Maria Cantwell

In the 2024 Senate race for WA Senate seat, Maria Cantwell (D) won with 59.1% of the vote, defeating Raul Garcia (R) who received 40.6%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Maria Cantwell's 18.5-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Patty Murray (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2018 Senate race for WA Senate seat, Maria Cantwell (D) defeated Susan Hutchison (R) 58.4% to 41.6%. Maria Cantwell received 1,803,364 votes compared to 1,282,804 for Susan Hutchison, a comfortable 16.9-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Patty Murray (D) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Democrat, Maria Cantwell benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Republican in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2012 Senate race for WA Senate seat, Maria Cantwell (D) defeated Michael Baumgartner (R) 60.5% to 39.5%. Maria Cantwell received 1,855,493 votes compared to 1,213,924 for Michael Baumgartner, a dominant 20.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.