and LD 47 are all still very much in the hunt. I’m optimistic because I know that Washington state needs a more balanced legislature.”
