Everett A Republican incumbent and a Democratic challenger are set to compete for the Position 1 seat in Washington’s Legislative District 39 House delegation, after finishing nearly tied in the August primary. The Position 2 seat remains contested between Democrat Ida Keeley and Republican Steve Ewing, with Keeley holding a narrow lead in the primary vote.
In the Position 2 race, Ewing secured 26.8% of the primary vote, finishing second, while Keeley led with 45.8%. For Position 1, Democrat Kathryn Lewandowsky edged out incumbent Republican Sam Low by a margin of 104 votes, claiming 43.4% of the vote compared to Low’s 43.1%.
District 39 spans most of north Snohomish County and all of west Skagit County, encompassing communities such as Lake Stevens, Granite Falls, Darrington, and parts of Marysville.
Ballots were distributed to voters by Snohomish County on October 9, with Election Day set for November 3. County officials plan to certify local results on November 24, and the state will finalize its certification by December 3. State representatives earn an annual salary of $72,494.
Position 1: Kathryn Lewandowsky Lewandowsky, a 67-year-old semi-retired nurse based in Arlington, aims to draw on four decades of healthcare experience should she win office. In a May interview, she emphasized the inefficiencies embedded in the U.S. healthcare system, noting significant opportunities for cost savings and improved outcomes.
She argued that implementing universal healthcare in Washington could generate state-level savings, freeing up resources for housing, education, and other essential services. The United States, she pointed out, remains the sole developed nation without a universal healthcare guarantee.
To support housing affordability, Lewandowsky advocates for expanding social housing, models in which properties are held by resident collectives, public agencies, or nonprofits, with rent capped at 30% of a household’s income.
Her approach to addressing homelessness integrates housing and addiction services, though she cautions that neither alone provides a complete solution. In a recent email, she noted that Snohomish County’s response has increasingly centered on individuals already living outdoors, while overlooking those at risk of becoming unhoused before they reach that stage.
She stressed that service decisions should be grounded in measurable outcomes rather than ideology. “If we change the policy, then we must measure the results,” she said, adding that evidence-based evaluation should guide continued investment or redirection of programs.
On environmental policy, Lewandowsky supports a pause on active tree harvesting, not indefinitely, but long enough to rely first on naturally fallen timber. She also favors incentives for harvesting faster-regenerating materials as alternatives to slow-growing forest species, which are more effective at sequestering current carbon dioxide.
In transportation, she backs expanded investment in light rail and emerging technologies. Regarding public safety, she believes law enforcement must rebuild community trust through accountability and responsiveness.
Snohomish County Democrats, Skagit County Democrats, Washington State Stonewall Democrats, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility Victory Fund are among the organizations backing Lewandowsky's candidacy.
State records indicate that as of Tuesday, Lewandowsky had secured $10,930 in campaign contributions.
Sam Low
A resident of Lake Stevens, Low is 56 years old. He secured his seat representing District 39 Position 1 in 2022 and won reelection in 2024. He is currently serving his third and final term on the Snohomish County Council.
When contacted by email, Low stated he had no new developments to share since his prior interview prior to the August primary.
Should he remain in office, Low's primary focus would be the series of bridges situated east of Everett, referred to as the U.S. 2 trestle, which serves communities including Lake Stevens, Snohomish, and Monroe.
In a June interview, Low said he has been engaging with leadership within the House transportation committee and has already held discussions with Senate leaders regarding funding mechanisms. He noted that he is not a supporter of tolling.
Low and Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, announced earlier this month that the state Department of Transportation plans to release its proposal for replacing the trestle by November.
Following the release of those plans, Low stated that the responsibility lies with lawmakers to determine funding sources for the replacement and ensure it remains a top priority for state transportation officials.
Regarding the state's budget challenges, Low favors reducing expenditures rather than increasing taxes. However, he noted in June that Republicans have limited influence over the process.
Low stated that Republicans are excluded from the budgeting process, noting that they are given only 24 hours to review the proposal. He remarked that it is impossible to review 1,400 pages in that timeframe.
Low advocates for increased investment in special education programs, particularly in rural communities such as Concrete, Sedro-Woolley, and Granite Falls.
Low stated that the actual need for funding ranges between 18% and 23%, while the state has historically funded only about 13.5%. He noted that funding levels have been increased to 15%.
Regarding environmental concerns, Low suggested that western Washington needs to improve its readiness for potential wildfires. He noted that emergency management officials are preparing for such scenarios and that the area is better prepared for blackouts than other regions of the state, which is another issue his constituents must plan for.
