EVERETT — Three Democratic incumbents in Washington’s 38th District were poised to win reelection to their seats in the state legislature, early results showed Tuesday.
In the race for the state Senate seat, Democratic State Sen. June Robinson led over Republican Brad Bender, while in the House races, Rep. Julio Cortes, a Democrat, led against Jeff Kelly, a member of the Cascade Party. Democrat Mary Fosse will win reelection as she ran unopposed for the House seat.
The 38th District includes most of Everett, Marysville and the Tulalip Reservation. State legislators make $72,494 per year.
State Senate
State Sen. June Robinson will likely retain her seat in the Legislature after facing off against a political newcomer, Republican Brad Bender, in the race for the position. As of Tuesday, Robinson earned about 66% of the vote while Bender earned 33.9%.
Robinson, a Democrat who lives in Everett, has served as a legislator since 2013. Her priorities include making healthcare more affordable, balancing the state budget and mitigating the impacts of federal spending cuts, she said in a previous interview. As of Monday, Robinson reported $244,219 in campaign contributions.
Bender, who lives in Marysville, is a first-time candidate and a Republican. His top priorities include making the state more affordable and lowering business taxes, he previously said. He reported receiving $2,145 in campaign contributions as of Monday.
State House
Position 1
Initial results show Julio Cortes, an incumbent from Everett, will likely retain his seat after earning 67% of the vote against challenger Jeff Kelly, who had received 32.1% of the vote as of Tuesday.
Cortes, a Democrat, has served two consecutive terms in the Legislature. His top priorities include addressing homelessness, public safety and improving affordability, he said in a June interview. As of Monday, Cortes reported receiving $92,946 in campaign contributions.
Kelly, a first-time political candidate, is a member of the Cascade Party of Washington, a centrist political party created by the former bassist of the Seattle grunge band Nirvana, Krist Novoselic. His top priorities include improving affordability, reforming the state’s tax system and cutting back on excessive state spending, he said in a previous interview. He reported receiving $50,739 in campaign contributions as of Monday.
Position 2
Incumbent Democrat Mary Fosse, of Everett, ran uncontested to retain her state House seat and received 93.1% of the vote as of Monday.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
