Tuesday’s Washington state primary was a reality check for Democrats who thought being appointed to office was the same thing as being elected to it. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Let’s start in the 26th Legislative District, where Sen. Deb Krishnadasan—hand-picked to fill a vacancy—is now trailing behind Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier, a seasoned campaigner who’s actually won elections before. Caldier leads by just 89 votes, but that sliver is telling. Turns out voters prefer someone who’s accountable to them, not just Olympia party bosses.
Over in the 5th, it’s a similar story. Sen. Victoria Hunt, another appointee, is barely holding off Republican Chad Magendanz. He’s a former legislator who knows what it’s like to answer to actual voters. Hunt’s record—complete with rent control and tax hikes—might have played well in activist circles, but voters aren’t exactly throwing her a parade.
In the 33rd, things got spicy with a Democrat-on-Democrat battle. Edwin Obras, the union-backed progressive, narrowly ousted moderate mayor Kevin Schilling for the top spot. Republican Darryl Jones came in a distant third. Hard to compete when the real fight is about who can promise more free stuff faster.
Then there’s the 48th District—where Sen. Vandana Slatter and Rep. Amy Walen are lighting donor dollars on fire in a costly intra-party squabble. Nearly $1 million spent between them to argue over which of them supported more bad ideas, but with a gentler tone.
Elsewhere, the usual suspects cruised. Janice Zahn, Osman Salahuddin, Tina Orwall, Emily Alvarado, and Brianna Thomas—all reliably blue, all sailing to November with little turbulence. Good for them. Nothing says “voter engagement” like being pre-selected by the machine.
Bottom line? Democrats filled half a softball team with appointees this year. Now voters get to decide: keep the benchwarmers—or send in someone who actually earned the jersey.
