By Brad Boswell, CleanTech Alliance Lobbyist
The latest results as of Saturday evening are below. Approximately 1.926 million votes have been counted to date, and we expect that there are approximately 168,000 ballots that are left to count across the State. At this point voter turnout is at 49.2% and will likely stay under 50%. This was an extremely low voter turnout for a general election. Below are updated results based on this weekends reports. There are still a few races too close to call, however we do not expect the current results to change and it is clear that the Majority Coalition Caucus will stay in control of the Senate and it appears that the Republicans will gain 4 seats in the House with the Democrats maintaining a two vote majority.
This has been an unusual election year in Washington State with no U.S. Senate or Governors 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). I-1351 has pulled into the lead by a very slim margin (No-49.51%, Yes-50.49%).
Congressional Races (10 Races)
There is only one race even remotely in play from a partisan perspective is the 1st District 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 any interest is the 4th Congressional. (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 (51.04%) 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 7 races that will determine control of the Senate and millions of dollars have been spent on both sides in these races. The following are the current numbers in the relevant Senate seats.
6th District
Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R) – 57.18 25448
Rich Cowan (D) – 42.82 19055
26th District
Sen. Jan Angel (R) – 58.71% 28622
Judy Arbogast (D) – 41.29% 20133
28th District
Sen. Steve O’Ban (R) 54.45% 20601
Tami Green (D) – 45.55% 17237
30th District (Open Seat)
Mark Miloscia (R) – 55.96% 15340
Shari Song (D) – 44.04% 12071
35th District
Sen. Tim Sheldon (D) – 54.44% 23677
Irene Bowling (D) – 45.56% 19814
42nd District
Sen. Doug Ericksen (R) – 58.73% 30038
Seth Fleetwood (D) – 41.1% 21112
44th District
Sen. Steve Hobbs (D) 54.68% 19732
Jim Kellett (R) 45.32% 16352
45th District
Sen. Andy Hill (R) – 52.9% 22825
Matt Isenhower (D) – 47.1% 20325
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) – 53.6% 20185
Cathy Dahlquist (R) – 46.4% 17473
House of Representatives — (55D's to 43R's)
We expect the D's to retain control of the House. That said, House Republicans have fairing better than expected. Some races are still too close to call, but this point Republicans will gain 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) – 51.48% 18397
Rep. Stonier (D) – 48.54% 17337
25th District
Rep. Morrell (D) – 45.25% 16619
Melanie Stambaugh (R) – 54.75% 20112
26th District
Former Sen. Schlicher (D) – 46.38% 22459
Rep. Young (R) – 53.62% 25960
26th District
Rep. Larry Seaquist (D) – 49.48% 23929
Michelle Caldier (R) – 50.52% 24431
28th District (open)
Paul Wageman (R) – 49.61% 18546
Christine Kilduff (D) – 50.39% 18840
35th District
Rep. Haigh (D) – 49.44% 22824
Dan Griffey (R) – 50.56% 23337
44th District (Open)
Harmsworth (R) – 52.97% 19029
Wilson (D) – 47.03% 16897
– Brad Boswell Boswell Consulting
206-300-6270