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State Senator, 8th 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.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Voted against the 2026 tax on income over $1 million.In office

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Proposes reducing taxes, fees and regulations.

Public safety

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports law enforcement.

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports fully funding police and sheriffs.
    • Opposes shifting authority from elected sheriffs to the state.

Education

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Sponsored a law updating school panic-button emergency systems.In office

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports keeping education decisions local.

Housing

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Voted against the 2025 law limiting residential rent increases.In office

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports protecting agricultural and energy jobs.

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports nuclear power in an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Secured over $500 million in regional capital funding.

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Opposes breaching the Lower Snake River dams.

Government & transparency

  • Nikki TorresPrefers Republican Party

    • Sponsored a law changing irrigation district elections.In office

  • Gabe GalbraithPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports public hearings on citizen initiatives.

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.