Community Government

Primary election ballots due by Tuesday, Aug. 5

The primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 5, may provide a clue as to who has the edge in the 26th Legislative District state Senate race.

Both candidates — Democrat Deb Krishnadasan and Republican challenger Michelle Caldier, both of Gig Harbor — will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. But state law requires the race to be on the primary ballot anyway. The primary is a chance to see if either has a significant lead.

Pierce County Council members and Kitsap County commissioners appointed Krishnadasan earlier this year to replace Emily Randall in the Senate. Randall won election to Congress in November 2024. Krishnadasan, a former Peninsula School Board member, served during the 2025 legislative session.

Voters elected Caldier to the state House six times, most recently when she won nearly 55% of the vote against Tiffiny Mitchell in 2024. She announced in December that she would seek promotion to the Senate.

Whoever wins in November will have to run again in 2026 if she wants to keep the seat.

Big spending

Outside groups have spent heavily on the 26th District race, a rare off-year Senate election in one of the state’s only truly competitive legislative districts.

In particular, business groups opposed to tax increases enacted during the 2025 legislative session have targeted Krishnadasan, according to the Washington State Standard. She voted against the tax hikes, but Republicans have few opportunities to pick up a Senate seat. Caldier has campaigned on combating a “supermajority” in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 30-19 advantage.

Elections in the 26th District routinely are among the most expensive legislative races in Washington state. This year, Caldier has raised $437,000 and spent $351,000, according to the Public Disclosure Commission. Krishnadasan has raised $269,000 and spent $216,000.

Only one legislative candidate this year has raised more. Amy Walen, seeking a state Senate seat representing the Redmond and Bellevue area, raised $491,000.

Outside groups have raised $46,000 for Krishnadasan and $282,000 against her. Outside groups raised $2,500 for Caldier and $25,200 against her.

Other races

The only other races appearing on primary ballots for Gig Harbor-area voters are for a Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One commissioner seat and posts on the Pierce County Charter Review Board.

Three candidates — Phil Hayden, Thomas Lemoine and Weston King — are running for Position 4 on the Gig Harbor Fire board. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election.

Pierce County voters pick a Charter Review Commission once every 10 years. Elected commissioners suggest revisions or amendments to the county charter. If the commission suggests any changes, voters would get the final say in November 2026.

Each county council district gets three Charter Review commissioners. For Council District 7, which includes Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula, candidates include: 

Position 1

Pat McMonigle, Jerry Thorpe, Justin Leighton, David Seago, Stacie Snuffin,  Gary Wescott, Randy Boss 

Position 2

Brenda Lykins, Gary Parker, David Moylan 

Position 3

Martha Lantz, Damon Townsend, Jesse L. Young, Julie A. Murray 

The top two vote-getters for each position will advance to the general election. 

Election details 

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Aug. 5, or returned to a drop box location by 8 p.m. that same day. You don’t need a stamp to return your ballot by mail.

Preliminary election results will be available shortly after 8 p.m.

The Pierce County Elections Office will release subsequent totals at 4 p.m. every day this week. The election will be certified on August. 19.

The Pierce County Elections Office projects a 25% turnout. As of Aug. 1, just 13% of ballots in Council District 7 had been returned. Only 15% of the ballots in the Pierce County portion of the 26th Legislative District had been returned. 

Drop box locations 

Ballot return boxes are at these locations: 

• Nichols Community Center, 690 9th Ave, Fox Island 
• Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr.
• Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St 
• Purdy Park & Ride, 14567 Purdy Dr., Gig Harbor 
• Lake Kathryn Food Market, 14220 92nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor
• Key Center Food Market, 9021 Key Peninsula Hwy NW, Lakebay 
• Home Park, 17220 8th Ave NW, Lakebay 

Click here to read the Pierce County voters’ guide.