Home
News
News Press releases Media coverage

Nurses win big in Nov. 4 general election

Most of the WSNA PAC-endorsed candidates were headed to victory, and the statewide ballot measure to maximize financial returns for the long-term care trust has been approved by voters.

This story appears in the November 2025 edition of The Washington Nurse.

• 2 minutes to read
2511 wanurse election 03

Washington state nurses won big in the Nov. 4 general election, as the vast majority of WSNA PAC-endorsed candidates were headed to victory.

Odd-year elections following a presidential race are typically quiet, with relatively few races for the state legislature. However, Gov. Bob Ferguson drew several legislators into his new cabinet, resulting in more state legislative seats than usual on the ballot for an odd-numbered election year.

The WSNA PAC works hard to identify and endorse state legislative candidates who will support the nursing profession and is pleased that the majority of endorsed candidates appear to have secured their legislative seats. Of those who were endorsed, Senators Tina Orwall (33rd Legislative District) and Emily Alvarado (34th LD) ran unopposed and sailed to victory.

Results as of Nov. 14, 2025: 

*WSNA PAC endorsed candidate.

  • 5th LD, Senate:  Rep. Victoria Hunt* leads Chad Magendanz) 56.3% to 43.6%.
  • 26th LD, Senate: Sen. Deb Krishnadasan* leads Michelle Caldier 52.5% to 47.4%.
  • 33rd LD, House Pos 1: Rep. Edwin Obras* leads Burien City Councilmember Kevin Schilling, 51.9% to 46.2%.
  • 41st LD, House Pos. 1: Rep. Janice Zahn* leads John Whiteney, 70.9% to 29%.
  • 48th LD, Senate: Sen. Vandana Slatter* leads Rep. Amy Walen 57.9% to 40.7%.
  • 48th LD, House Pos. 1: Rep. Osman Salahuddin* leads Dennis Ellis 70% to 30%.

Statewide Ballot Measure SJR 8201, which will allow the state to maximize financial returns for the long-term care trust by investing funds, has been approved by voters by 57.9%. (While the WSNA PAC weighs in only on state legislative races and a few statewide races, the WSNA Board of Directors took the step of endorsing this important ballot measure.)

What’s next?

The secretary of state will certify all election results on Dec. 4, and newly elected lawmakers will be sworn into office on the first day of the legislative session. From there, lawmakers will convene for the 2026 legislative session, which will focus on passing a supplemental budget that addresses a growing budget deficit and challenges resulting from the federal government shutdown and passage of H.R. 1.

Growing nurse power is at the heart of the work of the WSNA PAC, which serves as the political voice for nursing in Washington state.

Your WSNA PAC Board of Trustees will be engaged as the 2026 midterms take shape and continue the important work of identifying champions who support Washington nurses. To learn more about the WSNA PAC or to become a recurring donor, please visit www.wsna.org/pac.