Incumbent Mike Pellicciotti (D) and Sharon Hanek (R) are running in the general election for Washington Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2024. The treasurer manages the state’s debts, investments, and cash.
Pellicciotti was first elected as treasurer in 2020, when he defeated incumbent Duane Davidson (R) 53.4%-46.5. Pellicciotti represented the 30th District in the state House from 2017-2021. During his tenure, Pellicciotti worked as an assistant attorney general in the Washington Attorney General’s office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics and a master’s degree in rural development. He earned his law degree from Gonzaga University and was a law clerk at the Washington Supreme Court before working as a deputy prosecuting attorney in King County.
Pellicciotti is running on his record as treasurer. In an interview with KATU News, Pellicciotti said during his time as treasurer, “Washington has maintained a Moody’s AAA credit rating. … Washington now has one of the best funded pensions in America, and U.S. News just ranked Washington #1 in the nation for longterm fiscal stability.” Pellicciotti said he has prioritized transparency as treasurer and created a transparency portal for state financial data on the treasurer website. He said, “The more we can demystify public finances and financial issues more generally, the more the public can participate and communicate to their elected officials on how they want their money being spent.”
Hanek grew up on U.S. military bases in Japan. Her father was an interpreter in the U.S. Military Intelligence Service during World War II and then served as a liaison between the U.S. and Japanese governments. Her family later moved to Washington, where Hanek earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. Hanek began working as a certified public accountant in 1980 and later started a private practice. Hanek first sought elected office in 2008, when she ran unsuccessfully for state representative. She was a write-in candidate for state treasurer in 2012 and was elected chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission in 2016.
Hanek said she is running because of “an increase of concerns in the security of the State’s financial system.” She is running on her experience as an accountant and said, “The role of a CPA has some different skill sets it brings with it, not just overseeing, administrating and managing but you get into understanding financial systems.” Referring to errors Hanek said she found in a public financial report, Hanek said, “Those are the little things that are the way a CPA thinks. I would view things in a little bit different manner to make sure that the reports are reasonable looking, that they add up, and that’s engrained in me.” Hanek said her priority as treasurer would be “strengthening the protection of our cash flow. This area is where I believe we have been lacking and incidences of mismanagement of funds seems to be increasing.” She also said she would work to improve fiscal transparency.
As of the most recent fundraising reports, Pellicciotti had raised $278,812 and spent $150,297, and Hanek had raised $15,137 and spent $10,784. To read more about campaign finance reports, click here.
This is one of thirteen statewide elections in Washington alongside elections for President, U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Public Lands Commissioner, Insurance Commissioner, and three Washington Supreme Court seats. To read more about Washington’s elections in 2024, click here.
Washington is one of 48 states that has a treasurer and one of 10 states holding an election for treasurer in 2024. As of September 2024, 12 states had a Democratic treasurer, 24 states had a Republican treasurer, and 12 states had a nonpartisan treasurer.