Three open seats are up for grabs in Washington’s 44th Legislative District as Republican challengers attempt to displace Democratic incumbents. The district covers Snohomish, Mill Creek, and portions of Monroe and unincorporated Snohomish County. The county clerk’s office distributed mail-in ballots on Oct. 9, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.
In the race for the state Senate seat, a longtime local official, John Lovick, is running against a current school board director, Sherri Larkin.
For the Position 1 House seat, a local farmer, Chris Elder, is challenging incumbent Brandy Donaghy. In the Position 2 contest, incumbent April Berg is facing a property manager, Tonya Stadlman.
State Senate Candidate: Sherri Larkin
Sherri Larkin, 57, is a substitute teacher residing in unincorporated Snohomish and currently holds a seat on the Snohomish School District Board of Directors. She entered the race citing concerns over recent legislative actions, specifically the implementation of a millionaires tax and increases to the business and occupation tax.
Larkin noted that these policies have driven some acquaintances to relocate out of state and are preventing young professionals with stable employment from purchasing homes. She argues that alleviating the state’s budget issues requires reducing regulatory burdens on the private sector.
According to Larkin, when businesses are profitable, they expand their workforce, leading to broader economic growth and innovation. This growth, she contends, naturally generates more state revenue. Conversely, she believes that excessive regulation forces companies to downsize, lay off employees, or relocate, which worsens the fiscal crisis.
Larkin also intends to push for greater local autonomy for school districts and a revision to the state’s education funding structure to ensure equity across different regions. She cited electric school bus funding as an example, suggesting it may be more effective in urban centers than in rural areas.
Her platform includes measures to support local law enforcement to help retain officers and to address what she perceives as a gap in criminal prosecutions. On the issue of homelessness, Larkin opposes the "housing first" approach, which prioritizes securing housing before treating substance use disorders or securing employment. She believes that providing a home without addressing underlying needs such as addiction is insufficient.
In the 44th District, Larkin plans to champion the Highway 522 project, which involves widening the road to two lanes and adding an interchange at Paradise Lake Road. Although the design phase has begun, construction funding remains unsecured. Larkin anticipates that traffic volumes will rise due to new development in the area.
State filings indicate that Larkin had raised $50,698 for her campaign as of Wednesday. She has received endorsements from several local elected officials, including a Snohomish County Council member, the mayor of Snohomish, and a state representative. She is also backed by the 44th Legislative District Republicans, the Snohomish County Republican Party, and the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.
State Senate Candidate: John Lovick
Lovick, 75, has served in the State Senate since December 2021, stepping into the seat vacated when Steve Hobbs assumed the role of secretary of state. A resident of Mill Creek, he brings extensive public service experience to Olympia.
Prior to his Senate tenure, Lovick led Snohomish County as both sheriff and county executive. His legislative background includes two separate stints in the State House, totaling 14 years. He currently holds the position of vice chair on the Senate Transportation Committee.
During his Senate service, Lovick has advanced initiatives such as the Covenant Homeownership Program, designed to support households affected by historical housing discrimination. Last year, he secured passage of a law setting consistent qualifications for police chiefs, municipal marshals, and county sheriffs, though a recent court ruling halted several key elements of that measure.
Should he win reelection, Lovick has identified school and road safety, along with expanding access to well-compensated employment with benefits, as central priorities.
He also plans to expand regional law enforcement training facilities, citing the Arlington campus that launched in 2025 as a model.
“People want confidence that when an incident occurs, whether handled by state patrol, county sheriff’s office, or local police, the right officers are deployed to serve their community, and that recruitment stays strong,” he noted.
Affordability stands out as a key concern in the 44th Legislative District, according to Lovick. To address housing costs, he advocates for increased investment in the state’s Housing Trust Fund, which finances the development and maintenance of multifamily units. He also backs zoning policies that prioritize housing near transit access.
“We’re making progress, even if challenges remain,” he said. “The trajectory is clearly positive.”
On transportation, Lovick supports extending light rail service to Everett and promoting public transit ridership. In education, he emphasizes enhancing school security and ensuring equitable compensation for educators and support staff.
As of midweek, Lovick’s campaign had amassed $202,213 in contributions, with an additional $95,521 carried over from past cycles, according to state disclosures.
His endorsements include Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Snohomish County Treasurer Brian Sullivan, and Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson, among other elected leaders. Organizational backing spans the Washington State Labor Council, the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, and Snohomish County Indivisible.
Position 1. Brandy Donaghy
Donaghy, 53, joined the House in December 2021 after being selected to succeed Lovick. Living in unincorporated Everett and a U.S. Navy veteran, she now serves as vice chair of the House Transportation Committee.
Her legislative focus includes traffic safety and disaster readiness. In 2025, she sponsored a law requiring driver education for all drivers under 21, expanding the prior mandate that applied only to those under 18. In 2023, she introduced legislation establishing a statewide resilience initiative to bolster community preparedness for emergencies.
How swiftly a region bounces back from disruption strongly influences both residents’ physical and mental health and the broader regional economy, said Donaghy. She noted her longstanding commitment to this field, adding that she still has goals she intends to fulfill before concluding her public service.
Donaghy outlined a plan to introduce one major emergency preparedness law annually. For the upcoming session, she is targeting legislation focused on unreinforced masonry structures, which pose significant risk during seismic events due to their potential to fail without reinforcement. Another priority is a measure to inform pet owners about the ecological and animal welfare consequences of releasing domesticated animals into natural environments. She also backs Lovick’s proposal to tighten the legal blood alcohol concentration threshold for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%.
In the 44th Legislative District, Donaghy highlighted numerous bridges requiring modernization and added structural support. She emphasized an emphasis on maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure roads remain secure, with a triage system in place to determine which projects qualify as urgent.
