Legislative District 48 - State Representative Position 2
August 4, 2026 · Legislative (House) District 48; Washington · State house district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 33 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 160,654 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(164,798 ÷ 160,654) ÷ ln(164,798 ÷ 152,644) = 33.24, comparing state house districts in WA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Amy Walen
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Amy Walen is the Washington state representative for District 48, Position 2, and chairs the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee. She previously served on the Kirkland City Council and as mayor of Kirkland. Walen studied and practiced law in Australia, spent nearly two decades as a corporate chief financial officer, and co-owns a local automotive business.
Records: Corporate Accountability 1 for
Jessica Forsythe
Democratic · declared
Jessica Forsythe is the Position 3 member of the Redmond City Council and previously served as council president and vice president. She is executive director of Emerge Washington and previously worked as a creative director and art director, including for the Seattle Symphony. Forsythe owns a graphic-design studio and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual communication design from Kent State University.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Housing Affordability 2 for, Public Infrastructure 2 for, Social Programs and Welfare 1 for
Election sources
Source: sos.wa.gov