Derek Sarley

Derek Sarley is the Democratic candidate for the Washington House of Representatives, District 16-Position 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election, and has served on the Walla Walla Public Schools school board since 2015.[1][3] A communications consultant, he advanced from the August 4, 2026 primary alongside incumbent Skyler Rude (R).[1]

Derek Sarley graduated from Conestoga High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Rice University in 1998.[1] Ballotpedia lists his profession as communications consultant.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he has worked in the business world for more than 25 years, helping build a small public relations startup into a 100-person firm.[2]

Sarley has been a member of the Walla Walla School Board for the past decade, according to his survey answers.[2] He said he has served four times as board president and as the district's legislative representative at the state level, and that he recently completed a term as president of the Washington State School Directors' Association.[2] He listed increasing housing supply, strengthening the workforce, investing in education and training, addressing healthcare costs, and changing the tax system so that it does not place the heaviest burden on those least able to afford it as the focus of his campaign.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.