Arguably the most important function of legislative district-level elections is how, on the whole, they determine the makeup of the state legislature.

State Democrats have insurmountable leads in both the House and the Senate, but the question remains, will they extend their lead or will the Republicans make incremental moves back toward the center?

PolitickerWA.com put together a list of state legislative seats that have a chance at switching parties today.

SENATE

LD 2 Senate (D)

Incumbent Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen (D-Puyallup) picked up 50.44% of the vote in the primary in an otherwise Republican district with two GOP state Representatives. Randi Becker (R-Puyallup) has seen a lot of institutional support.

LD 10 Senate (D)

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island) is a powerful incumbent and won the primary, but both of LD10’s state Representatives are Republicans, giving hope to Linda Haddon (R-Oak Harbor).

LD 17 Senate (R)

This one is less of a tossup than the others, but David Carrier (D-Vancouver) came awfully close to Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver) in the primary, and a Democratic year is never an enviable year for a Republican in a swing district.

LD 28 Senate (R)

Sen. Mike Carrell (R-Lakewood) won the primary over Deb Srail (D-University Place), but only by three points, and the rest of the LD28 delegation is solidly Democratic.

Total up for grabs: 4 (2 D, 2 R)

HOUSE

LD 6 House 1 (D)

When Rep. Don Barlow won two years ago he was the first Democrat elected in this Spokane district in decades, and is fighting to hold on to his seat against young, well-funded uber-door knocker Kevin Parker. Combined Republicans Parker and Mel Lindauer by six points.

LD 6 House 2 (R)

Rep. John Ahern could potentially fall prey to a swing district swinging the wrong way. Spokane Democrats have good things to say about challenger John Driscoll, who only lost by three points in the primary.

LD 8 House 1 (R)

Carol Moser (D-Richland) hopes to pick up retiring Rep. Shirley Hankins seat after a divisive primary that saw Brad Klippert (R-Richland) narrowly move on to November, despite the Tri Cities being treacherous territory for Democrats.

LD 17 House 1 (R)

Vancouver voters are looking for a fresh start after the debacle that was Rep. Jim Dunn’s latest legislative session. Democrat Tim Probst appears to be the favorite against Republican Joseph James, who recently lost support of state Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver).

LD 26 House 1 (D)

Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard) won the primary against Kim Abel (D-Port Orchard) in the race for Rep. Pat Lantz’s (D-Gig Harbor) vacant seat by more than eight points.

LD 35 House 1 (D)

Fred Finn (D-Belfair) won a divided primary over Randy Neatherlin (R-Belfair) that saw four candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Bill Eickmeyere (D-Belfair) whittled down to two. Finn has raised a lot of money, but the Republican candidates combined for nearly 49 percent in the primary.

LD 41 House 1 (D)

Republicans feel very confident about Steve Litzow’s (R-Mercer Island) chances of defeating Marcie Maxwell (D-Mercer Island) to fill Rep. Fred Jarrett (D-Mercer Island) tries to move up to the state Senate. Jarrett previously won the seat as a Republican before switching parties. Still, Maxwell won the primary by three points.

LD 44 House 2 (D)

Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish) was appointed mid-term last time around, and the Republicans think her lack of winning a past election makes her vulnerable. Mike Hope (R-Everett) was within a point and a half of her in the primary. Many are predicting a recount qualifying margin.

LD 45 House 1 (D)

Former Rep. Toby Nixon (R-Kirkland) looks to retake his old seat against Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland). Goodman prevailed by a single point in the primary.

Total up for grabs: 9 (6D, 3R)

Safe seats also worth watching

LD 7 House 1 (R)

The retirement of Rep. Bob Sump and the start of the “top two“ primary has allowed longtime political aide Shelly Short (R-Addy) and business owner Sue Lani Madsen (R-Edwall) battle for nearly a full year. Short has nearly every endorsement, but the vast and rural 7th LD is hardly a hotbed of establishment support. The main arguments in the race have been about who is a real Republican, and the importance of government experience vs. private sector experience. Short narrowly won a divided primary.

LD 36 House 1

Again, the retirement of long-serving Rep. Helen Sommers (D-Seattle) set off a heated battle for this incredibly safe urban Seattle seat. John Burbank has a lot of establishment support, but Carlyle has spent more money and is no slouch himself when it comes to endorsements. Carlyle won the primary, and since then Burbank has piled on with the criticism of Carlyle’s corporate contributions and tied him to the special interests. Carlyle calls Burbank an incremental thinker and the criticisms just sour grapes and Olympia-style politics.

LD 46 House 1

Rep. Jim McIntire is leaving his seat to seek the state treasurer’s office, and Seattle Democrats Gerry Pollet and Scott White have run a fierce race to replace him. Lies about endorsements, mistimed resignation letters, lawsuits to force opponents out of the race, claims of BIAW ties and ethics violations have combined to give this race the title of the most unbelievable showdown this year. White leads in money and establishment support, but Pollet was they official district nominee, and has not been afraid to fight.