Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Washington's 9th Congressional District
Washington's 9th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by D. Adam Smith (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Washington representatives represented an average of 771,595 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 675,337 residents.
Elections
2024
See also: Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2024
Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith defeated Melissa Chaudhry in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 9 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | D. Adam Smith (D) | 65.4 | 182,780 |
 | Melissa Chaudhry (D)  | 32.4 | 90,601 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.1 | 5,917 | ||
| Total votes: 279,298 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith and Melissa Chaudhry defeated Paul Martin, C. Mark Greene, and David Ishii in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 9 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 53.8 | 78,761 |
| ✔ | | Melissa Chaudhry (D) | 20.7 | 30,229 |
 | Paul Martin (R) | 18.2 | 26,646 | |
 | C. Mark Greene (R) | 6.5 | 9,459 | |
 | David Ishii (Bipartisan Party) | 0.7 | 963 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 248 | ||
| Total votes: 146,306 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith defeated Douglas Michael Basler in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 9 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 71.6 | 171,746 |
 | Douglas Michael Basler (R) | 28.2 | 67,631 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 471 | ||
| Total votes: 239,848 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 9
The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 9 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 55.2 | 78,272 |
| ✔ | | Douglas Michael Basler (R) | 20.6 | 29,144 |
 | Stephanie Gallardo (D) | 15.9 | 22,531 | |
| Sea Chan (R) | 3.8 | 5,338 | ||
 | Seth Pedersen (R) | 3.4 | 4,781 | |
| David Michael Anderson (Independent) | 1.1 | 1,541 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 153 | ||
| Total votes: 141,760 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Amelia Paz (D)
- David Ishii (D)
- Krystal Marx (D)
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith defeated Douglas Michael Basler in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 9 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 74.1 | 258,771 |
| Douglas Michael Basler (R) | 25.7 | 89,697 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 582 | ||
| Total votes: 349,050 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith and Douglas Michael Basler defeated Joshua Campbell and Jorge Besada in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 9 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 73.6 | 145,601 |
| ✔ | | Douglas Michael Basler (R) | 15.6 | 30,923 |
| Joshua Campbell (R) | 8.1 | 15,983 | ||
| Jorge Besada (L) | 2.4 | 4,792 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 560 | ||
| Total votes: 197,859 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith defeated Sarah Smith in the general election for U.S. House Washington District 9 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 67.9 | 163,345 |
 | Sarah Smith (D) | 32.1 | 77,222 | |
| Total votes: 240,567 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Washington District 9
Incumbent D. Adam Smith and Sarah Smith defeated Douglas Michael Basler in the primary for U.S. House Washington District 9 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | D. Adam Smith (D) | 48.4 | 71,035 |
| ✔ | | Sarah Smith (D) | 26.9 | 39,409 |
| Douglas Michael Basler (R) | 24.7 | 36,254 | |
| Total votes: 146,698 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Adam Smith (D) defeated Doug Basler (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Smith and Basler defeated Jesse Wineberry (D), Daniel Smith (D), and Jeary Flener (I) in the top-two primary on August 2, 2016.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Adam Smith Incumbent |
72.9% | 205,165 | |
| Republican | Doug Basler | 27.1% | 76,317 | |
| Total Votes | 281,482 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Adam Smith Incumbent |
56.3% | 67,100 | |
| Republican | Doug Basler |
23.4% | 27,848 | |
| Democratic | Jesse Wineberry | 14.8% | 17,613 | |
| Democratic | Daniel Smith | 3.3% | 3,935 | |
| Independent | Jeary Flener | 2.3% | 2,733 | |
| Total Votes | 119,229 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State |
||||
2014
The 9th Congressional District of Washington held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Adam Smith (D) defeated Doug Basler (R) in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Smith Incumbent |
70.8% | 118,132 | |
| Republican | Doug Basler | 29.2% | 48,662 | |
| Total Votes | 166,794 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 9th Congressional District of Washington held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Adam Smith won re-election in the district.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Adam Smith Incumbent |
71.6% | 192,034 | |
| Republican | Jim Postma | 28.4% | 76,105 | |
| Total Votes | 268,139 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Adam Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard (Dick) Muri (R) in the general election.[4]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
54.9% | 123,743 | |
| Republican | Richard (Dick) Muri | 45.1% | 101,851 | |
| Total Votes | 225,594 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Adam Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated James Postma (R) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
65.4% | 176,295 | |
| Republican | James Postma | 34.6% | 93,080 | |
