State Representative Pos. 2
August 4, 2026 · Legislative (House) District 16; 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: Low · 8 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 163,669 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(164,798 ÷ 163,669) ÷ ln(164,798 ÷ 152,644) = 8.97, comparing state house districts in WA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below 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
Derek Sarley
Democratic · declared
Derek Sarley serves as Walla Walla Public Schools Board Director for Position 5. First elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023, his current term ends in 2027. He is a communications consultant and a past president of the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Skyler Rude
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Skyler Rude represents Washington House District 16, Position 2, and serves as assistant minority floor leader. His current assignments include ranking minority member on House Education and membership on Appropriations, Postsecondary Education & Workforce, and several joint bodies.
Election sources
Source: sos.wa.gov
Source: voter.votewa.gov
Source: sos.wa.gov