# Washington's 1st congressional district

Washington's 1st congressional district encompasses parts of King and Snohomish counties. The district covers several cities in the north of the Seattle metropolitan area, east of Interstate 5, including parts of Bellevue, Marysville, and up north toward Arlington.
In presidential elections, the 1st district has leaned Democratic. Under current boundaries, Barack Obama swept the district in 2008 and 2012, with 60% of the vote each time. Hillary Clinton won the district with 59% in 2016, Joe Biden received 63% in the district in 2020, and Kamala Harris received 62% here in 2024.

## History
### Pre-2012

Prior to the 2012 redistricting, the district encompassed part of Northwest Seattle and largely suburban areas north and east of Seattle, including Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Kenmore, Bothell, Kirkland, and Redmond, as well as Bainbridge Island and part of the Kitsap Peninsula. Until March 20, 2012, it was represented by Democrat Jay Inslee from Bainbridge Island. Inslee resigned to focus on his run for Governor of the state; the seat remained vacant until the special election that coincided with the November 2012 general election.
The former House seat of powerful U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, the district was a swing district throughout much of the 1990s, changing hands and parties three times in four elections. Before the election of future U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell in 1992, the district had been in Republican hands for 40 years (and 42 of the previous 46 years). Since the 1998 election, when Inslee was first elected, the growing Democratic trend in the Seattle area enabled him to turn it into a fairly safe seat. He had been re-elected six times, with little difficulty, most recently in 2010.

### Post-2012

The 2012 redistricting drastically changed the 1st district. Much of this area was previously part of the 2nd district, but in the new map, the 2nd has shrunk significantly. Jay Inslee (D) was the representative of the 1st district until resigning to run for governor of the state, but most of the district has been represented by Rick Larsen (D), of the 2nd district, in the past.
Soon after the 2012 general election polls closed, the Seattle Times and national news organizations called the district for Democrat Suzan DelBene, defeating Republican John Koster with a margin that the Seattle Times called "unexpectedly decisive", reflecting the difficulty of predicting the vote in the new district. The certified results confirmed her significant margin. DelBene also won the election for the remainder of Inslee's term in the old first district, and after being sworn in on November 13, 2012.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 60% - 38% |
| 2010 | Senate | Murray 53% - 47% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 60% - 40% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 59% - 33% |
| 2016 | Senate | Murray 60% - 40% |
| 2016 | Governor | Inslee 55% - 45% |
| 2016 | Lt. Governor | Habib 58% - 42% |
| 2016 | Secretary of State | Wyman 54% - 46% |
| 2016 | Auditor | McCarthy 52% - 48% |
| 2016 | Attorney General | Ferguson 68% - 32% |
| 2018 | Senate | Cantwell 62% - 38% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 63% - 33% |
| 2020 | Governor | Inslee 61% - 38% |
| 2020 | Secretary of State | Wyman 52% - 48% |
| 2020 | Treasurer | Pellicciotti 57% - 43% |
| 2020 | Auditor | McCarthy 62% - 38% |
| 2020 | Attorney General | Ferguson 60% - 40% |
| 2022 | Senate | Murray 62% - 37% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State (Spec.) | Hobbs 55% - 41% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 62% - 34% |
| 2024 | Senate | Cantwell 63% - 37% |
| 2024 | Governor | Ferguson 59% - 40% |
| 2024 | Lt. Governor | Heck 60% - 40% |
| 2024 | Secretary of State | Hobbs 64% - 36% |
| 2024 | Treasurer | Pellicciotti 61% - 39% |
| 2024 | Auditor | McCarthy 62% - 38% |
| 2024 | Attorney General | Brown 60% - 40% |
| 2024 | Commissioner of Public Lands | Upthegrove 57% - 43% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
King County (12)
    Bellevue (part; also 9th), Bothell (shared with Snohomish County), Clyde Hill, Cottage Lake (part; also 8th), Hunts Point, Kenmore, Kirkland, Medina, Redmond (part; also 8th), Union Hill-Novelty Hill (part; also 8th), Woodinville, Yarrow Point
Snohomish County (32)
    Alderwood Manor, Arlington, Bothell (shared with King County), Bothell East, Bothell West, Brier, Bunk Foss, Cathcart, Cavalero, Chain Lake, Clearview, Eastmont, Fobes Hill, High Bridge, Lake Cassidy, Lake Stevens, Larch Way, Lochsloy, Machias, Maltby, Martha Lake, Marysville (part; also 2nd), Mill Creek, Mill Creek East, Monroe, Monroe North, Mountlake Terrace, North Lynwood (part; also 2nd), Silver Firs, Sisco Heights, Snohomish (part; also 8th), Three Lakes