Regarding state spending, Donaghy said she plans to examine current programs to verify that allocations serve their intended purposes effectively. On housing affordability, she expressed interest in expanding development beyond major transit corridors to include more rural communities. She pointed to mobile home parks that shutter without replacement elsewhere, noting their potential as stable, low-cost housing options, if sufficient land is preserved for such use.
Campaign finance records show Donaghy had secured $104,687 in contributions as of Wednesday, with an additional $27,134 carried over from her prior election effort. Her endorsements include the Washington State Labor Council, Snohomish County Democrats, and Planned Parenthood, among others.
Chris Elder, 41, operates a farm and resides in unincorporated Snohomish after completing a career in the U.S. Navy. He explained his motivation for seeking office as a desire to serve as a responsive public official, emphasizing action over criticism. Rather than focusing on rising costs or perceived weaknesses in the justice system, he said he prefers engaging directly in solutions.
Should he win, Elder plans to promote greater openness in how the state budget is developed and evaluated. He supports commissioning an independent, cross-party analysis of fiscal operations. Elder also advocates for reforms in both criminal justice and behavioral health services, and he has voiced reservations about the housing-first approach to homelessness. He backs increasing the presence of social workers alongside law enforcement during emergency responses, citing firsthand observation of their collaborative impact. Still, he cautioned that such efforts require robust backing for both disciplines to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Candidates for the 44th Legislative District have outlined their platforms, focusing on local infrastructure, economic policy, and public safety.
Elder, a challenger in the race, cited recent police ride-alongs in the district as evidence of rising homelessness, drug activity, and minor property offenses, with significant impacts observed in and around Mill Creek. The candidate also highlighted traffic concerns on Highway 2, proposing measures such as widening the roadway or installing additional medians, particularly near 88th Street in Snohomish. Elder argued that traffic congestion is a primary deterrent for potential new residents moving to the region.
Regarding environmental policy, Elder criticized the state’s Climate Commitment Act, a plan designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, stating that it has generated more government positions rather than tangible results. The candidate emphasized a balance between environmental stewardship and the financial well-being of residents, expressing dissatisfaction with billions of dollars in charges without corresponding outcomes.
According to state filings available as of Wednesday, Elder has accumulated $45,701 for the campaign. The candidate has secured endorsements from several local and state figures, including Snohomish Mayor Aaron Hoffman, Snohomish County Council members Sam Low and Nate Nehring. Additionally, Elder has received support from the Washington State Republican Party, the Snohomish County Republican Party, and the 44th Legislative District Republicans.
State Rep. Position 2
April Berg
Incumbent April Berg, 52, has held her seat in the House since 2021 and resides in Mill Creek. She currently serves as the chair of the House Finance Committee. Berg identified affordability as her leading priority for the upcoming legislative session, noting its critical impact on the 44th District.
Berg stated that further action is required in Olympia to assist families in managing the cost of living in Washington state. During her tenure, the representative has concentrated on tax policy, education, and local government matters. Her legislative record includes efforts to eliminate reduced school lunch fees and mandate the availability of free menstrual products in school bathrooms across the state. As finance committee chair, she drafted an amendment to the millionaires tax bill that expanded support for lower-income households.
Looking ahead, Berg expressed intent to develop a jobs package if she secures reelection. She advocated for continued dialogue regarding progressive revenue while arguing that economic growth is essential for creating affordable communities. On the state budget, she aims to balance program costs with eligibility numbers and supports an examination of tort reform. Berg described her approach to tort reform as victim-centered while remaining attentive to fiscal limitations, believing a balanced solution can improve the state’s financial health without neglecting those affected.
In the realm of public safety, Berg indicated a desire to provide law enforcement agencies with necessary resources while also scrutinizing the allocation of public safety funds.
A candidate for public office emphasized the substantial financial burden of the prison system, urging that discussions regarding fiscal sustainability and affordability must prioritize evaluating which public safety strategies are effective.
As of Wednesday, state filings indicate the campaign has collected $277,276, with an additional $25,000 carried over from a prior bid. The candidate has received endorsements from U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen, as well as backing from Washington Conservation Action, the Washington State Nurses Association, and the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund.
Tonya Stadlman
Tonya Stadlman, a 50-year-old property manager residing in Snohomish, is seeking a seat in the state Legislature. She decided to enter the race after observing how state housing regulations affect communities and property owners within her profession.
Stadlman argues that regulations such as the Clean Buildings Act are driving up housing expenses for both single-family and multifamily residences. She also noted difficulties in holding tenants accountable for unpaid rent. She stated that compliance costs associated with maintenance will ultimately be passed down to residents through rent increases, stressing the need to distinguish between necessary policies and those that create unintended financial consequences.
Beyond housing, Stadlman identified affordability and public safety as primary focuses. She intends to address affordability by reducing the tax burden on residents, noting that constituents in the 44th District frequently express feeling "taxed out" and that current levels are unsustainable. She also plans to investigate what the state can do to lower the cost of gasoline.
Regarding public safety, Stadlman stated she has observed the impact of homelessness and addiction in the Snohomish area. She expressed opposition to the housing first model, arguing that Washington must raise standards for low-barrier shelter entry. She emphasized the importance of ensuring individuals receive necessary assistance, such as detoxification or rehabilitation, by meeting them where they are and understanding their circumstances to establish a path forward that provides essential resources.
Stadlman expressed support for local law enforcement and intends to work toward increasing staffing levels across the state while ensuring individuals are held accountable for criminal activity. Regarding the state budget, she proposed auditing existing expenditures before authorizing funding for new initiatives.
State filings show Stadlman has raised $38,053 as of Wednesday. Her campaign website lists endorsements from Mill Creek City Council member Vincent Cavaleri and Snohomish County Council member Nate Nehring.