Republicans
A third Democrat joins contest for western Washington congressional seat
Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean kicked off a bid for Congress on Tuesday, becoming the third Democrat in the hunt to replace U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer when he retires next year. Dean, who is in her second term on the three-person commission, is a 25-year county resident and has co-founded three businesses – Old Tarboo […]
Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session
Providing striking workers with unemployment checks. Protecting unspent gift card balances for consumers. Keeping the old name for a new state building. These are among the matters Washington lawmakers are teeing up for debate in the 2024 session. Legislators on Monday could begin pre-filing bills for introduction on the session’s first day, Jan. 8. To […]
Franz says opportunity, not opportunism, driving her bid for WA seat in Congress
Hilary Franz issued an urgent proclamation in spring when she launched her bid for Washington governor. “Anything shy of epic won’t cut it,” she said in May. “There’s no shortage of challenges, but I know we can tackle them together. Six months later, Franz, Washington’s two-term Democratic Commissioner of Public Lands, is pursuing a new […]
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 […]
Democrat Emily Randall enters race for Washington congressional seat
Democratic state Sen. Emily Randall on Thursday kicked off a campaign to succeed U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer next year, touting her lifelong ties with communities throughout the western Washington congressional district. Randall, who grew up in Port Orchard and lives in Bremerton, said she’ll work to expand higher education access, lower health care costs, and […]
Franz halts bid for WA governor, sets sights on Congress
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz on Friday ended her bid for governor and launched a new campaign for Congress. Franz, a Democrat, said she is running to succeed Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer in the 6th Congressional District which encompasses the Olympic Peninsula, the Kitsap Peninsula and much of Tacoma. Kilmer, who announced Thursday he […]
GOP presidential candidates brawl in Florida debate, while Trump rallies nearby
Five Republican candidates for president tussled over support for Ukraine and abortion policy at a debate in Miami Wednesday evening, while the leading contender for the nomination, former President Donald Trump, sought Latino votes in an event across town. Trump, who consistently garners more than 50% in polls of Republican voters, once again declined to […]
Here’s how collective bargaining for Washington legislative staffers could go
Employees of the state Legislature will be able to unionize next May but not every one of them should be allowed to do so. That’s according to recommendations in a new report from the leader of the Office of State Legislative Labor Relations. Only partisan staff in the House and Senate should be permitted to […]
WA lawmaker plans hiatus from think tank job to comply with ethics rules
A Yakima state lawmaker appeared Friday to satisfy concerns of an ethics panel so he can continue working for the Washington Policy Center without violating any conflict-of-interest laws. Republican Rep. Chris Corry became director of the conservative think tank’s Center for Government Reform in May. When he got the job offer, Corry asked the Legislative […]
Oregon Supreme Court will hear lawsuit from Senate Republicans who walked out
A group of Senate Republicans who want to run for re-election despite running afoul of a voter-approved law meant to curb legislative walkouts will get their day in the Oregon Supreme Court. The court this week agreed to bypass the state appeals court and hear a challenge from five Republican senators to Secretary of State […]
Mike Johnson of Louisiana elected speaker of the U.S. House after three weeks of stalemate
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday voted for Louisiana’s Mike Johnson as speaker in a chamber that has been frozen for more than three weeks after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. In a 220-209 party-line vote, all Republicans present backed Johnson, 51, a strongly conservative lawyer who represents northwest Louisiana’s 4th District. All […]
U.S. House gripped by paralysis again after GOP punts proposal for speaker pro tem
WASHINGTON — A resolution meant to temporarily allow U.S. House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry of North Carolina to move critical legislation won’t be acted on, House Republicans said following a tense, closed-door meeting on Thursday. But it appeared that the House will vote a third time on whether Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan will serve […]