The2012WashingtonState Senate elections took place on November 6, 2012.[1] Twenty-five of Washington's forty-nine state senators were elected. Each state legislative district has one senator elected to a four-year term, but state senate elections alternate so that about half of the senators are elected in presidential election years (e.g., 2008, 2012) and the other half are elected in non-presidential even numbered election years (e.g., 2010,2014). A top two primary election on August 7, 2012 determined which candidates appear on the November ballot. Candidates were allowed to self-declare a party preference.
25 seats were regularly scheduled to be up this cycle, along with 1 additional seat holding a special election to fill an unexpired term: the 46th district, held by appointed SenatorDavid Frockt, whose former incumbentScott White vacated the seat.
Democrats gained the 5th district seat and Republicans gained the 10th and 25th district seats for a net gain of one seat for the Republicans. While the Democratic Party won a majority of the seats in the election, two Democratic senators joined the Republicans to form theMajority Coalition Caucus on December 10, 2012, giving Republicans an effective majority of seats.[2]
^Including the 27th district, an open seat with two Democrats running against each other in the general election.
On December 10, 2012, two Democratic Senators[a] joined in a coalition with the Republican Caucus to form a conservative majority, called the "Majority Coalition Caucus".[2]
^abOnDecember 10, Democratic Senators Sheldon and Tom announced they would caucus with the Republicans, creating a conservative coalition majority (25-24).[3]
Original incumbentCheryl Pflug resigned in June 2012 to take a seat on the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.[5] Former state senator and recurring statewide-office candidateDino Rossi was appointed to complete her term, but redistricting moved him out of the 5th LD, making him ineligible to run for the seat in 2012.[6]
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