WA filing week closes with Democrats eyeing supermajority in Olympia

OLYMPIA - Filing week ended Friday with hundreds of candidates entering legislative races across Washington, launching an election cycle that could determine whether Democrats gain enough seats to secure a supermajority in Olympia.

Democrats need to pick up seven House seats and three Senate seats to reach that threshold, while Republicans are fighting to protect vulnerable districts and regain ground in key swing areas.

A supermajority would have a vast impact on future policies and would allow Democrats to pass constitutional changes without Republican support, including a proposal floated last year to allow early redistricting.

With a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling paving the way for early redistricting in states around the country, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon said Thursday that House Democrats would seriously consider reviving the proposal next legislative session if they secure a supermajority. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen dismissed the idea, and told the Washington State Standard he doesn't think Democrats will gain the needed seats to have a supermajority in the Senate.

Voters would still ultimately have the final say at the ballot box.

Democrats have held commanding majorities in Olympia, but they have not had a modern-era, veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. Democrats see potential parallels to 2018, when backlash to President Donald Trump helped fuel a 10-seat gain in the state House.

All 98 House seats and 24 of the state's 49 Senate seats are up for election this year. Under Washington's primary system, the top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the November general elections regardless of party affiliation. And with several open seats due to retirements or bids for higher office, newcomers from both parties have entered key races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

Although Democrats and Republicans agree on little politically, state party chairs can at least agree, for the most part, on which races they're watching closely.

In interviews with The Seattle Times, Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, and Rep. Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, said they're keeping an eye on races in the 26th Legislative District, which stretches from Bremerton to Gig Harbor. It remains one of the state's last purple districts.

Democrats are focused on defending incumbent Rep. Adison Richards' House seat - a position long held by Republicans before Richards won it in 2024. Walsh said Republicans are "always concerned" about races in the district but called David Olson, a 12-year Peninsula School Board director, a strong contender. As of Friday, one other Democrat filed for the seat.

The district's other House seat is also open after six-term Republican Rep. Michelle Valdez of Gig Harbor announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection, making it a prime Democratic target.

Democrats held the seat for a decade before Valdez took office, and Conrad said state Democrats are hopeful Renee Hernandez Greenfield or Tedd Weatherbee could win it back. Walsh said Republicans are backing Katy Cornell, whom he described as conservative but not "far-right" - a profile he said is more fitting for the district's electorate. Another Democrat and one candidate declaring no party preference have also filed for the position.

Democrats are still in "defense mode, Conrad said, for the Senate seat in the 26th held by Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, who was first appointed in 2024. In the district's special election last year, Krishnadasan defeated Valdez by about 3,000 votes. She is again up for election this year, this time facing Republican Gary Parker.

One of the Republican's top defensive priorities is the 17th Legislative District, which includes parts of Vancouver and Clark County. Though Republicans currently control House seats and the Senate seat there, Walsh said 2024 redistricting changes could complicate reelection efforts for House Republican incumbents. Meanwhile, Conrad said Democrats view the district as one of their strongest "pickup" opportunities.

Conrad also pointed to the neighboring 18th Legislative District, which includes parts of Vancouver and the town of Battle Ground, as another potential Democratic pickup after the party narrowly flipped the Senate seat in 2024 with less than 200 votes. Still, Walsh said he still considers it a "solid" district for incumbent House Republicans moving into November's election.

Both parties said they will also be watching the highly competitive 42nd Legislative District. All three seats are on the ballot after Democratic Sen. Sharon Shewmake announced her departure this year. The seat was held by Republicans before Shewmake took office in 2022 after defeating her opponent by just over 800 votes. Two Democrats, one Republican and one "no party preference" candidate have filed for the Senate seat. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Alicia Rule and her seatmate Rep. Joe Timmons will each face a Republican challenger.

Asked about policy issues and the role of the federal government, the two party leaders offered sharply different takeaways from constituents.

Conrad said voters the Democratic Party has spoken to are concerned with high gas prices, affordability, rising healthcare costs and actions at the federal level.

"I think there is a real push to participate, to be active, to be part of this movement in this moment," Conrad said, adding Washington voters appear more politically engaged than usual. "I do think that's definitely coming from the disastrous policies from the Trump administration."

Walsh, on the other hand, said voters are more focused on the "reckless" Democratic spending in Olympia, the income tax approved this year, public safety issues and one-time budget maneuvers by the majority party, such as tapping the overfunded police and firefighters pension.

While federal politics are "always a consideration," Walsh said Democrats' messaging around the Trump administration is creating what he called "Trump derangement fatigue." He argued that Washington's climate policies such as the Climate Commitment Act, not tensions with Iran, are driving the state's high gas and diesel prices.

Candidates have until May 11 to withdraw.

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that two Democrats are running in the Gig Harbor race for state House.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 6:34 AM.