Martinez, Myers, Thompson vie for 13th District legislative rep
Top two candidates advance to Nov. 3 general election.
For the first time in several years, voters in central Washington’s 13th Legislative District will send at least one new state lawmaker to Olympia starting in January.
That process begins with the Aug. 4 primary election when a field of three candidates — Joshua Thompson of Ellensburg and Deanna Martinez and Don Myers, both of Moses Lake — vie for the district’s Position 2 House seat currently held by state Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy.
Ballots will be mailed out later this week. The top two candidates will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
Ybarra is running unopposed for the Senate seat currently held by longtime incumbent Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who chose not to seek reelection when her current term expires Dec. 31. The 13th District’s other House member is Position 1 Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, who is being challenged in the November election by Democrat Juan “Jerry” Garcia of Othello.
In Washington state, House members serve 2-year terms; Senate members have 4-year terms. With the exception of caucus leaders, state legislators are paid an annual salary of $72,494.
Martinez, Myers, and Thompson are all Republicans in a solidly conservative, largely rural district that sprawls from Othello to Snoqualmie Pass. It includes all of Kittitas County, most of Grant County, and parts of Adams and Douglas counties. Voters here have not sent a Democrat to Olympia in three decades.
All speak similarly about wanting to rein in a state government which they say has increased taxes and imposed mandates and regulations that hurt agriculture, businesses, families, and rural communities.
“We are all struggling to afford to live in our beautiful state,” said Martinez. “Bad policy out of Olympia continues to threaten our economy.”
“First, I want to make Washington more affordable,” said Myers. “That means working to repeal or reform policies that have increased the cost of fuel, energy, housing, and everyday goods.”
“I believe that the State of Washington is on the wrong track,” said Thompson. “We have business departing, citizens are burdened by high taxes, and our farmers and ranchers need to be treated better by the state.”
But in Olympia, Democrats control both houses along with the governor’s mansion, so enacting reforms or advancing significant legislation without bipartisan support is a distinct challenge.
The three primary candidates’ experience in elective public office is also similar — Thompson has served on the Ellensburg City Council since 2023; Martinez is a former Moses Lake city council member who served as deputy mayor during her four-year tenure; Myers is a 10-year Moses Lake city councilman and former mayor currently serving as deputy mayor. (In Moses Lake’s council-manager form of government, the mayor and deputy mayor positions are appointed from among the council members).
Here’s a summary profiling the candidates and their campaign messaging:
DEANNA MARTINEZ
Martinez, 57, is a registered nurse with 36 years’ experience in healthcare. She attended Warden High School, holds an associate nursing degree from Big Bend/Columbia Basin colleges, and has continued education to maintain her RN license. When on the Moses Lake City Council, she served as its representative on the Grant County Board of Health.
“I’ve lived in the district all my life,” said Martinez. “Politically engaged in state and local government over the last several years.”
“I’m a pragmatic problem solver. Since my children are all grown and I plan to stop working fulltime as a nurse, I’ll be able to devote as much time and attention as needed representing the 13th District,” she said.
If elected, Martinez said one goal is developing relationships with fellow lawmakers, district stakeholders, and constituents. “An isolated legislator won’t get much, if anything, accomplished for the district …” she said. “Relationships matter.”
She supports a voter initiative to repeal Democrats’ passage of the so-called “millionaire’s tax” in the latest session, calling it an unconstitutional income tax. Like her two opponents, Martinez also supports measures which would make Washington “appealing to business investors and more affordable for those who want to stay in Washington.”
Martinez said she has been endorsed by state Senators Warnick, Nikki Torres, and Keith Wagoner and Representatives Gloria Mendoza, Suzanne Schmidt, Deb Manjarrez, Skyler Rude, and Dan Griffey; Warden mayor Rosaelia Martinez and former mayor Roldan Capetillo; and Yakima County commissioner Kyle Curtis.
