2024 Election Results for Newcastle, WA: A Post-Election Analysis

Newcastle, WA — The 2024 election brought significant decisions to the forefront for Washington State, from pivotal federal races to crucial state ballot measures. With the results now in, we take a closer look at how the outcomes align with the recommendations in our pre-election voting guide and what these results may mean for Newcastle and beyond.

This article breaks down the final results of each key race and initiative, comparing the actual outcomes with our voting guide’s endorsements. Let’s dive into the highlights from the federal, state, and local elections.

Overview of the Voting Guide Endorsements

In our voting guide, we endorsed candidates and stances based on values that prioritize LGBTQ+ rights, public health, education, environmental protection, and equitable representation. Here’s a quick summary of the guide’s endorsements:

• Federal Races: Kamala Harris & Tim Walz for President, Maria Cantwell for Senate, and Adam Smith for Congressional District 9.
• Statewide Offices: Bob Ferguson for Governor, along with other Democratic candidates for key offices.
• Ballot Initiatives: A “No” vote on initiatives 2066, 2109, 2117, and 2124 to support clean energy, education funding, climate goals, and WA Cares.
• Local Propositions: A “Yes” vote on the Issaquah School District Proposition No. 1 to improve school facilities.

Below, we’ll analyze how these endorsements held up against the actual results.

Federal Election Results

U.S. Presidential Race

Washington State decisively supported Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (58.6%) over Donald Trump and JD Vance, though Trump ultimately won the national election. This outcome signals potential shifts in federal policies that could impact LGBTQ+ rights, funding for social programs, and protections for marginalized communities in Washington and Newcastle. Harris’s strong showing in Washington aligns with our guide’s endorsement, though her national loss raises concerns.

Discussion of Implications:
Trump’s administration is expected to pursue policies that could negatively affect LGBTQ+ rights, protections, and resources, potentially rolling back progress made under previous administrations. For Washington and Newcastle’s LGBTQ+ residents, this may mean substantial changes in several key areas:

• LGBTQ+ Rights and Protections: Trump’s administration may prioritize conservative judicial appointments, potentially leading to rulings that undermine LGBTQ+ rights, including anti-discrimination protections in employment, housing, and healthcare. The rollback of federal support for LGBTQ+ rights could embolden conservative lawmakers to propose or support state-level legislation that limits protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. For Newcastle residents, this may mean increased vulnerability to discrimination, especially for transgender individuals and those who rely on inclusive workplace protections.
• Healthcare Access for LGBTQ+ Individuals: The previous Trump administration introduced rules allowing healthcare providers to refuse services based on religious beliefs, disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming care. If similar policies are reinstated, LGBTQ+ residents in Newcastle could face new obstacles to accessing essential healthcare, potentially limiting options for affirming and non-discriminatory medical providers.
• Mental Health and Social Services: LGBTQ+ youth and adults often rely on federally funded mental health and social service programs that offer support in the face of discrimination and mental health challenges. Under an administration that may reduce funding or prioritize religious-based service providers, there could be fewer safe, inclusive resources for LGBTQ+ people. Newcastle’s LGBTQ+ community may see a decrease in federally supported counseling, crisis intervention, and social services, particularly impacting LGBTQ+ youth who are already at higher risk of mental health issues and homelessness.
• Education and Safe School Environments: Federal policies under Trump could include support for measures that limit discussions of LGBTQ+ identities in schools or restrict student access to inclusive curricula. Such policies contribute to hostile school environments and limit LGBTQ+ students’ ability to see themselves reflected positively in their education. Newcastle families with LGBTQ+ students may face challenges in maintaining supportive and affirming school environments, as federal influence over educational guidelines may shift away from inclusivity.

While Washington State has its own robust protections for LGBTQ+ rights, including inclusive state policies and anti-discrimination laws, a hostile federal administration could create new obstacles. Federal funding, national rhetoric, and judicial rulings could shape the landscape in ways that complicate or even counteract state-level protections.

Local Resilience and Advocacy: Despite potential setbacks at the federal level, Washington has strong advocacy networks committed to upholding LGBTQ+ rights. Local organizations, alongside state officials like Maria Cantwell and Adam Smith, are likely to play a critical role in defending these rights and advancing protections even in the face of federal opposition. Community resilience and local advocacy will be crucial in maintaining safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ residents in Newcastle.

