U.S. House, Washington - 1st District
Puget Sound (west and east) -- North Seattle suburbs
Race Information
- Incumbent: Rep. Jay Inslee, D
- First Elected: 1998 (6th term)
- Last Elected: 2006 (67.72%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Safe Democrat
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
Nestled on Washington’s Puget Sound between mountain ranges to the east and west, the 1st has become a suburban haven. The district is home to wealthy residents who work at technology giants and biotechnology companies located throughout the greater Seattle area.
Naval bases spur the economy on the west side of the Sound. The eastern portion of the 1st, which includes the northern borders of Lake Washington and runs along the eastern coast of the Sound, accounts for more than 80 percent of the district’s population. Aviation and technology companies located here continue to drive the district’s population growth. Bothell, in southern Snohomish, hosts many biotechnology, biomedical and technology firms’ headquarters and manufacturing sites.
Tourism also is important to the 1st. Travelers can take a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island or drive north on Interstate 5 to one of the casinos in the 2nd District. In the Sammamish River Valley, the 1st is home to leading Washington state wineries — Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia — and outdoor recreation sites, while the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour attracts visitors to Mukilteo.
Democrats have the edge in the district, with its well-educated, socially liberal professionals. The Snohomish portion is the most politically competitive of the three counties; the King and Kitsap county portions are slightly more Democratic.
Major Industry
Software, military, aviation, tourism
Military Bases
Naval Base Kitsap (Bangor), 5,743 military, 2,779 civilian (2004); Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport, 33 military, 1,417 civilian (2005)
Cities
Kirkland (pt.), 44,406; Edmonds, 39,515; Shoreline (pt.), 35,694; Seattle Hill-Silver Firs (unincorporated), 35,311; Redmond (pt.), 34,759
Notable
Poulsbo is home to the annual Scandinavian celebration Viking Fest; The Junior Softball World Series is played each summer in Kirkland.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 654,904
- Under 18: 26%
- Over 65: 10%
- Married: 58.2%
- Non-Hispanic White: 82%
- Black: 2%
- Hispanic: 4%
- Asian: 8%
- Foreign Born: 12.0%
- Language other than English: 14.3%
- Median Household Income: 58,565
- Owner Occupied Housing: 68%
- Income above $200k: 3.1
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 69.4%
- Blue Collar: 18.3%
- Services: 12.3%
- Bachelor's Degree: 36%
- Graduate Education: 11.1%
- Civilian Veterans: 71,017
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Jay Inslee (D) | 144,266 | 69.1% |
| Larry Ishmael (R) | 64,371 | 30.8% | ||
| 2006 | general | Jay Inslee (D) | 163,832 | 67.7% |
| Larry Ishmael (R) | 78,105 | 32.3% | ||
| 2004 | general | Jay Inslee (D) | 204,121 | 62.3% |
| Randy Eastwood (R) | 117,850 | 36% | ||
| Charles Moore (LIBERT) | 5,798 | 1.8% | ||
| 2002 | general | Jay Inslee (D) | 114,087 | 55.6% |
| Joe Marine (R) | 84,696 | 41.3% | ||
| Mark Wilson (LIBERT) | 6,251 | 3% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 56% | George W. Bush: 42% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 53% | George W. Bush: 42% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAGUE, JANE (R) | December 31, 2007 | ||||||
| EASTWOOD, RANDLE FREDRICK (R) | June 30, 2006 | $10,000.00 | |||||
| ISHMAEL, LARRY WAYNE (R) | September 30, 2008 | $51,730.00 | $49,230.00 | $32,230.00 | $2,496.00 | $17,200.00 | |
| INSLEE, JAY R MR. (D) | November 24, 2008 | $1,025,308.00 | $735,215.00 | $5,000.00 | $449,881.00 | $1,093,456.00 | |
