by Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
December 3, 2025
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Gov. Bob Ferguson certified results of the Nov. 4 election on Tuesday, concluding a campaign cycle that saw nine Democratic state lawmakers keep their seats and Washington’s constitution amended.
Statewide, a little more than 2 million people cast ballots, a turnout of 39% of Washington’s registered voters, according to statewide figures. Five counties — Columbia, Garfield, Jefferson, San Juan and Wahkiakum — exceeded 50% participation.
In the most high-profile and expensive legislative contest, Democratic state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan beat Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier in the 26th District that spans parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties.
Nearly $4 million was spent in the race, viewed as Republicans’ best opportunity to gain a seat in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 30-19 advantage.
A duel between two Democratic candidates in the 33rd District incited the most intrigue as Rep. Edwin Obras defeated Kevin Schilling after trailing on election night. Obras edged in front of Schilling, who is mayor of Burien, on the third day of ballot counting and wound up winning the south King County district by nearly 6%.
The other seven lawmakers who won were Sens. Victoria Hunt (5th district), Vandana Slatter (48th district), Tina Orwall (33rd district), and Emily Alvarado (34th district), and Reps. Janice Zahn (41st district), Osman Salahuddin (48th district), and Brianna Thomas (34th district).
Meanwhile, voters overwhelmingly approved the lone statewide ballot measure, Senate Joint Resolution 8201. It amends the state constitution to allow the state to make stock market investments with payroll taxes collected for Washington’s new long-term care program.
The Washington State Investment Board will be legally able to handle assets of the WA Cares program in a similar manner as it does pension and retirement funds. The WA Cares account had a balance of $2.9 billion on Sept. 30.
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