2016 Washington elections explained

Election Name:2016 Washington Statewide Executive Office elections
Country:Washington
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Year:2012
Next Year:2020
Seats For Election:All 9 statewide executive offices
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election1:8
Seats1:7
Seat Change1: 1
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Last Election2:1
Seats2:2
Seat Change2: 1

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Washington on November 8, 2016. The primary was held on August 2.[1]

At the time of the filing deadline of May 20, 2016, 682 candidates had filed for 345 offices statewide.[1] [2]

Federal

President of the United States

See main article: 2016 United States presidential election in Washington (state).

See also: 2016 United States presidential election.

Washington had 12 electoral votes for the presidential election, which were awarded to Hillary Clinton.[3]

Statewide party caucuses and primaries were held in the spring of 2016 to determine the allocation of state delegates to the respective Democratic and Republican party national conventions. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic caucus in March, defeating Hillary Clinton and taking 73 percent of delegates;[4] Donald Trump won the Republican primary, taking 76 percent of delegates. A non-binding primary for the Democratic party held in May resulted in a victory for Hillary Clinton.[5] [6]

United States House of Representatives

See main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington.

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections. All 10 of Washington's seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for re-election. All but one of the incumbents ran for re-election, the exception being Jim McDermott (D) of the 7th district.[7] McDermott's seat was won by Pramila Jayapal (D).[8] The remaining seats were retained by the incumbents.

United States Senate

See main article: 2016 United States Senate election in Washington.

See also: 2016 United States Senate elections.

Incumbent Democratic senior Senator Patty Murray ran for re-election to a fifth term in office,[9] defeating Republican challenger Chris Vance by 18 points.[10]

Statewide

Governor

See main article: 2016 Washington gubernatorial election.

Incumbent Governor Jay Inslee was re-elected to his second term over Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant.[11] [12]

Lieutenant governor

Election Name:2016 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:No
Previous Election:2012 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election
Next Year:2020
Election Date:November 8, 2016
Image1:Cyrus Habib official.jpg
Nominee1:Cyrus Habib
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:1,698,297
Percentage1:54.3
Nominee2:Marty McClendon
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:1,424,277
Percentage2:45.5
Lieutenant Governor of Washington
Before Election:Brad Owen
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Cyrus Habib
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

Incumbent lieutenant governor Brad Owen, first elected to the office in 1996, announced that he would not seek a sixth term.[13] [14]

Four Democrats (three of whom were state senators), four Republicans, two third-party candidates, and one independent competed in the primary election. Marty McClendon (R) and Cyrus Habib (D) finished as top two and advanced to the general election, which Habib won by 9 points.[15]

Polling

General election
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Cyrus
Habib (D)
Marty
McClendon (R)
Undecided
Elway PollOctober 20–22, 2016502 (RV)± 4.5%38%37%25%
Elway PollAugust 9–13, 2016500 (RV)± 4.5%38%33%29%

Attorney general

Election Name:2016 Washington Attorney General election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Washington Attorney General election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington Attorney General election
Next Year:2020
Image1:File:Bob Ferguson 03 crop.jpg
Nominee1:Bob Ferguson
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:2,000,804
Percentage1:66.9%
Nominee2:Joshua Trumbull
Party2:Libertarian Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:979,105
Percentage2:32.8%
Map Size:275px
Attorney General
Before Election:Bob Ferguson
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Bob Ferguson
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

Incumbent attorney general Bob Ferguson, elected in 2012 as a Democrat, sought reelection, opposed by Joshua B. Trumbull, who ran as a Libertarian.

Secretary of State

See main article: 2016 Washington Secretary of State election.

