Initial votes signal Shaun Scott as favorite for 43rd Legislative District seat

(The Center Square) – Shaun Scott is leading Democratic opponents in the race for the vacant 43rd Legislative District Position 2 seat with more than 50% of the vote.

As of Tuesday night, Scott has 54.8% of votes, with fellow Democrat Andrea Suarez trailing behind at 23.8%. If voting trends continue the two will face off for the seat in the 2024 November election.

The 43rd Legislative District was represented by Frank Chopp for 30 years until he announced his retirement in March. All of the Democratic candidates running for the open position would be first-time legislators if elected.

Chopp endorsed Scott to replace him as the 43rd Legislative District representative, saying that he has all of the qualities of an effective lawmaker.

Currently, Scott is the policy lead at the Statewide Poverty Action Network. He touted his resume on his campaign website including being a part of the coalition that secured the passage of the Working Families Tax Credit and the state capital gains tax.

Scott’s priorities on taxes include seeking more taxes against major corporations as a way to increase the state’s revenue, as well as enacting a munitions excise tax on all weapons manufacturers doing business in the state, and implement a statewide wealth tax among others.

Suarez is the founder of the volunteer group We Heart Seattle. She seeks more affordable housing and an approach to homelessness that emphasizes dignity and respect for those who are unhoused. Her other priorities include overhauling the school funding model, stronger gun safety laws, and more oversight of police.

Trailing in third on the first night of the Aug. 6 primary election is Daniel Carusello, an employee at the tech company Qualtrics. His biggest endorsement comes from The Seattle Times, which finds said Carusello exhibited more common sense than the other candidates. Despite this, Carusello is trailing with 17.6% of tallied votes so far.

Carusello’s priorities include rent control, adding two graduation requirements focused on financial literacy and digital safety, and supporting taxes that would increase the state’s revenue from high-income residents and exempt qualifying low-income residents.

The 43rd Legislative District represents the majority of Seattle’s downtown area, as well as the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Capitol Hill residents previously voted for Socialist Kshama Sawant to the Seattle City Council three times. Sawant represented the neighborhood from 2014 through 2023. She did not seek reelection for 2024.

Scott raised around $85,000, Suarez raised $93,400, and Carusello raised approximately $51,000, according to data from the Public Disclosure Commission.