Democrats Flip Several Republican Seats in Washington

Democrats gained several Republican-held seats in Washington state's 2026 midterm election, while state GOP leaders say the party held serve.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Political Parties

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a silhouetted classical capitol dome on a ridge with mountain silhouettes behind it, in navy and cream. — Democrats flipped several Republican-held seats in Washington state's 2026 midterm election, while state GOP leaders insisted the party had held its ground. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Democrats gained several Republican-held seats in Washington state's 2026 midterm election. Washington State Republican Party leadership said the party held serve in the midterm.

Why it matters

A decade ago, Republicans in Washington controlled the state Senate and four U.S. Congressional seats, but Democrats now hold a supermajority in the state House and all but two of the state's congressional seats. Chris Vance, executive director of Our Republican Legacy, said the state GOP cannot overcome the toxicity of the national Republican brand.

Republicans held four U.S. Congressional seats in Washington a decade ago, compared with two today. Democrats hold a supermajority in the Washington State House, while the exact number of seats gained in the 2026 midterm has not been specified.

The players

Chris Vance

Chris Vance is a former Washington state Republican figure who now serves as executive director of Our Republican Legacy and has shifted between party affiliations.

Jim Walsh

Jim Walsh is the chairman of the Washington State Republican Party, and Jim Walsh said midterm elections are tough for the party holding the White House.

The details

Chris Vance, who ran as a third-party candidate after labeling himself an independent and campaigned for Kamala Harris as a Republican in 2024, recently argued in a Seattle Times opinion piece that Jim Walsh should be replaced as state GOP chairman. The discussion aired as a Soundside panel segment on Thursday, as polling showed Donald Trump had relatively low approval ratings going into the midterm.

A decade ago: Republicans controlled the state Senate and four U.S. Congressional seats in Washington.
2024: Chris Vance campaigned for Kamala Harris as a Republican.
November 3, 2026: The midterm election took place, with Democrats gaining several Republican-held seats.
Thursday, before November 13, 2026: The Soundside panel conversation aired.

Political Context

Washington Republicans have lost ground steadily over the past decade, falling from four U.S. Congressional seats to two while Democrats now hold all but two of the state's congressional seats. Commentators such as Chris Vance argue the national Republican brand is the central obstacle the state party cannot overcome.

Washington voters are now served by a Congressional delegation dominated by Democrats, with only two Republican seats remaining. The shift affects which party sets the agenda in both the state House and the U.S. House delegation.

The takeaway

Washington's midterm results show that a party's state-level strength can erode quickly when its national brand becomes a liability. Readers tracking the state's politics should watch how the GOP responds to calls for leadership change.