--- title: "DelBene vs. Silva: 2026 Washington’s 1st District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-wa-01" updated: "2026-08-05" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Washington’s 1st District race: Suzan DelBene (D) vs. Mary Silva (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 5, 2026 Incumbent Democrat Suzan DelBene faces Republican challenger Mary Silva in the general election for Washington's 1st Congressional District on November 3, 2026, following the August 4 top-two primary. The contest contrasts DelBene's veteran legislative record focused on middle-class economic relief, abortion rights, and climate action against Silva's anti-offshoring, medical freedom, and intelligence oversight platform. ## Candidates - **Suzan DelBene** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Suzan_DelBene) - **Mary Silva** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) ## Issues ### Cost of living & Economy Salience: high DelBene advocates addressing costs through targeted family tax credits and workforce training, whereas Silva focuses on broad tax cuts, deregulation, expanding domestic energy, and capping Wall Street home purchases. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports middle-class tax relief and economic investments DelBene focuses on easing rising costs for families, including gas, housing, and child care. She supports expanding the Child Tax Credit, investing in worker training programs, and creating an economy that works for working families and small businesses. - Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit to assist working families facing inflation. - Promotes investments in worker training programs and local job growth. - Previously advocated higher tax rates on individuals earning over $1 million per year. > “While our economy grew because of Democrats’ economic policies, including the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, under the Trump administration many families are struggling with rising costs including the price of gas, housing, and child care.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “I support expanding economic opportunity, helping working families and small businesses, spurring job growth, and being fiscally responsible.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports tax cuts, deregulation, and housing reforms Silva emphasizes cutting middle-class taxes, deregulating, and lowering energy costs to combat skyrocketing living expenses. To address housing shortages, she advocates capping Wall Street investors from buying single-family homes and streamlining local permitting. - Advocates cutting middle-class taxes, deregulating, and expanding domestic energy production. - Proposes capping Wall Street investors from hoarding single-family homes to help local families compete. - Recommends rewarding local governments that streamline permitting and freeing up community bank lending. - Demands accountability for Wall Street executives who profited off taxpayer bailouts. > “Washington’s cost of living has skyrocketed due to inflation and a severe housing shortage, which drives up everyday expenses like groceries and daycare.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) > “To fix housing, we should reward local governments that streamline permitting, free up community bank lending, and cap Wall Street investors from hoarding single-family homes, ensuring local families can compete.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) > “Finally, we must cut middle-class taxes, deregulate, slash green energy mandates, and expand domestic energy production to lower costs and increase take-home pay for first district residents.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) ### Technology, Cyber Security & Manufacturing Salience: high Silva makes reshoring technology manufacturing and reforming H-1B visas her top campaign theme, while DelBene focuses on digital privacy protection and establishing regulatory frameworks for emerging technology. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports tech innovation and digital privacy DelBene, a former tech executive, focuses on protecting consumer digital privacy and regulating tech access. She strongly criticized the Trump administration for granting unmonitored access to sensitive personal and financial data to private entities like DOGE. - Opposed granting unmonitored citizen data access to private entities like Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. - Voted Yea on the GENIUS Act (S.1582) creating a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. - Emphasizes protecting personal data privacy from both private corporations and government overreach. > “Fighting to protect the privacy of all of us means your personal information is protected from private entities and public ones.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “It’s why when President Trump gave Elon Musk and the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ unprecedented access to your sensitive personal, financial, and health information with little oversight or accountability – it was outrageous and illegal.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports reshoring technology and cyber infrastructure Silva's flagship priority is reshoring semiconductor manufacturing, IT, AI, and cybersecurity operations to protect national security. She advocates restructuring the H-1B visa program to curb tech offshoring and force corporations to hire local American workers. - Proposes bringing semiconductor, IT, AI, and server manufacturing back to Washington State and the U.S. - Calls for restructuring the H-1B visa program to stop tech offshoring and prioritize domestic talent. - Warns that foreign tech manufacturing leaves domestic critical infrastructure vulnerable to espionage and cyberattacks. > “The core message of my platform is that I want to bring technology jobs back to Washington State and protect our national security.