Strong Showings By African American Candidates In 2020 State General Election

African American candidates had very good election night showings in the 2020 Washington State General Election. Initial election results show African Americans leading 10 of the 11 races they are involved in, with one race, the State Representative Position 2 contest in the 37^th District, pitting two African American candidates – Chukundi Salisbury and Kirsten Talley-Harris – going head-to-head to fill the seat vacated by former State Rep. Eric Pettigrew.

In the 10^th Congressional District, Former Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland built a 38,000 election night lead over Beth Doglio, and looks like she is on her way to become the first African American/Korean American from the state of Washington to be elected to Congress.

In state races, David Hackney garnered 61% of the vote and holds a 13,000 vote lead over incumbent State Rep. Zack Hudgins in the 11^th District.

In the 30^th District, Jamila Taylor picked up 59% of the vote and holds a 9,000 vote lead in her race for State Rep, while incumbent State Rep. Jesse Johnson has a commanding 12,000 vote lead in his bid for re-election.

In the 44^th District, State Rep. John Lovick looks to be well on his way to re-election with over 59% of the vote, and April Berg holds a 6,000 vote lead over her opponent for State representative.

State Rep. Debra Entenman garnered 60% of the vote in her bid for re-election and holds a 13,000 vote lead over her opponent.

Both T’wina Nobles, candidate for State Senate in the 28^th Dist., and Tanisha Harris, candidate for State Rep. in the 17^th District, hold slim 2,000 point leads over their opponents. If Nobles is successful in her bid to knock off incumbent State Senator Steve O’Ban, she will become the only African American to currently serve in the State Senate.

In the 37^th District, Kirsten Harris-Talley recorded 66% of the vote in her race against Chukundi Salisbury. Meanwhile, Joy Stanford, candidate for State Rep in the 26^th District, trailed her opponent by 5,000 votes.

Just two years ago, African Americans in the state of Washington celebrated five African Americans serving in the state house at the same time, and now it looks like we will be able to add to that historic total.