GOP may forfeit three local races for Legislature

EVERETT – State Sen. Jean Berkey is primed for an election. She’s drawn up her strategy, written the mailers and is raring to ring doorbells.

The only thing missing from the campaign today is an opponent.

“I don’t ever want to take anything for granted,” the Everett Democrat said Monday of her preparations.

She can’t count on victory yet – but maybe soon. Though filing by candidates ended Friday, state law grants political parties an extra week to find recruits for those empty slots in partisan races such as Berkey’s. The deadline to sign up challengers is Friday.

The intent is to spur more contested races. But in Berkey’s 38th District, the Democratic Party is a dominant force and that is proving a deterrent. The last Republican to win election to the state House of Representatives for the district was Jack Metcalf in 1961. In the state Senate, Gary Stranigan’s election in 1994 ended a lengthy dry spell for the GOP there.

“It’s very tough,” admitted Frauna Hoglund, chairwoman of the Snohomish County Republican Party.

“We’ll start looking around. There are some names we have heard about. Maybe we can twist their arms,” she said with a laugh.

In addition to the Senate seat, Hoglund needs a candidate for one of the House seats in the 38th District.

As of Monday, no challenger awaited the victor of the primary battle between two Demo- crats, Rep. David Simpson and labor leader Mike Sells. If no one steps up, the winner of that duel Sept. 14 won’t face a Republican challenger in November.

Rep. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, is unopposed by a Republican in the 32nd District that includes southern Snohomish County and northeast King County.

“It’s entirely possible that I could have an opponent,” said Chase, who is ratcheting up a full campaign operation in pursuit of a third term. “We’re in fighting form.”

Chris Vance, chairman of the state Republican Party, said the unopposed seats “are not being focused on. You’ve got to go where you can win.”

He said the party’s attention is on capturing other seats that will gain the GOP control of the Legislature; the GOP holds a one-seat edge, 25-24 in the Senate, and trails by six seats in the House, 52-46. This fall, all 98 House seats and 26 Senate seats are at stake.

“Neither party has enough money to focus on every race. Our mission is to get the majority,” Vance said.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.