Chad Magendanz is the kind of Republican who used to dominate legislative races in Seattle’s Eastside suburbs.

A software developer turned high school teacher, Magendanz served four years in the state House, carving out a moderate reputation, but lost a tight race when he tried a leap to the state Senate in 2016.

He has since lost three comeback attempts. This year is his fourth, as he’s trying to unseat Sen. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah.

Across the Eastside suburbs, voters have for several years favored Democrats like Hunt, a data scientist who was elected to the state House in 2024 and appointed to the Senate in June after the death of Sen. Bill Ramos.

The race in East King County’s 5th Legislative District will test whether Democrats face any meaningful electoral backlash for their bud

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