by Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
August 21, 2025
With Washington state’s primary in the books, the focus shifts to the November general election for nine Democratic state lawmakers seeking to keep seats to which they were appointed.
Each of them won Aug. 5, some more easily than others, in results certified Wednesday by the secretary of state’s office.
In the closest primary contest, Democratic state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan beat Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier by 1,158 votes in the 26th Legislative District that spans parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties. It is expected to be tight when they face off again this fall.
Krishnadasan trailed Caldier on election night. She moved in front on the second day of ballot counting and stayed there. Republicans view this race as their best opportunity to gain a seat in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 30-19 edge.
In another high-profile match-up, Democratic Sen. Victoria Hunt finished comfortably ahead of Republican Chad Magendanz, a former state lawmaker, in the 5th District in east King County. As the only two candidates, they will line up against each other again in a few weeks.
In the 48th District, two Democratic candidates — Sen. Vandana Slatter and Rep. Amy Walen — are advancing. Slatter sent a strong message by garnering nearly 60% of the vote in the district encompassing Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland.
Democratic Rep. Edwin Obras and fellow Democrat Kevin Schilling, the mayor of Burien, advanced in the 33rd District in south King County. Obras won with 47% followed by Schilling with 31%. Republican Darryl Jones finished with nearly 22%.
Walen and Schilling are each considered the more moderate candidates in those two contests.
In the 41st District, Democratic Rep. Janice Zahn and Republican John Whitney will square off in November. Zahn is heavily favored after capturing 64% of the vote to Whitney’s 28%. This district includes Mercer Island and Newcastle, along with parts of Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, and Sammamish.
In the 48th District, Democratic Rep. Osman Salahuddin garnered 63% to finish ahead of Republican Dennis Ellis, who had nearly 29%. Democrat Ranga Bondada was a distant third.
Three appointed legislators — state Sens. Tina Orwall of Des Moines and Emily Alvarado of Seattle, and Rep. Brianna Thomas of West Seattle — were unopposed but will still appear on ballots in November. Orwall serves in the 33rd District. Alvarado and Thomas represent the 34th District in Seattle.
Ballots for the Nov. 4 general election will be mailed to voters by Oct. 17.
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