By Brad Boswell, CleanTech Alliance Lobbyist
The latest results as of yesterday evening are below. Approximately 1.66 million votes have been counted to date, and we expect that there are still as many as 500,000 ballots that are either on hand or will arrive in the mail to counties all across the state. At this point, voter turnout is at 42.43% and will likely stay under 50%. This is extremely low voter turnout for a general election. Below are updated results based on tonight’s reports. At this point there are still a few races too close to call, but we should know more definitive results after tonight’s count.
This has been an unusual election year in Washington State with no U.S. Senate or gubernatorial race and very little federal attention or money spent. At the top of the ticket are two gun control initiatives (I-591 & I-594) and an education class size initiative funded by the state teachers union (I-1351). Interestingly, as of this writing, I-1351 has pulled into the lead by a very slim margin (No-49.86%- Yes -50.14%).
Congressional Races (10 Races)
There is only one race even remotely in play from a partisan perspective: The 1st District race between incumbent Democrat Susan DelBene and Republican challenger Pedro Celis. At this point, Congressman DelBene is still comfortably in the lead at (54.72%). The only other race of interest is the 4th Congressional in central Washington. Doc Hastings (R) is retiring in this very Republican district. Clint Didier (R) has faced off against former State Rep. Dan Newhouse (R). The latest returns have narrowed Newhouse’s lead to (51.23%), but we still expect Newhouse will ultimately win this race.
State Senate (Majority Coalition Caucus [MCC] currently controls the Senate 2D's/24R's v. 23 D's)
The Washington State Senate is currently controlled by a coalition of conservative Democrats and Republicans called the Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC). There are seven races that will determine control of the Senate and millions of dollars have been spent on both sides in these races. At this point, the returns still indicate that the MCC will retain control of the Senate. The following are the current numbers in the relevant Senate seats.
6th District
Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R) – 56.83% 22135
Rich Cowan (D) – 43.17% 16814
26th District
Sen. Jan Angel (R) – 58.47% 25701
Judy Arbogast (D) – 41.53% 18254
28th District
Sen. Steve O’Ban (R) 54.48% 18659
Tami Green (D) – 45.52% 15591
30th District (Open Seat)
Mark Miloscia (R) – 56.06% 12701
Shari Song (D) – 43.94% 9954
35th District
Sen. Tim Sheldon (D) – 54.27% 22564
Irene Bowling (D) – 45.73% 19014
42nd District
Sen. Doug Ericksen (R) – 58.9% 29542
Seth Fleetwood (D) – 41.1% 20614
44th District
Sen. Steve Hobbs (D) 55.53% 14663
Jim Kellett (R) 44.47% 11742
45th District
Sen. Andy Hill (R) – 52.85% 18998
Matt Isenhower (D) – 47.15% 16952
One additional interesting race is in the 31st District, where incumbent Sen. Pam Roach (R) has faced a significant challenge from former Rep. Kathy Dahlquist (R). Sen. Roach has won this race and will now become the longest serving woman state senator.
31st District
Sen. Pam Roach (R) – 53.37% 17818
Cathy Dahlquist (R) – 46.63% 15567
House of Representatives — (55D's to 43R's)
We expect the D's to retain control of the House. That said, House Republicans appear to be fairing better than expected. Some races are still too close to call, but at this point Republicans will gain two to four seats, which significantly narrows the margin in the House. The following are the relevant House races and where they stand at this point.
17th District
Lynda Wilson (R) – 51.46% 16711
Rep. Stonier (D) – 48.54% 15765
25th District
Rep. Morrell (D) – 45.5% 15171
Melanie Stambaugh (R) – 54.5% 18169
26th District
Former Sen. Schlicher (D) – 46.65% 20367
Rep. Young (R) – 53.35% 23293
26th District
Rep. Larry Seaquist (D) – 49.72% 21696
Michelle Caldier (R) – 50.28% 21938
28th District (open)
Paul Wageman (R) – 49.65% 16798
Christine Kilduff (D) – 50.35 17038
35th District
Rep. Haigh (D) – 49.82% 21934
Dan Griffey (R) – 50.18% 22091
44th District (Open)
Harmsworth (R) – 52.54% 13818
Wilson (D) – 47.46% 12482
Brad Boswell