By Staff
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Jayapal waves to suppporters. (Photo from pramilaforcongress.com)
FEDERAL
Pramila Jayapal becomes the first Indian-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Jayapal, who was endorsed by former presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, got 57 percent of the votes to Brady Walkinshaw’s 43 percent.
“Thank you for your support, faith and confidence, and for standing up for values of our country — values that welcome me as a 16-year-old immigrant and let me serve as the next Congresswoman from the 7th Congressional District,” said Jayapal. She fills the seat vacated by the retiring Rep. Jim McDermott’s in Washington’s 7th Congressional District.
Supporters look on as Cyrus Habib takes the podium on Nov. 8, 2016. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
STATE EXECUTIVE
Cyrus Habib defeated Marty McClendon to become our state’s next lieutenant governor. Habib won with 56 percent of the vote. His parents emigrated from Iran, and Habib overcame childhood blindness to become a lawyer and legislator. He replaces Brad Owen, who has served as lieutenant governor for 20 years. The victory makes Habib the nation’s highest-ranking Iranian-American elected official.
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
As of press time, Sen. Chris Reykdal held a slim lead over Erin Jones in the race to succeed Randy Dorn as state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Jones has been assistant superintendent of student achievement at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Reykdal has been in the Legislature since 2011 and works for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
LEGISLATIVE
Legislative District 11 — State Senator
Sen. Bob Hasegawa kept his seat in the 11th District in the State Senate. The lifelong resident of Beacon Hill beat out challenger Dennis Price with 78.8 percent of the votes.
Legislative District 32 — State Representative Pos. 1, 2
Cindy Ryu and Ruth Kagi are leading in the race for State Rep. District 32, Positions 1 and 2 respectively, with 78 percent and 75 percent of votes.
Legislative District 33 — State Representative Pos. 2
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson will keep her seat in the 33rd District. She leads the race with 66 percent of the vote.
Legislative District 37 — State Representative Pos. 1
Sharon Tomiko Santos won handily, winning 92 percent of the votes.
Legislative District 43 — State Representative Pos. 1
Dan Shih did not prevail. He got 34 percent of the votes to Nicole Macri’s 66 percent.
JUDICIAL
Supreme Court Justice, Position 1
Mary Yu kept her seat in the Supreme Court Justice, Position 1. Yu took 58.52 percent of the votes, defeating retired Gonzaga Law School professor David DeWolf.
OTHER KEY RACES
U.S. Senator
Patty Murray 60.9%
Chris Vance 39.1%
Governor
Jay Inslee 56.4%
Bill Bryant 43.6%
Initiative 1433 (raise state minimum wage)
Yes 59.5%
No 40.5%
Initiative 732 (carbon tax)
Yes 58.5%
No 41.5%
Sound Transit 3
Yes 55.1%
No 44.9%
Initiative 124 (Safety, health, labor protections for hotel employees)
Yes 77.3%
No 22.7%
Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.