The Secretary of State certified Washington’s general election results today. Voter turnout for the election was 79%, down from 84% in 2020, when the last presidential race was on the ballot.
The election results will keep Washington blue, with Democrats winning all of the partisan statewide executive races, as well as securing 60% majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
All nine statewide executive offices were up for election. Four races—Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner—did not feature incumbent candidates on the ballot. The election results for the statewide offices are (*incumbent):
- Governor: Bob Ferguson
- Lieutenant Governor: Denny Heck*
- Secretary of State: Steve Hobbs*
- State Treasurer: Mike Pellicciotti*
- State Auditor: Pat McCarthy*
- Attorney General: Nick Brown
- Commissioner of Public Lands: Dave Upthegrove
- Superintendent of Public Instruction: Chris Reykdal*
- Insurance Commissioner: Patty Kuderer
In the state legislature, all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 of the 49 Senate seats were on the ballot. Democrats gained a seat in each chamber, now holding 59 seats in the House and 30 seats in the Senate. With these 60% majorities, Democrats will be able to pass bond votes for the capital and transportation budgets without the support of Republicans. Historically, both budgets have been bipartisan.
Five newly elected Representatives are UW graduates: Rep. Natasha Hill (Legislative District 3-Spokane), Rep. Lisa Parshley (LD 22-Olympia), Rep. Adam Bernbaum (LD 24-Port Angeles), Rep. Michael Keaton (LD 25-Puyallup) and Rep. Adison Richards (LD 26-Kitsap County). They will join 24 UW alumni already in the Legislature. UW alumni make up almost 20% of the Senate and over 40% of the House of Representatives. For more information about the UW graduates who serve in state elected office, visit UW in Your Community.
Additionally, four initiatives appeared on the ballot, three of which were rejected:
- I-2066 – Passed. Concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification.
- I-2109 – Rejected. Concerns taxes (capital gains).
- I-2117 – Rejected. Concerns carbon tax credit trading.
- I-2124 – Rejected. Concerns state long term care insurance.
Finally, Washington voters decided one contested race for the Washington Supreme Court. In a tight race, Sal Mungia defeated Dave Larson.
To view the final election results, visit the Secretary of State’s website here. For those also interested in the federal elections or activities at the national level, visit the website of the UW Office of Federal Relations.
Washington’s newly elected state officials will begin their terms on Jan. 13, when the 2025 legislative session begins. Over the course of the 105-day session, lawmakers will work to decide the state’s 2025-27 operating, capital, and transportation budgets.
This year in Olympia, the University of Washington will be focused on priorities critical to the University’s ability to serve students and employees, local industry, and communities across the state. The UW’s 2025 legislative agenda can be found here. For updates during legislative session, visit the News & Updates section of this website.