Washington voters decide state and federal races amid national wave
Whatcom County residents cast ballots for U.S. House and state offices as Democrats secured control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
By Michael Bennett ·
Residents of Whatcom County, including those in Bellingham, Marysville, and Lake Stevens, participated in the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. Washington state voters selected candidates for every U.S. House seat, state legislative offices, state supreme court positions, and local municipal roles. According to Ballotpedia, the state does not hold a U.S. Senate or governor election this year, meaning the ballot focused on federal representation and state-level governance.
The election results in Washington align with a broader national trend where Democrats achieved significant gains. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the incumbent representative for Washington's 3rd Congressional District, won reelection to the U.S. House. Ballotpedia identified this race as a battleground, and the Associated Press projected her victory. Her win maintains Democratic control of the district in a state that typically leans toward the Democratic Party.
Nationwide, Democrats took full control of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. In the House, Democrats won 233 seats compared to 138 for Republicans, with 64 races remaining uncalled as of the latest updates. This marks a net gain of 30 seats for Democrats. In the Senate, Democrats won 20 seats while Republicans won 13, securing a majority in the upper chamber as well.
The shift in power extends to state governments across the country. Democrats gained control of governorships in Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas. In Texas, the party took control of the state House for the first time since 2002. Katie Owens Hubler, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures, described the results as the biggest single-election change of partisan power in state governments since 2010.
For Washington voters, the ballot included statewide measures on public education and taxation. Initiative 1 addressed public education governance, while Initiative 645 proposed repealing the tax on household income over $1 million. These measures, along with local ballot items, gave county residents a direct say in state policy beyond just electing officials.
Voter dissatisfaction with the economy and the war in Iran was a major factor in the election outcome. The AP Voter Poll found that three-quarters of voters said the economy was not good or poor. In Whatcom County, these national concerns likely influenced decisions on state and local offices, as well as the federal races that determine the composition of Congress.
Democrats now hold at least 28 governorships, including pickups in states long held by Republicans. This expansion of power places pressure on the party to address issues such as the cost of living, housing affordability, and healthcare access. Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, stated that the party won historic levels of power in statehouses.
In Washington, the election results will shape the state legislature and supreme court for the next term. The state's congressional delegation will also be affected by the national swing, with Democrats maintaining their hold on key districts. The next Congress will begin its terms on January 3, 2027, setting the stage for a divided government where Democrats control both chambers and face a Republican president.
President Donald Trump blamed the election results on his candidates and the war in Iran, while Vice President JD Vance also cited the conflict in Iran as a reason for the losses. Trump indicated he would work with the new Democratic Congress but warned of potential gridlock, threatening to use his veto power against their agenda.
As the results are finalized, Washington state officials will certify the winners of the state and local races. The Associated Press and Ballotpedia continue to update their records as the final counts are confirmed. For Whatcom County, the election concludes a cycle that saw voters engage with a mix of local priorities and national political shifts.
The Associated Press analysis shows that Democrats lost nearly 1,000 state legislative seats during President Barack Obama's tenure, a slide they have been trying to reverse. The 2026 election results represent a significant correction to that trend, with Democrats gaining seats in multiple chambers across the country.
