Dent seeks re-election to WA House of Representatives
13th District state rep eyes seventh term in office.
MOSES LAKE — Thirteenth District state Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, this week announced his candidacy for a seventh two-year term in office.
Dent, 76, has served in the Washington Legislature since 2015. He is currently the ranking Republican on the House Rural Development, Ag, and Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the House Transportation and Early Learning and Human Resources committees.
He also serves on several special legislative committees and caucuses, including chairing the Aviation Caucus, co-chair of the Wildfire Caucus, and serving on the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Oversight Committee.
Dent has been a resident of the Columbia Basin for most of his life, working as a professional pilot and founder of Tom Dent Aviation, which offered aerial application, pilot service, and flight instruction for area agriculture and industry. Dent lives with his family on the Flying T Ranch, located seven miles northeast of Moses Lake, raising bison and producing hay.
During his time in Olympia, Dent’s legislative priorities have included wildfire prevention through improving forest health and increasing initial response resources for fire suppression; agriculture issues including trade promotion, protecting pesticide use and water resource management; protection and expansion of aviation infrastructure and workforce training; and early learning, foster care, and mental health support.
“I feel I have accomplished a great deal since taking office, and I am excited to continue the work the voters sent me here to do,” Dent said in a re-election campaign announcement. “I am honored to serve and wish to continue to act on behalf of the people of the 13th legislative district.”
The central Washington district includes Kittitas County and parts of Adams, Douglas, and Grant counties. Along with Dent, the 13th District’s other state legislators include Sen. Judy Warnick of Moses Lake and Rep. Alex Ybarra of Quincy, both Republicans.
The state House of Representatives consists of 98 members from Washington’s 49 legislative districts. All 98 seats will be up for election this fall for new terms beginning in 2027. Democrats currently hold majorities in both the House and state Senate. Starting July 1, standard Washington state legislator salaries will increase to $72,494 annually.
