Washington State Senate District 31
Washington State Senate District 31 is represented by Phil Fortunato (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Washington state senators represented an average of 157,468 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 137,824 residents.
About the office
Members of the Washington State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Washington legislators assume office the second Monday of January.[1]
Qualifications
Section 7 of Article 2 of the Washington State Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not be a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter in the district for which he is chosen."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $60,191/year for senators. $61,997/year for representatives. | $202/day |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Washington State Legislature, the board of county commissioners where the vacant seat is located has the responsibility to select a replacement. The county central committee of the political party that last held the seat must submit a list of three candidates to the board of county commissioners representing the vacant district. If the vacancy occurs in the office of a joint senator or joint representative, the state central committee is responsible for submitting the list of three candidates. A selection must be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurred. The person appointed will hold the seat until his or her successor is elected at the next general or special election in November.[4]
See sources: Washington Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15
District map
Redistricting
2020-2022
State legislative maps enacted in 2024
On March 15, 2024, Judge Robert Lasnik of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ordered the state to adopt a new legislative map named Remedial Map 3B that complies with the Voting Rights Act. Judge Lasnik ordered Washington to redraw a legislative district in the Yakima Valley region because its boundaries undermined the ability of Latino voters to participate equally in elections. According to the district court's decision:[5][6]
| “ | The task of fashioning a remedy for a Voting Rights Act violation is not one that falls within the Court’s normal duties. It is only because the State declined to reconvene the Redistricting Commission – with its expertise, staff, and ability to solicit public comments – that the Court was compelled to step in. Nevertheless, with the comprehensive and extensive presentations from the parties, the participation of the Yakama Nation, and the able assistance of Ms. Mac Donald, the Court is confident that the adopted map best achieves the many goals of the remedial process. The Secretary of State is hereby ORDERED to conduct future elections according to Remedial Map 3B...[6][7] | ” |
On August 10, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington struck down the state's legislative maps, which were drawn by the bipartisan state Redistricting Commission in 2021, after finding that they discriminate against Latino voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act. At the time, the 15th district encompassed parts of five counties in south-central Washington and was represented by three Republicans.[5]
“The question in this case is whether the state has engaged in line-drawing which, in combination with the social and historical conditions in the Yakima Valley region, impairs the ability of Latino voters in that area to elect their candidate of choice on an equal basis with other voters. The answer is yes,” Judge Lasnik wrote in the district court's 32-page decision.[5]
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps
Simone Leeper, an attorney with Campaign Legal Center representing the coalition of Latino voters that brought the lawsuit challenging legislative district boundaries called the ruling a definitive win and said, “For the first time, Latinos in the region will have the voice that they deserve in the Legislature. She also praised the decision's “repeated recognition of the history of discrimination and continuing struggle that Latinos have in the region and the incredible need for true representation to address those concerns.”[5]
State Senate map
Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Washington State Senate Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington State Senate Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State House map
Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Washington State House Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington State House Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State legislative maps enacted in 2022
The Washington House approved final state legislative map proposals on February 2, 2022, and the Senate approved the legislative plan on February 8, 2022 in a 35-14 vote.[8]Washington’s four redistricting commissioners each released their proposed state legislative maps on September 21, 2021. On November 16, 2021, the commission announced that it was not able to produce new maps by its November 15 deadline and had submitted plans to the Supreme Court for consideration, as authority to draw new maps passes to the court if the commission fails to agree on maps before the deadline. The court decided to accept the final map drafts the commission submitted, ruling that it had "substantially complied" with the deadline.[9] These maps took effect for Washington's 2022 legislative elections.
Reactions to 2022 state legislative maps
Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D) voted for the legislative but said, “I continue to have significant concern that the Yakima Valley legislative district may not be compliant with the federal Voting Rights Act.” Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D) said, “I think I’m not the only one who was surprised and disappointed that this past Nov. 15, as the clock approached midnight, without actually having agreed on a plan, without having published a plan for public comment, our redistricting commission voted to approve some sort of oral agreement that they had to send that over to us.”[10]
Commission member April Sims said, “I just think there is something really powerful about forcing folks who normally wouldn’t come together to come together. It means everyone has to give a little in the process and no one side wins. And I think that’s good for democracy and good for the public.”[11] In their decision to not alter the commission-approved maps, the justices of the Washington Supreme Court wrote, “This is not a situation in which the Supreme Court must step in because the Commission has failed to agree on a plan it believes complies with state and federal equirements.”[12]
How does redistricting in Washington work? In Washington, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by a five-member non-politician commission. The commission was established by constitutional amendment in 1983. The majority and minority leaders of the Washington State Senate and Washington House of Representatives each appoint one registered voter to the commission. These four commissioners appoint a fifth, non-voting member to serve as the commission's chair. In the event that the four voting commissioners cannot agree on a chair, the Washington Supreme Court must appoint one.[13]
The Washington Constitution stipulates that no commission member may have been an elected official or party officer in the two-year period prior to his or her appointment. Individuals who have registered with the state as lobbyists within the past year are also prohibited from serving on the commission.[13]
The Washington State Legislature may amend the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.[13]
The state constitution requires that congressional and state legislative districts "should be contiguous, compact, and convenient, and follow natural, geographic, artificial, or political subdivision boundaries." The constitution states that the redistricting commission "must not purposely draw plans to favor or discriminate against any political party or group."[13]
State statutes require that congressional and state legislative districts "preserve areas recognized as communities of interest." State statutes also require the commission to draw districts that "provide fair and effective representation" and "encourage electoral competition."[13]
Washington State Senate District 31
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Washington State Senate District 31
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2022
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 31
Incumbent Phil Fortunato defeated Chris Vance in the general election for Washington State Senate District 31 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Phil Fortunato (R) | 55.5 | 35,764 |
 | Chris Vance (Independent) | 43.5 | 28,053 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 623 | ||
| Total votes: 64,440 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 31
Incumbent Phil Fortunato and Chris Vance defeated Clifford Knopik in the primary for Washington State Senate District 31 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Phil Fortunato (R) | 55.4 | 20,491 |
| ✔ | | Chris Vance (Independent) | 39.1 | 14,469 |
 | Clifford Knopik (Independent) | 4.7 | 1,735 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 304 | ||
| Total votes: 36,999 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Washington State Senate District 31
Incumbent Phil Fortunato defeated Immaculate Ferreria in the general election for Washington State Senate District 31 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Phil Fortunato (R) | 59.9 | 37,834 |
 | Immaculate Ferreria (D) | 40.1 | 25,320 | |
| Total votes: 63,154 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Senate District 31
Incumbent Phil Fortunato and Immaculate Ferreria defeated Jeff Benson in the primary for Washington State Senate District 31 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Phil Fortunato (R) | 56.1 | 18,056 |
| ✔ | | Immaculate Ferreria (D) | 37.9 | 12,199 |
 | Jeff Benson (Independent) | 6.0 | 1,947 | |
| Total votes: 32,202 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
A special election for the position of Washington State Senate District 31 was called for November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on August 1, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 19, 2017.[14]
The seat was vacated by Pam Roach (R) after she won election to the Pierce County Council. Phil Fortunato (R) was appointed to fill the vacancy until the November election.
