Katy Cornell

Katy Cornell is the Republican candidate for the Washington House of Representatives, District 26-Position 2, in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against Democrat Renee Hernandez Greenfield for an open seat.[1][2] A nonprofit founder, small business owner and pastor, Cornell placed first in the August 4, 2026 primary with 44.3% of the vote.[1][3]

Cornell graduated from South Kitsap High School, earned an associate degree from Olympic College and a bachelor's degree from Northwest University, and holds a graduate degree from Seattle University.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, Cornell said she was born and raised in Port Orchard, lives in Gig Harbor with her husband and three children, and has spent more than 18 years as a nonprofit leader, small business owner and pastor.[3] She described her nonprofit work as including programs in education, healthcare, clean water access, refugee support, economic development and family services.[3]

Cornell said her campaign focuses on affordability, including supporting small businesses, reducing regulations and increasing housing supply, and on holding government accountable by eliminating waste and duplication before asking taxpayers for more.[3] She said she supports expanding treatment capacity for addiction and mental illness while requiring participation when individuals repeatedly pose a danger to themselves or others through criminal behavior, and she named the fentanyl epidemic as one of her greatest concerns.[3]

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