Latest Election 2026 News | FOX 13 Seattle

WA 2nd Congressional District race: What to know about Rick Larsen vs Edwin Feller

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:24:10 -0700

Longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is defending his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives against Republican challenger Edwin Feller in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Larsen, who has represented the district since 2001, is seeking a 14th term in Congress. Feller, an 83-year-old newcomer to elected office, advanced to the general ballot after securing the second spot in the nonpartisan August primary.

The race highlights key regional topics across Northwest Washington, including economic affordability, tax policy, trade and federal accountability.

Larsen currently serves as the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. During his campaign, Larsen has emphasized affordability for residents, federal support for jobs, local infrastructure, and oversight.

In the primary vote, Larsen placed first among four candidates with 44.9% of the vote (55,387 votes). Feller finished second with 32.9% (40,602 votes), advancing past Democratic challengers Tomas Scheel and Devin Hermanson.

Washington’s 2nd Congressional District spans all of Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties, along with portions of western Snohomish County.

Turnout figures and exact voting margins for the election will remain unknown until local county auditor offices and the Washington Secretary of State finalize and certify the election results.

Voters across the five counties in the 2nd District will cast their ballots by mail or drop box. Regional election updates and official voter information can be checked directly through the Washington Secretary of State Elections Division or local county auditor portals.

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WA 1st Congressional District race: What to know about Suzan DelBene vs Mary Silva

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:21:39 -0700

Voters across Washington’s 1st Congressional District are preparing to cast their ballots in the general election contest between incumbent Democratic Rep. Suzan DelBene and Republican challenger Mary Silva.

The district, which covers suburban and rural communities in northern King and Snohomish counties, including tech hubs such as Kirkland and Redmond, serves as a focal point for debate over technology governance, economic growth, and federal healthcare policy.

Here is a breakdown of the candidates, the issues, and what to know about the race.

WA 1st Congressional District candidates

Suzan DelBene (Democrat)

Background: First elected to Congress in 2012, DelBene is a former technology executive and state Department of Revenue director. In Washington, D.C., she holds high-ranking leadership posts within the House Democratic Caucus, including service on the influential House Ways and Means Committee.
Key Focus Areas DelBene’s platform centers on expanding economic opportunity, supporting the region's innovation sector, defending reproductive freedom, and expanding child tax credits. She emphasizes pragmatic policy-making, lowering healthcare costs and securing federal investments for district infrastructure.

Mary Silva (Republican)

Background: A political newcomer who previously competed in the district's primary, Silva advanced to the general ballot after finishing second in Washington’s top-two primary system.
Key Focus Areas: Silva’s platform emphasizes government reform, fiscal responsibility, and public safety. She campaigns heavily on establishing congressional term limits, curbing inflation, increasing government transparency and placing restrictions on federal lobbying efforts.

How voter turnout rates in suburban King County and rural Snohomish County will compare to previous mid-term cycles.

Voters in Washington cast their ballots by mail or via drop box before election day on Nov. 3. Official vote counting begins after local election offices receive and process returned ballots.

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WA early voting turnout hits 15%, surpassing 2022 midterm pace

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:58:25 -0700

More than 773,000 Washington voters have returned their ballots ahead of the upcoming midterm election, marking a 15% turnout rate that slightly outpaces the state's participation rate from four years ago.

According to data released by the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, 773,792 of the state's nearly 5.16 million registered voters had submitted their ballots with just over a week remaining before Election Day.

At the comparable nine-day mark ahead of the 2022 midterm election, about 669,000 ballots had been cast, putting this year’s pace approximately 2 percentage points higher.

Low Challenge Rates for Returned Ballots

Of the ballots returned so far, election officials have accepted 744,485, representing about 14.43% of total eligible voters.

Only 4,500 ballots — about 0.58% of those returned — have been challenged. Election officials noted that missing or mismatched signatures remain the primary reasons ballots face challenges.

