Washington state’s 19th Legislative District incumbent Reps. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, and Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, along with Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, hold substantial leads against their Democratic challengers, according to preliminary election results released by the Washington Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday.
McEntire faced off against Terry Carlson, Walsh was challenged by Mike Coverdale and Wilson faced Andi Day.
Currently, McEntire leads Carlson by a count of 33,705 to 20,941, or 61.6% to 38.27%.
Walsh leads Coverdale by a vote count of 32,870 to 22,246, or 59.56% to 40.31%.
Wilson leads Day by a vote count of 33,225 to 21,379, or 60.78% to 39.11%.
Preliminary results will be updated as each county within the 19th Legislative District — Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties — reports new vote tabulation results.
The Washington Secretary of State will certify final election results on Dec. 5.
To view preliminary election results for the races in the 19th Legislative District, visit the Secretary of State’s website at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20241105/legislativedistrict19.html.
McEntire vs Carlson
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served for 13 years and deployed three times, McEntire was first elected to the Washington state House in 2020. He serves on the state House Capital Budget, K-12 Education and Higher Education committees.
He also worked as a public school teacher, a program counselor for graduate students and a private math tutor.
“In the past four years, I have been a voice in Olympia for common sense, and a government that honors taxpayer dollars and intends to spend them wisely. Clearly, there is much more work that needs to be done,” McEntire said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “With schools that are failing and infrastructure efforts mismatched with allocated funds, we can do so much better for the taxpayers of Washington state. My efforts and voice will continue to advocate for the interests of Southwest Washington and the good people here.”
A lifelong Washingtonian who has lived in Longview for eight years and now works in the timber industry, Carlson is a member of the International Association Machinists/Woodworkers Union W536 in which he is an active volunteer working as its recording secretary and organizer.
He is also the vice president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council.
“We have opportunities ahead that need effective representation in Olympia. Our 19th Legislative District representative’s extreme views result in very little legislative state funding for infrastructure projects,” Carlson said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “I trust the majority of citizens of the 19th Legislative District value and believe the following: Public education, workers’ rights, women’s healthcare/pro-choice/privacy, dignity and respect for all people, future working-class opportunities in energy, natural resources and small business, anti-corporate greed (and) democracy. I fight for the working class. I cooperate with others to get things done in Olympia. We deserve better.”
Walsh vs Coverdale
After first being elected to the representative position in 2016 while owning a small publishing business, Walsh has remained in office ever since and is the current Washington state Republican Party chairman.
He also is the ranking Republican in the state House’s Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee along with being a member of the House’s Human Services, Youth and Early Learning, and Rules and Transportation committees.
“Thanks for trusting me to represent you in Olympia. Common sense has been rare at the Capitol lately, but our values are popular statewide. While Seattle extremism increases crime, hurts kids and kills jobs, I wrote — and passed into law — initiatives that fix Washington. Restore police pursuit of criminals. Confirm no state income tax. Create a parents’ bill of rights. More good reforms are coming,” Walsh said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “Leadership like this sets me apart from other lawmakers. With your vote, I’ll continue to defend our district and the state. Together, we’ll lower the cost of living, promote good schools and make our state safe again.”
A U.S. Army veteran who piloted Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopters, Coverdale is a Grays Harbor County resident who has served on the Westport Planning Commission, the Westport Tourism Committee, the Westport Chamber of Commerce, the Grays Harbor Fire District 3 Board, and as the Grays Harbor County Board of Adjustments chairman.
He currently works as an owner and designated broker for Windermere Real Estate in Westport.
“A Grays Harbor native, I returned home in 1991 after service as a helicopter pilot. Raising my family, leading on critical issues in our community and running a small business, I know the challenges we face. For 4 terms in office, Jim Walsh has failed to deliver. Having the loudest voice doesn’t mean others are listening,” Coverdale said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “We all lose when partisan politics take priority over getting things done! I understand how to communicate between parties with differing interests and will be a voice to ensure that policies and investments from Olympia address our unique challenges.”
Wilson vs Day
Having served as a state senator since being elected in 2020, Wilson is a small business owner who previously served a four-year term as a Port of Longview commissioner beginning in 2016.
Currently, he is the ranking member of the state Senate’s State Government and Elections Committee along with being a member of the Senate’s Housing and Local Government, Human Services and Transportation committees.
“As state senator, Jeff has kept his campaign promises to promote government transparency and accountability. Jeff has continually stood up against reckless spending and government overreach that continues to burden Washington families…” Wilson said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “Jeff has a proven track record of providing bipartisan legislation that supports the issues of the 19th District. We deserve representation that understands our District isn’t Seattle. Jeff knows our largely rural district has conservative values at the heart of our communities. With a proven track record and common sense approach to the important issues facing our communities, Jeff is prepared and ready to continue representing the people of the 19th Legislative District.”
While having no experience holding previous public office, Day is a small business owner who worked in the commercial fishing industry and has served as the vice chair of the Pacific County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and president of the State of Washington Tourism Board.
She has also served on Washington State University’s National Board of Advisors for the Carson College of Business, and worked as a destination marking, development and planning consultant.
“A fifth-generation Washingtonian and third-generation resident of the 19th Legislative District, I currently live in Seaview with my 13-year-old son. I understand the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities…” Day said in a statement for the 2024 Washington state voters pamphlet. “I am passionate about building rural economies and resilience, improving education and healthcare, protecting natural resource-based industries, ensuring access to affordable housing, improving infrastructure, protecting basic rights like access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion and IVF, and supporting responsible gun ownership. Being an effective voice in Olympia and making a difference for the people of the 19th requires working hard, serving with honor, listening to and representing everyone in the district. I will be in the room and at the table, working with others to get results for you.”
