Washington House of Representatives District 12

Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 1 is represented by Brian Burnett (R). Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 2 is represented by Mike Steele (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Washington state representatives represented an average of 78,734 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 68,912 residents.

About the office

Members of the Washington House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.^[1]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 7 of Article 2 of the Washington State Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not be a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter in the district for which he is chosen."^[2]

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024^[3]
Salary	Per diem
$60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives.	$202/day

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Washington State Legislature, the board of county commissioners where the vacant seat is located has the responsibility to select a replacement. The county central committee of the political party that last held the seat must submit a list of three candidates to the board of county commissioners representing the vacant district. If the vacancy occurs in the office of a joint senator or joint representative, the state central committee is responsible for submitting the list of three candidates. A selection must be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurred. The person appointed will hold the seat until his or her successor is elected at the next general or special election in November.^[4]

See sources: Washington Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15

District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Washington after the 2020 census

On March 15, 2024, Judge Robert Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the state to adopt a new legislative map named Remedial Map 3B that complies with the Voting Rights Act. Judge Lasnik ordered Washington to redraw a legislative district in the Yakima Valley region because its boundaries undermined the ability of Latino voters to participate equally in elections. According to the district court's decision:^[5]^[6]

“

The task of fashioning a remedy for a Voting Rights Act violation is not one that falls within the Court’s normal duties. It is only because the State declined to reconvene the Redistricting Commission – with its expertise, staff, and ability to solicit public comments – that the Court was compelled to step in. Nevertheless, with the comprehensive and extensive presentations from the parties, the participation of the Yakama Nation, and the able assistance of Ms. Mac Donald, the Court is confident that the adopted map best achieves the many goals of the remedial process. The Secretary of State is hereby ORDERED to conduct future elections according to Remedial Map 3B...^[6]^[7]

”

On August 10, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington struck down the state's legislative maps, which were drawn by the bipartisan state Redistricting Commission in 2021, after finding that they discriminate against Latino voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act. At the time, the 15th district encompassed parts of five counties in south-central Washington and was represented by three Republicans.^[5]

“The question in this case is whether the state has engaged in line-drawing which, in combination with the social and historical conditions in the Yakima Valley region, impairs the ability of Latino voters in that area to elect their candidate of choice on an equal basis with other voters. The answer is yes,” Judge Lasnik wrote in the district court's 32-page decision.^[5]

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.^[8]

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.^[8]

The Washington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.^[8]

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."^[8]

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."^[8]

Washington House of Representatives District 12
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Washington House of Representatives District 12
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2024

District 12-Position 1

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 1

Brian Burnett defeated Heather Koellen in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Burnett (R)	53.3	44,318
	Submit photo	Heather Koellen (D)	46.6	38,800
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	92

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 83,210
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 1

Heather Koellen and Brian Burnett defeated Jennifer Bumpus in the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 1 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Heather Koellen (D)	44.6	19,302
✔		Brian Burnett (R)	41.6	17,997
	Submit photo	Jennifer Bumpus (R)	13.7	5,920
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	34

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,253
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 12-Position 2

General election

General election for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 2

Incumbent Mike Steele defeated Daniel Scott in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 2 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mike Steele (R)	61.7	44,400
	Daniel Scott (R)	35.8	25,741
	Other/Write-in votes	2.5	1,771

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,912
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 2

Incumbent Mike Steele and Daniel Scott advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 12-Position 2 on August 6, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mike Steele (R)	71.9	25,482
✔	Daniel Scott (R)	23.5	8,340
	Other/Write-in votes	4.5	1,602

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,424
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Tanya Lavoy (D)