| Total Votes | 269,375 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Adam Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steven C. Cofchin (R) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
65.7% | 119,038 | |
| Republican | Steven C. Cofchin | 34.3% | 62,082 | |
| Total Votes | 181,120 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Adam Smith won to the United States House. He defeated Paul J. Lord (R) and Robert F. Losey (G) in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
63.3% | 162,433 | |
| Republican | Paul J. Lord | 34.4% | 88,304 | |
| Green | Robert F. Losey | 2.3% | 5,934 | |
| Total Votes | 256,671 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Adam Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Sarah Casada (R) and J. Mills (L) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
58.5% | 95,805 | |
| Republican | Sarah Casada | 38.6% | 63,146 | |
| Libertarian | J. Mills | 2.9% | 4,759 | |
| Total Votes | 163,710 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Adam Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Chris Vance (R) and Jonathan V. Wright (L) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, Washington District 9 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Adam Smith incumbent |
61.7% | 135,452 | |
| Republican | Chris Vance | 35% | 76,766 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan V. Wright | 3.4% | 7,405 | |
| Total Votes | 219,623 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2021
The Washington House approved a final congressional map proposal 88-7 on February 2, 2022, and the Senate approved the congressional plan on February 8, 2022, in a 35-14 vote.[10][11] Washington’s four redistricting commissioners each released their proposed congressional maps on September 28, 2021. On November 16, 2021, the commission announced that it was not able to produce new maps by its November 15 deadline and had submitted plans to the Washington Supreme Court for consideration, as authority to draw new maps passes to the court if the commission fails to agree on maps before the deadline. The court decided to accept the final map drafts the commission submitted, ruling that it had "substantially complied" with the deadline. This map took effect for Washington's 2022 congressional elections.
How does redistricting in Washington work? In Washington, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by a five-member non-politician commission. The commission was established by constitutional amendment in 1983. The majority and minority leaders of the Washington State Senate and Washington House of Representatives each appoint one registered voter to the commission. These four commissioners appoint a fifth, non-voting member to serve as the commission's chair. In the event that the four voting commissioners cannot agree on a chair, the Washington Supreme Court must appoint one.[12]
The Washington Constitution stipulates that no commission member may have been an elected official or party officer in the two-year period prior to his or her appointment. Individuals who have registered with the state as lobbyists within the past year are also prohibited from serving on the commission.[12]
The Washington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.[12]
The state constitution requires that congressional and state legislative districts "should be contiguous, compact, and convenient, and follow natural, geographic, artificial, or political subdivision boundaries." The constitution states that the redistricting commission "must not purposely draw plans to favor or discriminate against any political party or group."[12]
State statutes require that congressional and state legislative districts "preserve areas recognized as communities of interest." State statutes also require the commission to draw districts that "provide fair and effective representation" and "encourage electoral competition."[12]
Washington District 9
until January 2, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington District 9
starting January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the Washington State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Washington's 9th the 45th most Democratic district nationally.[13]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Washington's 9th the 59th most Democratic district nationally.[14]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 71.5%-26.3%.[15]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Washington's 9th the 59th most Democratic district nationally.[16]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 71.5% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 26.3%.[17]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Washington's 9th Congressional District the 62nd most Democratic nationally.[18]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.87. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.87 points toward that party.[19]
See also
- Redistricting in Washington
- Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2024
- Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2022
- Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2020
- Washington's 9th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Unofficial List of Candidates in Ballot Order," accessed May 23, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Washington House Primaries Results," August 2, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Washington"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "State Senate passes changes to redistricting process as House approves final maps with changes," February 2, 2022
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "HCR 4407 - 2021-22," accessed February 9, 2022
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 All About Redistricting, "Washington," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
