Washington State Election Results Support WLA’s Goal of a More Business-Friendly State Legislature
(November 6, 2014) In contrast to the national midterm elections, which have significantly altered the balance of power in Congress, the results in Washington State are less dramatic. While the Republican Party gained seats in both the State Senate and House, the 2015 Legislature will look a lot like the 2014 Legislature.
The Senate will again be controlled by the Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC), with the Republicans gaining one seat to take a narrow 25 to 24 majority. Senator Tim Sheldon (D-35), who won his seat in the 35th District, will join the MCC again in 2015. In the House, it is likely the GOP will pick up between two to four seats, which will not be enough to change leadership roles. Several of these House races are too close to call and may require a statutory recount.
The Washington Lodging Association Political Action Committee made campaign contributions for candidates in both parties has been highly successful in supporting winning candidates. The outcome of the elections closely fits WLA PAC goal of having a balance of power between the State House and Senate. Read the white paper WLA members presented to legislative candidates here.
Overview of State Senate Races
The 2014 Senate has been split 26 – 23, under the control of the Majority Caucus Coalition (MCC) which counts 24 Republicans and two Democrats. One of those Democrats, Sen. Rodney Tom, did not run for re-election and will be replaced by Democrat Cyrus Habib, currently a state representative.
To retain control of the Senate, the MCC had to win in several key races, which they did. These races include:
6th District: Sen. Baumgartner has defeated his Democratic opponent Rich Cowan 57% to 43%.
26th District: Incumbent Sen. Jan Angel, who won a hard fought special election last year to unseat an appointed incumbent, showed an even stronger finish in the general election, defeating Democrat Judy Arbogast 58% to 42%.
28th District: Incumbent Sen. Steve O’Ban won an intense battle with Rep. Tami Green (D) in what is likelyto be the most expensive race in the state. Sen. O’Ban’s impressive primary victory carried over in the general election for a 55% to 45% win.
30th District: With an open seat in this swing district, Mark Miloscia (R), formerly a House Democrat, takes this seat with a 56% to 43% victory over Shari Song (D).
35th District: MCC incumbent Sen. Tim Sheldon (D) was targeted by the Democrats. The very tight three-way primary election put two Democrats on the November ballot, and with strong support from the GOP, Sheldon won 54.5% to 45.5%.
42nd District: Despite a tough and well-funded opposition, incumbent Sen. Doug Ericksen (R) coasted to a 59.3% to 40.3%victory.
45th District: Incumbent Sen. Andy Hill survived an expensive race against a well financed opponent. The 45th is a swing district that leans Democratic, but Hill made inroads among key Democratic constituencies. He won the race 52.9% to 47.1%
Overview of State House Races
17th District: In a district that swings Republican, incumbent Rep. Monica Stonier (D) finished behind GOP opponent Lynda Wilson in the primary by 692 votes. Although still too close to call, in an election that favored Republicans Wilson is expected to win.
25th District: Incumbent Rep. Dawn Morrell (D) outpaced challenger Melanie Stambaugh (R) in the primary by 451 votes. The 25th has been a true swing district for many years, with split delegations common, and Stambaugh is projected to take this seat.
26th District: Incumbent Rep. Larry Seaquist (D) came out of the primary with a 610 vote margin. In a contentious race that included the filing of lawsuits, Seaquist is expected to lose to his Republican challenger.
26th District: Appointed GOP incumbent Jesse Young faced former Sen. Nathan Schlicher. This district was the best hope for Democrats to pick up a seat, but in keeping with the trend, Republican Young is likely to remain in the Senate.
28th District: In a race for an open seat formerly held by a Democrat, Paul Wagemann (R) faced Christine Kilduff (D). The race is too tight to project an outcome.
30th District: With the recent death of incumbent Rep. Roger Freeman (D), challenger Jack Dovey (R) looked like the favorite. Nevertheless, Freeman’s name remained on the ballot and appears to winning in a race that is still too close to call. This apparent victory leaves a decision for filling the vacant House seat to the King and Pierce County Councils, which must jointly appoint a Democrat to replace Freeman for one year.
35th District: In a race still too close to call incumbent Rep. Kathy Haigh (D) is slightly ahead of her GOP challenger, Dan Griffey.
44thDistrict: This is an open seat that was held by the GOP in 2014. It appeared to have been a chance for the Democrats to pick up a seat, but last minute allegations of student involvement in campaign in violation of public use for campaigns could endanger Mike Wilson (D). GOP candidate Mark Harmsworth is ahead and expected to win.