The Ballot Brief
Pierce County, Washington

Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28

2 candidates are tracked for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mari Leavitt and Kathy Richardson. Candidate information follows official Pierce County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Mari Leavitt (prefers Democratic Party) and Kathy Richardson (prefers Republican Party) meet on the November 3 ballot; Mari Leavitt is the sitting member, per the Legislature's roster. August 4 top-two primary: Mari Leavitt 64.5 percent, Kathy Richardson 35.3 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, Mari Leavitt, is on the ballot.

Washington › Pierce County › Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28

Mari Leavitt

Mari Leavitt

Democratic Incumbent

Biography

Mari Leavitt's Washington voters' pamphlet statement lists State Representative, 28th LD; Co-Chair, Joint Military and Veterans Affairs Committee; Member, Postsecondary. The statement also lists Family small business owner; longtime administrator, Pierce and Tacoma Community Colleges; former Deputy Director, Pierce County’s human services, per the Washington voters' pamphlet statement.

Kathy Richardson

Republican

Top priorities
  • Public safety and community security
  • Addressing rising costs and economic affordability
  • Government accountability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Richardson served 20 years in the U.S. Army and works as a nurse practitioner with a background in emergency medicine; she has also been a small-business owner and advocate for veterans and military families, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotWashington House Position 2, Legislative District 28

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mari Leavitt and Kathy Richardson. Candidate information follows official Pierce County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 28 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 Pierce 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 Pierce County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Pierce County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Washington Senate, Legislative District 29Washington House Position 1, Legislative District 29Washington House Position 2, Legislative District 29See all 30 Pierce County races
Candidate profiles
Mari Leavitt, full profileKathy Richardson, full profileOfficial Washington election office