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Washington House of Representatives District 40
Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 is represented by Debra Lekanoff (D). Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 is represented by Alex Ramel (D).
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
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
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
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 40
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington House of Representatives District 40
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
District 40-Position 1
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff won election in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 96.1 | 63,993 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.9 | 2,565 | ||
| Total votes: 66,558 | |||
 = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 95.5 | 35,225 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.5 | 1,669 | ||
| Total votes: 36,894 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 40-Position 2
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel won election in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Alex Ramel (D) | 95.7 | 63,215 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.3 | 2,828 | ||
| Total votes: 66,043 | |||
| = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alex Ramel (D) | 95.3 | 34,809 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.7 | 1,723 | ||
| Total votes: 36,532 | |||
| = 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
District 40-Position 1
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff defeated Shannon Perkes in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 69.6 | 53,488 |
| Shannon Perkes (R) | 30.2 | 23,208 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 142 | ||
| Total votes: 76,838 | |||
| = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff and Shannon Perkes advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 93.9 | 34,261 |
| ✔ | Shannon Perkes (R) (Write-in) | 1.7 | 615 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.4 | 1,611 | ||
| Total votes: 36,487 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 40-Position 2
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel defeated Trevor Smith in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alex Ramel (D) | 73.7 | 47,326 |
 | Trevor Smith (D) | 23.3 | 14,978 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.9 | 1,872 | ||
| Total votes: 64,176 | |||
| = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel and Trevor Smith advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alex Ramel (D) | 73.2 | 28,855 |
| ✔ | | Trevor Smith (D) | 23.6 | 9,308 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.2 | 1,245 | ||
| Total votes: 39,408 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
District 40-Position 1
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff won election in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 95.7 | 64,898 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.3 | 2,915 | ||
| Total votes: 67,813 | |||
| = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Incumbent Debra Lekanoff advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 94.2 | 41,704 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 5.8 | 2,549 | ||
| Total votes: 44,253 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 40-Position 2
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel defeated Russ Dzialo in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alex Ramel (D) | 68.1 | 58,915 |
 | Russ Dzialo (R) | 31.7 | 27,408 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 155 | ||
| Total votes: 86,478 | |||
| = 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 Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Incumbent Alex Ramel and Russ Dzialo advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Alex Ramel (D) | 68.4 | 39,524 |
| ✔ | | Russ Dzialo (R) | 31.4 | 18,114 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 127 | ||
| Total votes: 57,765 | |||
| = 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
District 40-Position 1
General election
Debra Lekanoff defeated Michael Petrish in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 67.0 | 48,153 |
| Michael Petrish (R) | 33.0 | 23,692 | ||
| Total votes: 71,845 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Top-two primary
The following candidates ran in the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 on August 7, 2018.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Lekanoff (D) | 28.2 | 11,323 |
| ✔ | Michael Petrish (R) | 21.0 | 8,446 | |
| Alex Ramel (D) | 19.1 | 7,684 | |
| Rud Browne (D) | 18.4 | 7,394 | ||
 | Daniel Miller (R) | 6.7 | 2,686 | |
| Tom Pasma (D) | 6.5 | 2,629 | ||
| Total votes: 40,162 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 40-Position 2
General election
Incumbent Jeff Morris won election in the general election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jeff Morris (D) | 100.0 | 52,847 |
| Total votes: 52,847 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Top-two primary
Incumbent Jeff Morris advanced from the primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 on August 7, 2018.
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Morris (D) | 100.0 | 28,016 |
| Total votes: 28,016 | |||
| = 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
District 40-Position 1
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.
Incumbent Kristine Lytton ran unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 1 general election.[9]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 1 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  Kristine Lytton Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent Kristine Lytton ran unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 top two primary.[10][11]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 1 Top Two Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Kristine Lytton Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
District 40-Position 2
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 20, 2016.
Incumbent Jeff Morris ran unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 2 general election.[9]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 2 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Jeff Morris Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent Jeff Morris ran unopposed in the Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 2 top two primary.[10][11]
| Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 2 Top Two Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Jeff Morris Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
2014
District 40-Position 1
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives 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 Kristine Lytton (D) and Daniel Miller (R) were unopposed in the primary. Lytton defeated Miller in the general election.[12][13][14]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kristine Lytton Incumbent |
65.1% | 31,305 | |
| Republican | Daniel Miller | 34.9% | 16,764 | |
| Total Votes | 48,069 | |||
District 40-Position 2
Elections for the Washington House of Representatives 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 Jeff Morris (D) was unopposed in both the primary and the general election.[12][15][16]
2012
District 40-Position 1
Elections for the office of Washington House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Kristine Lytton (D) defeated Brandon Robinson (Independent) in the general election. Lytton was unopposed in the blanket primary election.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kristine Lytton Incumbent |
73.6% | 44,113 | |
| Independent | Brandon Robinson | 26.4% | 15,810 | |
| Total Votes | 59,923 | |||
District 40-Position 2
Elections for the office of Washington House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Jeff Morris (D) defeated Howard A. Pellett (Green Party) in the general election. Morris and Pellett were unopposed in the blanket primary election.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeff Morris Incumbent |
75.4% | 43,868 | |
| Green | Howard Pellett | 24.6% | 14,333 | |
| Total Votes | 58,201 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 raised a total of $2,374,202. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $59,355 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Washington House of Representatives District 40-Position 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $0 | 1 | $0 |
| 2022 | $83,160 | 2 | $41,580 |
| 2020 | $134,641 | 1 | $134,641 |
| 2018 | $478,415 | 6 | $79,736 |
| 2016 | $175,635 | 2 | $87,818 |
| 2014 | $154,480 | 3 | $51,493 |
| 2012 | $128,972 | 2 | $64,486 |
| 2010 | $408,048 | 7 | $58,293 |
| 2008 | $171,341 | 2 | $85,671 |
| 2006 | $151,964 | 3 | $50,655 |
| 2004 | $133,603 | 3 | $44,534 |
| 2002 | $193,182 | 4 | $48,296 |
| 2000 | $160,760 | 4 | $40,190 |
| Total | $2,374,202 | 40 | $59,355 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 44.04.021 Commencement of terms of office," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Washington," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Washington Legislature, "Washington Constitution - Section Article II, Section 15," accessed February 8, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Washington State Standard, "Federal judge orders redrawing of Yakima Valley legislative district," August 10, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 U.S. District Court for the District of Washington at Seattle, "Case No. 3:22-cv-05035-RSL: Susan Soto Palmer v. Steven Hobbs," March 15, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 All About Redistricting, "Washington," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Primary Candidates," accessed December 18, 2013
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Washington Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," November 27, 2012
