Washington Retail Association’s Retail Action Council Political Action Committee (RACPAC) endorsed 44 legislative candidates in this year’s primary, and all 44 advanced to the November ballot. That is a clean sweep, but it does not mean the work is done.
Nine candidates drew no opposition and will face no opponent in November. Six are returning House members: Andrew Engell and Hunter Abell in the 7th, Stephanie Barnard and April Connors in the 8th, Mary Dye in the 9th, and Dan Bronoske in the 28th. On the Senate side, Jeff Holy holds the 6th, while Alex Ybarra and Jeremie Dufault move from the House to Senate seats in the 13th and 15th.
The other 35 head into contested races, with seven of them needing your help.
Which Races Need Attention
The following candidates are some of the strongest supporters’ retail has in Olympia, and whether they are back in January depends on support they are provided between now and November.
- Trailing, with ground to make up: Each of these three faced a single opponent in the primary, so there is no second candidate from their own party whose votes they can pick up in the fall. They have to win over people who did not vote for them in August.
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- Kevin Waters (R), 17th Pos. 1 — 43.9%, down 8.4 points
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- David Stuebe (R), 17th Pos. 2 — 45.0%, down 9.9 points
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- Stephanie McClintock (R), 18th Pos. 1 — 47.8%, down 4.2 points
- Won, but barely: August voters in Washington skew smaller and older than the November electorate, and that shift has usually cost Republicans a few points. A one-point lead in the primary is not a lead you can count on.
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- Drew MacEwen (R), 35th Senate — 51.0%
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- Brian Burnett (R), 12th Pos. 1 — 50.2%
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- Michael Keaton (R), 25th Pos. 1 — 50.2%
- The closest race anywhere
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- Amy Walen (D) sits 25 votes behind in the 48th, Position 2.
What Members Can Do Now
If one of these districts is yours, that candidate needs to hear from you. Call the campaign and tell them you run a retail business in their district. Invite them to walk your store and meet your team. If you are able to give, give now, while campaigns are still buying mail and digital. Please check with your accountant on Washington’s contribution rules.
Ballots go out in mid-October. Everything you do before then counts for more.
Round two is coming. WR’s Government Affairs team is now evaluating a second round of endorsements, with particular attention to open seats and the most competitive races on the November ballot. We expect to announce that slate in the coming weeks. In the meantime, click here to see how all Washington Retail endorsed candidates performed in the August primary.
Percentages reflect the latest county counts and may still shift; the Secretary of State must certify statewide results by August 21. Questions about a specific race or district? Contact Crystal Leatherman, Director of Policy & Government Affairs, at [email protected].
