Washington State Senate District 40
Washington State Senate District 40 is represented by Liz Lovelett (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Washington state senators represented an average of 157,468 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 137,824 residents.
About the office
Members of the Washington State Senate serve four-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 State Senate District 40
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington State Senate District 40
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett defeated Charles Carrell in the general election for Washington State Senate District 40 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Liz Lovelett (D) | 69.5 | 62,064 |
| Charles Carrell (R) | 30.3 | 27,091 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 118 | ||
| Total votes: 89,273 | |||
 = 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 State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett and Charles Carrell advanced from the primary for Washington State Senate District 40 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liz Lovelett (D) | 71.1 | 34,724 |
| ✔ | Charles Carrell (R) | 28.7 | 14,015 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 92 | ||
| Total votes: 48,831 | |||
| = 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
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett defeated Charles Carrell in the general election for Washington State Senate District 40 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liz Lovelett (D) | 69.5 | 60,871 |
| Charles Carrell (R) | 30.4 | 26,638 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 78 | ||
| Total votes: 87,587 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett and Charles Carrell advanced from the primary for Washington State Senate District 40 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liz Lovelett (D) | 69.3 | 40,569 |
| ✔ | Charles Carrell (R) | 30.6 | 17,890 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 71 | ||
| Total votes: 58,530 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2019
A special election for District 40 of the Washington State Senate took place on November 5, 2019. A primary was held on August 6, 2019. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2019.[9]
The seat was vacated by Kevin Ranker (D) after allegations of sexual misconduct. Liz Lovelett (D) was appointed to fill the seat until a replacement was elected in November.
General election
Special general election for Washington State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett defeated Daniel Miller in the special general election for Washington State Senate District 40 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liz Lovelett (D) | 70.1 | 35,061 |
 | Daniel Miller (R) | 29.8 | 14,908 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 51 | ||
| Total votes: 50,020 | |||
| = 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
Special nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 40
Incumbent Liz Lovelett and Daniel Miller defeated Carrie Blackwood and Greta Aitken in the special primary for Washington State Senate District 40 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liz Lovelett (D) | 48.6 | 17,745 |
| ✔ | | Daniel Miller (R) | 27.9 | 10,175 |
 | Carrie Blackwood (D) | 21.8 | 7,956 | |
| Greta Aitken (D) | 1.5 | 553 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 60 | ||
| Total votes: 36,489 | |||
| = 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
- Michael Petrish (R)
2016
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Washington State Senate 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 Kevin Ranker defeated Daniel Miller in the Washington State Senate District 40 general election.[10]
| Washington State Senate, District 40 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Kevin Ranker Incumbent |
67.12% | 47,108 | |
| Republican | Daniel Miller | 32.88% | 23,081 | |
| Total Votes | 70,189 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Kevin Ranker and Daniel Miller were unopposed in the Washington State Senate District 40 top two primary.[11][12]
| Washington State Senate, District 40 Top Two Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Kevin Ranker Incumbent | |
| Republican | Daniel Miller | |
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||
2012
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Democrat Kevin Ranker defeated Republican John Swapp in the general election. Ranker and Swapp defeated Jim Cozad (Independent) in the blanket primary election.[13][14]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Ranker Incumbent |
62.9% | 40,677 | |
| Republican | John Swapp | 37.1% | 23,959 | |
| Total Votes | 64,636 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Kevin Ranker Incumbent |
59.6% | 18,684 | |
| Republican | John Swapp |
34.4% | 10,791 | |
| Independent | Jim Cozad | 5.9% | 1,864 | |
| Total Votes | 31,339 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Washington State Senate District 40 raised a total of $1,316,344. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $57,232 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Washington State Senate District 40 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $149,565 | 2 | $74,782 |
| 2020 | $6,551 | 1 | $6,551 |
| 2019 | $191,353 | 4 | $47,838 |
| 2016 | $147,128 | 2 | $73,564 |
| 2012 | $204,814 | 2 | $102,407 |
| 2010 | $4,725 | 1 | $4,725 |
| 2008 | $341,670 | 6 | $56,945 |
| 2006 | $10,006 | 1 | $10,006 |
| 2004 | $185,599 | 2 | $92,800 |
| 2000 | $74,933 | 2 | $37,467 |
| Total | $1,316,344 | 23 | $57,232 |
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
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2019 Elections Calendar," accessed March 27, 2019
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "General Election Results 2016," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2016 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 23, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 2, 2016 Primary Results," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Primary Candidates," accessed December 18, 2013
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," November 27, 2012
