Washington's 6th Legislative District covers as far southwest as Medical Lake and as far northeast as Deer Park. Three Republicans currently represent the area in the state Legislature, and two are up for reelection this year. Their Democratic challengers are running on their party's traditional issues like the environment and affordable housing. So far, they've raised less than 10% of what their Republican opponents have.
HOUSE POSITION 1
Incumbent Rep. Mike Volz, 59, is a Republican currently serving his fourth term representing the 6th District. He is also the chief deputy treasurer for Spokane County. He is a certified public accountant with business degrees from Eastern Washington University and Gonzaga University.During the 2024 legislative session, with last year's fires in Medical Lake and near Elk in mind, Volz introduced a bill to loosen the requirements for people rebuilding their homes after wildfires, which was signed into law.
If re-elected, he hopes to complete his work to fund a multiuse day care in Hillyard and to continue serving on the transportation committee, which helped fund the North Spokane Corridor. He has fought against tax increases and is a strong advocate for keeping police on the streets, parental control of education, and business-friendly policies.
Volz is endorsed by Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels, Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner, and Mead School Board President Michael Cannon.
Opponent Steven McCray II is a 45-year-old Democrat campaigning for a seat in the Legislature for the first time. He is an elected water commissioner for Four Lakes Water District 10 and is finishing a bachelor's degree in social work from Eastern Washington University. McCray also represents the disabled community on the Spokane County Democrats Executive Board.
He is concerned about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport that are contaminating water in the West Plains. He is also running on housing concerns, hoping to make home ownership more affordable and renting more stable. Another top priority is education, especially apprenticeship programs in high school.
McCray is endorsed by the Carpenters Political Action Committee, the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund and the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Greater Washington and North Idaho.
HOUSE POSITION 2
Incumbent Rep. Jenny Graham, a Republican, was first elected to the state House in 2018. The 59-year-old is a former small business owner and a licensed cosmetologist. She also served in the Army Reserve.Decades ago, her sister was killed by Gary Ridgway, a serial killer who murdered at least 48 people in the 1980s and '90s. That experience has motivated her advocacy for abuse victims. This year, she served on the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, the Community Safety, Justice & Reentry Committee, and the Health Care & Wellness Committee.
Graham also sponsored a bill that aimed to create accountability measures for homeless services grants. The bill didn't pass, but one of Graham's goals moving forward is to improve transparency in state support programs.
Major contributors to Graham's campaign include the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Kaiser Aluminum, Puget Sound Energy, Chevron, the Washington Hospitality Association and the Washington State Troopers Political Action Committee.
This is opponent Michaela Kelso's second time challenging Graham. The 54-year-old Democrat first tried to unseat the incumbent in 2022.
Kelso grew up in Germany and moved to the United States in 1993 after marrying an American soldier. She decided to join the Army soon after moving to the U.S.
Kelso's major concerns are women's rights, including access to abortion, a well-funded education system, protecting the environment and investigating pollution. Plus, she wants to fight the housing crisis by encouraging multifamily homes and mixed use residential areas. She supports the right to own guns, but also supports putting some safety measures in place.
Kelso has been endorsed by Vote Vets, Equal Rights Washington, Humane Voters of Washington and the Washington State Labor Council. ♦
