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Steve Hobbs (Washington)

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Steve Hobbs
Candidate, Washington Secretary of State
Washington Secretary of State
Tenure
2021 - Present
Term ends
2029
Years in position
4
Prior offices:
Washington State Senate District 44
Years in office: 2007 - 2021
Successor: John Lovick (D)
Compensation
Base salary
$145,714
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Next election
November 7, 2028
Education
Bachelor's
University of Washington
Graduate
University of Washington
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Army
Service / branch
U.S. Army National Guard
Contact

Steve Hobbs (Democratic Party) is the Washington Secretary of State. He assumed office on November 22, 2021. His current term ends on December 8, 2029.

Hobbs (Democratic Party) is running for re-election for Washington Secretary of State. He declared candidacy for the 2028 election.

Hobbs was appointed as Washington Secretary of State on November 10, 2021, by Governor Jay Inslee to replace Kim Wyman, who resigned to become security lead of the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in President Joe Biden’s (D) administration.[1]

Biography

Steve Hobbs served in the U.S. Army for more than 32 years. Hobbs also joined the Washington Army National Guard and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. He earned a bachelor's degree and an M.P.A. from the University of Washington.[2][3][4]

Political career

Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.

Hobbs' political career includes the following offices:

Elections

2028

See also: Washington Secretary of State election, 2028

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 7, 2028.

General election for Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Steve Hobbs is running in the general election for Washington Secretary of State on November 7, 2028.

Candidate
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)

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Endorsements

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2024

See also: Washington Secretary of State election, 2024

General election

General election for Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Steve Hobbs defeated Dale Whitaker in the general election for Washington Secretary of State on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
59.2
 
2,234,420
Image of Dale Whitaker
Dale Whitaker (R)
 
40.7
 
1,535,977
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
3,958

Total votes: 3,774,355
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Steve Hobbs and Dale Whitaker defeated Marquez Tiggs and Damon Townsend in the primary for Washington Secretary of State on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
48.4
 
930,533
Image of Dale Whitaker
Dale Whitaker (R)
 
36.9
 
709,046
Image of Marquez Tiggs
Marquez Tiggs (D)
 
9.7
 
185,628
Image of Damon Townsend
Damon Townsend (No Labels Party) Candidate Connection
 
5.0
 
96,586
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1,534

Total votes: 1,923,327
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Hobbs received the following endorsements.

2022

See also: Washington Secretary of State election, 2022

General election

Special general election for Washington Secretary of State

Incumbent Steve Hobbs defeated Julie Anderson and Brad Klippert in the special general election for Washington Secretary of State on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
49.8
 
1,468,521
Image of Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
45.8
 
1,351,926
Image of Brad Klippert
Brad Klippert (R) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
4.4
 
129,933

Total votes: 2,950,380
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Washington Secretary of State

The following candidates ran in the special primary for Washington Secretary of State on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
39.9
 
747,993
Image of Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
12.8
 
240,035
Image of Keith Wagoner
Keith Wagoner (R)
 
12.2
 
227,842
Image of Bob Hagglund
Bob Hagglund (R)
 
12.0
 
225,633
Image of Mark Miloscia
Mark Miloscia (R)
 
10.0
 
187,774
Image of Marquez Tiggs
Marquez Tiggs (D) Candidate Connection
 
7.9
 
148,716
Image of Tamborine Borrelli
Tamborine Borrelli (America First Republican Party) Candidate Connection
 
4.6
 
86,748
Image of Kurtis Engle
Kurtis Engle (Union Party)
 
0.4
 
6,887
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1,499

Total votes: 1,873,127
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2020

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Washington

Denny Heck defeated Marko Liias and Joshua Freed in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Washington on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denny Heck
Denny Heck (D)
 
45.6
 
1,658,405
Image of Marko Liias
Marko Liias (D)
 
33.5
 
1,218,548
Image of Joshua Freed
Joshua Freed (R) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
20.9
 
759,076

Total votes: 3,636,029
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of Washington

The following candidates ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of Washington on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denny Heck
Denny Heck (D)
 
25.0
 
596,289
Image of Marko Liias
Marko Liias (D)
 
