16th District Representative Pos 2
Derek Sarley
Elected Experience
Board of Directors of Walla Walla Public Schools since 2015, where we’ve raised graduation rates, expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, increased family engagement, and earned recognition as School Board of the Year. I’ve completed four terms as board president, advocated for our students as legislative representative, and served as president of WSSDA, representing all 295 Washington school districts.
Other Professional Experience
25 years in small business leadership, helping grow a small PR agency into a 100-person firm serving clients nationwide.
Education
Rice University, BA Economics and Political Science
Community Service
A decade coaching with the Blue Mountain Girls Softball Association. Blue Mountain Evening Rotary.
Statement
Washington is in a deep budget hole. Each year brings new taxes combined with cuts to priority areas like childcare and education. We need new, strong voices in Olympia who will fix the budget mess and get Washington back to investing in what matters for the working families, farms, and small businesses that are the backbones of our Eastern Washington communities.
I have the experience of 25 years in business and 10 years in responsive local government. As your representative, I will bring conviction and change to Olympia. If you want something different, it’s time to vote for someone different.
Skyler Rude
Elected Experience
16th District State Representative (2019–present); Assistant Minority Floor Leader; Chairman, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committee Officer for the Walla Walla County Republican Party
Other Professional Experience
Real Estate Broker and small business owner; Legislative Assistant, Washington State Senate (2017-18) and House of Representatives (2015-16); Insurance Agent (2009-14)
Education
Walla Walla Community College; Western Governors University
Community Service
Past involvement: Care and Share Food Drive; Blue Mountain Action Council Board Member; Washington State Leadership Board Member; Walla Walla Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Advisory Board; Columbia Basin College EMS Program Advisory Committee
Statement
Born and raised in Walla Walla, Skyler has spent his life serving the communities of the 16th District. Since joining the Legislature in 2019, he has built a reputation for bipartisan leadership focused on practical solutions and strong local representation. Skyler’s priorities include improving educational outcomes, supporting public safety, strengthening the local economy, and protecting services for vulnerable populations. As a leader on education policy and a voice for southeastern Washington, Skyler works to ensure communities from Walla Walla to the Tri-Cities are heard in Olympia. He remains committed to respectful leadership, fiscal responsibility, and putting people before politics.
Community Engagement
Written endorsements
No letters of support or opposition listed yet.
Endorsements
Washington State Labor CouncilWashington State Nurses AssociationWA Area Council of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper WorkersInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers | District 751Washington Education AssociationAFT WashingtonAFSCME Council 28 / Washington Federation of State EmployeesPlanned Parenthood Advocates of Greater Washington and North IdahoDemocratic Parties of Benton and Franklin and Walla Walla Counties
Written endorsements
No letters of support or opposition listed yet.
Endorsements
Public School Employees of WAWashington State School Retirees’ Assn.League of Education VotersAssociated Builders and Contractors - Inland PacificFraternal Order of PoliceAssociation of Washington BusinessAPRNs of WashingtonUnited Association of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 598Richland Firefighters Local 1052National Federation of Independent BusinessLa Voz Hispanic NewspaperWashington Council of Police and SheriffsStand for Children PACFranklin County RepublicansWalla Walla County RepublicansHome Builders Association of Tri-CitiesMainstream Republicans of WAWalla Walla Professional Firefighters
Donors
Donors
💰 $99,706 from 273+ donors ($97,933 cash / $1,772 in-kind): including Walla Walla County Democratic Party ($14,000)Benton County Democratic Central Committee ($3,000)Levinskas David ($3,000)Simon Richard ($2,742)Sarley Arline ($2,400)Sarley Richard ($2,400)Peterson Jim ($2,400)Isaacson Kari ($2,400)
Donors
Donors
💰 $82,517 from 75+ donors ($71,996 cash / $10,521 in-kind): including House Republican Organizational Committee ($10,152)Premera Blue Cross ($3,000)Amazon.com ($2,400)Puget Sound Energy ($2,400)Washington Hospitality Association ($2,400)Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 598 Pac ($2,400)WA Charters Pac ($2,400)Washington Affordable Housing Council ($2,400)
Candidate surveys
- Ballotpedia Candidate Connection 2026 — by Ballotpedia