2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Washington House District 16, Position 2

2 candidates, listed alphabetically.

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Washington uses a top-two primary: the two candidates with the most votes in the August 4 primary advanced, regardless of party preference.

Candidates

Skyler Rude

RepublicanIncumbent

In office now: State Representative, District 16 (since 2019)
Work: State Representative, 16th District; real estate broker and small business owner

Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: 16th District State Representative (2019–present); Assistant Minority Floor Leader; Chairman, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committee Officer for the Walla Walla County Republican Party

Skyler Rude has served in the Washington House since 2019 and is Assistant Minority Floor Leader. He is a real estate broker and small business owner, and previously worked as a legislative assistant in the state Senate and House and as an insurance agent (2009-2014).

Since joining the Legislature in 2019, he has built a reputation for bipartisan leadership focused on practical solutions and strong local representation. Skyler’s priorities include improving educational outcomes, supporting public safety, strengthening the local economy, and protecting services for vulnerable populations. …

Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State

Rude's experience

Elected experience: 16th District State Representative (2019–present); Assistant Minority Floor Leader; Chairman, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committee Officer for the Walla Walla County Republican Party
Other professional experience: Real Estate Broker and small business owner; Legislative Assistant, Washington State Senate (2017-18) and House of Representatives (2015-16); Insurance Agent (2009-14)
Community service: Past involvement: Care and Share Food Drive; Blue Mountain Action Council Board Member; Washington State Leadership Board Member; Walla Walla Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Advisory Board; Columbia Basin College EMS Program Advisory Committee

Rude's education

Walla Walla Community College
Western Governors University

Rude's committees

Appropriations
Education
Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Sources for Rude

Online Voters' Guide, General Election November 3, 2026 (Washington Secretary of State, Public record)
Washington State Legislature: current member roster (Washington State Legislature (legislative web services), Public record)
Washington State Legislature: committee information (Washington State Legislature (legislative web services), Public record)

Derek Sarley

Democratic

Work: Public relations agency leader; Walla Walla Public Schools board member

Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: Board of Directors of Walla Walla Public Schools since 2015, where we’ve raised graduation rates, expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, increased family engagement, and earned recognition as School Board of the Year. I’ve completed four terms as board president, advocated for our students as legislative representative, and served as president of WSSDA, representing all 295 Washington school districts.

Derek Sarley has worked 25 years in small business leadership, helping grow a public relations agency to about 100 employees. He has served on the Walla Walla Public Schools board since 2015, four terms as president, and was president of the Washington State School Directors' Association.

Washington is in a deep budget hole. Each year brings new taxes combined with cuts to priority areas like childcare and education. …

Candidate's statement in the official Washington voters' pamphlet · Washington Secretary of State

Sarley's experience

Elected experience: Board of Directors of Walla Walla Public Schools since 2015, where we’ve raised graduation rates, expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, increased family engagement, and earned recognition as School Board of the Year. I’ve completed four terms as board president, advocated for our students as legislative representative, and served as president of WSSDA, representing all 295 Washington school districts.
Other professional experience: 25 years in small business leadership, helping grow a small PR agency into a 100-person firm serving clients nationwide.
Community service: A decade coaching with the Blue Mountain Girls Softball Association. Blue Mountain Evening Rotary.

Sarley's education

Rice University, BA Economics and Political Science

Sources for Sarley

Online Voters' Guide, General Election November 3, 2026 (Washington Secretary of State, Public record)

Sources

Candidate list and race details

GENERAL 2026 Candidate List (VoteWA, election 899) (Washington Secretary of State, Public record)

What's included: U.S. Senate and House, statewide offices, every state legislative district on the ballot and statewide ballot measures.
Everything else: Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: voter.votewa.gov.
Candidate lists: As of Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.