Legislative District 29 - State Representative Pos. 2
August 4, 2026 · Legislative (House) District 29; 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: High · 72 out of 100
Smaller districts give each vote more weight, and this district is small for its type. About 155,861 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(164,798 ÷ 155,861) ÷ ln(164,798 ÷ 152,644) = 72.78, comparing state house districts in WA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
High representation + unknown decisiveness → High 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
Darek Blum
Republican · declared
Darek Blum is a Tacoma security head manager at McMenamins Elks Temple and a Pierce County community member. His campaign says his candidacy was shaped in part by his recovery from addiction and focuses on public safety, affordability, education, and treatment and recovery. Focused research found no current or prior elected, appointed, or other governmental office.
Erin Chapman-Smith
Democratic · declared
Erin Chapman-Smith is executive director of ROOTS Young Adult Shelter and previously served as YouthCare's senior director of housing services. Her career spans more than two decades in housing stability, youth and young-adult services, homelessness response, nonprofit leadership, and community partnerships. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Central Washington University; focused research found no governmental office.
Records: Civil Rights 3 for, Government Efficiency 1 for, Healthcare Affordability 1 for, Housing Affordability 2 for
Joe Bushnell
Democratic · declared
Chanjolee “Joe” Bushnell is Tacoma's deputy mayor and District 5 city councilmember, first elected in 2021. He also chairs the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, serves as vice chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health, and sits on the South Sound 911 board. Before elected office he spent more than a decade in the U.S. Marine Corps as an ammunition logistics manager and worked with the Washington Hospitality Association; he holds a bachelor's degree from The Evergreen State College.
Natasha Laitila
Democratic · declared
Natasha Laitila is a Tacoma public-service and labor advocate who most recently managed WorkFirst TANF contracts at the Washington Department of Commerce. She previously worked as a legislative assistant to Sen. Bob Hasegawa and Rep. Jamila Taylor, at the Washington Office of Public Defense, and on the executive board of WFSE Local 443. She earned degrees from Pacific Lutheran University and an MPA from the University of Washington; focused research found no governmental office.
Patrick Stickney
Democratic · declared
Patrick Stickney is senior policy and legislative affairs director at the Washington State Office of Equity and previously enforced state investor-protection laws at the Department of Financial Institutions. He earned a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University and a law degree from Penn State and has served as a Democratic precinct committee officer since 2022, a political-party role rather than governmental office.
Sheri Hayes
Republican · declared
Sheri Hayes is a financial analyst who serves as treasurer of the 29th Legislative District Republicans and as a Republican precinct committee officer for Precinct 29-247. She holds a master's degree in finance and accounting and a bachelor's degree covering journalism, business, and accounting. Her party roles are not governmental office; focused research found no current or prior governmental office and no campaign website.
Records: Anti-Corruption 1 for, Environment and Public Health 1 against, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 against
Election sources
Source: sos.wa.gov
Source: sos.wa.gov
Source: www2.sos.wa.gov