18.5
 
441,791
Image of Ann Davison
Ann Davison (R)
 
12.0
 
285,597
Image of Marty McClendon
Marty McClendon (R)
 
11.4
 
271,995
Image of Dick Muri
Dick Muri (R)
 
10.1
 
241,939
Image of Michelle Jasmer
Michelle Jasmer (D)
 
8.9
 
212,387
Image of Joseph Brumbles
Joseph Brumbles (R)
 
7.3
 
174,823
James Rafferty (D)
 
2.4
 
57,405
Image of Bill Penor
Bill Penor (R)
 
2.1
 
49,225
Matt Seymour (L)
 
1.1
 
27,125
Image of Jared Frerichs
Jared Frerichs (L) Candidate Connection
 
0.9
 
20,847
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
5,205

Total votes: 2,384,628
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Washington State Senate District 44

Incumbent Steve Hobbs defeated Doug Roulstone in the general election for Washington State Senate District 44 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
56.1
 
37,656
Doug Roulstone (R)
 
43.9
 
29,445

Total votes: 67,101
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 44

Incumbent Steve Hobbs and Doug Roulstone defeated Jeremy Fitch in the primary for Washington State Senate District 44 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs (D)
 
55.1
 
19,509
Doug Roulstone (R)
 
41.0
 
14,522
Jeremy Fitch (L)
 
3.9
 
1,365

Total votes: 35,396
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2016

Hobbs announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Washington in the 2016 election in April 2016.[5] Incumbent Democrat Brad Owen declined to run for re-election. Four Democrats, including three state senators, four Republicans, two minor-party candidates, and one independent competed for the top two slots in the primary election. Hobbs was defeated in the primary election by state Rep. Cyrus Habib (D) and radio host Marty McClendon (R).

Results

General election

Cyrus Habib defeated Marty McClendon in the Washington lieutenant governor election.

Washington Lieutenant Governor, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Cyrus Habib 54.39% 1,698,297
     Republican Marty McClendon 45.61% 1,424,277
Total Votes 3,122,574
Source: Washington Secretary of State
Primary election

The following candidates ran in the Washington primary for lieutenant governor.

Washington primary for lieutenant governor, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Cyrus Habib 22.26% 294,641
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Marty McClendon 19.17% 253,714
     Democratic Karen Fraser 15.66% 207,271
     Democratic Steve Hobbs 15.29% 202,427
     Republican Phillip Yin 10.70% 141,680
     Democratic Karen Wallace 4.47% 59,175
     Republican Javier Figueroa 4.25% 56,214
     Republican Bill Penor 4.00% 52,986
     Libertarian Paul Addis 1.99% 26,304
     Independent Daniel Davies 1.25% 16,491
     Citizens Party Mark Greene 0.96% 12,692
Total Votes 1,323,595
Source: Washington Secretary of State

Campaign finance

Primary endorsements

Primary election key endorsements, Democratic candidates (1 of 2)[6][7]
Karen Fraser 
Cyrus Habib
Washington Federation of State Employees, AFL-CIO 
Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) 

Washington State Nurses Association
American Federation of Teachers- Washington

Retired Firefighters of Washington 
Washington Conservation Voters 

State Treasurer Jim McIntire (D) 
Washington Education Association 

State House Speaker Pro Tempore James Moeller (D) 
Washington State Council of County & City Employees (AFSCME) 

The Tacoma News TribuneState House Deputy Majority Floor Leader Steve Bergquist (D) 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 
Former U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks (D) 

Emily's List 
 

What is a key endorsement?
Primary election key endorsements, Democratic candidates (2 of 2)[8]
Steve HobbsBill PenorKaren Wallace
Former Governor of Washington Gary Locke (D)  
State Senate Minority Caucus Vice Chair Mark Mullet (D)  
State House Deputy Majority Leader Larry Springer (D)  
Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council  
Washington Realtors  
WA State Patrol Troopers Association  
Association of Washington Businesses  
What is a key endorsement?

Endorsements

Hobbs was endorsed by a number of organizations including the Operating Engineers Local 302, Operating Engineers Local 612, Carpenters Local 70, and VoteVets.

