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State Representative, 17th Legislative District · Position 1
Photo of Kevin Waters
Kevin WatersWashington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Kevin Waters

Candidate for State Representative, 17th Legislative District, Position 1

Prefers Republican Party

Background

Occupation
State representative; economic development director
Campaign website
watersforhouse.com

State representative for the 17th District (Position 1) and executive director of the Skamania Economic Development Council; a Port of Skamania commissioner from 2010 to 2019. Founder of Backwoods Brewing Company and a former Skamania County corrections officer.

Report

Photo: Washington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Voted against ESSB 6346, the 2026 tax on millionaires.In office

    Recorded as voting nay on "Final Passage as Amended by the House" of ESSB 6346 in the House, March 9, 2026 (it passed 51–46).

    ESSB 6346 (2026 session): bill summary

    Government record · Washington State Legislature · app.leg.wa.gov

    “Establishing a tax on millionaires.”
    Roll-call votes on bill 6346, 2025–26 biennium

    Government record · Washington State Legislature (legislative web services) · wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov

    “Final Passage as Amended by the House”
    Report

Public safety

  • Supports law enforcement and local safety programs.

    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

    “I support law enforcement and local programs that keep neighborhoods secure.”
    Report

  • Voted against HB 1163's firearm purchase and transfer requirements.In office

    Recorded as voting nay on "Final Passage as Amended by the Senate" of E2SHB 1163 in the House, April 22, 2025 (it passed 57–39).

    E2SHB 1163 (2025 session): bill summary

    Government record · Washington State Legislature · app.leg.wa.gov

    “Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms.”
    Roll-call votes on bill 1163, 2025–26 biennium

    Government record · Washington State Legislature (legislative web services) · wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov

    “Final Passage as Amended by the Senate”
    Report

Housing

  • Supports practical steps to expand affordable housing.

    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

    “I support practical solutions to expand affordable housing”
    Report

  • Voted against HB 1217 limiting residential rent and fee increases.In office

    Recorded as voting nay on "Final Passage as Recommended by the Conference Committee" of EHB 1217 in the House, April 27, 2025 (it passed 54–44).

    EHB 1217 (2025 session): bill summary

    Government record · Washington State Legislature · app.leg.wa.gov

    “by limiting rent and fee increases”
    Roll-call votes on bill 1217, 2025–26 biennium

    Government record · Washington State Legislature (legislative web services) · wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov

    “Final Passage as Recommended by the Conference Committee”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Sponsored preference for Washington lumber in public works.In office

    Prime sponsor of HB 1726 (2025).

    HB 1726 (2025 session): bill summary

    Government record · Washington State Legislature · app.leg.wa.gov

    “Prioritizing lumber procured from Washington state lumber mills for the purpose of public works projects.”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

Health & human services

  • Sponsored exempting child care providers from B&O tax.In office

    Prime sponsor of HB 1993 (2025).

    HB 1993 (2025 session): bill summary

    Government record · Washington State Legislature · app.leg.wa.gov

    “Exempting child care providers from the business and occupation tax.”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Kevin Waters on them.

  • EducationNo documented position found.

All sources (15)

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.

Kevin Waters for State Representative, 17th Legislative District, Position 1, Washington · The Gist