General elections were held in the U.S. state of Washington on November 3, 2020. A primary was held on August 4.[1] This election cycle is notable as it was only the second in state history in which Democrats won the top three statewide elections by double digits. The first was the 1936 election, in the middle of the Great Depression.[2]
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Federal
editPresident of the United States
editWashington has 12 electoral votes for the presidential election, remaining unchanged from 2016.[3] A presidential primary for both parties was held on March 10, 2020, with 13 candidates for the Democrats and one candidate for the Republicans.[4] The 2020 Democratic primary was the first in the state's history to have a binding vote, replacing the caucus system that overrode the nonbinding primary vote.[5]
United States House of Representatives
editAll 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 Denny Heck (D) of the 10th district.[6]
Statewide executive
editGovernor
editIncumbent governor Jay Inslee (D) was re-elected to a third term in a landslide.[7]
Lieutenant governor
editIncumbent lieutenant governor Cyrus Habib (D) retired from politics.[8] U.S. Representative Denny Heck won the open seat.[9]
Attorney general
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Ferguson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Larkin: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent attorney general Bob Ferguson (D) was re-elected to a third term.[7][10]
Polling
editBlanket primary
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Matt Larkin (R) |
Brett Rogers (R) |
Mike Vaska (R) |
Bob Ferguson (D) |
Undecided |
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SurveyUSA | July 22–27, 2020 | 513 (LV) | ± 5.4% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 52% | 22% |
SurveyUSA | May 16–19, 2020 | 650 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 8% | 8% | 4% | 47% | 32% |
General election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Bob Ferguson (D) |
Matt Larkin (R) |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 53% | 39% | 8% |
SurveyUSA | October 8–10, 2020 | 591 (LV) | ± 5.2% | 49% | 38% | 13% |
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 30–40%
- 30–40%
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Bob Ferguson (incumbent) | 1,356,225 | 55.8 | |
Republican | Matt Larkin | 575,470 | 23.7 | |
Republican | Brett Rogers | 296,843 | 12.2 | |
Republican | Mike Vaska | 199,826 | 8.2 | |
Write-in | 2,372 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 2,430,736 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Bob Ferguson (incumbent) | 2,226,418 | 56.4 | |
Republican | Matt Larkin | 1,714,927 | 43.5 | |
Write-in | 3,968 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 3,945,313 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
Secretary of state
editIncumbent secretary of state Kim Wyman (R) was re-elected to a third term.[7][13] State Representative Gael Tarleton (D–Seattle) unsuccessfully challenged Wyman.[14]
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Kim Wyman (incumbent) | 1,238,455 | 50.9 | |
Democratic | Gael Tarleton | 1,053,584 | 43.3 | |
Independent | Ed Minger | 87,982 | 3.6 | |
Washington Progressive Party | Gentry Lange | 51,826 | 2.1 | |
Write-in | 1,919 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 2,433,766 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Kim Wyman (incumbent) | 2,116,141 | 53.6 | |
Democratic | Gael Tarleton | 1,826,710 | 46.3 | |
Write-in | 4,666 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 3,947,517 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Public Lands Commissioner
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Franz: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Pederson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz (D) was re-elected to a second term.[7] She defeated Republican nominee Sue Kuehl Pederson in the general election by 13.5%.
No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
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Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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Hilary Franz | Sue Kuehl Pederson | |||||
1 | Oct. 2, 2020 | The Columbian | YouTube | P | P |
Polling
editGeneral election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Hillary Franz (D) |
Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 49% | 36% | 15% |
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Hilary Franz (incumbent) | 1,211,310 | 51.1 | |
Republican | Sue Kuehl Pederson | 554,147 | 23.4 | |
Republican | Cameron Whitney | 197,610 | 8.3 | |
Republican | Steve Sharon | 179,714 | 7.6 | |
Democratic | Frank Wallbrown | 122,136 | 5.2 | |
Libertarian | Kelsey Reyes | 77,407 | 3.4 | |
Republican | Maryam Abasbarzy | 24,189 | 1.0 | |
Write-in | 2,504 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 2,369,017 | 100 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Hilary Franz (incumbent) | 2,212,158 | 56.7 | |
Republican | Sue Kuehl Pederson | 1,686,320 | 43.2 | |
Write-in | 3,799 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 3,902,277 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
State auditor
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McCarthy: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Hawkins: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent state auditor Pat McCarthy (D) was re-elected to a second term.[7]
No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
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Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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Pat McCarthy | Chris Leyba | |||||
1 | Sep. 23, 2020 | The Columbian | YouTube | P | P |
Polling
editGeneral election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Pat McCarthy (D) |
Chris Leyba (R) |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 48% | 34% | 14% |
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Pat McCarthy (incumbent) | 1,134,077 | 47.4 | |
Republican | Chris Leyba | 982,411 | 41.1 | |
Democratic | Joshua Casey | 273,198 | 11.4 | |
