Local elections
In recent local elections in Washington state, two developments have emerged that will impact the hospitality industry: Everett’s minimum wage initiatives and a key Seattle City Council race. These results signal important shifts in local labor policy and political representation.
Everett minimum wage initiative results
Voters in Everett have made their decision on competing minimum wage measures, with significant implications for local businesses.
Initiative 24-01, which excludes total compensation in wage calculations, has secured passage with 59% voter approval against 41% opposition, meaning this initiative will become law. It requires employers with more than 500 employees in Washington to pay a minimum wage of $20.24 per hour beginning July 1, with a phase-in for smaller employers and a carveout for employers with fewer than 15 employees. Further information is available in our minimum wage toolkit here.
Meanwhile, Initiative 24-02, backed by the Washington Hospitality Association, fell short with only 41% support versus 59% opposition.
We continue to share the sentiment of the Everett Herald that a council process where public meetings, discussion, full review by the city’s legal team, and consideration and discussion of the proposed amendments by the city council would provide a better means for addressing minimum wage in Everett. This was not an opportunity we were afforded, so we proceeded with the proposed Initiative 24-02. We will continue to be engaged as the city moves to implement this new law after certification of election results.
Seattle City Council leadership change
Position 8 incumbent Councilmember Tanya Woo has lost her election bid to Alexis Mercedes Rinck. Despite receiving endorsement from the Seattle Hospitality for Progress PAC, Woo was unable to build sufficient momentum following the primary election.
The transition will occur swiftly. Because Woo has been serving the remainder of former Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s 2021-2025 term, Rinck will assume office immediately after the Nov. 26 election certification. Rinck will need to campaign again next year to retain the position for a full term.
State legislative races
This election cycle, our goal was to maintain as much balance as possible. The hospitality industry thrives in a legislative environment where both major parties cooperate and negotiate to find solutions to major policy challenges. We support candidates who support our industry, regardless of party, and we work to elect challengers and candidates in open seats who are moderate Democrats and Republicans.
The current Legislature has a strong Democratic majority in the House and Senate, both primed to inch closer to a supermajority in each chamber. Supermajority control by either party is not healthy for the hospitality industry, as it would only offer one perspective and make compromise and negotiation on policy unnecessary.
In the Senate, four key districts were targeted for Democratic pick up to create a supermajority control of the chamber. Our election priorities were to maintain the seats for the Republican candidates. In the House, we had several pragmatic candidates on both sides of the aisle we worked to protect. Below are highlights of the districts we engaged in.
Legislative District 10: Whidbey Island
Endorsed candidate Sen. Ron Muzzall (R) has taken the lead, and currently maintains a 1800 vote lead. Sen. Muzzall will serve another term in the Legislature.
Legislative District 14: Yakima Valley
A state Supreme Court decision impacted Yakima, and a judge re-drew the district last year. Current state senator and endorsed candidate Curtis King will win this district. He is currently leading by 1300 votes.
Legislative District 17: Clark and Skamania counties
This is an open Senate seat, which was vacated by Sen. Lynda Wilson (R). Endorsed candidate Rep. Paul Harris (R) has surpassed the amount needed to trigger an automatic recount and will win his race as well. He is currently leading with 51.09%.
Legislative District 18: Clark County
This is another open seat, vacated by Sen. Ann Rivers (R). Endorsed candidate Brad Benton (R) currently trails by only 343 votes. This district historically favors the Republican candidate in late ballot returns. This race is likely headed for a recount; however, if results hold, this will be a Democratic flip.
State House
We will continue to monitor some close races, but of note in the 26th Legislative District (Gig Harbor): the House seat being vacated by Rep. Spencer Hutchins (R) appears to have flipped. The Democratic candidate Adison Richards is leading with 51.78% of the vote. We did not endorse a candidate in this race.
Other races of note:
We were disappointed in some races with the outcome of the primary election, which in many cases did not favor our moderate Democrat and Republican candidates, with voters selecting more extreme candidates, but this did not hold true for the general election. Our endorsed moderate candidates are all comfortably leading in their races:
39th Legislative District
Rep. Sam Low (R)
42nd Legislative District
Rep. Alicia Rule (D)
Rep. Joe Timmons (D)
45th Legislative District
Rep. Larry Springer (D)
Statewide Races:
Attorney General Bob Ferguson will be our next Governor.
Our endorsed candidates for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General are all prevailing in their races.
I-2066
We are thrilled to share that the people of Washington stood up to protect energy choice at the ballot box this year!
The trends in the votes counted so far make it clear that, when all the votes are in, I-2066 will win a solid majority thanks to the collective efforts of countless members of the Washington Hospitality Association and our partners.
More than 100,000 businesses in Washington depend on natural gas every day. As we traveled around the state this year, the message we heard from members was clear: You want to be able to continue to choose what’s best for your businesses and your customers.
That’s why this initiative earned 546,000 signatures — more than any other in the last 50 years and the second most in Washington state history — in just seven weeks.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support and dedication of our members. Thank you to Tiffany Turner, CEO of Adrift Hospitality and chair of the Washington Hospitality Association, for sponsoring the initiative on the ballot; to the Government Affairs Committee, which made this initiative a top priority; and to the innumerable hospitality operators and employees who worked hard to serve as petition drop off sites, gather signatures and earn votes. This was a historic effort and your work paid off.
We are also deeply grateful to our partners at the Building Industry Association of Washington, who took the lead on drafting the initiative language, defending the initiative in court and standing up the campaign we supported.
Rest assured, we will never cease our fight to safeguard your businesses, bottom lines and communities. Once again, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication.
