2 candidates are tracked for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ben Christly and Kevin Waters. Candidate information follows official Klickitat County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Ben Christly (prefers Democratic Party) and Kevin Waters (prefers Republican Party) meet on the November 3 ballot; Kevin Waters is the sitting member, per the Legislature's roster. August 4 top-two primary: Ben Christly 52.4 percent, Kevin Waters 43.9 percent; also ran: Thomas Everett Haynes (3.6 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.
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, Kevin Waters, is on the ballot.
Washington › Klickitat County › Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 17
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Christly is a Navy veteran, flight nurse and small business founder, per the campaign site. He is a father of three running on affordability and healthcare access, per the campaign site.
Republican Incumbent
Kevin Waters's Washington voters' pamphlet statement lists Current Washington State Representative, 17th District, Position 1; Port of Skamania Commissioner (2010-2019). The statement also lists Executive Director - Skamania Economic Development Council; Founder - Backwoods Brewing Company; Co-Founder of Carson General Store; Former Skamania County Corrections Officer, per the Washington voters' pamphlet statement.
Who is running for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 17 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ben Christly and Kevin Waters. Candidate information follows official Klickitat County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 17 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 Klickitat 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.
Candidate roster from official Klickitat County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Washington election office, or see the full Klickitat County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
4 tracked races in Klickitat County, Washington. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.