Even though there are still a lot of ballots to be counted, African American political candidates throughout the area are posting strong performances in the Washington State 2020 Primary Election. With the top two vote-getters in each race advancing to the November General Election Ballot, it appears that most African American candidates will move on to the November Ballot.
While the results in most races are close, many political strategists believe that a significant number of the late ballot returns, which will be counted in the coming weeks, will favor African American candidates.
In the 10th Congressional District, Marilyn Strickland, who is looking to become from first African American to represent the State of Washington in Congress, looks like she will move on to the General Elections ballot in November as she has garnered 21.4% of the vote in a crowded field of 19 candidates.
In state legislative races, it appears that most African American candidates will also make their way to the General Election ballot. In the 28th Legislative District, T’wina Nobles, Democrat, holds a 453 vote lead over Republican Steve O’Ban in her quest to become the only African American to serve in the State Senate, currently there is no African American serving in the State Senate.
In the 30th Legislative District, two African American candidates hold commanding leads in their respective races. For State Rep. Pos. 1, Jamila Taylor currently has 44.09% of the vote, while State Rep. Jesse Johnson, who is looking to retain his seat in position number 2, has 58.18% of the vote.
Joy Stanford running for State Rep. Pos. 2 in the 26th Legislative District currently has 45.99% of the vote and appears to be headed for the November ballot to face Michelle Caldier, a Republican, who received 36.41% of the vote.
Incumbent State Rep. Melanie Morgan of the 29th District, who was guaranteed a spot on the November ballot as she only has one opponent in the race, has a commanding lead with 61.98% of the vote.
In the 11th District, David Hackney holds a 1,000 vote lead over incumbent Zack Hudgins in the race for State Rep. position 1.
In the 37th District, it looks like two African Americans will square off on the November ballot for State Rep. position 2, as Chukundi Salisbury (21.17% of the vote) and Kirsten Harris-Talley (49.66% of the vote) appear to have separated themselves from a crowded field of candidates.
In a message to his supporters Salisbury, who is optimistic about his campaign, said, “Our work is not done people!!! It has actually just begun!!! We have a lot of ground to make up and work to do in order to win the seat. Let’s Go!”
In the 44th District, April Berg, who is running for State Rep. Pos. 2, appears to be on her way to the November Ballot with 33.1% of the vote. Berg trails Mark A. James, a Republican candidate, but her candidacy is very promising as democratic candidates garnered over 54% of the votes in the race. For position 1, Incumbent John Lovick has 56.89% of the vote.
State Rep. Debra Entenman of the 47th District, who has only one opponent, has received over 58% of the vote. Entenman hopes that voters in November will allow her to continue her work in Olympia.