On the subject of public safety, Low emphasized the need for further efforts to ensure immigrants feel secure. He noted that there are widespread concerns across the county regarding this matter, adding that individuals must feel safe within their homes and communities.
Steve Ewing, 51, a Lake Stevens resident and administrative hearings officer for the Washington State Department of Corrections, is running for Position 2. Ewing previously served six years on the city council before losing his bid for reelection last year. He did not respond to inquiries regarding recent developments following the August primary.
In a June interview, Ewing outlined his top priorities, which include education, public safety, infrastructure, and reducing state expenditures. He advocates for increased investment in vocational and trades programs. Furthermore, he called for additional research into the potential negative impacts of smartphones and laptops on students.
"We need to ensure that teaching time is dedicated to education rather than other activities that may occupy the classroom," a local candidate stated. "I would want to make sure that they are prioritizing the fundamentals such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science."
Regarding public safety, the candidate expressed a desire to balance accountability with necessary support services. He emphasized the need for access to mental health and chemical dependency treatment within the prison system.
"Individuals require access to mental health and chemical dependency treatment while incarcerated," the candidate noted. "While imprisonment is not always the answer, looking at bail amounts for various offenses suggests there is room for improvement."
On infrastructure, Ewing proposed that local mayors form a coalition to obtain funding for the replacement of the U.S. 2 trestle.
"Our district has highly capable mayors," he said. "We simply need to ensure they are coordinating with our state and federal representatives."
Addressing the state budget, Ewing characterized it as having a spending issue, arguing that core services should be funded before non-essential programs. He identified public safety, education, transportation, and mental health as the primary core services.
The candidate also proposed an audit of funds allocated under the Climate Commitment Act.
"We must verify that these resources are distributed appropriately and that we are utilizing our funds efficiently," he stated.
The Climate Commitment Act limits and lowers greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State by requiring major industrial polluters to purchase emission allowances. The revenue generated is intended to help the state nearly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
To address housing affordability, Ewing suggested easing building regulations.
"We need to review our rules, taxes, and fees to determine how they affect our capacity to construct new housing," he said.
Ewing has received endorsements from state Rep. Carolyn Eslick of Sultan, Rep. Sam Low of Lake Stevens, and Sen. Keith Wagoner of Sedro-Woolley. Additional support comes from 11 local elected officials, the Skagit County Republican Party, the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, and the Washington State Labor Council.
State campaign finance disclosures indicate that Ida Keeley has accumulated $59,618 in funds as of Tuesday.
A 49-year-old resident of Lake Stevens, Keeley serves as the founder of Engage LLC, where she operates as a leadership and strategic planning consultant. She previously co-founded the Dawsons Place Child Advocacy Center, an organization dedicated to supporting young abuse victims.
Speaking in a June interview, Keeley drew upon her personal background in both juvenile justice and child welfare systems to argue that the perspectives of victims are currently underrepresented in political discourse.
Her platform centers on four main priorities: shielding families and children, addressing cost-of-living pressures, ensuring adequate funding for education, and strengthening public safety.
In a recent email, Keeley noted that affordability is the primary concern voiced by constituents, particularly regarding the financial strain placed on seniors and households. To alleviate this pressure, she intends to advocate for reforms to the state’s tax structure, which she described as regressive, while also promoting domestic economic investments.
Keeley emphasized that public funds belong to taxpayers rather than politicians, suggesting various avenues for improving economic stability.
Regarding education, she argued that the entire system requires full financial support, extending beyond teacher salaries to include paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and other essential personnel.
On the topic of public safety, Keeley stated that the definition of safety varies among individuals and that legislators must engage in candid discussions about how to meet those needs. She proposed a dual approach that funds traditional law enforcement and the justice system alongside community-based resources and mutual aid initiatives.
Additionally, Keeley expressed support for a temporary halt on the construction of high-capacity data centers. She cited voter feedback indicating a desire for stronger safeguards before such facilities are approved in the district.
Transportation policy is another key focus, with Keeley identifying the U.S. 2 corridor as her highest priority. She also advocates for expanding infrastructure for walking, cycling, and public transit.
Keeley has received endorsements from several elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene of Medina, and state legislators Sen. John Lovick of Mill Creek, Sen. Marko Liias of Edmonds, Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self of Mukilteo, and Rep. Clyde Shavers of Oak Harbor.
Her support also includes more than a dozen organizations, such as the Tulalip Tribes, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, the Washington State Labor Council, the Washington State Council of Firefighters, the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee, and the Skagit County Democrats.