Incumbent Secretary of State Kim Wyman, elected in 2012 as the only Republican to hold a statewide office on the West Coast, sought reelection.[16] Former Seattle City Councilmember Tina Podlodowski announced her bid in January 2016, seeking to become the first Democrat to hold the office since 1965.[17] Wyman retained her seat with 55% of the vote.[18]

State Auditor

Election Name:2016 Washington State Auditor election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Washington elections#State auditor
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington State Auditor election
Next Year:2020
Election Date:November 8, 2016
Image1:Pat McCarthy (19280364431).jpg
Nominee1:Pat McCarthy
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:1,597,011
Percentage1:52.2%
Nominee2:Mark Miloscia
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:1,455,771
Percentage2:47.6%
State Auditor
Before Election:Troy Kelley
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Pat McCarthy
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

Incumbent state auditor Troy Kelley, elected as a Democrat in 2012, was indicted over federal charges of felony theft and money laundering. Several attempts to remove him from office, including a threat of impeachment by the legislature, proved unsuccessful.[19] Kelley did not file to run for a second term.[20]

Two Democratic, one Republican and two independent candidates competed in the primary. Mark Miloscia (R) and Pat McCarthy (D) finished as top two and advanced to the general election. McCarthy won by 5 points.[21]

Polling

General election
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Pat
McCarthy (D)
Mark
Miloscia (R)
Undecided
Elway PollOctober 20–22, 2016502 (RV)± 4.5%39%29%32%
Elway PollAugust 9–13, 2016500 (RV)± 4.5%37%29%34%

State Treasurer

Election Name:2016 Washington State Treasurer election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:No
Previous Election:2012 Washington elections#State treasurer
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington State Treasurer election
Next Year:2020
Election Date:November 8, 2016
Image1:Duane Davidson.jpg
Nominee1:Duane Davidson
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote1:1,576,580
Percentage1:57.4%
Nominee2:Michael Waite
Party2:Republican Party (US)
Popular Vote2:1,134,843
Percentage2:41.3%
State Treasurer
Before Election:James McIntire
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Duane Davidson
After Party:Republican Party (US)

Incumbent James McIntire announced on December 16, 2015, that he would not seek a third term as Washington State Treasurer.[22] Five candidates are running to succeed him: state senator Marko Liias, former Port of Seattle commissioner Alec Fisken, pension consultant John Paul Comerford, Benton County treasurer Duane Davidson, and investment firm executive Michael Waite.[23] Liias, Fisken, and Comerford are running as Democrats; Davidson and Waite, as Republicans.[23]

Duane Davidson and Michael Waite, both Republicans, finished as top two in the primary election and advanced to the general election, marking the first time since the top-two system had been instituted that both of the primary slots in any statewide race had been won by Republicans.[24]

In the general election, Duane Davidson received the endorsements of every county treasurer in Washington state, both Democrat and Republican, as well as Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Michael Waite was endorsed by former Democratic state Auditor Brian Sonntag and former state Attorney General Rob McKenna.[25]

Davidson won the general election for Treasurer. This was the first time a Republican had been elected to the office of Treasurer of Washington in more than 50 years.[24]

Polling

General election
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Duane
Davidson (R)
Michael
Waite (R)
Undecided
Elway PollOctober 20–22, 2016502 (RV)± 4.5%17%16%67%
Elway PollAugust 9–13, 2016500 (RV)± 4.5%16%16%68%

Public Lands Commissioner

Election Name:2016 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election
Country:Washington
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Washington elections#Public Lands Commissioner
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election
Next Year:2020
Election Date:November 8, 2016
Image1:Hilary Franz 01.jpg
Candidate1:Hilary Franz
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,630,369
Percentage1:53.1%
Candidate2:Steve McLaughlin
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,436,817
Percentage2:46.8%
Public Lands Commissioner
Before Election:Peter J. Goldmark
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Hilary Franz
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

Incumbent Public Lands Commissioner Peter J. Goldmark, elected in 2008 and reelected in 2012, announced his intention to not seek a third term in office.[26]

Five Democrats, one Republican, and one Libertarian competed in the primary. Steve McLaughlin (R) and Hilary Franz (D) finished as top two and advanced to the general election. Franz was elected with 53% of the vote.[27]

