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State Representative, 31st 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

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Opposes tax increases until the Legislature prioritizes spending

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Public safety

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Supports officer recruitment and stronger crisis-response systems

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Education

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Supports expanding career and technical education and trades pathways

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    • Opposed cuts to early education

Housing

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Supports ADUs, duplexes and townhomes where infrastructure allows

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Proposes using Climate Commitment Act funds for flood fixes
    • Proposes signal timing and chokepoint fixes for traffic

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    • Opposed SB 6309 on Sound Transit and local zoning
    • Secured funding to repair White River and Fairfax bridges

Health & human services

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    • Supports health care price transparency and fewer surprise bills

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    • Proposes changing the Keeping Families Together Act child-removal standard
    • Opposed closing Residential Habilitation Centers such as Rainier School

Government & transparency

  • John BielkaPrefers Democrat Party

    No documented position found.

  • Joshua PennerPrefers Republican Party

    • Opposed SB 5925 on Attorney General investigatory powers

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; 7 issues covered in this race.