Statewide Executive Results

Washington’s statewide offices saw Democratic victories across the board, in line with our guide’s endorsements:

• Governor: Bob Ferguson won with 56.4%.
• Lieutenant Governor: Denny Heck (56.7%) vs. Dan Matthews.
• Attorney General: Nick Brown (56.3%) vs. Pete Serrano.
• Secretary of State: Steve Hobbs (59.6%) vs. Dale Whitaker.
• State Treasurer: Mike Pellicciotti (73.97%) vs. Sharon Hanek.
• State Auditor: Pat McCarthy (74.82%) vs. Matt Hawkins.
• Commissioner of Public Lands: Dave Upthegrove (53.1%) vs. Jaime Herrera Beutler.
• Superintendent of Public Instruction: Chris Reykdal (53.8%) vs. David Olson.
• Insurance Commissioner: Patty Kuderer (57.2%) vs. Phil Fortunato.

These results demonstrate strong alignment with our guide’s recommendations, underscoring voter support for candidates committed to climate initiatives, healthcare, and accessible public services. Each win further solidifies a progressive approach in statewide policies.

Ballot Initiatives

Each of the four ballot measures carried significant implications for environmental protection, social services, and public funding. Here’s how they fared compared to the guide’s recommendations:

• Initiative 2066 (Ensure Access to Natural Gas): Passed with 51.2%, going against the guide’s “No” recommendation.
• Initiative 2109 (Repeal Capital Gains Tax): Rejected with 63.2%, aligning with the guide’s recommendation to protect education funding.
• Initiative 2117 (Prohibit Carbon Tax Credit Trading): Rejected with 61.7%, supporting the guide’s stance to uphold climate goals.
• Initiative 2124 (Allow Employees to Opt Out of WA Cares): Rejected with 55.5%, consistent with the guide’s endorsement to preserve WA Cares.

The outcomes show strong voter support for maintaining climate and social service initiatives, except for Initiative 2066, where voters diverged from the guide’s recommendation to oppose expanding access to natural gas. This exception may reflect public concerns about energy affordability or alternative solutions for the state’s energy future.

41st Legislative District Results

In the 41st District, Democratic incumbents prevailed in line with our guide’s endorsements:

• State Senator: Lisa Wellman (70.2%) vs. Jaskaran Sarao.
• Representative Position 1: Tana Senn (68.6%) vs. Emily Tadlock.
• Representative Position 2: My-Linh Thai (66.3%) vs. Al Rosenthal.

These results affirm continued support for experienced Democratic legislators focused on education, healthcare, and environmental issues at the state level.

Judicial and Local Propositions

• State Supreme Court Justice Position No. 2: Sal Mungia won with 64.77%, reflecting the guide’s endorsement for a fair judiciary.
• King County Superior Court Judge Position No. 41: Paul M. Crisalli prevailed with 74.37%.
• Issaquah School District Proposition No. 1: Rejected by a narrow margin (50.60% opposed, 49.40% in favor). Note: This proposition required 60% approval to pass. Despite the guide’s “Yes” endorsement, the measure did not meet the threshold, potentially affecting future school funding and facility improvements in the district.

Summary of Alignment with the Voting Guide

The voting guide’s recommendations aligned with the majority of the election outcomes, with a few key exceptions in the federal and local measures:

• Federal Races: Mostly aligned with the guide’s recommendations, although the national victory went to Trump rather than to the guide’s endorsed candidates, Harris and Walz.
• State Races: Fully aligned with the guide’s endorsements, with all endorsed candidates winning their respective races.
• Ballot Measures: Mostly aligned. The only exception was Initiative 2066, which passed, contrary to the guide’s “No” recommendation.
• Local Measures: Partially aligned. The Issaquah School District Proposition No. 1 was rejected, despite the guide’s “Yes” endorsement.

These results suggest strong voter support for the guide’s endorsed policies and candidates, reinforcing Newcastle’s values around LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protection, education, and social equity.

Conclusion

The 2024 election results highlight Newcastle’s alignment with progressive and community-centered values, even amidst a shifting national landscape. From federal offices to state initiatives, voters largely endorsed policies that support a sustainable and inclusive future for Washington and specifically for the LGBTQ+ community.

As we move forward, it’s crucial for residents to stay engaged, advocate for their priorities, and hold these elected officials accountable to the promises made. The coming years will reveal how these choices shape Newcastle and Washington State, and we will continue to provide updates on key developments impacting our community.