Polling

General election
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Hilary
Franz (D)
Steve
McLaughlin (R)
Undecided
Elway PollOctober 20–22, 2016502 (RV)± 4.5%36%31%33%
Elway PollAugust 9–13, 2016500 (RV)± 4.5%33%32%35%

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Election Name:2016 Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction election
Country:Washington (state)
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2012 Washington (state) Superintendent of Public Instruction election
Previous Year:2012
Next Election:2020 Washington (state) Superintendent of Public Instruction election
Next Year:2020
Image1:Chris Reykdal at Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarship Reception 2017.jpg
Nominee1:Chris Reykdal
Party1:Nonpartisan politician
Popular Vote1:1,337,547
Percentage1:50.5%
Nominee2:Erin Jones
Party2:Nonpartisan politician
Popular Vote2:1,309,896
Percentage2:49.5%
Map Size:250px
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Before Election:Randy Dorn
Before Party:Nonpartisan politician
After Election:Chris Reykdal
After Party:Nonpartisan politician

Incumbent Randy Dorn declined to run for a third term as Superintendent of Public Instruction.[28] Nine candidates ran in the nonpartisan election. Erin Jones and Chris Reykdal finished as top two and advanced to the general election. In a close race, Reykdal edged out Jones by one point.[29] Jones conceded the election on November 22.[30]

Polling

General election
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
Erin
Jones (D)
Chris
Reykdal (R)
Undecided
Elway PollOctober 20–22, 2016502 (RV)± 4.5%18%17%65%
Elway PollAugust 9–13, 2016500 (RV)± 4.5%16%16%68%

Insurance Commissioner

Mike Kreidler was reelected to his fifth term.

Polling

General election

Legislative

State Senate

See main article: Washington State Senate election, 2016.

Twenty-five of the forty-nine seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election. Republicans held a narrow majority in the Senate, taking 26 seats compared to 23 for the Democrats.[1] Seven incumbent senators retired, creating vacancies that had the potential to swing the split of party votes.[31] A Democrat defeated the Republican incumbent in District 41, leaving Republicans with a one-seat majority.

State House of Representatives

See main article: Washington House of Representatives election, 2016.

All 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives were up for election. The outgoing House had a narrow Democratic majority, with 50 seats compared to the Republicans' 48.[1] Both parties picked up seats from the other party, resulting in the same overall composition.