Official figures also reveal that, in line with previous elections, older demographics are driving early returns. Per the latest data from the Secretary of State’s office, voters aged 65 and older lead early turnout at 30.3%, followed by the 55-to-64 age bracket at 16.8%. In contrast, voters aged18 to 24 constitute just 4.4%.

Drop Boxes Remain Top Choice

Most Washington voters are opting to hand-deliver their completed ballots rather than use the postal service. Official data shows 68.1% of ballots have been deposited into official drop boxes, while 30.83% have been sent by mail.

Washington’s 15% early turnout mirrors regional neighbors; Oregon currently reports a 15.7% early return rate, while California sits at 12%.

Approaching Registration and Mailing Deadlines

Time is ticking for those who have not yet voted. Online voter registration closes Monday, after which eligible residents must register in person at a local election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

For those returning ballots by mail, election officials recommend sending them by Tuesday to ensure an official postmark on or before Election Day, November 3.

Voters can drop their ballot in a designated drop box through Election Day.

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WA Sec. of State urges early voting amid security concerns, mail delays

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:10:48 -0700

With ballots out and official drop boxes open across the state, election administration and voter security remain top priorities for Washington state officials.

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs spoke on Good Day Seattle regarding ongoing safety measures, changes to mail processing timelines, and efforts to address voter concerns. For official state election rules, registration portals, and local drop box locations, voters can consult the Washington Secretary of State Elections Division.

Election security top priority in Washington

Law enforcement agencies recently intercepted a letter containing an unidentified white powder that was addressed to Washington election officials. The incident appears connected to a series of suspicious mailings targeting election offices and state officials across multiple states. No injuries have been reported in connection with the intercepted parcel.

The incident follows similar events where suspicious letters, some containing trace amounts of fentanyl, were mailed to election facilities in Washington and other states.

In response to past incidents, including physical damage to ballot boxes in Clark County, state and local election officials have upgraded security infrastructure. Measures include installed video surveillance, temperature sensors, motion alerts, and specialized suppression systems designed to extinguish chemical fires.

Tests have not yet confirmed the exact chemical composition of the intercepted white powder, and federal and local law enforcement agencies have not publicly identified the individual or group responsible for sending the packages.

"That's why we've been urging voters, Washingtonians out there, mail your ballot early. If you're within seven days of the election, just take it to a drop box," Hobbs said. "We have already noticed because we've putting the word about early voting that we've seen a slight uptick in the number of ballots we are receiving now."

With ballot processing underway, election officials are advising voters to submit their mail-in ballots as early as possible. United States Postal Service cost-saving operations mean postmarking may occur at central regional hubs, which can add processing time. Officials recommend that any voter submitting a ballot within seven days of the election place it directly into an official county drop box to ensure timely collection.

For voters seeking local drop box availability or real-time status updates on their ballot, official resources and mapping tools are available through respective county auditor office websites across all 39 Washington counties.

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Affordability, budget tops priorities in WA's 29th District legislative race

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:31:57 -0700

Two candidates hoping to serve in the Washington State Legislature for the first time are competing on the November ballot to represent the 29th Legislative District. The district encompasses parts of Tacoma, Parkland, Spanaway, and Lakewood.

Following a close primary election, Tacoma Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell and Washington State Office of Equity Federal Affairs Director Patrick Stickney emerged as the top contenders for Position 2. Both candidates are Democrats emphasizing their local roots and professional experience as central to their campaigns.

The seat opened up this election cycle when the current holder of this position, Sharlett Mena decided to run for state senate this year.

Affordability, Cost of Living and Community Priorities

Both Bushnell and Stickney identified the rising cost of living as a major concern among residents across the district. Rising expenses on groceries, gas, utilities, and rent continue to press local households.

"I think affordability is top of mind for a lot of folks," Bushnell said.

Stickney echoed that assessment, noting that economic pressures affect constituents regardless of background.

"The thing that I’m seeing from folks is affordability like that is the thing that I hear, no matter who that person is, they’re really concerned about costs," Stickney said.

Beyond housing and grocery costs, both candidates raised concerns about broader safety, economic, and community needs.

