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State Senator, 42nd Legislative District

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

What this office does: A state senator votes on Washington laws and the state budget and confirms many of the Governor's appointments.

Photo of Erika Creydt
Erika CreydtWashington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Erika Creydt

Prefers Republican Party

Clinical psychologist; founder, TouchStone Counseling

The gist

  • Opposes a state income tax
  • Proposes re-evaluating state programs that aren't working
  • Supports faster access to mental health care
  • Supports protecting farms from rising regulations and costs
  • Supports reliable water access for families, farms and businesses
  • Supports strong schools and well-supported teachers
More about Erika
View sources (2)
  1. Opposes a state income tax

    Erika Creydt for Senate

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “Protect taxpayers, support small businesses, and oppose a state income tax.”
  2. Proposes re-evaluating state programs that aren't working

    About Erika | Erika Creydt

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “We're not seeing an ROI on our tax dollars, it's time to re-evaluate the programs that aren't working.”
  3. Supports faster access to mental health care

    Erika Creydt for Senate

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “Too many Washington residents cannot access timely mental health care when they need it most.”
  4. Supports protecting farms from rising regulations and costs

    Erika Creydt for Senate

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “Washington is losing farms every week as regulations and costs continue to rise.”
  5. Supports reliable water access for families, farms and businesses

    Erika Creydt for Senate

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “Reliable water access is essential for Whatcom County's families, farms, and businesses.”
  6. Supports strong schools and well-supported teachers

    Erika Creydt for Senate

    Campaign website · erikaforwhatcom.com

    “Students deserve strong schools, well-supported teachers, and opportunities to succeed.”
Photo of Michael Alvarez Shepard
Michael Alvarez ShepardWashington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Michael Alvarez Shepard

Prefers Democratic Party

Port of Bellingham Commissioner; Western Washington University faculty

The gist

  • Supports job growth paired with environmental protection
  • Supported rural broadband expansion as port commissioner
  • Supports investing in pre-K through college and apprenticeships
  • Supports abortion rights and access to reproductive care
  • Supports protecting public lands
  • Supports expanding safe, affordable housing
  • Pledges to work to bring down living costs
More about Michael
View sources (2)
  1. Supports job growth paired with environmental protection

    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

    “we need that same kind of focus on jobs, and building a strong, sustainable economy at the state level”
    Issues — Michael Shepard for State Senate

    Campaign website · shepardforsenate.com

    “Protecting our environment and a strong economy go hand in hand.”
  2. Supported rural broadband expansion as port commissioner

    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

    “We modernized our shipping terminal, expanded broadband internet into rural areas, opened the waterfront district, and cleaned up Blaine Harbor.”
  3. Supports investing in pre-K through college and apprenticeships

    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'll invest in high-quality Pre-K, K-12, and postsecondary education, including college, trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and adult retraining.”
  4. Supports abortion rights and access to reproductive care

    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 am 100% pro-choice”
    Issues — Michael Shepard for State Senate

    Campaign website · shepardforsenate.com

    “Ensuring safe and easy access to reproductive health care.”
  5. Supports protecting public lands

    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 also strongly support public safety, environmental sustainability, the protection of public lands”
  6. Supports expanding safe, affordable housing

    Issues — Michael Shepard for State Senate

    Campaign website · shepardforsenate.com

    “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.”
  7. Pledges to work to bring down living costs

    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

    “In the State Senate, I'll work to bring down costs.”

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.