Seattle Mayor 
Incumbent: Bruce Harrell | Challenger: Katie Wilson

Summary: Wilson finished with a commanding 10-point lead in the primary, 50.8% to 41.2%. Two polls released last week put Wilson’s lead at 4–5 percentage points, with neither candidate surpassing 50%.

Why it matters: Seattle has recovered in many ways from its pre-pandemic and pandemic-era malaise. For the first time in over five years, a majority of voters say Seattle is on the “right track.” Normally this would be good news for incumbent Bruce Harrell, but the actions of the Trump administration erased much of that goodwill and sent Seattle’s large progressive base into rebellion. Harrell, progressive by national standards, may not measure up to Seattle’s local expectations.

Advantage: Wilson

Bellevue City Council — Position 2 
Incumbent: Conrad Lee | Challenger: Naren Briar

Summary: Conrad Lee seeks to begin his 31st year on the Bellevue City Council in January. The race had no primary, but Bellevue Chamber polling from May showed Lee far ahead, 55% to 25%. Briar, however, has gained traction through strong debate performances and active campaigning.

Advantage: Lee

Bellevue City Council — Position 1 
Incumbent: Vishal Bhargava (appointed) | Challenger: Paul Clark

Summary: Two wonkish former city commissioners from the tech sector vie for this key Bellevue City Council seat. Clark led in a crowded primary 39.68% to 35.21%. The two eliminated candidates leaned left, creating an opportunity for Bhargava to consolidate a progressive path to victory. Still, Clark has run a more polished campaign than in his previous challenge against Councilmember John Stokes in 2023.

Advantage: Bhargava

Kirkland City Council — Position 7
Incumbent: Jon Pascal | Challenger: Kurt Dresner

Summary: Kirkland’s council races have been among the most dramatic on the Eastside this cycle. Divisions over public safety, housing density, and a new supportive housing facility have turned local politics contentious. Dresner trailed Pascal 52% to 43% in the August primary.

Advantage: Pascal

Everett Mayor 
Incumbent: Cassie Franklin | Challenger: Scott Murphy

Summary: Franklin faces one of the tightest mayoral races in the state. In the primary, just 65 votes separated the two—Murphy led 35.18% to Franklin’s 34.76%. The race has split some tradition red-blue alliances. The FUSE "progressive" voter guide asks voters to support Mayor Franklin, but progressive State Senator and chair of the powerful Ways & Means committee June Robinson was joined by Republican state representative, Sam Low, and a host of labor groups in supporting Murphy. Murphy also enjoys a small fundraising advantage heading into tonight - but in a left-leaning election the balance of Democratic support still sits with Franklin.

Advantage: Franklin

King County Executive 
Open Seat: Claudia Balducci | Girmay Zahilay

Summary: For the first time in 16 years, King County’s top seat is open. Balducci, a seasoned local leader with experience as jail director, county council chair, and Bellevue mayor, faces current Council Chair Girmay Zahilay, an attorney and nonprofit executive. Zahilay led in the primary 44% to 30%, but Balducci has seen late momentum, with one poll showing her ahead 37% to 35%.

Zahilay’s strength lies in Seattle and South King County, while Balducci leads on the Eastside. Progressive turnout driven by the Wilson campaign in Seattle will help Zahilay, but Balducci’s surge may close the gap. Both candidates have raised over a million dollars, with Zahilay holding a slight fundraising edge.

Advantage: Zahilay

King County Council — District 5 
Open Seat: Peter Kwon | Steffanie Fain

Summary: With Dave Upthegrove leaving the seat after his 2024 election as State Lands Commissioner, the race drew six primary candidates. Peter Kwon, a longtime SeaTac councilmember, edged attorney and Harborview Board Chair Steffanie Fain 27.7% to 23.1%, setting up a competitive general election. Fain has led in endorsements and fundraising, with backing from all six mayors in the district. I'll stop pretending to be unbiased, GO STEFFANIE!

Advantage: Me—because either way, it will finally be over.

WA State Legislature — LD 26, Senate (special)
Incumbent: Deborah Krishnadasan (D, appointed) | Challenger: Michelle Caldier (R)

Summary: One of Washington’s most expensive races—second only to the Seattle mayoral contest—pits appointed Democrat Deborah Krishnadasan against longtime Republican state representative and dentist Michelle Caldier. Krishnadasan led narrowly in the primary, 51.2% to 48.6%.

This is Republicans’ best opportunity to flip a Senate seat and block Democrats from maintaining a supermajority. The 26th District (Bremerton–Gig Harbor) is a key swing area, and renewed Democratic enthusiasm could prove decisive.

Advantage: Krishnadasan

WA State Legislature — LD 33, House Position 1 (special) 
Incumbent: Edwin Obras (D, appointed) | Challenger: Kevin Schilling (D)

Summary: If you like your mailbox full of glossy exaggerations and misleading mailers, this is your race. Both candidates are Democrats with well-financed campaigns, but the independent spending has been out of control—accounting for more than half of all voter contact. Despite the noise, the race won’t change the deep-blue balance in the House.

Advantage: Producers of shiny political mail pieces that no one is reading!

Issaquah Mayor
Open Seat: Lindsey Walsh | Mark Mullet

Summary: City Council President Lindsey Walsh faces veteran state senator and small business owner Mark Mullet. Walsh has drawn support from progressive groups, while Mullet appeals to traditional Democrats, moderates, and the business community. As Olympia debates tax policy and D.C. remains gridlocked, local races like this one will shape the Eastside’s economic future.

Advantage: Mullet

There are countless important races on the ballot across the State tonight. Many right here on the Eastside. These are just 10 of the most competitive races where victory could easily go either way.

For a closer look at contested races on the Eastside, visit the Bellevue Chamber-led Eastside Business Alliance voter guide at www.eastsidebusiness.org.