Write-in | 2,278 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 2,391,964 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Pat McCarthy (incumbent) | 2,260,830 | 58.0 | |
Republican | Chris Leyba | 1,633,956 | 41.9 | |
Write-in | 3,316 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 3,898,102 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
State treasurer
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Pellicciotti: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Davidson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent state treasurer Duane Davidson (R) ran for a second term. State Representative Mike Pellicciotti (D–Federal Way) defeated Davidson.[15]
No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican |
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Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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Duane Davidson | Mike Pellicciotti | |||||
1 | Sep. 17, 2020 | League of Women Voters of Washington League of Women Voters of Benton & Franklin counties The Spokesman-Review TVW |
Matt Loveless | YouTube | P | P |
Polling
editGeneral election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Duane Davidson (R) |
Mike Pellicciotti (D) |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 36% | 46% | 18% |
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Mike Pellicciotti | 1,279,452 | 53.2 | |
Republican | Duane Davidson (incumbent) | 1,121,885 | 46.7 | |
Write-in | 2,604 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 2,403,941 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Mike Pellicciotti | 2,089,159 | 53.4 | |
Republican | Duane Davidson (incumbent) | 1,818,895 | 46.5 | |
Write-in | 3,339 | 0.1 | ||
Total votes | 3,911,393 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
Superintendent of Public Instruction
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Results by county Reykdal: 50–60% 60–70% Espinoza: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent state superintendent Chris Reykdal (non-partisan election) was re-elected to a second term.[7]
No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Nonpartisan | Nonpartisan |
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Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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Chris Reykdal | Maia Espinoza | |||||
1 | Sep. 18, 2020 | Washington State Wire | YouTube | P | P | |
2 | Sep. 25, 2020 | City Inside/Out | Brian Callahan | YouTube | P | P |
Polling
editGeneral election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Chris Rekydal |
Maia Espinoza |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 30% | 23% | 47% |
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Nonpartisan | Chris Reykdal (incumbent) | 898,951 | 40.2 | |
Nonpartisan | Maia Espinoza | 564,674 | 25.3 | |
Nonpartisan | Ron Higgins | 456,879 | 20.5 | |
Nonpartisan | Dennis Wick | 121,425 | 5.4 | |
Nonpartisan | David Spring | 111,176 | 5.0 | |
Nonpartisan | Stan Lippmann | 71,395 | 3.2 | |
Write-in | 9,571 | 0.4 | ||
Total votes | 2,234,071 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Nonpartisan | Chris Reykdal (incumbent) | 1,955,365 | 54.6 | |
Nonpartisan | Maia Espinoza | 1,609,643 | 44.9 | |
Write-in | 17,957 | 0.5 | ||
Total votes | 3,582,965 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
Insurance Commissioner
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Kreidler: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Patel: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent insurance commissioner Mike Kreidler (D) was re-elected to a sixth term.[7] With over 65% of the vote, Kreidler had the best performance of any statewide Democratic candidate or any statewide incumbent.
No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican |
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Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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Mike Kreidler | Chirayu Avinash Patel | |||||
1 | Oct. 14, 2020 | The Columbian | YouTube | P | N |
Polling
editGeneral election
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Kreidler (D) |
Chirayu Avinash Patel (R) |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 52% | 30% | 18% |
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
Primary election | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 1,402,650 | 59.0 | |
Republican | Chirayu Avinash Patel | 644,446 | 27.1 | |
Libertarian | Anthony Welti | 324,921 | 13.7 | |
Write-in | 4,220 | 0.2 | ||
Total votes | 2,376,237 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Mike Kreidler (incumbent) | 2,506,693 | 65.4 | |
Republican | Chirayu Avinash Patel | 1,308,292 | 34.1 | |
Write-in | 18,576 | 0.5 | ||
Total votes | 3,833,561 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
Supreme Court
editSeats 3, 4, and 7 of the Washington Supreme Court were up for six-year terms. Debra L. Stephens, Charles W. Johnson, and Raquel Montoya-Lewis ran for new terms. Seat 6 Justice Charles Wiggins retired and Governor Inslee's appointee G. Helen Whitener[16] ran for the final two years of the term.[17]
Polling
editPosition 3
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Raquel Montoya-Lewis |
David Larson |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 21% | 17% | 62% |
Public Policy Polling (D) | May 19–20, 2020 | 1,070 (LV) | ± 3% | 14% | 8% | 78% |
Position 6
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
G. Helen Whitener |
Richard S. Serns |
Undecided |
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Public Policy Polling (D) | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 22% | 12% | 66% |
Public Policy Polling (D) | May 19–20, 2020 | 1,070 (LV) | ± 3% | 13% | 6% | 81% |
Legislative
editState senate
editTwenty-five of the forty-nine seats in the Washington State Senate were up for election. Democrats kept a 28–21 majority in the Senate. Senators retiring this election were Senators Randi Becker (R-Olympia),[18] Maureen Walsh (R-Walla Walla),[19] and Hans Zeiger (R-Puyallup).[20] Senators Dean Takko (D) and Steve O'Ban (R) lost reelection.