Bushnell emphasized community safety, improving local healthcare accessibility amid changing federal regulations, and ensuring youth have safe recreational places.

Stickney highlighted protections for vulnerable populations, opposing federal actions that target individuals based on immigration status, and addressing artificial price inflation.

Personal Backgrounds and Community Connection

While agreeing on key issues facing working-class residents, the candidates point to distinct personal backgrounds to demonstrate how they would represent the district.

Bushnell, a Marine Corps veteran, currently serves on the Tacoma City Council as deputy mayor. Raised in the Salishan neighborhood, he noted that his mother escaped the Cambodian genocide as a refugee. If elected, Bushnell would become the first Cambodian American to serve in the Washington State Legislature.

"I was born and raised out here and I think it’s super important that we have someone out here that understands our community very well and is able to make the best choices for our community," Bushnell said.

Stickney, an attorney who has lived in multiple states including Pennsylvania and Arizona, drew on his lived experience growing up in a low-income family that dealt with domestic violence and substance abuse. He shared that his grandparents helped his family transition to stability.

"I know your concerns, you know I’ve lived them myself, and it is those experiences that are really going to be important in making those decisions," Stickney said.

Experience, Governance and Track Record

Both candidates point to past work in local and state government as evidence of their ability to deliver results.

Bushnell highlighted his work in Tacoma while on council, citing efforts to support police department hiring to get closer to full staffing and targeting the needs on South Hosmer Street—an area previously with the highest violent crime rate in the city—by improving streetlights, access to city services, and outreach. He also cited the redevelopment of Salishan into modern housing with community spaces as an example of effective governance.

Stickney pointed to his legislative experience navigating state policy channels, including helping pass legislation to standardize language access across all state agencies. He noted that campaign outreach involved knocking on over 8,400 doors across the district so far to hear directly from residents who feel distant from state government.

Fiscal Approaches and First-Term Priorities

The state’s budget shortfall will be a critical issue for incoming lawmakers, according to both candidates. But neither specified any spending areas they are prepared to cut at this time.

Bushnell advocated for reviewing current state spending to ensure efficiency and calling for legislative decisions that better collaborate with local municipal jurisdictions. "The programs that the state is currently offering, are they living up to the expectations or not," Bushnell stated.

Stickney stressed evaluating return on investment before making budget choices, warning that hasty cuts can cost the state more over time while emphasizing the need to protect certain investments. "What is the impact that investments are having, are they having the impact that we want them to have by funding a program and then do we need to make changes if it’s not having the impact there," Stickney said.

When asked about the first action they would take if elected, the candidates outlined different approaches.

Bushnell plans to focus on state finances and legislative understanding, stating, "I really want to make sure I get a full understanding of what’s occurring in the legislature. I need to have a really strong understanding of the full state budget."

Stickney intends to introduce targeted legislation right away, stating, "I want to drop a bill that prevents folks from contracting with the state that are also contracting with the GEO group and Northwest Detention Center."

Ballots will be mailed out by Oct. 16 and Nov. 3 is Election Day.

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Seattle City Council District 5 candidates clash on key issues

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:14:57 -0700

Seattle District 5 voters are headed to the polls next month to fill a one-year special term on the City Council. The winner will take office for the shortened stint before the seat returns to the ballot again in 2027 for a full term.

With critical issues like public safety top of mind for North Seattle residents, candidates Nilu Jenks and Julie Kang are offering distinct perspectives on policing, technology, and city finances. Primary leader Nilu Jenks, a community advocate who has worked on election reform, holds the endorsement of Mayor Katie Wilson. She faces Julie Kang, a local banker and educator of 32 years, who promises to work with city leaders while standing up for neighborhood interests.

"When the policies fail for District 5, I'm not going to rubber stamp a proposal that's not serving the constituents in District 5," Kang said.

Public safety and police response

As residents and business owners along Aurora Avenue struggle with crime, with some installing physical barriers to prevent it, both candidates agree on the need for public safety investments but differ sharply on tactics.

