Early results are in for key WA state Senate race between Young, Randall, Crissman

Early results Tuesday night showed Emily Randall leading in Washington’s 26th Legislative District race for state Senate.

Incumbent Emily Randall had 16,541 votes (53 percent), according to the Secretary of State’s office website. Jesse L. Young had 13,215 (43 percent). David Crissman was trailing with 1,247 votes (4 percent).

Randall said she was proud of her team’s hard work.

“It’s clear with the results of 53 percent in each county that nearly 13,000 doors and more than 3,000 calls paid off. Our neighbors want a reasonable and effective senator who stands up for reproductive rights,” Randall told The Gateway Tuesday night.

Randall and Young have each raised more than $400,000, making it one of the most expensive races in Washington. The district, from Gig Harbor to Bremerton, includes parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties.

It’s one of several key state Senate races this year that could possibly change which party is in control, The Olympian reported.

The top two vote getters advance to the general election in November.

Emily Randall (D)

Randall, who was born and raised on the Kitsap Peninsula, was elected to the state Senate in November of 2018. She is a former healthcare advocate and community organizer.

She is the chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, a member of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, and a member of the Senate Transportation Committee.

During her time in the Legislature, Randall said she has focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion across the state and policies that improve the lives of people living in rural communities like hers, including lowering Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls and the cost of prescription drugs.

She wants to make higher education more affordable and expand access to health care.

Jesse Lee Young (R)

Young was raised in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. He was elected to the state House to represent the 26th district in 2014.

Young serves on the board of Harbor Hope Center.

If elected Young has said his priorities include the economy and supporting law enforcement, according to his statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet.

Prior to entering state government, Young was a software engineer and IT Consultant for major finance, aerospace, and healthcare corporations.

Young was not immediately reachable for comment. Campaign staff told the Gateway Monday that Young planned to spend the evening with family and did not plan to comment about the primary results.

David Crissman (R)

The third candidate in this race is David Crissman, who is seeking office for the first time.

He said he is tired of the way politics is going right now, according to his statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet. He wants to bring small, sensible government solutions to problems, both at the state level and the district level.

“I support modern family values and keeping the government out of your bedroom,” Crissman wrote.

Crissman was not immediately available for comment.