2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Washington House District 38, Position 1

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

Julio Cortes

DemocraticIncumbent

In office now: State Representative, District 38 (since 2023)
Work: State Representative, 38th District; Manager of Economic Development, City of Everett

Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: State Representative; 2022-Present

Julio Cortes has been a Washington state representative since 2022. He is manager of economic development for the City of Everett and previously worked at Cocoon House on youth homelessness prevention.

As your Representative for the 38th District, I’ve spent four years delivering real results for working families and our communities, expanding affordable housing opportunities, standardizing juvenile diversion programs, strengthening wage theft protections for workers and much more. …

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

Cortes's experience

Elected experience: State Representative; 2022-Present
Other professional experience: Manager of Economic Development, City of Everett– working to sustainably grow the economy via business support, retention initiatives, and partnership development. Formerly at Cocoon House, supporting at-risk and homeless youth and families by working to break the cycle of homelessness through prevention programs.
Community service: Everett School District, former fiscal advisory committee member; Washington Housing Alliance, board member; Greater Seattle Partners, Global Marketing Council; Leadership Snohomish County, former board member; Everett Public Facilities District, former board of directors; Tourism Promotion Area, former board member; City of Everett, former diversity board member; Stations Unidos, board member.

Cortes's education

BA, Western Washington University

Cortes's committees

Appropriations
Early Learning & Human Services
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Sources for Cortes

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)

Thomas (Jeff) Kelly

Cascade

Work: Registered nurse and regional freight coordinator; Army veteran

Listed in the official Washington voters' pamphlet. Elected experience: Chair, Delta Neighborhood Association, Board member, Cascade Party of Washington, Army Family Readiness Group

Thomas (Jeff) Kelly is a U.S. Army veteran who has worked as an emergency medical technician, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse and regional freight coordinator. He chairs the Delta Neighborhood Association and serves on the Cascade Party of Washington board.

As an Army Combat Medic, Registered Nurse, Everett Delta Neighborhood Association Chair, and Family Readiness Group leader, I’ve served where results matter. I’m running to bring accountability and leadership to Olympia. I’ll prioritize supporting local industries, lowering taxes, and funding police and behavioral health services to improve public safety. …

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

Kelly's experience

Elected experience: Chair, Delta Neighborhood Association, Board member, Cascade Party of Washington, Army Family Readiness Group
Other professional experience: U.S Army Veteran, Emergency Medical Technician, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Regional Freight Coordinator
Community service: Delta Neighborhood Association Chair; Everett Council of Neighborhoods; Salvation Army; San Antonio Haven for Hope; Army Community Services Habitat for Humanity, San Antonio Pets Alive

Kelly's education

U.S Army School of Nursing, San Antonio Community College, Baptist School of Health Professions, Western Governors University, B.S. Health and Human Services (In-Progress)

Sources for Kelly

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.