Pedersen Will Face Sabio-Howell in November Election
The 43rd Legislative District will hold its general election in November 2026.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Senator Jamie Pedersen will face labor activist Hannah Sabio-Howell in the upcoming 43rd Legislative District general election this November. The race follows a primary where Pedersen secured a significant lead.
Why it matters
The contest centers on differing approaches to progressive policy, with challenger Hannah Sabio-Howell advocating for a faster pace of change. Incumbent Jamie Pedersen emphasizes the importance of building coalitions to ensure legislative sustainability.
In the recent primary election, Jamie Pedersen received 66% of the vote compared to 23% for Hannah Sabio-Howell. The 43rd Legislative District covers neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, Laurelhurst, Eastlake, and Wallingford.
The players
Jamie Pedersen
He is the Washington state Senate Majority Leader and has spearheaded the state millionaires tax law.
Hannah Sabio-Howell
She is a labor activist and former legislative aide challenging the incumbent in the 43rd District.
Katie Wilson
She serves as the Mayor of Seattle and has publicly endorsed Hannah Sabio-Howell for the legislative seat.
Bob Ferguson
He is the Governor of Washington state and has provided his endorsement to Jamie Pedersen.
The details
Jamie Pedersen, the current Washington state Senate Majority Leader, has recently championed the state millionaires tax. His opponent, Hannah Sabio-Howell, is a labor activist and former legislative aide who has received an endorsement from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.
Timeline
The millionaires tax was passed into law earlier this year.
The 43rd Legislative District general election will take place in November 2026.
Political Context
The candidate debate follows the recent implementation of the Washington state millionaires tax law, which serves as a key touchstone for their differing legislative priorities. Opposition groups, including the political action committee Let's Go Washington led by Brian Heywood, remain active in scrutinizing such fiscal policies.
The results of this election will determine who represents the district in state-level legislative decisions regarding tax and labor policies. Residents in the 43rd District will see their representation shift based on whether the incumbent or challenger prevails in November.
The takeaway
Voters in the 43rd District have a clear choice between an established legislative leader and a challenger focused on accelerating progressive policy. Both candidates are currently engaging in interviews to finalize their policy platforms before the general election.
Further reading
For more on local governance, visit the Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KUOW-FM (94.9, Seattle).
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