The Ballot Brief
King County, Washington

Washington Senate, Legislative District 46

2 candidates are tracked for Washington Senate, Legislative District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Javier Valdez and Sandra Stephens. Candidate information follows official King County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Javier Valdez (prefers Democratic Party) and Sandra Stephens (prefers Republican Party) meet on the November 3 ballot; Javier Valdez is the sitting member, per the Legislature's roster. August 4 top-two primary: Javier Valdez 90.6 percent, Sandra Stephens 9.2 percent, per the Secretary of State's official results. Washington's top-two primary sends the two leading candidates to November regardless of party; party labels are the candidates' stated preferences. The field is the VoteWA GENERAL 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by legislative district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Javier Valdez, is on the ballot.

Washington › King County › Washington Senate, Legislative District 46

Javier Valdez

Javier Valdez

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Expanding hate-crime protections and banning untraceable firearms
  • Supporting working families and small, women- and minority-owned businesses
  • Climate action

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Javier Valdez is the Democratic state senator for Washington's 46th Legislative District, per the Legislature's roster. He chairs the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. Per his campaign site, he is the son and grandson of farmworkers and has focused on social justice policy work.

Sandra Stephens

Republican

Biography

Sandra Stephens's Washington voters' pamphlet statement lists Elected to the National Association of Pro-Life nurses for two terms: 1988-1992. The statement also lists In their vast nursing career, it was never just a job for them, per the Washington voters' pamphlet statement. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Next on your ballotWashington House Position 1, Legislative District 46

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Washington Senate, Legislative District 46 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Washington Senate, Legislative District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Javier Valdez and Sandra Stephens. Candidate information follows official King County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Washington Senate, Legislative District 46 election in Washington?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Washington are on the Washington election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact King County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official King County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Washington election office, or see the full King County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your King County ballot

55 tracked races in King County, Washington. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Washington House Position 2, Legislative District 46Washington Senate, Legislative District 47Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 47See all 55 King County races
Candidate profiles
Javier Valdez, full profileSandra Stephens, full profileOfficial Washington election office