Redmond, WA – Attorney Chandler Torbett has formally entered the race for Washington State House of Representatives in the 45th Legislative District, positioning himself as a proponent of faster action on affordability, housing, and climate change. Torbett announced his candidacy challenging incumbent Larry Springer, the longest-tenured member of the House Democratic caucus aside from Sharon Tomiko Santos, according to campaign materials.
The 45th District, encompassing communities like Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Sammamish, and Duvall, has experienced significant economic growth alongside escalating housing costs, a dynamic felt across the broader region. While historically a Democratic stronghold, the district is increasingly characterized by debate within the party regarding the preferred approach to addressing these challenges, as noted by the Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI).
Torbett’s campaign centers on his belief that government can be a force for positive change, a conviction rooted in his upbringing on the Muscogee Nation reservation in Oklahoma. “I was born and raised on the Muscogee Nation reservation,” Torbett told NPI. “It’s a place that struggles with poverty, and opportunities weren’t guaranteed — they were something you had to chase and fight for.” He identifies as a progressive Democrat, citing tribal programs that assisted him in attending law school and purchasing a home as evidence of effective government intervention.
After law school, Torbett moved to Washington state and took a legal position with Amazon, immersing himself in the technology-driven economy of the Eastside. He believes his experience navigating complex regulatory frameworks within the tech sector will be valuable in addressing policy challenges. “At Amazon I’ve learned how to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and deliver creative solutions to complicated problems,” Torbett said. “That approach, focusing on delivering results, is something people in the 45th District understand.”
Affordability is a central pillar of Torbett’s platform, encompassing not only housing but also childcare, groceries, and healthcare costs. He acknowledged the difficulty many workers face in living within the communities where they are employed. “A lot of folks who work in the 45th can’t afford to buy a home there,” Torbett said. “People who work in Redmond should be able to live in Redmond.” He supports increasing housing supply through zoning reforms and denser development near transit corridors, building on existing state legislation.
Torbett also advocates for a more progressive tax structure in Washington state, which currently relies heavily on sales taxes and is considered one of the most regressive in the country. He supports a tax on high earners and defended the state’s capital gains tax on the wealthy, stating, “If you’re selling millions of dollars of stock in a single year, I reckon it’s perfectly appropriate to levy a capital gains tax on that sale.” Additional revenue, he suggested, could fund universal preschool, affordable housing, and transit expansion.
Addressing climate change is another key priority for Torbett, who emphasized the need to accelerate the transition to clean energy while streamlining infrastructure development. “We need to accelerate the transition to clean energy,” he said. “A big part of that is the unsexy work of improving infrastructure and figuring out what’s blocking projects from getting done.” He believes removing bureaucratic obstacles can expedite the deployment of renewable energy sources.
Given his background in the technology sector, Torbett also highlighted the importance of regulating artificial intelligence. “I think we’re already seeing AI tools shaping hiring decisions, healthcare decisions, and financial decisions,” he said, advocating for thoughtful guardrails to balance innovation with consumer protection.
The race for the 45th District is expected to be competitive, with multiple Democratic candidates vying for Position 2. Torbett believes his focus on execution and delivering results will differentiate him from other progressive candidates. “What I think I bring that’s unique is the delivery and execution piece,” he said. “In my job every day I have to approach complex problems and deliver solutions. It’s not studying something for two years. It’s solving problems and getting results.”
