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State Senator, 46th 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 Sandra Stephens
Sandra StephensWashington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Sandra Stephens

Prefers Republican Party

Retired registered nurse

The gist

  • Supports protecting life and freedom of conscience
  • Opposes state funding of unaudited nonprofits
  • Supports the King County Republican Party platform
More about Sandra
View sources (1)
  1. Supports protecting life and freedom of conscience

    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 believe in the sacredness of life, and the individual's freedom of conscience”
  2. Opposes state funding of unaudited nonprofits

    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

    “the theft of taxpayers funds through unaudited nonprofits”
  3. Supports the King County Republican Party platform

    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

    “Their platform is an excellent one and a good representation of my policies.”
Photo of Javier Valdez
Javier ValdezWashington Secretary of State, Online Voters' Guide

Javier Valdez

Prefers Democratic PartyIncumbent

State Senator; City of Seattle employee

The gist

  • Proposes banning guns in parks and fairgrounds
  • Supported zoning reform and a cap on rent increases
  • Voted for SB 6346, the 2026 tax on millionairesIn office
  • Sponsored 2026 law restricting face coverings for law enforcement officersIn office
  • Sponsored 2025 law expanding agency voter registration servicesIn office
  • Sponsored 2025 law giving leave to hate crime victimsIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Javier
View sources (5)
  1. Proposes banning guns in parks and fairgrounds

    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

    “Next session, he wants to pass legislation to prohibit carrying guns in our parks and fairgrounds.”
  2. Supported zoning reform and a cap on rent increases

    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

    “he helped reform antiquated zoning laws so that we can build more affordable housing, put a cap on rent increases”
  3. Voted for SB 6346, the 2026 tax on millionaires

    Roll calls on ESSB 6346 (establishing a tax on millionaires), 2026 regular session

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

    “Yeas: 27 Nays: 22 Absent: 0 Excused: 0 … Slatter, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez, Wellman”
  4. Sponsored 2026 law restricting face coverings for law enforcement officers

    SB 5855 (2025–26): Law enforcement face coverings

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

    “Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers.”
  5. Sponsored 2025 law expanding agency voter registration services

    SB 5077 (2025–26): Agency voter registration

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

    “Concerning expansion of voter registration services by government agencies.”
  6. Sponsored 2025 law giving leave to hate crime victims

    SB 5101 (2025–26): Worker leave/hate crimes

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

    “Expanding access to leave and safety accommodations to include workers who are victims of hate crimes or bias incidents.”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.