U.S. Senate:
Democrat Patty Murray will return to Washington D.C. for her fifth term in the Senate, after defeating former King County Councilmember and Washington state Republican Party Chair Chris Vance.
In a Facebook post, Murray wrote that the state “voted for progress and stood up against division and hate.”
“Washington state voters have spoken loud and clear tonight — we should be a country that stands with all families no matter who they are, where they come from, or what color their skin is,” she wrote. “The path ahead may not be easy, but America is an amazing country that is so much better than what we’ve seen this election season — and we need to work harder than ever to prove it.”
Vance said in a statement on election night that to win in Washington state, Republicans must refocus their efforts to appeal to suburban voters in the Puget Sound region.
“Our disagreements are many, but they were never personal,” he said of his opponent. “Patty Murray is a good, honest, hardworking public servant, and I wish her nothing but the best during her next term in the Senate.”
Governor:
Incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee won a second-term in the state’s highest office, defeating ex-Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant.
Bryant was attempting to become the first Republican to occupy the governor’s mansion in more than three decades, but was ultimately unable to close the gap from the primary against the former congressman.
In his concession, Bryant said he looks forward to continuing to be involved in the issues affecting the people of Washington state, and that the issues he ran on — equity in education, addressing homelessness, and restoring Puget Sound — are still important though the campaign is over.
At a victory party on election night, Inslee said, “Washington was, is and will always be a beacon for progressive values.”
Lieutenant Governor:
Democratic State Sen. Cyrus Habib defeated Republican talk-show host Marty McClendon to replace Brad Owen, who was first elected to the position in 1996. In the role, Habib will serve as president of the Senate, overseeing the body during legislative sessions, and casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie on legislation. In a statement on his website, Habib thanked his supporters for the chance to become what he called the state’s COO (Chief Opportunity Officer).
“At this time of uncertainty and high anxiety, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that our state remains a bastion of inclusion, civility, and shared opportunity,” he wrote. “As Secretary Clinton has said so often about our country, let me say this about our state: Washington is great because Washington is good.”
Habib’s victory also made him the first American of Iranian descent to be elected as lieutenant governor in the U.S., and the nation’s highest-ranking Iranian-American elected official.
Secretary of State:
In one of the state’s most hotly contested races, incumbent Kim Wyman won a second-term for the position held by Republicans for almost five decades, defeating one-time Seattle City Councilmember and Microsoft executive Tina Podlodowski.
In an email to supporters, Wyman said voters deserve fair and nonpartisan elections.
“We proved that running a positive, issues-driven campaign still works,” she wrote. “We proved that integrity and fairness do matter in our elections.”
Meanwhile, Podlodowski wrote in an email that while she was disappointed in the result, she will continue advocating for the passage of the Washington State Voting Rights Act, postage-free ballots, a “Native Vote” bill that automatically registers members of the 29 recognized tribes in the state, and requiring a complete outside audit of the county election system.
“More lies ahead for all of us, and together we are stronger than any one election,” she wrote.
Attorney General:
Incumbent Bob Ferguson received more votes than any other statewide candidate, as he easily won a second term over Joshua Trumbull.
Trumbull was the lone Libertarian candidate to advance to the general election among the nine statewide offices up for election.
State Treasurer:
In a race that was a guaranteed pickup for the GOP, after a pair of Republicans advanced out of the August primary, Benton County Treasurer Duane Davidson defeated Seattle investment executive Michael Waite.
Democrats had won every election for treasurer dating back to 1952. Davidson replaces outgoing Jim McIntire after two terms.
As treasurer, Davidson will oversee the cash flow, investments, and debts of all major state accounts.
Insurance Commissioner:
Washington voters said yes to a fifth term for Democratic incumbent Mike Kreidler, over Republican Richard Schrock, a Snohomish County Fire District 1 commissioner.
The one-time member of Congress wrote in a Facebook post that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve another four years.
State Auditor:
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy narrowly won her race to replace outgoing embattled incumbent Troy Kelley, defeating Republican state Sen. Mark Miloscia
On Twitter, Kelley posted his congratulations to McCarthy, writing that he, “wish[es] her all success & the Office looks forward to working with her.”
In a Facebook post, Miloscia said he looked forward to working with McCarthy in his role as a state senator, and that he knows she will do a fine job. Miloscia made headlines in September after introducing a 10-point homelessness plan he’ll introduce in the legislature by the end of the year. The bill from Miloscia calls for banning camping on all sidewalks, right of ways, school grounds and highway overpasses, along with unauthorized RV camping, by July 1, and would also pre-empt local governments from setting their own guidelines on encampments, and block them from authorizing drug injection sites.
The state auditor is tasked with overseeing all spending in the state, and to hold local and state government accountable for how public funds are being used
Commissioner of Public Lands:
Conservation attorney and activist Hilary Franz will replace incumbent Peter Goldmark, defeating Republican Steve McLaughlin, a retired U.S. Navy Commander.
A former Bainbridge Island City Councilmember, Franz will be tasked with managing nearly six million acres of public land, and oversee the state’s largest firefighting force.
Superintendent of Public Instruction:
In the lone statewide race still undecided at press time, state Rep. Chris Reykdal held a narrow lead over Erin Jones.