The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 18th Legislative District

Position 2

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: Each legislative district elects two state representatives (Position 1 and 2), who vote on Washington laws and the state budget.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports making the extremely wealthy pay more in taxes.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    • Proposes exempting $250,000 of home value from property tax.
    • Voted against ESSB 6346, the 2026 tax on millionaires.In office

Public safety

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

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

Education

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports smaller class sizes and more school counselors.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Housing

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

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

Economy & jobs

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports workers' right to unionize.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports replacing the I-5 Columbia River bridge.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    • Opposes tolls and light rail on the I-5 bridge.
    • Supports building more Columbia River bridges.
    • Sponsored a performance audit of the I-5 bridge project.In office

Environment & parks

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports ending the state's carbon tax.

Health & human services

  • Deken LetinichPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports expanding affordable, high-quality child care.
    • Supports negotiating lower prescription drug prices.
    • Supports abortion rights.

  • John LeyPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.