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Extraordinary number of state legislators not seeking reelection

Since October, twenty-two state lawmakers have announced their retirement from the Washington Legislature or their decision to run for the Senate instead of the House. Turnover in the legislature is common, especially in an election year, but the considerable number of state lawmakers not seeking reelection is sure to shake up the upcoming election season and makeup of the 2023 legislature.

Washington state’s legislature consists of 98 seats in the House of Representatives and 49 seats in the Senate, with Democrats controlling both chambers. This election cycle, all 98 House seats are up for election, as are 23 of the Senate seats.

Here are the legislators who have officially announced they will not seek reelection:

House of Representatives

Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle (Legislative District 34), announced her retirement in March. She has served in the House since 1995 and sits on the Appropriations and Health Care and Wellness Committees.

Rep. Laurie Dolan, D-Olympia (LD 22), is a UW alumnus who assumed office in 2017 and currently serves on the Appropriations Committee. She announced her decision to retire from the legislature in March.

Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah (LD 15), assumed office in 2019 and will not seek reelection because the state’s new redistricting plans draw him out of district and he and his family do not want to move.

Rep. Larry Hoff, R-Vancouver (LD 18), is serving his second term in office and announced last week that he will not seek reelection. He sits on the Appropriations and College & Workforce Development Committees.

Rep. Jesse Johnson, D-Federal Way (LD 30), was appointed to the legislature in 2020 and announced in early March that he would leave the legislature to spend more time with his family. He is a UW graduate, and his wife is currently a UW Medical student.

Rep. Steve Kirby, D-South Tacoma (LD 29), has served in the House since 2001 and announced his decision to retire from the legislature in December.

Rep. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane (LD 4), announced in February that he would leave the legislature to run for Spokane County Auditor. He has been a member of the House since 2014.

House Majority Leader Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington (LD 47), is a UW alumnus who assumed office in 2005 and became the House Majority Leader in 2010. He announced his retirement from the legislature last week.

Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett (LD 38), assumed office in 2005 and announced in February that he would leave the legislature at the end of his term. He received his fifth-year teacher certification from the UW.

Rep. Emily Wicks, D-Everett (LD 38), was appointed in 2020 and announced she will not seek reelection this week. Her announcement leaves both House seats in the 38th legislative district open.

In addition, five legislators currently serving in the House plan to run for the Senate:

Rep. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick (LD 8), is serving his second term and sits on the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Noel Frame, D-Seattle (LD 36), assumed office in 2016 and serves on the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union (LD 35), has served in office since 2013 and sits on the Appropriations and Capital Budget Committees.

Rep. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle (LD 46), is a UW graduate who assumed office in 2017.

Rep. Jesse Young, R-Gig Harbor (LD 26), was appointed to the House in 2014.

Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick (LD 8), and Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver (LD 17) will also not seek reelection in the House to run for Congress.

Senate

Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick (LD 8), was appointed in 2013 and currently serves on the Ways & Means Committee. She announced her decision to retire from the legislature in November

Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle (LD 36), assumed office in 2009 and announced in January that he will leave the legislature at the end of his term. He sits on the Ways & Means Committee.

Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle (LD 46), has served since 2011 and announced in October that he would not seek reelection. He’s the capital budget chair of the Ways & Means Committee and serves on the Health & Long Term Care Committee. He received his law degree from the UW.

Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlach (LD 35), is a UW alumnus and the longest serving member of the Washington Legislature. He was elected to the House in 1990 and the Senate in 1996. He announced his retirement in March.

Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley (LD 39), announced in December his plans to run for Secretary of State. His Senate seat is not up for election so he will return to the Senate if he loses his bid for Secretary of State.

The Washington state General Election will be held Nov. 8.