Ballot measures

Local elections

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: O'Sullivan . Joseph . May 20, 2016 . More than Trump: Candidate field gets set for Washington voters . . May 30, 2016.
  2. Web site: 2016 Candidates Who Have Filed . . May 30, 2016.
  3. Web site: Washington Election Results 2016 . . November 29, 2016 . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201173638/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington . December 1, 2016.
  4. News: March 26, 2016 . Bernie Sanders wins big in Washington caucuses . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  5. News: May 24, 2016 . Trump wins Washington state's presidential primaries . Associated Press . . May 30, 2016.
  6. Web site: Washington State Primary Election Results . The New York Times . May 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160607165346/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington . June 7, 2016 . dead.
  7. News: Brunner . Jim . January 4, 2016 . Jim McDermott to retire; many consider a run, even another McDermott . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  8. Web site: Washington U.S. House 7th District Results: Pramila Jayapal Wins . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201174841/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-house-district-7 . December 1, 2016.
  9. News: Brunner . Jim . February 9, 2014 . Patty Murray to seek fifth Senate term in 2016 . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  10. Web site: Washington U.S. Senate Results: Patty Murray Wins . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201175005/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-senate-murray-vance . December 1, 2016.
  11. News: Brunner . Jim . May 14, 2015 . Port Commissioner Bill Bryant announces run for governor . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  12. Web site: Washington Governor Results: Jay Inslee Wins . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201175655/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-governor-inslee-bryant . December 1, 2016.
  13. News: O'Sullivan . Joseph . March 8, 2016 . Brad Owen won't seek re-election as lieutenant governor . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  14. March 8, 2016 . Lt. Governor Owen announces he will retire when his fifth term ends . Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Washington . May 30, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160421034012/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/2016/03/08/lt-governor-owen-announces-he-will-retire-when-his-fifth-term-ends/ . April 21, 2016 . dead .
  15. Web site: Washington Lieutenant Governor Results: Cyrus Habib Wins . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201175837/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-lieutenant-governor . December 1, 2016.
  16. News: Connelly. Joel. GOP 'rising star,' Secretary of State Kim Wyman, plans $1 million campaign. April 21, 2016. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 30, 2016.
  17. News: Brunner. Jim. Tina Podlodowski to challenge Secretary of State Kim Wyman. January 13, 2016. The Seattle Times. May 30, 2016.
  18. Web site: Washington Secretary of State Results: Kim Wyman Wins. November 29, 2016. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20161201180309/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-secretary-of-state. December 1, 2016. December 1, 2016.
  19. News: Connelly . Joel . February 23, 2016 . Indicted State Auditor Troy Kelley won't be impeached by the Legislature . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . May 30, 2016.
  20. News: Santos . Melissa . May 20, 2016 . After Troy Kelley trial, a battle for who will take over State Auditor's Office . . May 30, 2016.
  21. Web site: Washington Auditor Results: Pat McCarthy Wins . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201180504/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-auditor . December 1, 2016.
  22. News: Santos . Melissa . December 16, 2015 . State Treasurer Jim McIntire won't seek re-election . Tacoma News Tribune . July 16, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160730161843/http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/politics-government/article50104195.html . July 30, 2016 . live . mdy-all .
  23. News: Cornfield . Jerry . May 19, 2016 . Liias enters race to become Washington state treasurer . . July 16, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160722141301/http://archive.heraldnet.com/article/20160519/NEWS01/160518976 . July 22, 2016 . live . mdy-all .
  24. News: Geranios. Nicholas. Washington state treasurer race a GOP showdown. September 20, 2016. Spokesman-Review. December 22, 2016. Associated Press.
  25. News: Waite has leg up in GOP-only treasurer race. October 20, 2016. The Olympian. December 22, 2016.
  26. News: Bernton. Hal. State lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark won't run for re-election. April 5, 2016. The Seattle Times. May 30, 2016.
  27. Web site: Washington Lands Commissioner Results: Hilary Franz Wins. November 29, 2016. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20161201180030/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-lands-commissioner. December 1, 2016. December 1, 2016.
  28. Web site: State schools chief Dorn won't run for third term in 2016 . . October 22, 2015 . June 15, 2021.
  29. Web site: Chris Reykdal to be state's top educator, now the tough work begins (VIDEO) . November 29, 2016 . Matt . Lorch . . December 1, 2016.
  30. Web site: Erin Jones concedes schools chief race to Chris Reykdal . November 23, 2016 . Melissa . Santos . . December 1, 2016.
  31. News: O'Sullivan . Joseph . May 29, 2016 . Handful of races could flip political control of Legislature . The Seattle Times . May 30, 2016.
  32. Web site: Washington Initiative 732 — Create Carbon Emission Tax — Results: Rejected . November 29, 2016 . The New York Times . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201182729/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/washington-ballot-measure-732-create-carbon-emission-tax . December 1, 2016.
  33. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 1433 — Increase Minimum Wage — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  34. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Proposition 1 — Sound Transit 3 Builds 62 Miles of Light Rail — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  35. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 1491 — Firearms Access — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  36. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Advisory Vote 14 — Dental Insurance Tax — Results: Rejected. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  37. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Advisory Vote 15 — Alternative-Fuel Vehicles — Results: Rejected. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  38. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 1464 — Campaign Finance — Results: Rejected. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  39. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 1501 — Increase Fines For Fraud — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  40. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 732 — Create Carbon Emission Tax — Results: Rejected. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  41. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 735 — Oppose Citizens United — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  42. News: 2017-08-01. Washington Initiative 8210 — Redistricting Deadline — Results: Approved. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-02-13. 0362-4331.
  43. Web site: General and Special Election — Clark County, Washington — November 08, 2016.