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Moses Lake Today
By the People, for the People
Martinez announces candidacy for state House seat
Former Moses Lake City Council member Deanna Martinez is running for the Washington House of Representatives.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:49am
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A pensive political campaign sign stands alone in the fading light, reflecting the quiet determination of a local candidate seeking to represent her community.Moses Lake TodayDeanna Martinez, a former Moses Lake City Council member, has announced her candidacy for the Washington House of Representatives. Martinez is running for the position left vacant when Rep. Alex Ybarra announced he was running for Washington State Senate. Martinez has identified several key issues she wants to focus on if elected, including public safety, economic development, infrastructure, water availability, and healthcare.
Why it matters
This race for the Washington House of Representatives seat is significant as it will determine who will represent the region in the state legislature. Martinez's platform and priorities could have a significant impact on policies related to public safety, economic growth, and community development in the area.
The details
Martinez is one of two candidates running for the open House seat so far, with business owner Jeff Leichleiter also announcing his candidacy. As a former city council member, Martinez says public safety was a top priority, and she does not support a bill passed by the state legislature that would establish a governor-appointed board to oversee and potentially remove elected county sheriffs. She also wants to focus on encouraging economic development by addressing issues like excessive regulation, infrastructure needs, and water availability. As a registered nurse, Martinez also plans to prioritize healthcare, noting challenges with recruiting medical professionals to rural areas.
- Deanna Martinez announced her candidacy on April 7, 2026.
- The Washington House of Representatives seat became vacant when Rep. Alex Ybarra announced he was running for the state Senate.
The players
Deanna Martinez
A former Moses Lake City Council member who is running for the Washington House of Representatives.
Jeff Leichleiter
A business owner in Ellensburg who is also running for the Washington House of Representatives seat.
Alex Ybarra
The current Washington state representative who is running for the state Senate, leaving the House seat vacant.
What they’re saying
“As a city council member, (public safety) was high on my list.”
— Deanna Martinez, Candidate for Washington House of Representatives
“Some other (oversight) board will have the ability to fire our sheriff for who knows what reason. That should be a local decision.”
— Deanna Martinez, Candidate for Washington House of Representatives
“We're trying to grow, we want to grow, we've grown some, but there are restrictions.”
— Deanna Martinez, Candidate for Washington House of Representatives
What’s next
The primary election for the Washington House of Representatives seat will be held on August 6, 2026.
The takeaway
Martinez's candidacy for the Washington House of Representatives seat highlights the importance of local leadership in addressing key issues like public safety, economic development, and healthcare access in the region. Her platform and priorities could have a significant impact on the community if she is elected.