Kang supports bolstering officer ranks and utilizing enforcement tools like Stay Out of Area of Prostitution (SOAP) orders.

"I fully support restoring the number of officers we need," Kang said. "I also support we use the public safety cameras with ensuring that it is safe for all of the members and the rules we have such as SOAP."

Jenks rejects policies like SOAP as outdated and ineffective. Instead, she advocates for alternative response teams, increased staffing for investigations, and targeted police operations.

"We should bring alternative response teams to fill this gap," Jenks said. "We have this gap that we need to fill and I supported, I said, I support 1,200 police. I've said actively, I support hiring detectives and undercover work that we saw was very successful on Aurora."

Despite their differences on enforcement strategies, both candidates agree that sex workers along Aurora Avenue need housing and exit resources, while calling for increased accountability for johns and traffickers.

Debate over surveillance cameras

The candidates also hold differing views on the expansion of public surveillance technology. Kang originally opposed CCTV expansion over federal immigration enforcement concerns, but changed her stance after reviewing local oversight rules.

"When we were fearing for ICE and not knowing how the cameras were used, I was against it," Kang said. "But I did my deep research, talked to the experts, and we have the safeguards to ensure that we have short retention plan. We also ensure that we are not sharing."

Jenks remains skeptical of expanding camera networks, raising concerns about privacy protections and emerging technology.

"I am very concerned about our cameras," Jenks said. "You know, we do not have the privacy regulations that we need and we see across the nation and across the world, that people are starting to overlay AI on it."

City budget and taxes

The debate extends to local governance, municipal spending, and taxation.

Jenks expressed support for restructuring the city's revenue sources to ease the burden on everyday residents.

"I am interested in progressive revenue, and so, that is basically shifting the burden," Jenks said.

In contrast, Kang argues that the city must focus on demonstrating return on investment before asking residents for additional tax dollars.

"We always make sure that every investment comes back with a return," Kang said.

Regardless of who wins the upcoming special election, both candidates plan to run again for the full four-year term in 2027.

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Democrats Pederson, Sabio-Howell battle over WA's 43rd District Senate Race

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:46:37 -0700

Voters in Washington state’s 43rd Legislative District will choose between two Democrats in the upcoming November election: long-time incumbent State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen and challenger Hannah Sabio-Howell.

The 43rd District is considered the most progressive in the state, covering Seattle neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Wallingford, Downtown, and Laurelhurst.

A contest between progressive visions

The race marks the first time an opponent has challenged Pedersen as a Democrat. Pedersen has represented the district for nearly two decades, pointing to his long track record in the Legislature, which includes advocating for marriage equality and Medicaid expansion.

Sabio-Howell, a former legislative staffer and labor activist, is running as a fresh voice for the district. She argues that lower voter turnout stems from residents feeling disillusioned by traditional politics, and seeks to engage voters who feel unrepresented by the current system.

Debating housing, affordability, and tax reform

Affordability, housing, and school funding remain central issues for both candidates. Sabio-Howell, who is a renter in First Hill, emphasizes that her campaign is the only one in the race refusing corporate money, criticizing established politicians whose campaigns rely on major corporate support.

Pedersen emphasizes that solving key district issues like education funding requires restructuring Washington’s tax code. He noted that overreliance on sales and property taxes hurts lower-income residents and creates hurdles for economic development.

While Pedersen previously championed the state's tax on millionaires, Sabio-Howell argues lawmakers must go further to build a fair tax system, advocating for policies such as a statewide payroll tax.

High-profile endorsements and grassroots outreach

Both candidates have secured notable backing within the Democratic Party. Pedersen has received endorsements from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown. Sabio-Howell earned the endorsement of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.

Pedersen, who garnered nearly three times as many votes as Sabio-Howell in the primary, is taking active steps on the campaign trail through door knocking, forums, and fundraising to retain his seat.

Meanwhile, Sabio-Howell told FOX 13 Seattle that her campaign has knocked on 17,000 doors and maintains that her deep connections as a community member position her to represent a new generation of leadership in the district.

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