2020 Washington elections

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]

2020 Washington Statewide Executive Offices elections

← 2016 November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) 2024 →
All statewide executive offices
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 7 2 Seats won 8 1 Seat change 1 1

Federal

President of the United States

Main article: 2020 United States presidential election in Washington (state)

Washington 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

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington

All 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

Governor

Main article: 2020 Washington gubernatorial election

Incumbent governor Jay Inslee (D) was re-elected to a third term in a landslide.^[7]

Lieutenant governor

Main article: 2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election

Incumbent lieutenant governor Cyrus Habib (D) retired from politics.^[8] U.S. Representative Denny Heck won the open seat.^[9]

Attorney general

2020 Washington Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) 2024 →

Nominee Bob Ferguson Matt Larkin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,226,418 1,714,927 Percentage 56.4% 43.5%

County results Ferguson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Larkin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Attorney General before election Bob Ferguson Democratic Elected Attorney General Bob Ferguson Democratic

Incumbent attorney general Bob Ferguson (D) was re-elected to a third term.^[7][10]

Polling

Blanket primary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Bob Ferguson (D)	Matt Larkin (R)	Brett Rogers (R)	Mike Vaska (R)	Undecided
SurveyUSA	July 22–27, 2020	513 (LV)	± 5.4%	52%	13%	7%	5%	22%
SurveyUSA	May 16–19, 2020	650 (LV)	±  5.6%	47%	8%	8%	4%	32%

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Bob Ferguson (D)	Matt Larkin (R)	Undecided
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%

Blanket primary results by county

  Ferguson

•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Larkin

•   30–40%

  Rogers

•   30–40%

2020 Washington Attorney General election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

Main article: 2020 Washington Secretary of State election

Incumbent 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]

2020 Washington Secretary of State election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

2020 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Candidate Hilary Franz Sue Kuehl Pederson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,212,158 1,686,320 Percentage 56.7% 43.2%

County results Franz:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Pederson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Public Lands Commissioner before election Hilary Franz Democratic Elected Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz Democratic

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%.

2022 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Democratic	Republican
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					Hilary Franz	Sue Kuehl Pederson
1	Oct. 2, 2020	The Columbian		YouTube	P	P

Polling

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Hillary Franz (D)	Sue Kuehl Pederson (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	October 14–15, 2020	610 (LV)	± 4%	49%	36%	15%

Blanket primary results by county

  Franz

•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

  Pederson

•   20–30%
•   30–40%

2020 Washington Commissioner of Public Lands election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

2020 Washington State Auditor election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Pat McCarthy Chris Leyba Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,260,830 1,633,956 Percentage 58.0% 41.9%

County results McCarthy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Leyba:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

State Auditor before election Pat McCarthy Democratic Elected State Auditor Pat McCarthy Democratic

Incumbent state auditor Pat McCarthy (D) was re-elected to a second term.^[7]

2022 Washington Public Lands Commissioner election debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Democratic	Republican
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					Pat McCarthy	Chris Leyba
1	Sep. 23, 2020	The Columbian		YouTube	P	P

Polling

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Pat McCarthy (D)	Chris Leyba (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	October 14–15, 2020	610 (LV)	± 4%	48%	34%	14%

2020 Washington State Auditor election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

2020 Washington State Treasurer election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Mike Pellicciotti Duane Davidson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,089,159 1,818,895 Percentage 53.4% 46.5%

County results Pellicciotti:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Davidson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

State Treasurer before election Duane Davidson Republican Elected State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti Democratic

Incumbent state treasurer Duane Davidson (R) ran for a second term. State Representative Mike Pellicciotti (D–Federal Way) defeated Davidson.^[15]

2020 Washington State Treasurer debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Republican	Republican
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					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

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Duane Davidson (R)	Mike Pellicciotti (D)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	October 14–15, 2020	610 (LV)	± 4%	36%	46%	18%

2020 Washington State Treasurer election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

2020 Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction election

← 2016 2024 →

Nominee Chris Reykdal Maia Espinoza Party Independent Independent Popular vote 1,955,365 1,609,643 Percentage 54.6% 44.9%

County results Reykdal:      50–60%      60–70% Espinoza:      40–50%      50–60%

