Washington State Senate District 48
Washington State Senate District 48 is represented by Vandana Slatter (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.
To learn more about the 2025 special election for Washington State Senate District 48, click here.
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 48
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington State Senate District 48
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2025
A special election for Washington State Senate District 48 was called for November 4, 2025. A primary was called for August 5, 2025. The candidate filing deadline was May 9, 2025.[9]
The seat became vacant after incumbent Patty Kuderer (D) was elected to serve as the Washington Commissioner of Insurance.[10] Vandana Slatter (D) was appointed to serve in the position until the special election.[11]
General election
Special general election for Washington State Senate District 48
Incumbent Vandana Slatter defeated Amy Walen in the special general election for Washington State Senate District 48 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Vandana Slatter (D) | 56.9 | 8,452 |
 | Amy Walen (D)  | 43.1 | 6,394 | |
| Total votes: 14,846 | |||
| = 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 48
Incumbent Vandana Slatter and Amy Walen advanced from the special primary for Washington State Senate District 48 on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vandana Slatter (D) | 59.7 | 14,002 |
| ✔ | | Amy Walen (D) | 38.3 | 8,996 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.0 | 472 | ||
| Total votes: 23,470 | |||
| = 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
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 48
Incumbent Patricia Kuderer defeated Michelle Darnell in the general election for Washington State Senate District 48 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Patricia Kuderer (D) | 70.6 | 33,208 |
 | Michelle Darnell (R) | 29.3 | 13,795 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 50 | ||
| Total votes: 47,053 | |||
| = 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 48
Incumbent Patricia Kuderer and Michelle Darnell advanced from the primary for Washington State Senate District 48 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Patricia Kuderer (D) | 71.4 | 19,389 |
| ✔ | | Michelle Darnell (R) | 28.4 | 7,717 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 54 | ||
| Total votes: 27,160 | |||
| = 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 Washington State Senate District 48
Incumbent Patricia Kuderer defeated Rodney Tom in the general election for Washington State Senate District 48 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Patricia Kuderer (D) | 65.0 | 33,533 |
 | Rodney Tom (D) | 35.0 | 18,027 | |
| Total votes: 51,560 | |||
| = 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 48
Incumbent Patricia Kuderer and Rodney Tom defeated Bill Hirt in the primary for Washington State Senate District 48 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Patricia Kuderer (D) | 60.1 | 18,698 |
| ✔ | | Rodney Tom (D) | 29.5 | 9,175 |
 | Bill Hirt (Independent) | 10.4 | 3,251 | |
| Total votes: 31,124 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2017
A special election for the position of Washington State Senate District 48 was called for November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on August 1, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 19, 2017.[12]
The seat was vacated by Cyrus Habib (D) after he was elected to the position of Lieutenant Governor of Washington. Patricia Kuderer (D) was appointed to fill the vacancy until the November election.
Incumbent Patricia Kuderer (D) and Michelle Darnell (L) defeated Richard Knierim (Ind. Dem.) in the top-two primary.[13] Kuderer defeated Darnell in the November 7 general election.
| Washington State Senate, District 48, Special Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Patricia Kuderer |
68.9% | 21,212 | |
| Libertarian | Michelle Darnell | 31.1% | 9,553 | |
| Total Votes | 30,765 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
2014
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate 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. Cyrus Habib (D) and Michelle Darnelle (R) were unopposed in the primary. Habib defeated Darnelle in the general election.[14][15][16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cyrus Habib |
64.9% | 24,833 | |
| Republican | Michelle Darnelle | 35.1% | 13,446 | |
| Total Votes | 38,279 | |||
2010
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2010
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 17, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democrat Rodney Tom defeated Republican Gregg Bennett in the general election. Tom and Bennett were unopposed in the blanket primary election.[17][18]
| Washington State Senate, District 48, General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Rodney Tom Incumbent |
52.6% | 24,559 | |
| Republican | Gregg Bennett | 47.4% | 22,104 | |
| Total Votes | 46,663 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2002 to 2022, candidates for Washington State Senate District 48 raised a total of $3,112,121. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $172,896 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Washington State Senate District 48 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2022 | $282,248 | 2 | $141,124 |
| 2018 | $595,154 | 3 | $198,385 |
| 2017 | $95,195 | 1 | $95,195 |
| 2014 | $337,027 | 2 | $168,514 |
| 2012 | $3,750 | 1 | $3,750 |
| 2010 | $860,550 | 2 | $430,275 |
| 2008 | $4,150 | 1 | $4,150 |
| 2006 | $745,239 | 2 | $372,620 |
| 2004 | $5,450 | 1 | $5,450 |
| 2002 | $183,359 | 3 | $61,120 |
| Total | $3,112,121 | 18 | $172,896 |
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, "Elections calendar," accessed February 10, 2025
- ↑ Washington State Standard, "Three WA Senate Democrats are leaving their jobs. Here’s what happens next," November 22, 2024
- ↑ Washington State Standard, "House lawmaker picked to replace Patty Kuderer in WA Senate," January 7, 2025
- ↑ Governing.com, "Senate control up for grabs in 3 states' special elections," February 15, 2017
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 1, 2017 Primary Results," accessed August 1, 2017
- ↑ 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 17, 2010 Primary Results, September 3, 2010
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, Legislative - All Results, November 29, 2010