He was also endorsed by a number of public officials including State Representatives Mike Sells, Luis Moscoso, Brian Blake, Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington House of Representatives Larry Springer, and State Senators Mark Mullet and Dean Takko.[9]

2014

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Incumbent Steve Hobbs (D) and Jim Kellett (R) were unopposed in the primary. Hobbs defeated Kellett in the general election.[10][11][12]

Washington State Senate, District 44 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngSteve Hobbs Incumbent 54% 23,560
     Republican Jim Kellett 46% 20,077
Total Votes 43,637

2012

See also: Washington's 1st Congressional District elections, 2012

Hobbs ran for U.S. House representing Washington's 1st District.[13] He was seeking nomination as a Democrat and was defeated in the August 7 primary.

U.S. House, Washington District 1 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngSuzan DelBene 53.9% 177,025
     Republican John Koster 46.1% 151,187
Total Votes 328,212
Source: Washington Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"
U.S. House, Washington District 1 Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Koster (R) 44.9% 67,185
Green check mark transparent.pngSuzan DelBene (D) 22.5% 33,670
Darcy Burner (D) 13.9% 20,844
Laura Ruderman (D) 7.1% 10,582
Steve Hobbs (D) 6.9% 10,279
Darshan Rauniyar (D) 2.8% 4,134
Larry Ishmael (I) 2% 3,062
Total Votes 149,756

Endorsements

Hobbs was endorsed by the Seattle Times, the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS), the Snohomish County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (SCDSA), the King County Corrections Guild (KCCG), the National Fraternal Order of Police, and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF).

2010

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2010

Steve Hobbs was re-elected to the Washington State Senate District 44 seat. He defeated Lillian Kaufer, Dave Schmidt, and Ryan Ferrie in the August 17 primary. He defeated Republican Dave Schmidt in the November 2, 2010, general election.

Washington State Senate, District 44 General Election (2010)
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png Steve Hobbs (D) 30,441 50.78%
Dave Schmidt (R) 29,505 49.22%
Washington State Senate, District 44 Primary (2010)
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png Dave Schmidt (R) 11,119 36.30%
Green check mark transparent.png Steve Hobbs (D) 10,972 35.82%
Lillian Kaufer (D) 4,430 14.46%
Ryan Ferrie (R) 4,110 13.42%

2006

In November 2006, Hobbs was re-elected for the 44th District of the Washington State Senate, receiving 23,582 votes.

Hobbs raised $156,413 for his campaign.[14]

Washington State Senate, District 44 (2006)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Steve Hobbs (D) 23,582
David Schmidt (R) 21,518

Campaign themes

2028

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Steve Hobbs has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2028 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Steve Hobbs asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Steve Hobbs, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2028 Candidate Connection survey.

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You can ask Steve Hobbs to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing info@electhobbs.com.

Twitter
Email

2024

Steve Hobbs did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Steve Hobbs did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Steve Hobbs did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

On his website, Hobbs highlighted the following issues:

My goals include elevating the work to fully fund K-12 and higher education, growing the state economy, addressing social and economic inequality and combatting the impacts of climate change – while promoting a civil dialogue in the legislature. We need someone who represents us and understands what working families go through everyday.[15][16]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Steve Hobbs campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024Washington Secretary of StateWon general$239,182 $219,441
2022Washington Secretary of StateWon general$784,901 $1,082,296
2018Washington State Senate District 44Won general$410,428 N/A**
2014Washington State Senate, District 44Won $439,826 N/A**
2010Washington State Senate, District 44Won $309,222 N/A**
2006Washington State Senate, District 44Won $156,413 N/A**
1994Washington State House, District 39Lost $8,382 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Hobbs and his wife, Pam, have three children.

State legislative tenure

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Hobbs was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Hobbs was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Hobbs served on the following committees:

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Hobbs served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hobbs served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, State legislative scorecards in Washington

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2025.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2024.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2023.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2022.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2021.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2020.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2019.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2018.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2017.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2016.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2015.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2014.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2013.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2012.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Washington State Legislature in 2011.

See also


External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Washington Secretary of State
2021-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-
Washington State Senate District 44
2007-2021
Succeeded by
John Lovick (D)