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) > “We should be building chips, servers, and advanced systems here, with American workers under American laws; not crossing our fingers that overseas suppliers and foreign standards hold steady.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) > “Restructure the H-1B visa program to curb tech offshoring and incentivize corporations to prioritize local American talent over foreign labor.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Health Care & Medical Freedom Salience: high DelBene advocates expanding public healthcare options and protecting the Affordable Care Act, whereas Silva centers her platform on ending medical mandates, removing agency conflicts, and upholding absolute medical freedom. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports protecting the ACA and universal coverage DelBene supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act and moving toward universal coverage by offering a public option alongside private plans. She consistently votes to protect pre-existing condition protections and expand healthcare access. - Consistently votes to protect and build upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA). - Supports creating a public option to compete with private insurance and achieve universal coverage. - Defends protections for pre-existing conditions and opposes gender-based premium discrimination. > “That’s why I have consistently voted to protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and build on it.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “I support getting America to universal quality coverage and the best way to incentivize competition is to give people a choice between public and private coverage options.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Opposes health mandates and supports consent Silva strongly opposes government, employer, or pharmaceutical health mandates, asserting full individual and parental rights over medical choices. Endorsed by Stand for Health Freedom, she advocates removing corporate conflicts from public health agencies and holding manufacturers liable. - Opposes all medical and vaccine mandates for employment, schooling, or public participation. - Guarantees absolute parental rights over children's medical and wellness decisions. - Calls for stripping corporate conflicts of interest from health agencies and holding pharmaceutical manufacturers liable. - Endorsed by Stand for Health Freedom. > “Protect every individual’s fundamental right to make their own medical decisions without government mandates, digital tracking, or economic coercion.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Healthcare should empower you, not control you. I believe in your rights to retain the ultimate control over your body, your medical decisions, and the healthcare of your children.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Oppose pharmaceutical and treatment requirements as conditions for employment, schooling, or public participation.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Immigration & Border Security Salience: medium DelBene prioritizes comprehensive reform and legal limits on ICE enforcement, while Silva focuses on fortifying border security and restricting H-1B worker visas. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports comprehensive reform and ICE guardrails DelBene advocates for comprehensive immigration reform to fix the broken system for families and businesses. She also demands legal guardrails on immigration enforcement agencies like ICE to prevent community terrorization. - Champions comprehensive immigration reform for families and businesses. - Demands legal guardrails on ICE enforcement actions in local communities. - Voted Nay on the Laken Riley Act (S.5) and the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (H.R.875). - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R.22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. > “We must fix our nation’s broken immigration system so it works for families, businesses, and our economy.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “We must pass comprehensive immigration reform which I have championed since being sworn in to Congress and we need legal guardrails to prevent ICE from committing violence and terrorizing our communities.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports border fortification and visa reform Silva calls for fortifying border security and overhauling high-level security clearance procedures to protect national security. She also advocates restructuring the H-1B visa program to stop corporations from prioritizing foreign labor over local workers. - Calls for fortifying border security and security clearance procedures to stop foreign espionage. - Advocates restructuring the H-1B visa program to reduce foreign worker dependency and incentivize local hiring. > “Fortify border security and overhaul high-level security clearance procedures to combat foreign espionage.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Restructure the H-1B visa program to curb tech offshoring and incentivize corporations to prioritize local American talent over foreign labor.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Foreign Policy, Intelligence & National Security Salience: medium Silva focuses heavily on investigating 9/11 foreign intelligence links and auditing the intelligence apparatus, whereas DelBene approaches national defense through standard legislative authorizations and bipartisan transparency bills. