Rep. Drew Hansen has won another term representing the 23rd District in Olympia.
The incumbent Democrat was easily dispatching his opponent, Republican James M. Olsen, for the 23rd District, Position 2 seat in the state House of Representatives in early vote returns on Election Night.
Hansen was leading in the race with 61.6 percent of the vote.
Olsen had 38.2 percent, according to the first vote tally announced Tuesday.
A total of 29,445 votes have been counted in the race. Hansen had 18,176, and Olsen, 11,269. There were 67 write-in votes.
The race largely centered on the economy and education.
Olsen, 64, is a former officer in the Coast Guard and runs a real-estate investment and rental company.
In making his third attempt for the seat — and in a rematch race against Hansen — Olsen again touted his 30-year military career.
He also promised to fully fund K-12 education in light of the Washington State Supreme Court’s McCleary decision in 2012 that said the Legislature had not amply funded basic education, as called for by the state Constitution.
Olsen, who characterized himself as a reform candidate, also vowed to create jobs with a mix of regulatory streamlining and tax incentives. He called for performance audits in state government, and limited government, and said he opposed a state income tax, increased funding for education, and Initiative 594, which would expand background checks on gun sales.
The race had a familiar feel. Olsen recycled some of his message from his previous race against Hansen, along with his yard signs and YouTube videos, and criticized the contributions his opponent received from other lawyers and special interest groups.
Hansen raised $155,013 in donations for the 2014 race; Olsen pulled in donations of $1,263.
Both Hansen and Olsen live on Bainbridge Island.
Hansen, 42, is a lawyer and lawmaker who was first appointed to the House of Representatives in 2011. He is a partner at the Seattle law firm of Susman Godfrey when the Legislature in not in session.
The incumbent also ran on a platform of jobs and education.
Hansen touted his record in Olympia, and, as examples, recalled the bipartisan bill that was signed into law that expands AP computer science classes in Washington high schools, as well as the bills to protect marine industry jobs by getting derelict and abandoned vessels out of state waters. He also stressed his work on expanding the engineering program at Olympic College.
The race was a rematch of the 2012 battle for the 23rd District, Position 2 seat, which Hansen won handily with 60 percent of the vote.
This election marked the third time that Olsen has sought the District 23, Position 2 seat in the state House.
He first ran against then-Rep. Christine Rolfes in November 2010, and lost by 8,539 votes.
In November 2012, when he challenged Hansen for the seat, Olsen lost by 13,533 votes.
