2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election


The 2020 Washington lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the lieutenant governor of Washington concurrently with the 2020 Washington elections. The top-two primary was held on August 4, and Democrats Denny Heck and Marko Liias advanced to the general election, which Heck won.
Incumbent Cyrus Habib surprised the state by announcing he was foregoing a run for re-election in order to join the Society of Jesus. The position was of special importance due to speculation that the incumbent governor, Jay Inslee, could have been appointed to a position in a Democratic presidential cabinet after winning his third term.

Background

Habib's retirement came after Gov. Inslee dropped out of the presidential election, which caused many potential statewide candidates in Washington to change their plans and drop exploratory bids.
At the time of Habib's announcement former Seattle City Council candidate Ann Davison Sattler and former US House candidate Joseph Brumbles had already been running as Republicans. On the day of his retirement, State Senator Steve Hobbs announced his second campaign for the office of lieutenant governor, after losing in the 2016 primary to then-State Senator Habib.

Nonpartisan blanket primary

Democratic Party candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Republican Party candidates

Minor party candidates

Declared

Polling

Poll sourceDate
administered		Sample
size		Margin
Joseph
Brumbles 		Ann
Sattler 		Denny
Heck 		Steve
Hobbs 		Marko
Liias 		Other / undecided
SurveyUSA/KING 5July 22–27, 2020513 ± 5.4%14%10%34%–14%29%
SurveyUSA/KING 5May 16–19, 2020650 ± 5.6%10%9%15%10%6%50%

Results

A top-two primary took place on August 4. All candidates were listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two advanced to the general election in November.

General election

After being eliminated in the August 4th gubernatorial primary, Joshua Freed announced that he would be running for lieutenant governor as a write-in candidate. A debate between Heck and Liias was held on October 22.

Candidates