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports oversight and defense authorizations DelBene supports responsible defense funding and national oversight, consistently voting for annual defense authorization bills. She voted in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R.4405) to force DOJ document releases. - Voted Yea on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2024. - Voted Yea on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R.4405) requiring searchable DOJ releases. - Endorsed by Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. > “I support expanding economic opportunity, helping working families and small businesses, spurring job growth, and being fiscally responsible.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports 9/11 probe and intelligence reform Silva demands public hearings into potential involvement by foreign intelligence agencies in the September 11 attacks and calls for overhauling the intelligence community. She advocates auditing the Pentagon, reforming FISA court rules, and ending foreign influence and foundation funding networks. - Presses for public congressional hearings into foreign intelligence involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. - Demands a comprehensive audit of the Pentagon and overhaul of the $70 billion intelligence community. - Proposes reforming FISA court rules, strengthening whistleblower protections, and curbing over-classification/FOIA delays. - Advocates ending foundation funding networks that she claims subvert U.S. foreign policy. > “In the House, my highest priority will be to press for public hearings into the involvement of Israeli and other foreign intelligence agencies in the terrorist attacks on our soil on September 11, 2001.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) > “Execute a comprehensive, real audit of the Pentagon to stop waste and enforce fiscal responsibility.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “End the foundations, end the funding, end the interference in our government policies.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) ### Energy & Climate Change Salience: medium DelBene advocates aggressive federal climate action and clean energy incentives, while Silva calls for expanding domestic energy production and eliminating green mandates. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports climate action and clean energy DelBene emphasizes taking meaningful action to combat climate change, pointing to wildfire seasons and changing ocean conditions affecting the Pacific Northwest. She opposes rolling back green energy tax incentives. - Supports federal action to mitigate climate change, protect natural resources, and address wildfires. - Voted Nay on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R.1) that sought to expand fossil fuel production and repeal green energy tax credits. - Voted Nay on H.J.Res.30 regarding ESG factors in investment decisions. > “We need meaningful action now to combat climate change to protect our health, wellbeing, and natural resources.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “The Pacific Northwest is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Growing wildfire seasons and changing ocean conditions harm our communities and environment.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports expanding domestic energy and slashing mandates Silva advocates expanding domestic energy production and slashing green energy mandates to lower consumer expenses. She argues green mandates drive up the cost of living for middle-class residents. - Calls for slashing green energy mandates and expanding domestic energy production. - Argues green energy regulations inflate gas and electricity prices for middle-class families. > “Finally, we must cut middle-class taxes, deregulate, slash green energy mandates, and expand domestic energy production to lower costs and increase take-home pay for first district residents.” > — Mary Silva, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mary_Silva_%28Washington%29) ### Government Accountability, Elections & Civil Liberties Salience: medium DelBene focuses her accountability efforts on executive branch oversight and opposing voting restriction bills, whereas Silva champions mandatory voter ID, a national voting holiday, and banning warrantless police surveillance tools. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports congressional oversight of administration DelBene prioritizes using congressional majority oversight to hold the executive branch accountable for unlawful actions. She opposes restrictive voting laws like the SAVE Act and supports protecting government agency integrity. - Serves as DCCC Chair to secure a Democratic House majority to hold the executive branch accountable. - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R.22) and budget reconciliation resolutions (H.Con.Res.14). - Voted Nay on the NORRA of 2025 (H.R.1526) restricting nationwide injunctions by federal courts. > “In the time he’s been back in office, Trump has brazenly violated the law, threatened the safety of our communities, and jeopardized our country’s economic security. I am fighting every single day as Chair of the DCCC to win us a majority in November 2026, so that we can hold this administration accountable.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports voter ID, surveillance bans, and transparency Silva advocates for 100% election integrity through mandatory voter ID and establishing a midweek national voting holiday. She also demands dismantling warrantless mass surveillance like Flock license-plate cameras and enforcing strict Fourth Amendment protections. - Requires mandatory voter ID and proposes a midweek national voting holiday to boost civic participation. - Proposes dismantling warrantless domestic surveillance systems like Flock cameras. - Prohibits foreign-linked or high-risk technology integration in local police and dispatch networks. - Requires warrants before government or third-party vendors collect location or communication data. > “Require voter ID to guarantee secure, transparent, and trustworthy elections.