State House of Representatives
editAll 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives were up for election. Democrats kept a 57–41 majority in the House. House members who didn't run for re-election were Representatives Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo),[21] Richard DeBolt (R-Chehalis),[22] Beth Doglio (D-Olympia),[23] Chris Gildon (R-Puyallup),[20] Bill Jenkin (R-Prosser),[24] Christine Kilduff (D-University Place),[25] Mike Pellicciotti (D-Federal Way),[15] Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle),[26] Norma Smith (R-Clinton),[27] and Gael Tarleton (D-Seattle).[14] Representatives Luanne Van Werven (R) and Brian Blake (D) lost reelection.
Ballot measures
editNo initiatives to the people qualified for the ballot. One referendum was on the ballot, on Senate Bill 5395 regarding sexual education.[28] One constitutional amendment was on the ballot, regarding the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Account and the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account.[29] It passed with 58% in favor.
Ballot initiatives
editPolling
edit- Referendum 90
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Approve | Reject | Undecided |
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PPP/NPI | October 14–15, 2020 | 610 (LV) | ± 4% | 56% | 33% | 11% |
SurveyUSA/KING-TV | October 8–10, 2020 | 591 (LV) | ± 5.2% | 52% | 34% | 14% |
Results
edit
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Washington Comprehensive Sexual Health Education | |||||||||||||
Results | |||||||||||||
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Notes
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Dates and Deadlines 2020". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ "Election Results and Voters' Pamphlets". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "Distribution of Electoral Votes". National Archives and Records Administration. September 19, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Brunner, Jim (January 6, 2020). "Thirteen Democrats qualify for Washington presidential primary, Trump sole choice for Republicans". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Gutman, David; Brunner, Jim (January 26, 2020). "Washington's presidential primary is no longer a meaningless 'beauty contest'; this one really counts". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Stack, Liam (December 4, 2020). "Denny Heck, a Washington Democrat, Won't Seek House Re-election". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cornfield, Jerry (October 9, 2019). "A boring election for state seats in 2020? Try nine of them". The Everett Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ Habib, Cyrus (March 19, 2020). "Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib: Why I am giving up elected office and joining the Jesuits". America.
- ^ "Denny Heck defeats Marko Liias in Washington state lieutenant governor election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ "Bob Ferguson defeats Matt Larkin in Washington state attorney general election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "August 4, 2020 Primary Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "November 3, 2020 General Election Results - State Executive". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ "Kim Wyman leads Gael Tarleton in Washington state secretary of state election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Q&A: Rep. Gael Tarleton on her bid to become Washington's next Secretary of State". Washington State Wire. January 14, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Mirror, For the (May 17, 2019). "State Rep. Mike Pellicciotti announces early bid for state treasurer". Federal Way Mirror. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ Stern, Mark Joseph (April 17, 2020). "Washington State Now Has the Most Diverse Supreme Court In History". Slate Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ La Corte, Rachel (January 18, 2020). "Washington Supreme Court Justice Charles Wiggins to retire". The Olympian.
- ^ "Sen. Randi Becker announces retirement from Senate at end of current term". Washington State Wire. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Union-Bulletin, CHLOE LeVALLEY of the Walla Walla. "Sen. Maureen Walsh says she won't seek re-election". Union-Bulletin.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ a b "The News Tribune". account.thenewstribune.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Pilling, Nathan. "Rep. Sherry Appleton, longtime member of Kitsap legislative delegation, to retire". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Chronicle, Eric Schwartz and Natalie Johnson The. "State Rep. Richard DeBolt Announces Upcoming Retirement From House After 24 Years". The Chronicle. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "Washington state Rep. Beth Doglio joins crowded race to succeed Denny Heck in Congress". The Seattle Times. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "Realtor, farm leader to run for Legislature, representing part of Benton County and Pasco". Tri-City Herald. February 27, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "Rep. Christine Kilduff announces that she will not seek re-election in the 28th Legislative District". Washington State Wire. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Jan 30, Rich Smith •; Pm, 2020 at 12:43. "Rep. Eric Pettigrew Says He Won't Seek Re-Election, Opening Space for a True Progressive to Run". The Stranger. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Service, SC News staff, Skagit Publishing, and WNPA News. "10th District Rep. Norma Smith will not run for re-election". goSkagit. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Washington Referendum 90, Sex Education in Public Schools Measure (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ "Washington Authorize Fund Investment of Family Medical Leave and Long-Term Care Accounts Amendment (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ "Referendum Measure No. 90". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
External links
edit- Elections & Voting at the Washington Secretary of State
- Washington at Ballotpedia
- Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "Washington", Voting & Elections Toolkits
- "Washington: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
- "League of Women Voters of Washington". (state affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)
- "State Elections Legislation Database", Ncsl.org, Washington, D.C.: National Conference of State Legislatures,
State legislation related to the administration of elections introduced in 2011 through this year, 2020