Two new candidates in 12th Legislative District election

Published 5:30 am Thursday, April 2, 2026

Voters will choose representatives for Washington’s 12th Legislative District this fall, and both positions have new candidates.

Stacy Willoughby, D-Chelan, has announced her candidacy for Washington state representative, position 1, challenging incumbent Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee. Adam James, R-Wenatchee, is running against incumbent Mike Steele, R-Chelan, for position 2.

The 12th covers most of Chelan County, plus the eastern parts of Snohomish and King counties, including North Bend, Snoqualmie Ridge, Carnation and many unincorporated parts of the Snoqualmie Valley.

Stacy Willoughby

Willoughby is a Washington native, but grew up living all over the world, with a dad in the military. She currently lives in the mountains above Lake Chelan.

She is running on a platform of housing affordability, tax fairness and stronger representation for rural communities in Olympia, according to a March 18 news release. With an extensive background in financial services, she currently serves as board president of Chelan Valley Hope and is a board member for the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce.

According to Willoughby’s election website, she is “committed to expanding housing options that make sense for each community, cutting through excessive building codes and permitting burdens, ensuring tax fairness for rural families and small businesses and encouraging young people to enter the building trades where they can earn a good living without student loan debt.”

The news release addressed the wide range of communities included in District 12, the lines for which were redrawn in 2024.

“Willoughby is committed to listening to residents across this diverse district — from rural mountain towns to growing suburban areas — and carrying their priorities to the state legislature,” the release stated.

Adam James

Born and raised in north central Washington, James is a 28-year pastor, now on the leadership team at Grace City Church in Wenatchee.

James is quoted on his election website saying he will, “protect and defend: life, faith, marriage, family, biological sexuality, free markets, free speech, free and fair elections, small government, lower taxes, rule of law, legal immigration, school choice and individual liberties.”

His platform is driven by five “essential reforms,” according to the website. These include things like cutting taxes, reworking the mail-in ballot system, “ending ideological indoctrination in our classrooms” and ending Washington’s “sanctuary” policies, which limit how much local law enforcement can cooperate with immigration authorities.

The website also states that James will “defend the American family.”

“I won’t back down from rebuilding the moral foundation of freedom by protecting children, defending life, strengthening families and promoting principles for the common good,” it says.