While the U.S. state of Washington is considered a solidly Democratic state, it mainly elected Republican candidates during its first forty years of statehood. It currently holds the longest streak of Democratic governors in the nation, having last elected a Republican to the top executive office in 1980.[1][2][a] The office of auditor has been held continuously by Democrats since 1933, when the national wave for President Franklin Roosevelt swept the party into every statewide race and congressional district except the uncontested office of superintendent of public instruction. That position was made nonpartisan in 1940. At the presidential level, Washington is part of the "blue wall", having voted for all Democratic nominees since 1988.
Prior to statehood, the President of the United States appointed a territorial governor and secretary of state, who served as acting governor when the governor was absent from the state. The position of attorney general was established in 1887, and only one person held office before statehood. A non-voting delegate was elected to the House of Representatives.
The nine members of the Washington Supreme Court are also elected statewide to six-year terms but on a nonpartisan basis and are not listed here. However all members of the court are considered liberal-leaning, matching the state's overall electorate.[3][4]
Voters do not register as members of political parties.
The tables below show the history of officeholders elected to statewide executive offices, the state legislature, and the U.S. Congress, as well as the winners of the state's electoral college votes.
For years in which a presidential election was held, the table indicates which party's nominees received the state's electoral votes.
Washington Territory
The first territorial superintendent of public education was elected by the legislature in 1861 to a three-year term, but the position was disestablished after just one year. It was reestablished in 1871, elected by the legislature to a two-year term.[5] The superintendent was chair of the governor-appointed board of education, which met in the hometown of the superintendent in several cities around the state until statehood when the office remained in Olympia.
At statehood, the constitution established eight positions that would be elected statewide. The officials take office in the January following their election. The insurance commissioner was first elected in 1908.
^This statistic includes only states; the District of Columbia has been controlled by elected Democrats since 1975.
^A coalition between Democrats, Populists, and Silver Republicans elected a Populist, W.H. Plummer, as President Pro Tempore, and organized the chamber.[28]
^A coalition between Democrats and Populists elected a Populist-turned-Democrat, Augustus High, as President Pro Tempore, and organized the chamber.[29]
^ abAs lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term.
^ abcdefInitially appointed by Governor to fill vacancy; later elected in his own right.
^As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right.
^A coalition of Republicans and nine conservative Democrats elected a Republican President Pro Tempore, Victor Zednick.[30]
^A power-sharing agreement was negotiated, and co-Speakers from both parties were elected. All committees were co-chaired and evenly divided between the parties.
^A legislator switched parties from Democratic to Republican, giving the Republicans the majority.
^ abA special election flipped a seat from the Republicans to the Democrats.
^A special election flipped a seat from the Democrats to the Republicans, flipping the chamber.
^ abA legislator switched parties from Democratic to Republican.
^ abcdA special election flipped a seat from the Democrats to the Republicans.
^A power-sharing agreement was negotiated, and co-Speakers from both parties were elected. All committees were co-chaired and evenly divided between the parties.
^A special election flipped a seat from the Republicans to the Democrats, breaking the tie and flipping the chamber.
^A legislator switched parties from Republican to Democratic.
^A coalition of 2 Democrats and 23 Republicans controlled the Senate Majority.
^ abcOne conservative Democrat caucuses as part of the Republicans.
