Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Steve Hobbs

A candidate for Secretary of State, State of Washington in the 2022 Washington General Election, Nov. 8

Party: Democratic

Age: 54

City: Lake Stevens, Washington

Education: Graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1988. Received a master's of public administration and a bachelor of arts from the University of Washington. 

Work experience: Has served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard for 30 years. 

Political experience: Was appointed to secretary of state in November 2021. Served in the state Senate from 2007 to 2021. 

Family: Married to Pam Hobbs. Has three children

Campaign contributions: Raised $539,649, as of Sept. 22, 2022. Contributors include the Washington State Democrats, the House Democratic Campaign Committee, the Washington Beverage Association, Microsoft and the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.

Contact information

Race Results

Candidate Votes Pct
Steve Hobbs (D) 1,468,351 52.07%
Julie Anderson (N) 1,351,677 47.93%

Details & headlines

Related Coverage

Democratic incumbent Hobbs leading in Secretary of State race, though race still too close to call

BELLEVUE – Democratic incumbent Steve Hobbs is leading in the race for secretary of state, although nonpartisan opponent Julie Anderson is not far behind.

Tuesday’s election could bring a number of surprises. Here are some races to watch:

Ballots must be returned to a drop box or postmarked by 8 p.m. that day. For more information on where to vote, visit VoteWA.gov or your local county elections office. County auditors have encouraged voters to get their ballots in earlier rather than later to allow for quicker processing and faster results.

Secretary of State debate: Hobbs and Anderson

Nonpartisan candidate Julie Anderson and incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs participated in a one-hour debate on Oct. 23, 2022, in an event hosted by The Spokesman-Review, the League of Women Voters and KSPS at Gonzaga University. The debate was moderated by Spokesman-Review reporter Laurel Demkovich.

Hobbs and Anderson disagree on ranked choice voting, party affiliation at secretary of state debate

Candidates for the Washington Secretary of State’s Office Steve Hobbs and Julie Anderson discussed their expertise during a debate on Sunday at Gonzaga’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

Washington secretary of state race close as ever as candidates head into Sunday debate

The two candidates will face off Sunday in a debate hosted by the Spokesman-Review and the League of Women Voters. Both candidates will debate at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University. 

Mid-term elections put both parties to the test

Mid-term elections, like mid-term exams, are a time to find out whether things are going well or changes need to be made. This year, however, candidates on the ballot seem to be offering different answers as voters put them to the test.

Candidates for Washington secretary of state disagree on experience, election management, cybersecurity

Democrat incumbent Steve Hobbs and nonpartisan Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson will face off in the general election this November after finishing in the top two in the primary election.

Republicans shut out of Secretary of State race as nonpartisan, Democrat move on

Before current Secretary Steve Hobbs was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to take over for Kim Wyman, a Republican had served in the office since 1964. 

Haskell pulls ahead of Conklin in race for prosecutor; Anderson still on track to advance in Secy. of State race

Republican Larry Haskell and nonpartisan pastor Deb Conklin will likely face off in the November general election for Spokane County prosecutor.