Washington State Senate 2026 – Other Races Overview
Roughly half the 49-member Senate is up this cycle (24 seats). Democrats currently hold a solid majority. Most races are not competitive due to strong partisan leans, but a handful of open seats and suburban districts are worth watching.
Summary for readers — not a prediction or endorsement map. Status and notes can shift with filings and results. Confirm districts and candidates with the Washington Secretary of State and county elections offices.
Selected races at a glance
| District | Area | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | Sammamish / Issaquah (East King County) | Competitive potential | Suburban district that has flipped before. Often a target for both parties. |
| 17th | Vancouver / Clark County | Open or closely watched | Southwest Washington; has history of close races. |
| 25th | Puyallup area (Pierce County) | Open / suburban | Historically lean-Republican suburban seat. |
| 26th | Gig Harbor / Kitsap–Pierce | Democratic-held, moderate lean | One of the closer Democratic seats in terms of presidential margins. |
| 28th | University Place / Pierce County | Swing-ish suburban | Has changed hands in past cycles. |
| 35th | Kitsap / Mason / Thurston (parts) | Republican-held; district leaned Harris in 2024 | One of the few Republican seats in a district that went Democratic at the presidential level. |
| 42nd | Whatcom County (Bellingham area) | Open (incumbent not seeking re-election) | Northern district with mixed urban/rural dynamics. |
Safe or low-drama seats
Eastern Washington Republican seats (e.g., 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th): Mostly safe Republican territory. Several are open due to retirements or redistricting moves, but the replacements are expected to stay Republican.
Seattle / deep-blue urban seats (including LD 36, 37th, 43rd, 46th, etc.): Safely Democratic. Republican candidates face very long odds (typically 10–20% of the vote in recent cycles).
Several incumbents in both parties face little or no serious opposition.
Big picture for Senate control
- Democrats start with a clear advantage and are defending mostly friendly ground.
- Republicans’ best opportunities are in a small number of suburban and open seats (especially in Pierce, Clark, and parts of King County outside Seattle).
- Even if Republicans flip 2–3 seats, it would be difficult for them to take the majority under current maps and partisan trends.
- The real action is concentrated in a handful of districts rather than a broad statewide battle.
How this relates to LD 36
LD 36 sits in the deep-blue urban group: a steep climb for any Republican, and a clear platform contrast for voters who want a different choice. See the 36th District analysis for the Frame–England comparison on taxes, energy, and public safety.
Paid for by Friends of Jillian England (AKA FOJE), P.O. Box 30064, Seattle, WA 98113.