Thurston County could get new representation in Olympia after initial election-night results showed Democrat Carolina Mejia leading incumbent Republican Sen. Drew MacEwen in the 35th District state Senate race.

Mejia held a 3-point lead, or 1,380 votes out of about 43,000 counted, the Washington State Standard first reported. The 35th District covers all of Mason County and parts of Thurston and Kitsap counties.

More ballots will be tallied in the coming days, and results could change. Statewide, more than 2 million ballots had been counted as of Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Who are the candidates?

Mejia, 36, lives in Olympia and serves as a Thurston County commissioner, according to the Washington State Standard's voter guide.

She previously worked as a judicial assistant with Thurston County Superior Court. She holds a law degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Christian Brothers University.

On her campaign website, Mejia said she has served as a Thurston County commissioner since 2021 and as chair of the Board of Health.

MacEwen, 53, lives in Shelton and has served in the Legislature since 2013. He spent a decade in the state House before winning the 35th District Senate seat in 2022, according to his official legislative biography. He holds the title of Senate deputy Republican leader. A U.S. Navy veteran, MacEwen is also a business owner who founded Falcon Financial, Inc.

A well-funded contest

The race drew heavy spending. MacEwen raised about $310,000 in individual and business donations, while Mejia had about $429,000 to spend, the Kitsap Sun reported before the election.

Of Mejia's total, about $290,000 came from the Washington State Democrats, according to Public Disclosure Commission filings cited by the Kitsap Sun.

The Washington State Standard described the race as "a rare opportunity for a Democratic pickup this cycle."

Statewide picture

The 35th District contest played out against a broader Democratic wave. Initial tallies showed Democrats winning nine Republican-held seats in the state House, where the party entered the election with a 59-39 majority. All 98 House seats and 24 of the 49 Senate seats were on the ballot.

Democrats need seven House pickups to reach a two-thirds supermajority of 66 seats. Democratic political consultant Dean Nielsen said he expects his party to flip at least seven House seats, the Washington State Standard reported.

State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh offered a different view. Walsh said he sees Democrats picking up a couple of seats but falling short of the seven needed for a supermajority.

Republican state representatives in the 35th District held narrow leads in their own races, according to the Washington State Standard.

What's next

Ballot counting will continue through the week. Thurston County residents in the 35th District can track updated results through their county auditor's office.