This race decides who will replace Jesse Young in the state House. Early results are in
Early results Tuesday night showed Democrat Adison Richards leading for a seat in the state House to represent the 26th District.
Richards had 25,062 votes (51.1 percent), according to the Secretary of State’s office website. Republican Spencer Hutchins had 23,974 (48.88 percent).
“I feel really hopeful and tremendously grateful to the voters of the 26th District willing to put their trust in me,” Richards told the Gateway Tuesday night.
Hutchins also felt optimistic.
“I am very confident about where our results currently are and looking forward to seeing the counts the next few days,” Hutchins told the Gateway Tuesday night. “I think that we’re in a good position to win in the end.”
The two candidates both reside on the peninsula. They ran for state Rep. Jesse Young’s seat while Young ran for state Senate. The 26th District includes Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, Port Orchard, and other parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties. Both counties expect to release the next round of election results Wednesday evening.
Richards said he wants to be a representative for everyone in the district.
“For me, this is not about party,” he said.
During the campaign, both candidates told the Gateway they want to make the community that helped shape them better.
“I want to thank my opponent, Spencer Hutchins,” Richards said. “I am grateful for the race that he ran, his desire to serve and allowing much of this race to be characterized by civility and respect.”
Richards is a Peninsula High School graduate, where he ran cross country. He’s now one of the team coaches.
He said during the campaign that one of his main priorities is to improve the education system, and that he also plans to focus on addressing public safety and rising costs.
He also plans to address infrastructure.
“We have high bridge tolls, a failing Fox Island bridge, and needs to expand internet access that all cannot go ignored another year,” Richards previously told the Gateway.
Hutchins is a retired Gig Harbor City Council member and a Gig Harbor High School graduate. During his time on council he was involved in the planning for the Gig Harbor Sports Complex.
He also held multiple positions with FISH Food Bank during its remodel period.
He said during the campaign that he wanted to focus on helping families struggling with inflation, supporting safe communities and strengthening transportation systems.
“I think it will be really important that we focus on the key issues that are raising people’s cost of living in the state of Washington,” Hutchins told the Gateway Tuesday night.
Specifically he wants to look at reducing the burden of state taxes and fees, he said.
“When the political parties have to talk to each other, there is better policy and better outcomes for all of us,” Hutchins said.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:42 PM.
