Stacy Willoughby declares victory over Brian Burnett in exclusive interview

WENATCHEE – Stacy Willoughby declared victory over Republican incumbent Brian Burnett in the 12th Legislative District’s Position 1 House race Nov. 10, as the remaining ballot count left her opponent facing a steep path to overcoming her lead.

Speaking in an exclusive Ward Media interview at the Taproom at Pybus Public Market, where her campaign staff gathered in the afternoon, the Democrat thanked voters and pledged to represent communities on both sides of the Cascades.

“So we are ready to declare victory,” Willoughby said. “It looks like there are fewer votes left to count than the number of votes we are ahead.”

Official returns updated at 7:02 p.m. Nov. 10 showed Willoughby with 36,494 votes, or 50.44%, to Burnett’s 35,796 votes, or 49.47%. Her lead stood at 698 votes.

A Ward Media analysis of official ballot-return and counting reports indicates Burnett would need more than 70% of the remaining votes to overcome that margin, assuming no substantial additional eligible ballots arrive. The calculation uses a conservative accounting that includes challenged ballots that may never qualify for counting and Chelan County ballots outside the district.

Burnett would need a dramatic reversal of the voting patterns already observed, including in King County, where a substantial portion of the outstanding ballots are located and Willoughby has performed strongest.

Willoughby led the King County portion of the district 11,086 to 7,903. Burnett held an advantage in Chelan County, 18,545 to 16,203, and a narrower lead in Snohomish County, 9,348 to 9,205. But since Nov. 6, Willoughby has won, on net, every daily ballot drop districtwide, increasing her margin each time.

The results remain unofficial, with county certification scheduled for Nov. 24.

Willoughby’s declaration came one week after Election Day. In her statement, she emphasized the trust voters had placed in her and the responsibility she felt to serve the entire district.

“I’m so grateful for all of the voters who placed their trust in me,” she said. “All of the supporters who wanted me to represent them in Olympia.”

She pointed to her repeated trips across the Cascades as part of her commitment to the district’s geographically diverse communities.

“So I feel a deep responsibility to deliver for everyone who calls our district home,” Willoughby said. “And considering the number of times that I’ve crossed these mountains, I hope you all realize that.”

She described the election as a choice between distinct platforms while acknowledging a shared interest in improving life for district residents.

“The people in the 12th District, from Chelan to Monroe, made their decision based on the candidate and our platforms,” Willoughby said. “Platforms that were very divergent in so many ways, but share the goal of making the place we call home better for families, seniors, young people, small businesses, and everyone in between.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media