2024 election
Petitions filed for initiative to erase Washington’s ambitious climate law
Washington’s controversial carbon pricing scheme drew fire and praise Tuesday as critics turned in signatures for an initiative to repeal the program, while its architects, including the governor, vowed to fight the measure should it reach the ballot. Shortly before 1 p.m., opponents, led by a hedge fund manager and the leader of the state […]
Three presidential debates, one VP debate scheduled ahead of 2024 election
WASHINGTON — The Democratic and Republican nominees for president would debate three times next year if both candidates agree to a schedule released Monday by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates. “The United States’ general election debates, watched live worldwide, are a model for many other countries: the opportunity to hear and see leading candidates […]
One year out: how a free and fair 2024 presidential election could be under threat
The last time America elected a president, it led to a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol and a failed coup that gravely damaged the political system and marred the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in U.S. history. A year from now, the nation’s voters will decide another presidential contest — likely […]
Spending mess in Congress could arch over into pivotal 2024 election year
WASHINGTON — Congress will need to pass a second stopgap funding measure before Thanksgiving if lawmakers want to avoid a government shutdown, though pushing off final decisions on full-year spending bills until next year would put lawmakers smack dab in the middle of what’s expected to be a contentious 2024 primary season. During election years, […]
Campaign cash pouring into southwest WA congressional race
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Democrat whose unexpected win in 2022 flipped a Republican-held seat in southwest Washington, has amassed $2.1 million for a re-election bid next year, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Gluesenkamp Perez hauled in $600,000 in the three-month period ending Sept. 30, outpacing Joe Kent and Leslie Lewallen, […]
WA lands commissioner race heats up with former GOP congresswoman’s entry
Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler entered the race for Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands on Tuesday, giving Republicans a top-flight candidate in what’s shaping up as one of next year’s hottest electoral contests. Herrera Beutler, whose decision had been the subject of speculation for months, said she would focus on reducing the risk of catastrophic […]
GOP presidential hopefuls tear into each other and absent Trump at second debate
The candidates polling from second to eighth in the race for the Republican nomination for president largely agreed on policy, fought over their records and took aim at former President Donald Trump at their second debate of the year Wednesday night. Trump, who leads polls of the race by substantial margins, skipped the event at […]
Washington Lands commissioner race gets even more crowded as Dave Upthegrove jumps in
King County Council Member Dave Upthegrove entered the race for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands on Monday, becoming the fifth Democratic candidate vying for the job of managing state public lands and forests. Upthegrove, a former state lawmaker who ran unsuccessfully for the lands chief job in 2016, created a campaign committee in May but […]
Democratic leaders will leave court to redraw disputed map for WA legislative district
Washington’s bipartisan Redistricting Commission will not be reconvened and a federal judge should redraw the disputed map for a Yakima Valley legislative district, the Democratic leaders of the state Legislature said Wednesday. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane issued a joint statement that there would not be a special […]
Attorney General Bob Ferguson formally enters 2024 race for Washington governor
Washington’s Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson formally announced on Saturday what’s been obvious for months: he’s running for governor. Ferguson has crisscrossed the state, raising money and conducting what he deemed an “exploratory” campaign. But on Saturday, with a morning rally at a Spokane union hall, a midday stop in Pasco, and an evening event […]
Trump absent but still dominates as GOP presidential rivals clash at first debate
Eight Republican presidential candidates gathered onstage Wednesday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a heated first primary debate heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump, though the party’s front-runner refused to attend the two-hour event. Trump instead recorded a competing 46-minute interview with former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson that aired on X, formerly known as […]
Hansen will succeed Rolfes in Washington state Senate
Democratic state Rep. Drew Hansen of Bainbridge Island was appointed to the state Senate Wednesday by the Kitsap County Commission. He replaces Christine Rolfes, who resigned after getting named to the county commission in June. Hansen will serve the remainder of her term, which runs through the end of 2024. He represents the 23rd Legislative […]