WHO FILED TO RUN IN 2026 ELECTION?

There are 10 countywide positions and one Kittitas PUD position on the 2026 ballot this fall. Legislative District 13 Senator and both Representative positions as well as Congressional District 8 will also be up for grabs. Local candidates in three-way races should look for invitations to in-person candidate forums co-sponsored by the Kittitas LWV and Chamber of Commerce.

No Contest

Barring any write-in candidates, the following races will be uncontested this year, offering voters no real choice.

  • Court of Appeals Div 3 District 3, Megan K. Murphy
  • LD 13 Senator, (Warnick retired) Alex Ybarra running for her seat unopposed.
  • Kittitas County Assessor, incumbent Mike Hougardy running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Auditor, incumbent Bryan Elliott running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Clerk, Stephanie George running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Commissioner, District 3, incumbent Brett Wachsmith running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Treasurer, incumbent Amy Cziske running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Lower District Court Judge, incumbent Paul Sander running unopposed
  • Kittitas County Upper District Court Judge, incumbent Craig Juris running unopposed
  • Kittitas County PUD #1 Commissioner #1, incumbent Rick Catlin running unopposed

Races offering a choice (Primary races in purple)

  • Kim Schrier (D), incumbent
  • Trinh Ha (R)
  • Spencer Meline (R)
  • Keith Arnold (D)
  • Andres Valleza (R)
  • Bob Hagglund (R)

Legislative District 13, Position 1

  • Tom Dent (R), incumbent
  • Juan “jerry” Garcia (D)
  • Deanna Martinez (R)
  • Joshua Thompson (R)
  • Don Myers (R)

Kittitas County Coroner

  • Cori McKean (R)
  • Charlie Divine (no party preference)
  • Jodi Hammond (R)
  • Aaron Reiman (I)
  • Patricia Todd (R)

Kittitas County Sheriff

  • Ben Kokjer (R)
  • Darryl Chepoda Jr (I)

STATEWIDE RACES

Supreme Court Position 1

  • Colleen Melody
  • Laura Christensen Colbery
  • Scott Edwards

Supreme Court Position 3

  • Jaime Michelle Hawk
  • David Stevens
  • Mike Diaz

Supreme Court Position 4

  • Ian Birk
  • Sean O’Donnell

Supreme Court Position 5

  • Greg Miller
  • Theo Angelis
  • Dave Larson
  • Sharonda Amamilo

Supreme Court Position 7

  • David R Shelvey
  • Debra L. Stephens
  • Karim A. Merchant
  • Todd A. Bloom

Deepest thanks to all those who have made the decision to disrupt their private lives and stand for office. Your candidacy keeps our democracy strong! Stay tuned for information regarding upcoming primary & general election candidate forums.