Community Government

Caldier to seek state Senate seat

State Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, announced Dec. 6 that she plans to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Rep.-elect Emily Randall.

Caldier is about to begin her sixth term in the state House. She defeated Democrat Tiffiny Mitchell of Port Orchard in November to retain the seat.

Caldier said in a news release Friday that she plans to run in a special election in November 2025 for the state Senate seat.

“It has been an honor to serve my neighbors in the State House over the past ten years,” Caldier said in the news release. “I am running for the State Senate to bring balance back to our state. This is a critical Senate seat to stop a Democratic Party supermajority.”

Senate elections in 2025 and 2026

Democrats currently hold supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature. Voters elected Democrat Bob Ferguson governor in November, replacing Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, who did not seek a fourth term in Olympia.

That election will select a 26th District senator for the 2026 legislative session. The seat will be up for election again in November 2026.

Randall, D-Bremerton, was elected to Congress in the Nov. 5 election. She replaces longtime Sixth Congressional District Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who did not seek re-election.

With Randall set to resign on Sunday, Dec. 8, to assume her new role, the process to appoint her immediate successor is underway. The 26th District encompasses parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties, requiring a joint appointment effort between the two jurisdictions.

Immediate successor

In accordance with state law, the 26th District Democrats have nominated three candidates to fill the vacancy. They are Deb Krishnadasan, Laurel Kingsbury and Renee Hernandez-Greenfield. The Pierce County Council and Kitsap County commissioners will make the final selection.

A joint Pierce-Kitsap meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Red Barn Youth Center on the Key Peninsula just south of Key Center at 15921 84th St. NW. The meeting will include an opportunity for community members to share their input during a public comment period and observe the interview and appointment process.

Council members and commissioners expect to announce an appointment at the end of the meeting, said Pierce County Council Communications Manager Bryan Dominique.

The meeting is open to the public and also available via Zoom.

Krishnadasan served on the Peninsula School Board for six years and has worked as a volunteer in education for the past 15 years. Kingsbury is a teacher in the Peninsula School District, a PenMet Parks commissioner and former congressional staffer. Hernandez-Greenfield is a tribal member who works in early childhood education and is an adjunct professor at Tacoma Community College.