Superintendent of Public Instruction before election Chris Reykdal Independent Elected Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal Independent

Incumbent state superintendent Chris Reykdal (non-partisan election) was re-elected to a second term.^[7]

2020 Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Nonpartisan	Nonpartisan
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					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

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Chris Rekydal	Maia Espinoza	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	October 14–15, 2020	610 (LV)	± 4%	30%	23%	47%

2020 Superintendent of Public Instruction election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

2020 Washington Insurance Commissioner election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Candidate Mike Kreidler Chirayu Avinash Patel Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,506,693 1,308,292 Percentage 65.4% 34.1%

County results Kreidler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Patel:      50–60%      60–70%

Insurance Commissioner before election Mike Kreidler Democratic Elected Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler Democratic

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 candidate in this cycle.

2020 Washington Insurance Commissioner election debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Democratic	Republican
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
					Mike Kreidler	Chirayu Avinash Patel
1	Oct. 14, 2020	The Columbian		YouTube	P	N

Polling

General election

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Mike Kreidler (D)	Chirayu Avinash Patel (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	October 14–15, 2020	610 (LV)	± 4%	52%	30%	18%

Blanket primary results by county

  Kreidler

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Patel

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

2020 Washington Insurance Commissioner election^[11][12]

Primary election
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

Seats 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

Position 3

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Raquel Montoya-Lewis	David Larson	Undecided
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

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	G. Helen Whitener	Richard S. Serns	Undecided
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

State senate

Main article: 2020 Washington State Senate election

Twenty-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

Main article: 2020 Washington House of Representatives election

All 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

No 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

Polling

Referendum 90

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Approve	Reject	Undecided
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

Referendum 90^[30]

November 3, 2020
Washington Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 2,283,630 57.82% No 1,665,906 42.18% Total votes 3,949,536 100.00%
Yes   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% No   70–80%   60–70%   50–60%

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

See also

• Elections in Washington (state)

References

1. "Dates and Deadlines 2020". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
2. "Election Results and Voters' Pamphlets". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
3. "Distribution of Electoral Votes". National Archives and Records Administration. September 19, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
4. Brunner, Jim (January 6, 2020). "Thirteen Democrats qualify for Washington presidential primary, Trump sole choice for Republicans". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
5. 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.
6. Stack, Liam (December 4, 2020). "Denny Heck, a Washington Democrat, Won't Seek House Re-election". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
7. Cornfield, Jerry (October 9, 2019). "A boring election for state seats in 2020? Try nine of them". The Everett Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
8. Habib, Cyrus (March 19, 2020). "Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib: Why I am giving up elected office and joining the Jesuits". America.
9. "Denny Heck defeats Marko Liias in Washington state lieutenant governor election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
10. "Bob Ferguson defeats Matt Larkin in Washington state attorney general election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
11. "August 4, 2020 Primary Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
12. "November 3, 2020 General Election Results - State Executive". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
13. "Kim Wyman leads Gael Tarleton in Washington state secretary of state election results". Seattle Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
14. "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.
15. Mirror, For the (May 17, 2019). "State Rep. Mike Pellicciotti announces early bid for state treasurer". Federal Way Mirror. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
16. Stern, Mark Joseph (April 17, 2020). "Washington State Now Has the Most Diverse Supreme Court In History". Slate Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
17. La Corte, Rachel (January 18, 2020). "Washington Supreme Court Justice Charles Wiggins to retire". The Olympian.
18. "Sen. Randi Becker announces retirement from Senate at end of current term". Washington State Wire. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
19. 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.
20. "The News Tribune". account.thenewstribune.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
21. Pilling, Nathan. "Rep. Sherry Appleton, longtime member of Kitsap legislative delegation, to retire". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
22. 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.
23. "Washington state Rep. Beth Doglio joins crowded race to succeed Denny Heck in Congress". The Seattle Times. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
24. "Realtor, farm leader to run for Legislature, representing part of Benton County and Pasco". Tri-City Herald. February 27, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
25. "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.
26. 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)
27. 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)
28. "Washington Referendum 90, Sex Education in Public Schools Measure (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
29. "Washington Authorize Fund Investment of Family Medical Leave and Long-Term Care Accounts Amendment (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
30. "Referendum Measure No. 90". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved May 26, 2023.

External links

• 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