In this race, incumbent Democrat Eric Pettigrew, who has held the seat since 2002 and has been majority caucus chair since 2011, faces nonpartisan challenger Tamra Smilanich, who has no experience in elected government.
Pettigrew, an advocate for education reform, helped pass a package of bills to help close the achievement gap.
Smilanich, who chairs the Othello Neighborhood Association, believes greater parental involvement can help students succeed and that teachers are hindered by unfunded mandates.