Washington’s Supreme Court primaries delivered encouraging results for those hoping to see a less activist court, with strong challengers advancing in every major race—including those that could shape the future of the state’s controversial income tax.

The biggest bright spot came in the open Position 3 race, where Mason County Judge David Stevens finished first while two liberal judges split the left-wing vote. Stevens now heads into November with momentum after outpacing candidates backed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, former Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Nick Brown, and Seattle’s progressive political establishment.

In Position 5, retired Judge Dave Larson trailed Ferguson appointee Theo Angelis by less than two points, setting up another competitive race this fall. And in Position 1, tax attorney Scott Edwards comfortably secured a spot in the general election against Ferguson-appointed Justice Colleen Melody. Edwards is well known for challenging Washington’s capital gains tax and has criticized the increasingly common practice of governors appointing justices before voters get a chance to weigh in.

While Ferguson’s hand-picked incumbents survived the primary, they hardly ran away with it. With Washington’s new income tax expected to end up before the Supreme Court, November’s judicial races could have enormous consequences—and voters will have meaningful choices in every key contest. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

Republicans hoping to break Democrats’ grip on Olympia head into November with a mixed bag after Tuesday’s primary results. The GOP held strong in some districts, but Democrats showed they have a clear path to expanding their majorities if they can finish the job in several competitive races.

The biggest concern for Republicans came in Southwest Washington, where Democrats are making a serious push to flip Republican-held seats in the 17th and 18th Legislative Districts.

In the 17th District, Republican Rep. Kevin Waters trails Democrat Ben Christy 52.7% to 44%, while Republican Rep. David Stuebe trails Democrat Diana Perez by nearly 10 points, 54.8% to 45%. Both races will advance to November, but Republicans will have significant ground to make up to keep seats they won just two years ago.

The 18th District showed similar challenges. Republican Rep. John Ley, who narrowly won his seat in 2024, trails Democrat Deken Letinich 53.2% to 46.7%. Republican Rep. Stephanie McClintock also faces a tough November fight, trailing Democrat Randi Knott 51.6% to 48.2%.

Republicans did have some bright spots. In the 14th Legislative District, GOP candidates had strong showings, with Gloria Mendoza leading the Position 1 race with 50.9% and Deb Manjarrez leading Position 2 with 51.1%. Both enter November in favorable positions.

The open 26th District House seat remains a major battleground. Republican Katy Cornell finished first with 44.3%, but Democrats combined for a majority of the vote with Renee Hernandez Greenfield at 39.9% and Tedd Wetherbee at 13.3%. The November race will depend on whether Democrats can consolidate their voters or whether Cornell can maintain her early advantage.

Republicans also have a real opportunity in the open 42nd Senate District, where Erika Creydt led the primary with 46%. However, Democrats still combined for more than half the vote between Michael Alvarez Shepard (27%) and Eamonn Collins (24.4%), making November a major test of whether the GOP can convert a divided primary field into a victory.

Overall, Tuesday’s results showed the same reality Republicans have faced for years in Washington: there are opportunities, but very little margin for error. Democrats remain favored to maintain their majorities, and several Republican-held swing seats are now in serious danger.

With taxes, affordability, public safety, and the direction of state government expected to dominate the fall campaign, November will determine whether Republicans can stop Democrats from strengthening their hold on Olympia—or whether Democrats move even closer to a legislative supermajority. Get updates at the Washington State Standard.

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Adam Smith easily advanced to the general election in Washington’s 9th Congressional District, but the more entertaining drama unfolded below him. Former Seattle City Council socialist Kshama Sawant’s congressional bid crashed and burned despite her campaign hauling in roughly $645,000—more than six times what Republican Brian Basler raised.

Basler, a Spokane native, small business owner, and former youth pastor, secured a spot in the general election on a platform of affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, and bringing real-world business experience to Congress. Apparently, voters found that more appealing than another dose of socialist activism.

Sawant, meanwhile, refused to blame her own radical agenda for the loss. Instead, she lashed out at fellow left-wing candidate Melissa Chaudhry, accusing her of splitting the progressive vote. Nothing says “workers’ revolution” quite like blaming another Democrat after finishing third.

Smith also took the opportunity to tee off on his November opponent, arguing the same old, tired accusation that Basler would simply rubber-stamp President Trump – as if Smith doesn’t have a long record of rubber-stamping every senseless whim of any given Democrat. For his part, Basler has countered with a message focused on pro-business policies, accountability, and common-sense leadership rather than partisan rhetoric.

The primary offered a familiar lesson for Democrats: even in one of the state’s safest blue districts, the biggest political fights often aren’t between Republicans and Democrats—they’re between Democrats competing over who can claim the progressive mantle. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

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