Michelle Caldier Seeks State Senate Seat to Restore Balance in Washington State Government

Michelle Caldier, a Republican state representative from Kitsap County and a fourth-generation resident, has represented the 26th District in the state House since 2014. She is now running for the Senate in a special election scheduled for November 2025, aiming to restore balance to Washington’s government and address key issues such as fiscal responsibility, education, and healthcare.

Caldier’s personal journey is one of resilience. She experienced significant challenges in her youth, including being placed in foster care after enduring abuse from a stepfather. She was able to finish high school, became pregnant at 19, and went on to college, eventually becoming a dentist. “When I was younger, I had a very abusive stepfather and wound up in foster care. I was able to finish high school and became pregnant at 19. I had my daughter at 20, and went on to college and became a dentist,” Caldier recalled. Her experience as a foster mother to teenage girls, many of whom had been sexually abused, has shaped her perspective on public policy, particularly in areas related to children’s welfare and mental health.

Since entering the Washington State Legislature, Caldier has focused on issues of affordability, healthcare, public safety, and government accountability. “The number one issue is the drastic cost of living. Washington State has overspent money,” she said, criticizing the state’s approach to managing its finances. She also pointed to the rising costs of healthcare, specifically noting that Washington’s Medicaid system has expanded significantly, which she believes is contributing to budgetary strains. “We have fostered a system that does not support independent providers. There’s a basic monopoly. People don’t have much choice,” she explained.

Caldier has also voiced concerns about the state’s current budget practices. “The Democrats have created a situation that we are now in a budget deficit. I would disagree and say they are all budget over-spends,” she stated, arguing for a pause or suspension of certain programs. She expressed frustration with the tax proposals put forward by Senate Democrats, saying they don’t align with the priorities of the general public. “I don’t think they think we’ve spent their money wisely,” Caldier added.

Another key issue in her campaign is education. As a former professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Caldier has been vocal about the state’s educational challenges. She pointed to Washington’s poor test scores and criticized policies that she believes undermine parental involvement in education. “Our test scores are abysmal, and unfortunately, the majority party…says that any child 13 and up can make any and all of their healthcare decisions, and parents don’t have a right to be involved,” she noted. Caldier advocates for a renewed focus on basic education, including reading and writing.

Caldier has faced significant personal challenges in recent years. In 2016, she lost her vision due to a rare form of glaucoma, and she lost one eye last year, requiring a prosthetic. Despite being legally blind, she continues to serve her district. “At the end of the day, you can take away my vision, but you can’t take away my voice,” she said, adding that the experience has made her a more empathetic legislator. “It’s made me listen more to my constituents and represent them as best as possible,” she explained.

With Democrats holding a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, Caldier sees her Senate run as an opportunity to provide a more balanced perspective in the state government. “It’s important to hear the opposite side of whatever policy you are creating,” she said, stressing the importance of bipartisan dialogue. “We should be listening to each other. We may come up with the same conclusion — and that’s my own personal perspective — but after being in politics for as long as I have, I will tell you that one side doesn’t have all of the answers.”

Caldier’s experience in the state House has prepared her for the challenges of the Senate. “I’ve served the same district 10 going on 11 years. People know me, and that I am a believer of representing the people as a whole, not my own personal agenda,” she said. If elected, she hopes to restore balance to state government, particularly in areas such as transportation and capital budgets.

As Caldier continues her campaign for state Senate, her focus remains on addressing the state’s fiscal health, improving education, and advocating for more balanced policies that reflect the needs and concerns of all Washington residents.