According to state Public Disclosure Commission reports through July 15, she has received $11,373 in campaign contributions with expenditures listed at $10,230. Donors include the Hospital for a Healthy Future PAC, Seattle, $1,200; the Washington Association of Nurse Anesthesiology PAC, Gig Harbor, $1,200; and Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 598 PAC, Pasco, $1,200.
She lists affiliations that include Kiwanis, Washington Farm Bureau, League of Our Own Washington, and over 30 years of community involvement and volunteering with Moses Lake clubs, church, and organizations.
Visit her website at www.electdeanna.org
DON MYERS
Myers, 36, is a Moses Lake High School graduate, attended Central Washington University in 2007, moved to Puyallup, then returned to Moses Lake in 2014 and currently works as general manager at Scotty’s Auto Repair.
While in college, he studied business and exercise science and worked as a personal trainer, then later as a sales manager at Sports Authority. His decade of public service on the Moses Lake council includes representing the city on the Grant Transit Authority board of directors, which he currently chairs.
“I’ve worked on budgets, infrastructure, public safety, and long-term planning,” said Myers. “Professionally, I manage a local business, giving me firsthand experience with the challenges employers, employees, and families face every day.”
“I believe those experiences have prepared me to be an effective, accessible, and accountable voice for the people of the Thirteenth District,” he said.
If elected, Myers said he would support “responsible (state) budgets, oppose unnecessary taxes, and reduce regulations that drive up costs for families and employers.”
Myers said his goals include regaining more control for counties and cities over land use issues, housing, transportation and public safety so “local leaders can solve local problems without unnecessary interference from Olympia.” He also spoke of “building relationships across the aisle” to expand energy generation and transmission, improve transportation infrastructure, protect the agricultural economy and water resources, support career and technical education, and help businesses to invest and expand.
“My job isn’t just to cast votes … I believe the role of a state representative is to listen, solve problems, and focus on the core responsibilities of state government, not simply to create more laws,” he said.
Myers said he has received endorsements from former Moses Lake mayors David Curnel and Karen Leibrecht, former Ephrata mayor Bruce Reim, current Ephrata mayor pro tem Matt Moore, and Quincy City Council member Dylan King.
State PDC filings through July 15 show Myers with campaign contributions totaling $5,939 and expenditures of $5,238. The Inland Pacific chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors of Spokane Valley was a top donor with $1,200 and the majority of other donors all from Moses Lake.
Myers spoke of the importance of “family, faith, and community," including leading an online media ministry at Restore City Church.
His website is www.DonMyers4WAStateRep13.com
JOSHUA THOMPSON
Thompson, 43, graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 2006 with a bachelor of science degree in business economics and currently works in technical and marketing consulting. He cites such companies as Microsoft and Amazon, and said he has also managed corporate cybersecurity for an international consulting company.
“My background in consulting on complex issues provides a skill set on how to tackle problems,” said Thompson, a 10-year resident of Ellensburg. “My time on the Ellensburg City Council has given me experience in understanding the issues cities in our district are facing first-hand.”
His list of top campaign issues includes protecting family and parental rights, supporting farmers and ranchers, expanding affordable housing options, lowering taxes on families and businesses, increasing power and water supplies, protecting local decision-making in schools, and “defending citizens’ Constitutional rights.”
“To succeed in this role, it will take building relationships with other like-minded lawmakers to move the ball forward,” said Thompson. “In (my) current role as a city councilman, I was able to accomplish goals while in the minority.”
Thompson said his candidacy is supported by all three Kittitas County commissioners; Grant County commissioners Kevin Burgess and Cindy Carter; and Port of Moses Lake commissioner Darrin Jackson. He also cited endorsements from the Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas County Republican parties; and on his web page listed “Constitution-based” organizations Washington Patriot PAC and Freedom Caucus 45.
According to state PDC filings through July 15, Thompson’s campaign contributions totaled $15,075 with expenditures listed at $14,936. Donors include the Washington Patriot PAC ($1,000) and Douglas County Republican Central Committee ($500).
View his website at https://www.electjoshua.com/
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Information about the candidates’ campaign finances — including the names, towns, and occupations of donors — can be found on the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission website.