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Dismantle the intrusive domestic surveillance networks—such as widespread Flock license-plate camera systems—that monitor everyday law-abiding citizens without judicial oversight or transparency.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Establish a midweek voting holiday to encourage civic participation and allow more citizens to observe and protect the voting process.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Education Salience: low DelBene defends federal public education funding and the Department of Education, while Silva emphasizes trade education and apprenticeships over four-year degrees. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports federal education funding and Department of Education DelBene strongly opposes efforts to dismantle or shutter the Department of Education, asserting it would slash funding for public schools, special education, and college affordability. She also supports college tuition assistance programs. - Opposes efforts to eliminate the Department of Education or cut federal public school funding. - Protects federal funding for students with disabilities and college financial aid. - Previously advocated for college tuition assistance programs. > “Trump has recklessly tried to shutter the Department of Education. I strongly oppose his illegal attempt to dismantle the department, which would slash federal funding for public schools nationwide, eliminate programs for children with disabilities, and cut programs that make attending college affordable.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “Let’s be clear, eliminating the Department of Education would require an act of Congress – and I will fight any effort to do so.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports vocational training over four-year degrees Silva advocates expanding apprenticeships, trade education, and federal reskilling programs as fast-track alternatives to traditional four-year college degrees, helping young workers earn high salaries without excessive debt. - Promotes apprenticeships and trade education over standard four-year college pathways. - Supports federal reskilling programs to prepare workers for high-paying technical careers. > “Expand apprenticeships, federal reskilling programs, and trade education as fast-track alternatives to four-year degrees, helping young workers earn high salaries sooner.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Public Safety & Gun Violence Salience: low DelBene centers public safety on community policing, police accountability, and gun violence prevention, while Silva focuses on domestic control and auditing of law enforcement technology. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports community policing and gun safety DelBene advocates investing in community policing, crime diversion programs, and police accountability. She also champions commonsense gun safety legislation to curb endemic gun violence. - Invests in community policing, crime diversion programs, and law enforcement accountability. - Advocates addressing endemic gun violence through commonsense gun safety legislation. - Voted Nay on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R.28). > “I support investing in proven community policing and crime diversion programs to keep our streets, homes, and communities safe.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “We must also address the endemic gun violence in America so our families and communities are safe.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** Supports local domestic police tech Silva focuses on law enforcement tech integrity, advocating for fully domestic, auditable police technology and banning foreign-linked platforms from local 911 dispatch networks. - Requires all police technology and data to be domestically operated, controlled, and auditable. - Bans foreign-linked surveillance platforms from local law enforcement networks. > “All police tools and their related data must be fully domestically operated, controlled, and auditable by an independent agency—especially when abuse is suspected.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) > “Prohibit the integration of foreign-linked or compromised surveillance platforms into local law enforcement and 911 dispatch networks.” > — Mary Silva, via [Campaign site](https://www.marysilvaforcongress.com/) ### Reproductive Rights Salience: medium DelBene strongly supports codifying federal abortion rights via the Women's Health Protection Act, while Silva presents no documented position on abortion in her platform. **Suzan DelBene:** Supports federal abortion rights protections DelBene is a vocal defender of abortion access and reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She supports the Women's Health Protection Act to guarantee abortion access nationwide. - Co-sponsors and supports the Women's Health Protection Act to codify nationwide abortion access. - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund. - Opposes Republican efforts to restrict reproductive healthcare choices. > “I’m a strong supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, a bill to guarantee everyone access to abortion care no matter which state they live in.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) > “An extreme Republican supermajority on the Supreme Court has now stripped women of their constitutional right to an abortion.” > — Suzan DelBene, via [Campaign site](https://delbeneforcongress.com) **Mary Silva:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/wa-01-house-election-winner) — WA-01 House Election Winner: Democrats 98.2%, Republicans 1.9% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-WA01-26) — WA-01 House winner?: Suzan DelBene 98.2%, Mary Silva 2.3% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXWAPRIMARY-0126) — WA-01 primary: who will advance?: Mary Silva 99.0%, Suzan DelBene 97.0%, Hunter Gordon 7.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-wa-01)