(The Center Square) – Washington voters cast their ballots Tuesday in legislative races that will determine the balance of power in the state capitol.
While Democrats entered Election Day holding majorities in both chambers, 59-39 in the House and 30-19 in the Senate, Republicans sought to capitalize on anti-tax sentiment following the passage of an income tax earlier this year.
Early returns Tuesday night offered the first look at several key races across the state. Here is where the key races stand as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
42nd Legislative District – Senate Democrat Michael Alvarez Shepard leads Republican Erika Creydt 34,061 (56.41%) to 26,265 (43.50%) in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Sharon Shewmake. Creydt had previously established a strong position in the August primary, securing a plurality of the vote in the Bellingham-area district that Republicans have heavily targeted.
26th Legislative District – Senate Incumbent Democratic Sen. Deb Krishnadasan leads Republican challenger Gary Parker 32,723 (57.29%) to 24,338 (42.61%). Krishnadasan advanced comfortably from the primary, seeking to defend her seat in the politically mixed district that includes Gig Harbor.
26th Legislative District – House Position 1 Incumbent Democratic Rep. Addison Richards leads Republican David Olson 32,166 (56.52%) to 24,686 (43.38%). Richards, who voted against the income tax, faced a tough challenge from Olson after the Republican outperformed him in the August primary.
26th Legislative District – House Position 2Democrat Renee Hernandez Greenfield leads Republican Katy Cornell 31,204 (54.80%) to 25,660 (45.07%) in the race for the open seat vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Michelle Valdez.
5th Legislative District – House Position 1 Incumbent Democratic Rep. Zach Hall leads Republican Michelle Bennett 25,784 (57.90%) to 18,701 (42.00%). Hall narrowly edged out Bennett in the primary in this rural King County district.
5th Legislative District – House Position 2 Incumbent Democratic Rep. Lisa Callan leads Republican Patrick Peacock 26,435 (59.58%) to 17,883 (40.30%). Callan carried a strong primary lead into the general election.
43rd Legislative District – Senate Incumbent Democratic Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen leads Democratic challenger Hannah Sabio-Howell 25,706 (75.83%) to 7,821 (23.07%). Pedersen, a chief architect of the income tax, dominated the primary in his deep-blue Seattle district against Sabio-Howell, who argued the tax did not go far enough.
32nd Legislative District – Senate Democratic Rep. Cindy Ryu leads incumbent Democratic Sen. Jesse Salomon 19,642 (49.57%) to 19,290 (48.68%). The intra-party battle saw Ryu edge out the incumbent in the August primary in her bid to move up to the Senate chamber.
3rd Legislative District – House Position 2 Democrat Luc Jasmin III leads Republican Natalie Poulson 26,253 (66.42%) to 13,199 (33.39%). The candidates are vying for the Spokane-area seat left open by retiring longtime Democratic budget writer Rep. Timm Ormsby.
6th Legislative District – House Position 1 Republican Alan Nolan leads Democrat Michaela Kelso 19,345 (51.52%) to 18,130 (48.28%). The race to replace retiring Republican Rep. Mike Volz has been tightly contested since Kelso narrowly led a crowded primary field.
6th Legislative District – House Position 2 Republican Jonathan Bingle leads Democrat Julia Payne 20,468 (54.46%) to 17,028 (45.31%) in the race for retiring Republican Rep. Jenny Graham’s seat. Bingle secured a commanding majority in the August primary.
7th Legislative District – Senate Incumbent Republican Sen. Shelly Short leads independent Ronald McCoy 25,198 (66.04%) to 12,723 (33.35%). Short easily advanced from the primary in her bid to retain her seat.
12th Legislative District – House Position 2 Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Steele leads Democrat Maggie Adams 26,329 (54.38%) to 22,031 (45.50%). The Republican budget writer advanced comfortably from the primary.
Election officials will continue to process remaining mail-in ballots over the coming days, with final certification expected later this month.