State Rep. Alex Ybarra Announces Run for Washington State Senate

The Republican lawmaker from Quincy files to run for the 13th District seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Judy Warnick.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:13pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic oil painting depicting a lone political campaign sign standing in a quiet, sun-dappled street, the sign’s shadow stretching long across the pavement, conveying a sense of contemplation and the weight of the political process.A pensive political campaign sign casts a long shadow, hinting at the high stakes and quiet drama of a state Senate race in a conservative district.Quincy Today

Washington State Representative Alex Ybarra has filed paperwork to run for a seat in the Washington State Senate representing the 13th District. Ybarra, a 65-year-old Republican from Quincy, is the only candidate who has declared for the Senate post so far. The 13th District covers most of Grant County and parts of southern Douglas, Kittitas, and Lincoln counties.

Why it matters

Ybarra’s decision to run for the state Senate seat represents a significant political move, as the 13th District has historically leaned conservative. His candidacy could impact the balance of power in the state legislature, where Democrats currently hold a slim majority.

The details

Ybarra, an engineer and former Quincy School Board member, is one of two Republican state representatives for the 13th District. He filed the paperwork to run for the Senate seat with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission on Thursday. The seat is being vacated by longtime State Sen. Judy Warnick, who announced her retirement after over 20 years in state government.

  • Ybarra filed his candidacy paperwork on Thursday, April 6, 2026.
  • Sen. Judy Warnick announced her retirement after over 20 years in the state legislature.

The players

Alex Ybarra

A 65-year-old Republican state representative from Quincy, Washington, who has filed to run for a state Senate seat in the 13th District.

Judy Warnick

The longtime State Senator for the 13th District, who is retiring after over 20 years in the state legislature.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The 13th District Senate race will be a key contest to watch in the upcoming election cycle, as Ybarra’s candidacy could impact the balance of power in the state legislature.

The takeaway

Ybarra’s decision to run for the state Senate seat represents a significant political move in a historically conservative district, and his candidacy could have broader implications for the state’s legislative landscape.