Legislative District 5 - State Representative Pos. 1 (2-year short & full term)
August 4, 2026 · Legislative (House) District 5; 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 · 65 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 156,791 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(164,798 ÷ 156,791) ÷ ln(164,798 ÷ 152,644) = 65.01, 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
Aimee Warmerdam
Democratic · declared
Aimee Warmerdam is a Democratic candidate for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 5 Position 1. An organizer who has worked with the Puget Sound Tenants Union and advocated for social-services legislation, her campaign prioritizes universal health care, affordable housing, education funding, worker-focused economic policy, environmental stewardship, and full delivery of Sound Transit 3.
Michelle Bennett
Republican · declared
Michelle Bennett is the Mercer Island Police Chief and a Republican candidate for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 5 Position 1. Her law-enforcement career includes 31 years with the King County Sheriff's Office and police-chief service in Maple Valley, Sammamish, and Edmonds. Her campaign emphasizes public safety, taxpayer protection, working families, and accountable leadership.
Records: Public Safety and Crime Control 1 against
Topher Leritz
No party preference · declared
Topher Leritz is a no-party-preference candidate for Washington State Representative, Legislative District 5 Position 1. His campaign describes a focus on practical solutions, affordable housing, and community-driven leadership; focused research found no source-backed current or prior elected or appointed public office.
Zach Hall
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Zach Hall is the Democratic Washington State Representative for Legislative District 5 Position 1. Appointed to the House in 2025, he serves on the Environment & Energy, Local Government, and Transportation committees. Hall previously served six years on the Issaquah City Council, including regional transportation, affordable-housing, salmon-recovery, and fire-board work.
Election sources
Source: sos.wa.gov
Source: sos.wa.gov
Source: www2.sos.wa.gov