Washington State Senate District 42 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Washington, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Washington State Senate District 42 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Washington State Senate District 42

Sharon Shewmake defeated incumbent Simon Sefzik in the general election for Washington State Senate District 42 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sharon Shewmake (D)	50.6	38,098
		Simon Sefzik (R)	49.3	37,193
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	75

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 75,366
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Simon Sefzik (R)

Return affordability by reducing taxes and increasing affordable housing

Restoring public safety by increasing resources & training to law enforcement and to address homelessness

Rebuild accountability by empowering parents and students and advocating for sensible environmental policies

Sharon Shewmake (D)

We need more affordable housing, especially in cities where people want to live and where jobs are.

It's an elected leader's role to make sure they're listening to all their constituents.

We need to build an economy that works for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Simon Sefzik (R)

Housing and economic growth are very important to me. I am a renter here in Whatcom County so I know firsthand how rising housing costs impacts affordability. I didn’t plan to run for office at this age, but since being appointed to the Senate in January, I’ve gotten an upfront seat to the first-hand impacts of legislation on people’s lives. I dream of buying a home, raising a family, having great job opportunities, and giving my kids a world-class education right here in Whatcom County. I believe that together we can overcome the challenges facing our state and make Washington a place where we can all afford to thrive.

Sharon Shewmake (D)

I'm an economist with a lot of experience studying how people make decisions about energy use, transportation and housing so I find those areas fascinating and essential to ensuring we have an economy that works for everyone. We have to do more on affordable housing, ensuring our schools stay open, protecting the environment, improving public safety, reducing gun violence, building better mental health systems, protecting our democracy and ensuring women can make their own decisions about healthcare.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Simon Sefzik (R)

William Willberforce, a British politician who led the movement to abolish the slave trade. Despite overwhelming odds and monumental challenges, he stood for justice regardless of the political consequences. He is one of my favorite examples of courageous leadership.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Simon Sefzik (R)

I would recommend Alexis De Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. I’m not sure that it will help someone completely understand my political philosophy, but I think it will help people understand why I love this country and why we are unique in history.

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Come take an economics class with me!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Realizing that winning an election is a community effort and wanting to use that office to do good for others, not oneself.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Simon Sefzik (R)

My age gives me a unique perspective on the issues facing my generation. The decisions being made in Olympia right now will affect my generation more than it will affect the people making many of those decisions. It's critical that young folks have a voice in the political process - after all, we will be paying the tab.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

The Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster. I was so excited to see a teacher go into space and horrified to learn when she didn't.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Babysitting and Honey Baked Ham Company! It was the only place that would hire a 15 year old and it was only during the holiday season, but I was so excited to earn $300 all on my own.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Simon Sefzik (R)

One of my favorite books right now is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I believe it speaks to the folly of chasing our vices and intemperances. It’s difficult to summarize a masterpiece in such few words, but I believe this book reminds us of the importance of virtue and character even when it may seem inconvenient. Despite being incredibly realistic, Tolstoy’s writing transcends place and time.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Simon Sefzik (R)

I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight by Cutting Crew

Sharon Shewmake (D)

We Don't Talk About Bruno. Oh no, it's stuck in your head too now!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Simon Sefzik (R)

As our Constitution describes, the role of the legislature is to pass laws and the role of the executive is to execute those laws. Unfortunately in more recent years, the executive branch of government has grown in its power and undermined the role of the legislature.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Simon Sefzik (R)

Affordability. We need to address Washington's lack of housing and generational workforce challenges.

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Affordable housing. It's the biggest part of peoples budgets and something state and local government can influence a lot.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Yes! Although I don't think there is just *one* type of legislator. We all bring a breadth of understanding and experience to the legislature and are better off the more different perspectives we all have. This is true not just for the legislature but for so many human endeavors!

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Simon Sefzik (R)

Yes. It is absolutely beneficial. Our system of government requires the ability to work with fellow legislators to solve our challenges. Understanding my colleagues perspectives and the nature of their districts is very helpful to craft public policy.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

I hear from so many spectacular people but it's the ones that faced adversity that stick with me. Recently I doorbelled a man who had been abused as a child and was homeless and addicted because his parents had told him he was worthless and he believed it. It was people telling him things like "it's nice to see you" that started to change his thinking. I've heard stories of people who were homeless because they couldn't afford a rent payment or were forced to live in their cars because of a flood, a relationship ending or a financial disaster. So many of us are closer to homelessness than we realize and we need to do a better job building a more resilient economy where people aren't punished for things they couldn't control.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Sharon Shewmake (D)

Compromise is necessary for just about anything you do with another human. I have to credit my husband for teaching me more about compromise and learning have tough talks, lay out situations and look for win-win scenarios.

See also

More about these elections:

• Washington State Senate elections, 2022

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