2024 WASHINGTON STATE CAMPAIGN WATCH

As predicted last month with the 2024 State Campaign Watch, the Presidential race continues to attract the bulk of the national media attention, especially in the aftermath of the first debate. There are four months to go before the November election and the RHAWA Government Affairs team are fixated on Washington State races and what we can do to promote candidates who value small rental housing providers.

Primary Election: August 6, 2024, with ballots mailed by July 19th.

General Election: November 6, 2024

GOVERNOR: The primary here will be very telling with two Democrats running Attorney General Bob Ferguson and State Senator Mark Mullet, and two Republicans former Congressman Dave Reichert and former Richland school board member Semi Bird.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Current Lieutenant Governor and former Congressman Denny Heck (D) seems to be the clear frontrunner in this race in a field of a few fellow Democrats and Republican Dan Matthews. Secretary of State: The incumbent and former state senator Steve Hobbs (D) looks to be the strongest candidate for this race with Dale Whitaker (R) heading up the Republican side of the ticket.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: With incumbent Bob Ferguson taking a run at the Governor’s office this seat is open for the first time in twelve years. Nick Brown (D) a U.S. Attorney for Western Washington and State Senator Manka Dhingra (D) head up the Democrats. For the Republican side of the ticket, Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano (R).

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER: This will be a crowded race, but two names that rise to the top of the list are both sitting state senators. Senator Patty Kuderer (D) and Senator Phil Fortunato (R) who both currently sit on the Senate Housing Committee as the ranking members for their respective party with Senator Kuderer chairing the committee. 

PIERCE COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Representative Kelly Chambers (R): Chambers is the current state representative for District 25 which is mostly made up of Puyallup and surrounding suburb neighborhoods. Chambers has been a staunch supporter of real estate and rental housing during her time as a Representative. She is campaigning to take over for current Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier (R) who has been termed out as Executive and has endorsed Chambers's campaign. She is also endorsed by Gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert and State Representative Andrew Barkis. Chambers will be campaigning against current Pierce County Council Chair and former City of Tacoma Council Member Ryan Mello (D).

PIERCE COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6: LOUJANNA “LJ” ROHRER: Rohrer is a senior legislative assistant for the Washington State House of Representatives and is campaigning for the Pierce County Council District 6 position. The 6th District of Pierce County covers Lakewood, Steilacoom, DuPont, areas of Parkland and Joint Base Lewis McChord.

Last month the RHAWA Government Affairs Team highlighted some active state senate seats we are keeping a close eye on, and this month we are looking at some state house races. From redrawn districts to an all-new district, the legislature will be very different come January.