State lawmakers who understand budgeting and tax policy have become a rare commodity in Olympia. The results speak for themselves: The Democratic majority was clearly unaware of how a sales tax, passed in just nine days in 2025, would harm many small businesses. And this year’s depletion of Washington’s rainy-day fund, down to the lowest level in the country, has put the state’s ability to borrow money at risk.
All that time, Rep. Amy Walen has been sounding the alarm on such poor budget practices. The Kirkland Democrat is unafraid to speak up within her party to identify wasteful spending, vote against hastily passed tax increases and even to draw up alternative proposals to avoid further fiscal malpractice.
Her successful reelection bid in the 48th District, which includes Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue and the Points communities, goes beyond those borders: it will ensure a voice for fiscal responsibility in a time that it is desperately needed.
Because of her prudence and thoughtful lawmaking, Walen’s endorsements include Gov. Bob Ferguson, and former Washington Govs. Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke.
Walen’s civic résumé is also impressive: a lawyer by trade, she built a small business of auto dealerships with her husband before pursuing a Kirkland City Council seat. She served as the city’s mayor for five years. In the Legislature, she heads the House’s consumer protection and business committee.
Nowhere were her strengths around a budget more on display this year than during the so-called millionaires tax debate. She even wrote an entire op-ed devoted to her own version of how to get the state to an income tax — with actual tax relief for residents who need it most.
Walen has earned another term as a sharp lawmaker with expansive policy knowledge and, most rare in Olympia, a backbone against rushed, flawed legislating and tax policy.
