Voters have a host of issues on their minds as they open their ballots, including the largest tax increase in state history, local impacts of the Trump administration's actions, and a rising cost of living, according to candidates running for the Legislature in this year’s special election.
The appointment and election of several state lawmakers to lead state agencies led to reshuffling in the Legislature before the session began earlier this year, resulting in temporary appointments that are now up for election.
Out of four races for the state House, three have more than two candidates running, making the August primary consequential. The top two candidates will move on to the November general election.
Here’s what candidates vying for House seats had to say about themes they’re noticing from voters at the door, and what issues they plan to focus on if elected.
33rd Legislative District
The 33rd Legislative District, which stretches from Normandy Park to Kent, has a competitive race this primary, with outside money beginning to flow in. The district has many blue-collar workers as well as wealthy waterfront neighborhoods.
Voters are concerned about affordability and a rising cost of living, as well as homelessness and mental health issues, said Rep. Edwin Obras, D-SeaTac, who was appointed to the position after his predecessor was appointed to the Senate.
Last session, Obras sponsored a bill that strengthened workplace discrimination protections for janitors and housekeepers, and said he would continue that work if elected. He also said he wants to find a way to backfill federal cuts to food assistance and Medicaid.
Obras has raised more than $117,000 for his campaign from labor, including SEIU 775 and Teamsters Local 117, and has more than $56,000 in independent expenditures from progressive groups.
Kevin Schilling, the mayor of Burien and a candidate for the district, thinks this election will be a “litmus test” for his fellow state Democrats and said he is “openly the guy saying we need to do more common sense priorities.” He thinks “corporate and economic greed” from a small number of people who have a lot of power, and “ideological purity tests” need to be checked in the Statehouse.
He wants to allow law enforcement to have the tools needed to fight crime, something he believes was kneecapped by Democrats in the Legislature in previous years, and looking at options to relieve taxpayers of high costs by reining in “runaway corporate power.”
Schilling’s campaign has raised more than $144,000, with support from the Washington Rental Owners Association and several real estate companies. The progressive New Direction PAC has spent nearly $62,000 against him.
Darryl Jones, the lone Republican in the race, has not raised any money and did not respond to a request for an interview.
41st Legislative District
The 41st Legislative District — Mercer Island, Newcastle, and parts of Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, and Sammamish — is one of the wealthiest districts in the state.
State Rep. Janice Zahn, D-Bellevue, was appointed in January when her predecessor was picked to head the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Voters are concerned with cost-of-living increases and high property taxes, as well as adequate funding for education, Zahn said.
Zahn, a chief engineer for the Port of Seattle, said she wants to continue to lean in to the work accomplished last year with the transportation budget and believes her engineering qualifications can help “deliver for the state.”
To bring down high rents and property taxes in her district, Zahn proposes to use land use and zoning changes to speed up affordable housing construction, and wants to make sure there is proper infrastructure in place to be able to create new housing.
Zahn has raised more than $44,000 for her campaign from groups like Affordable Housing Council, the state teachers union PAC, and Washington State Democrats.
Her opponent, Vinita Kak, a planning commissioner in Newcastle, describes herself as a “middle of the road” Democrat. Residents in Newcastle say they want “accountability” for high property taxes in the area, Kak said, and are concerned about federal cuts to Medicaid, which are estimated to cost the state up to $16 billion over the next four years.
“I'm keeping it very simple. I'm all about responsible budgeting,” Kak said.
One of her main focus areas, she said, is improving roads and public access to transportation, such as adding additional bus stops in the district.
Kak, who said she is doing “grassroots campaigning,” has not raised any money for her campaign, and has no independent expenditures for or against her.
John Whitney, the only Republican in the race, has experience in real estate and has taught Bible studies for more than 25 years.
He is critical of the $9 billion tax package passed by the Legislature this year to balance the budget, which included higher estate taxes that will impact voters in the district, and higher business taxes, which he fears could lead to businesses leaving the state altogether.
Whitney said he would focus on parental rights if elected, and believes the school system is failing because the state has “shifted out of academics to social emotional learning.”
Whitney has raised over $10,000 from the King County GOP and small contributors, including himself.
48th Legislative District
The 48th Legislative District, which stretches from North Bellevue to Redmond, is home to Microsoft and Nintendo, and has large tech worker and immigrant populations.
Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, the youngest member of the Legislature at 29, was appointed to the seat in January when former Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue, was appointed to the Senate, replacing Patty Kuderer, who was elected insurance commissioner.
Salahuddin, a cancer researcher and Redmond City Council member, said voters are most anxious about decisions coming down from the federal government, including ICE raids and Medicaid cuts. Voters are also sensitive to new tax increases, including a new 6-cent per gallon gas tax and higher estate taxes, he said.
“If the estate tax does end up overburdening and pricing people out, that's not only losing community, but that's also losing a tax base that we had anticipated to collect,” he said.
He wants to see more transit-oriented development for affordable housing, and believes a road usage charge is “more equitable” than the gas tax. His campaign has raised more than $116,000.
Neither of Salahuddin’s opponents responded to an interview request from The Seattle Times.
Ranga Bondada, a Democrat, launched a GoFundMe in June that has raised nearly $2,000, which he has not yet reported to the PDC, according to filings.
Dennis Ellis, a Republican, has raised more than $3,800, mostly through contributions from himself and small donors.
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