Politics & Government
Wyman Secures 3rd Term As Washington Secretary Of State
Kim Wyman is now the only Republican elected to statewide office on the West Coast. She carried all but four of Washington's 39 counties.
OLYMPIA, WA — Secretary of State Kim Wyman has comfortably landed a third term serving in Washington's number three job, holding off a challenge by outgoing Democratic State Rep. Gael Tarleton by about six percentage points in the latest returns.
The Associated Press called the race in Wyman's favor Thursday night, shortly before she declared victory. Tarleton formally conceded the race Friday morning.
"I want to thank all voters, even those who did not support me, for exercising their right to vote in this important election," Wyman wrote. "Know that in my capacity of Secretary of State, I represent all Washingtonians."
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As I look ahead to the next four years, I am excited to continue our office’s work on fortifying our elections system, building a state-of-the art facility to protect our archival and library treasures, and collaborating with the legislature in a bipartisan manner. 2/4
— Kim Wyman (@KimWyman12) November 6, 2020
I am so grateful to everyone who supported this campaign. We stood up to defend our democracy when it needed us the most. Although the votes didn't go my way, your voices have reshaped the debates about the future of voting rights and election security in our state. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/c57teqDca3
— Gael Tarleton (@GaelTarleton) November 6, 2020
As of Thursday night, Wyman captured majority support in 35 of Washington's 39 counties, while Tarleton led only in King, Jefferson, Whatcom and San Juan.
The Associated Press reports Wyman was one of three Republicans serving in statewide office before the Nov. 3 election. After Mike Pellicciotti won his race for Washington State Treasurer over incumbent Republican Duane Davidson, and Oregon flipped its Secretary of State's office blue, Wyman is now the sole Republican.
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Tarleton, a four-term Democratic state lawmaker from Seattle, is leaving the legislature at the end of the year.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the 36th District and all Washingtonians in the People's House during the past eight years, and it was such a difficult decision to not seek re-election," Tarleton wrote. "But this is the race I knew I had to run."
As of Thursday evening, statewide voter turnout sat at 84 percent, drawing within striking distance of the 84.6 percent participation record reached in 2008. The Secretary of State's office estimates there are more than 230,000 ballots left to count, and final turnout figures could still rise. The election results will be certified by Tuesday, Nov. 24.
View the latest statewide results, or narrow by county:
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