The 2018 General Election was held on Nov. 6 and certified by the Secretary of State on Dec. 6. There are almost 4.4 million registered voters in Washington State and voter turnout for this midterm election hit a historic high at almost 72 percent.
In Washington State, there are 98 House of Representative seats and 49 Senate seats. Since Nov. 2016, Democrats have controlled both the House (50-48) and Senate (25-24) by slim majorities. This election cycle, all 98 House seats were up for election and 25 of the Senate seats.
With the General Election results now certified, Democrats have gained seats in both state chambers and will therefore maintain control of the legislature. In the Senate, Democrats have picked up three seats, which brings the party division to 28 Democrats and 21 Republicans. In the House, Democrats have picked up seven seats, which brings the party division to 57 Democrats and 41 Republicans.
The General Election has also impacted legislative leadership and committee chairs. Rep. Frank Chopp (LD 43) will serve his last term as the Speaker of the House; a position he has held since 1999. Rep. Timm Ormsby (LD 3) will continue to serve as the chair of the Appropriations Committee and Rep. Drew Hansen (LD 23) will once again serve as the chair of the College & Workforce Development Committee. In the Senate, Sen. Andy Billig (LD 3-Spokane) will now serve as the Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Christine Rolfes (LD 23) will continue to serve as the chair of the Ways & Means Committee and Sen. Guy Palumbo (LD 1) has been selected to serve as the new chair of the Higher Education & Workforce Committee.
To view the House and Senate Democratic leadership teams and committee assignments, follow the links below:
- House Democratic leadership
- House Democratic committee assignments
- Senate Democratic leadership
- Senate Democratic committee assignments
To view the House and Senate Republican committee assignments, follow the links below:
The 2019 legislative session will being Monday, Jan. 14.