Derek Sarley
Candidate for State Representative, 16th Legislative District, Position 2
Background
- Occupation
- School board member; communications consultant
- Campaign website
- sarleyforwashington.com
Walla Walla Public Schools board member since 2015, a four-term board president and past president of the Washington State School Directors' Association. Has spent 25 years in small business leadership at a public relations agency.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Supports budgeting within existing revenue.
ReportQ&A: District 16 Position 2 candidates discuss state budget, education fundingCandidate questionnaire · Walla Walla Union-Bulletin · union-bulletin.com
“responsible budgeting starts with the revenue you have and commits to balancing from there”
Education
Opposes 2025 budget cuts to child care and schools.
ReportQ&A: District 16 Position 2 candidates discuss state budget, education fundingCandidate questionnaire · Walla Walla Union-Bulletin · union-bulletin.com
“We must balance Washington's budget, but we can't do it on the backs of our region's children and families.”
Supports early-grade literacy and student mental health supports.
ReportPriorities – Elect Derek Sarley for State RepresentativeCampaign website · sarleyforwashington.com
“a real commitment to early-grade literacy, strong mental health supports, safe and engaging classrooms, and excellent instruction”
Housing
Supports removing barriers to building more homes.
ReportPriorities – Elect Derek Sarley for State RepresentativeCampaign website · sarleyforwashington.com
“Washington needs more homes, more quickly, and fewer outdated barriers that make it harder to build in the places people want to live.”
Economy & jobs
Opposes special tax breaks for data centers.
ReportQ&A: District 16 Position 2 candidates discuss state budget, education fundingCandidate questionnaire · Walla Walla Union-Bulletin · union-bulletin.com
“Data centers should not be getting special tax breaks.”
Roads & infrastructure
Supports protecting households from rising utility bills.
ReportQ&A: District 16 Position 2 candidates discuss state budget, education fundingCandidate questionnaire · Walla Walla Union-Bulletin · union-bulletin.com
“Residential ratepayers need protections against soaring monthly utility bills.”
Health & human services
Supports targeting middlemen that raise health care costs.
ReportPriorities – Elect Derek Sarley for State RepresentativeCampaign website · sarleyforwashington.com
“go after the middlemen and practices that inflate healthcare costs”
All sources (11)
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election (statewide and district contests)
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Benton County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Franklin County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election (all contests in Franklin County)
Election filing · Franklin County Auditor · franklincountywa.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Grant County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- November 2026 Sample Ballot, General Election
Election filing · Grant County Auditor, Elections · grantcountywa.gov
- Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election: Walla Walla County
Election filing · Washington Secretary of State · voter.votewa.gov
- Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election (all contests in Walla Walla County)
Election filing · Walla Walla County Auditor · wwcowa.gov
- Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
- Q&A: District 16 Position 2 candidates discuss state budget, education funding
Candidate questionnaire · Walla Walla Union-Bulletin · union-bulletin.com
- Priorities – Elect Derek Sarley for State Representative
Campaign website · sarleyforwashington.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.