Washington’s November 2025 General Election sent a clear and troubling signal as the status quo largely prevailed, particularly with regard to the State Legislature. With statewide voter turnout stuck below 39% and nine legislative special elections (five Senate and four House seats), the balance within the Legislature remained unchanged (30 Democrats and 19 Republicans in the Senate; 59-39 in the House).
This comes just months after lawmakers approved a record-breaking $9 billion tax package, the largest in state history. AGC’s BUILD PAC believed several swing districts were primed for a correction. Instead, voters doubled down, raising serious concerns about what lawmakers may feel emboldened to do during the 2026 Legislative Session, where the state will again be facing significant budget issues.
AGC’s Government Affairs team is concerned heading into the 2026 election cycle, when all 98 House seats and 25 Senate seats will be on the ballot. If the largest tax increase in state history failed to move voters, what will? And more importantly, what message does this send to legislators preparing their next budget?
At the local level, Seattle offered an early glimmer of hope when Mayor Bruce Harrell held a strong lead on Election Night, only to lose it days later to Katie Wilson. Her platform includes new taxes on corporations and high-income earners, policies that will test an already strained business climate. While any proposal will need support from a politically fractured City Council, her victory signals Seattle’s return to leftward shift.
Across the region, AGC’s BUILD PAC’s candidates fell short in several key mayoral races — including Tacoma, Everett, and Zillah, as did Claudia Balducci in her bid for King County Executive.
But there were bright spots. AGC BUILD PAC-supported candidates prevailed in multiple King County Council races and in a significant number of local contests in Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah, Everett, Bellingham, Yakima, and others. Still, the overall pattern signals an electorate more willing to maintain the status quo than demand accountability.
AGC’s BUILD PAC’s disappointment isn’t about partisanship; it’s about policy direction. (As a reminder of BUILD PAC endorsements, click here.) If lawmakers interpret these results as a mandate for more taxes and bigger budgets, employers should prepare for another difficult few years.
Questions? Contact AGC Lobbyist Michele Willms.