## List of members representing the district

Beginning in 1909, members were elected from districted seats, instead of at-large statewide. (See Washington's at-large congressional district.)
| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District established March 4, 1909 ||||||
| William E. Humphrey (Seattle) | Republican | March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1917 | 61st 62nd 63rd 64th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| John Franklin Miller (Seattle) | Republican | March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1931 | 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st | Elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Lost renomination. |
| Ralph Horr (Seattle) | Republican | March 4, 1931 – March 3, 1933 | 72nd | Elected in 1930. Lost renomination. |
| Marion Zioncheck (Seattle) | Democratic | March 4, 1933 – August 7, 1936 | 73rd 74th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Died. |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 7, 1936 – January 3, 1937 | 74th | |
| Warren Magnuson (Seattle) | Democratic | January 3, 1937 – December 13, 1944 | 75th 76th 77th 78th | Elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Retired to run for U.S. senator and resigned when elected. |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 13, 1944 – January 3, 1945 | 78th | |
| Hugh De Lacy (Seattle) | Democratic | January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947 | 79th | Elected in 1944. Lost re-election. |
| Homer Jones (Bremerton) | Republican | January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1949 | 80th | Elected in 1946. Lost re-election. |
| Hugh Mitchell (Seattle) | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953 | 81st 82nd | Elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Retired to run for Governor of Washington. |
| Thomas Pelly (Seattle) | Republican | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1973 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Retired. |
| Joel Pritchard (Seattle) | Republican | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1985 | 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th | Elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Retired. |
| John Miller (Seattle) | Republican | January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1993 | 99th 100th 101st 102nd | Elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Retired. |
| Maria Cantwell (Mountlake Terrace) | Democratic | January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | 103rd | Elected in 1992. Lost re-election. | |
| Rick White (Bainbridge Island) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999 | 104th 105th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Lost re-election. | |
| Jay Inslee (Bainbridge Island) | Democratic | January 3, 1999 – March 20, 2012 | 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Resigned to run for Governor of Washington. | |
| Jay Inslee (Bainbridge Island) | Democratic | January 3, 1999 – March 20, 2012 | 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Resigned to run for Governor of Washington. | 2003–2013 |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 20, 2012 – November 6, 2012 | 112th | | 2003–2013 |
| Suzan DelBene (Medina) | Democratic | November 6, 2012 – present | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected to finish Inslee's term. Elected to full term in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2003–2013 |
| Suzan DelBene (Medina) | Democratic | November 6, 2012 – present | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected to finish Inslee's term. Elected to full term in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2013–2023 |
| Suzan DelBene (Medina) | Democratic | November 6, 2012 – present | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected to finish Inslee's term. Elected to full term in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present |

## Recent election results
### 2010

United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jay Inslee (incumbent) | 172,642 | 57.67 |
| | Republican | James Watkins | 126,737 | 42.33 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 299,379 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2012 short term (2010 boundaries)

United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2012 One Month Short Term :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene | 216,144 | 60.42 |
| | Republican | John Koster | 141,591 | 39.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 357,735 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2012

United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 177,025 | 53.94 |
| | Republican | John Koster | 151,187 | 46.06 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 328,212 | 100.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 4, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 124,151 | 55.04 |
| | Republican | Pedro Celis | 101,428 | 44.96 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 225,579 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 8, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 193,619 | 55.42 |
| | Republican | Robert J. Sutherland | 155,779 | 44.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 349,398 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 6, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 197,209 | 59.27 |
| | Republican | Jeffrey Beeler | 135,534 | 40.73 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 332,743 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 3, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 249,944 | 58.6 |
| | Republican | Jeffrey Beeler | 176,407 | 41.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 511 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 426,862 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 8, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 181,992 | 63.5 |
| | Republican | Vincent Cavaleri | 104,329 | 36.4 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 363 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 286,684 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2024

Washington's 1st Congressional District - November 5, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Suzan DelBene (incumbent) | 227,213 | 63.0 |
| | Republican | Jeb Brewer | 132,538 | 36.7 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 907 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 360,658 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |