Adam Smith

In the 2024 House race for WA-9, Adam Smith (D) won with 65.4% of the vote, defeating Melissa Chaudhry (R) who received 32.4%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Adam Smith's 33.0-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Adam Smith benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for WA-9, Adam Smith (D) won with 71.6% of the vote, defeating Doug Basler (R) who received 28.2%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Adam Smith's 43.4-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Adam Smith benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Adam Smith won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office). The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for WA-9, Adam Smith (D) won with 74.1% of the vote, defeating Doug Basler (R) who received 25.7%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Adam Smith's 48.4-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for WA-09, Adam Smith (D) defeated Sarah Smith (D) 67.9% to 32.1%. Adam Smith received 163,345 votes compared to 77,222 for Sarah Smith, a dominant 35.8-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Adam Smith benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Adam Smith 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 2016 House race for WA-09, Adam Smith (D) defeated Doug Basler (R) 72.9% to 27.1%. Adam Smith received 205,165 votes compared to 76,317 for Doug Basler, a dominant 45.8-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Adam Smith benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for WA-09, Adam Smith (D) defeated Doug Basler (R) 70.8% to 29.2%. Adam Smith received 118,132 votes compared to 48,662 for Doug Basler, a dominant 41.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Adam Smith benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Adam Smith won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Obama was in office).

In the 2012 House race for WA-09, Adam Smith (D) defeated Jim Postma (R) 71.6% to 28.4%. Adam Smith received 192,034 votes compared to 76,105 for Jim Postma, a dominant 43.2-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.