Michelle Rylands (D) and incumbent Phil Fortunato (R) ran in the top-two primary.[15] Fortunato defeated Rylands in the November 7 general election.
| Washington State Senate, District 31, Special Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Phil Fortunato |
57.3% | 16,893 | |
| Democratic | Michelle Rylands | 42.7% | 12,574 | |
| Total Votes | 29,467 | |||
| Source: Washington Secretary of State | ||||
2014
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 25 districts in the Washington State Senate took place in 2014. A blanket primary election took place on August 5, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 17, 2014. Incumbent Pam Roach (R) and Cathy Dahlquist (R) defeated Lynda Messner (D) in the primary. Roach defeated Dahlquist in the general election.[16][17][18][19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pam Roach Incumbent |
53.7% | 21,226 | |
| Republican | Cathy Dahlquist | 46.3% | 18,324 | |
| Total Votes | 39,550 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |
Pam Roach Incumbent |
40.5% | 9,120 | |
| Republican | Cathy Dahlquist |
39.2% | 8,836 | |
| Democratic | Lynda Messner | 20.3% | 4,585 | |
| Total Votes | 22,541 | |||
2010
- See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2010
Elections for the office of Washington State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 17, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Pam Roach defeated Republican Matt Richardson in the general election. Roach and Richardson defeated Democrats Ron Weigelt and Raymond Bunk in the blanket primary election.[20][21]
| Washington State Senate, District 31, General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Pam Roach Incumbent |
66.7% | 29,374 | |
| Republican | Matt Richardson | 33.3% | 14,651 | |
| Total Votes | 44,025 | |||
| Washington State Senate, District 31, Blanket Primary Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Pam Roach Incumbent |
40.9% | 10,317 | |
| Republican | Matt Richardson |
22.8% | 5,750 | |
| Democratic | Ron Weigelt | 19.8% | 5,009 | |
| Democratic | Raymond Bunk | 16.5% | 4,170 | |
| Total Votes | 25,246 | |||
Campaign contributions
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From 2000 to 2022, candidates for Washington State Senate District 31 raised a total of $2,139,187.
Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $112,589 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Washington State Senate District 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2022 | $299,271 | 3 | $99,757 |
| 2018 | $96,335 | 3 | $32,112 |
| 2017 | $151,023 | 1 | $151,023 |
| 2014 | $411,420 | 3 | $137,140 |
| 2010 | $235,386 | 4 | $58,847 |
| 2006 | $489,320 | 2 | $244,660 |
| 2002 | $453,543 | 2 | $226,772 |
| 2000 | $2,889 | 1 | $2,889 |
| Total | $2,139,187 | 19 | $112,589 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 44.04.021 Commencement of terms of office," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Washington," accessed February 10, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Washington Legislature, "Washington Constitution - Section Article II, Section 15," accessed February 8, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Washington State Standard, "Federal judge orders redrawing of Yakima Valley legislative district," August 10, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 U.S. District Court for the District of Washington at Seattle, "Case No. 3:22-cv-05035-RSL: Susan Soto Palmer v. Steven Hobbs," March 15, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "HCR 4407 - 2021-22," accessed February 9, 2022
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "State Senate passes changes to redistricting process as House approves final maps with changes," February 2, 2022
- ↑ The Spokesman Review, "Washington Senate passes changes to new districts, but not without some disagreement. February 8, 2022
- ↑ The Columbian, "Critics call for reform of Washington redistricting process after commission failure," November 29, 2021
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "Washington Supreme Court declines to redraw redistricting maps," December 4, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 All About Redistricting, "Washington," accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Governing.com, "Senate control up for grabs in 3 states' special elections," February 15, 2017
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 1, 2017 Primary Results," accessed August 1, 2017
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "2014 Candidates Who Have Filed," accessed May 20, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "August 5, 2014, Official Primary Results," accessed August 5, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Official general election results, 2014," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, August 17, 2010 Primary Results, September 3, 2010
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, Legislative - All Results, November 29, 2010
