10 Legislative Candidates Earn Small Business Support in Primary

July 22, 2022 Last Edit: March 19, 2026

10 Legislative Candidates Earn Small Business Support in Primary

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 22, 2022—The political action committee for Washington state’s leading small-business association today announced additional pre-Primary Election endorsements for seats in the state Senate and House of Representatives. “With so many critical small-business issues like workforce shortages, fuel and energy price spikes, and out-of-control criminal activity squarely in the hands of the state legislature, Main Street needs more allies than ever,” said Patrick Connor, Washington state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “These 10 candidates are the very best prospects for adding to the roster of small-business champions serving in Olympia when lawmakers return in January.” Endorsements were made by a panel of small-business owners from across the state based on questionnaire responses, fundraising, and voter outreach. The 10 newly endorsed candidates include:

LD-10, House, Pos. 2 (challenger) Karen Lesetmoe
LD-15, Senate (open seat) Nikki Torres
LD-15, House, Pos. 2 (open seat) Bryan Sandlin
LD-24, House, Pos. 2 (challenger) Brian Pruiett
LD-26, House, Pos. 1 (open seat) Spencer Hutchins
LD-30, House, Pos. 2 (open seat) Ashli Tagoai
LD-38, House, Pos. 1 (open seat) Gary Kemp
LD-38, House, Pos. 2 (open seat) Mark James
LD-47, Senate (open seat) Bill Boyce
LD-47, House, Pos. 2 (open seat) Carmen Goers

In all, the NFIB Washington PAC has made 54 endorsements of legislative candidates that include incumbents, challengers to incumbents, and candidates running for open seats. Research shows voters prefer small-business-backed candidates to those supported by organized labor or other groups. The NFIB WA PAC will make further endorsements after the August 2 Primary. Contact: Patrick Connor, Washington State Director, patrick.connor@nfib.org or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, anthony.malandra@nfib.org Keep up with the latest Washington state small-business news at www.nfib.com/washington or by following NFIB on Twitter @NFIB_WA or on Facebook @NFIB.WA ### For nearly 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com. NFIB Washington 111 – 21st Avenue Southwest Olympia, WA 98501 360-786-8675 NFIB.com/WA Twitter: @NFIB_WA

Topics:

Elections

State:

Washington

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

June 4, 2026

Local Comment on NFIB’s Latest Jobs Report

New Washington state income tax not helping improve small business outlook

June 2, 2026

South Carolina Small Businesses Endorse Rep. Wilson for Re-Election to Congress

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 2, 2026) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, endorsed Rep…