(NewsNation) — Washington voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in some pivotal races in the 2024 general election.
Presidential race in Washington
US Senate race in Washington
In addition to voting in the race for the White House between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Washington voters will cast ballots for a new governor, the state’s U.S. Senate race and seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as four statewide ballot measures.
In the race for Washington’s U.S. Senate seat, Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell is seeking to remain in the office after first earning the seat in 2001. She will face Republican challenger Raul Garcia, who has worked as a doctor for the past 26 years and initially planned to run for governor but dropped out and threw his support behind Reichert.
US House race in Washington
In Washington’s 6th Congressional District, Republican state Sen. Drew MacEwen is hoping to become the first Republican elected to the office since 1965. He will face state Sen. Emily Randall, who would become the first state’s first openly gay member of Congress if elected. The two candidates are vying for a seat left open by Democrat Derek Kilmer.
Democratic three-term Attorney General Bob Ferguson will face retired police officer and former Rep. Dave Reichert in the race for governor after three-term Gov. Jay Inslee announced his retirement. The winner will become the first new governor in the state in 12 years, and Reichert is hoping to become the first Republican to occupy the governor’s mansion since John Spellman was elected in 1980.
Statewide ballot measures in Washington
Voters will also consider four statewide ballot initiatives including measures that would prohibit state and local governments from limiting access to natural gas while another would prohibit carbon tax credit trading and repeal the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act.
A third initiative would allow all employees and self-employed workers to opt out of paying the tax and receiving benefits from WA Cares. The final measure would repeal the capital gains excise tax on long-term assets for residents with capital gains of more than $250,000.
On Tuesday, 468 U.S. congressional seats (33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election.
Early voting began Oct. 18. Polls will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. After shifting between Republican and Democratic allegiances in the past, Washington has swung Democratic in the past nine presidential elections. President Joe Biden defeated Trump by 19% in 2020. Washington holds 12 electoral votes.
More statewide races in Washington