While Washington State appeared out of step with the national rightward shift, there’s reason to believe this is not correct and only temporary. Today we look at three critical perspectives: first, issues that are not primarily responsible for Republican losses; second, the real causes of progressive dominance in Washington; and finally, reasons for optimism that Washington could soon begin to shift more strongly rightward alongside the rest of the country.
I hope you are right Nancy. I lived in Washington from 1968 to 1977 including my 4 yrs at WSU. The state was not conservative but it also wasn't crazy. Governors like Dan Evans. Senators like Jackson and Magnusen could never get elected in today's Washington. The Seattle is rapidly starting to look like a third world country. Wealthy tech elitists on top, who can afford expensive homes, a middle class that is increasingly price out of living in a SF home and then the subsidized poor and homeless. Washington needs to make room again for working class people. Like the mid level Boeing engineers, techs and factory workers, the kind of folks who used to work at places like PACCAR etc. The policies of Insley and his ilk will never accomplish that goal. They enjoy their power far too much. Good luck Washington.
I would like ideas on how to get more voters to vote in school levies - preferably voting against, and run for school board positions on a platform to improve student's cognitive abilities so academics and behavior improves.
John, I think you run a school levy campaign (pro or con) just like you run any other political campaign. Organize a group of volunteers, raise some money, buy publicity, write letters to the editor, build a website, print flyers, knock on doors... it takes consistent effort over time.
As for people to run for school board, attend sporting events and you'll find the engaged families. Make friends and Start talking about academics and curriculum. That is where you can recruit new candidates.
You are on the right track with this attention on schools and local elections. Those are the most local examples of self-governance, and the ones where our votes are the least diluted and most powerful.
You have comforted my broken heart. I grew up in Washington in the Marysville area. I was gone for 10 years after marrying. My husband knew how much I missed the green, with cooler summers and so we moved to SW WA in 1978. We have recently considered moving from WA again because of the far left lean of the politics in this state. I have often wondered at the left leaning thinking of the people who are that way in this state when common sense should point out the flaws in that thinking. It is almost a mental illness to have far left think. We are in the middle of building a new home as our single wide mobile is failing afterr 46 years and 7 kids, all raised now. It grieved me to think of having to sell our property and new home and having to start over somewhere else at 76 years old. I will keep praying that things will change. How much pain and suffering will be enough for all the Dems who vote for progessive policies in our beautiful Washington? When will it finally be enough?
I appreciate the thoughtful analysis and agree with much of it. My concern is the level of Democrat dominance in statewide politics, highlighted by not having Republican governor in 40 years. I’m also wondering about the current effectiveness of state GOP leadership. Having a slight swing toward the right in this election is a good thing. No question. But, will it translate to any local or statewide gains in 2025 or 2026? Or, will any conservative bump now simply languish? How will the GOP leadership in this state build on it? What initiatives will the GOP endorse in January? What’s the battle plan? Just continuing to accept the role of controlled opposition here is no longer acceptable. I also ran some of my own numbers and determined that in the 25 counties that voted for Trump, the registered voter turnout was 59 percent (67 percent in Ferry County), while in the 14 counties that went for Harris the registered voter turnout was 67 percent. So, was it that Democrat voters were actually more energized than we conservatives? Why was that? Apathy? If so, what was the reason for that? I agree that conservatives may be able to exert some influence in upcoming elections. But, without some definable wins in this upcoming legislative session, the quick emergence of true America First candidates, and some dynamic, out-of-the-box statewide GOP leadership I fear we may see a malaise settle in for conservatives.
Agreed....appreciate the positive tone and you're not wrong. We need Conservatives to get engaged and/or stay engaged with our Legislative process. Be vocal. Have conversations with people. Engage others.
Thanks for this analysis - very interesting, and I appreciate the positive tone.
I hope you are right Nancy. I lived in Washington from 1968 to 1977 including my 4 yrs at WSU. The state was not conservative but it also wasn't crazy. Governors like Dan Evans. Senators like Jackson and Magnusen could never get elected in today's Washington. The Seattle is rapidly starting to look like a third world country. Wealthy tech elitists on top, who can afford expensive homes, a middle class that is increasingly price out of living in a SF home and then the subsidized poor and homeless. Washington needs to make room again for working class people. Like the mid level Boeing engineers, techs and factory workers, the kind of folks who used to work at places like PACCAR etc. The policies of Insley and his ilk will never accomplish that goal. They enjoy their power far too much. Good luck Washington.
I would like ideas on how to get more voters to vote in school levies - preferably voting against, and run for school board positions on a platform to improve student's cognitive abilities so academics and behavior improves.
John, I think you run a school levy campaign (pro or con) just like you run any other political campaign. Organize a group of volunteers, raise some money, buy publicity, write letters to the editor, build a website, print flyers, knock on doors... it takes consistent effort over time.
As for people to run for school board, attend sporting events and you'll find the engaged families. Make friends and Start talking about academics and curriculum. That is where you can recruit new candidates.
You are on the right track with this attention on schools and local elections. Those are the most local examples of self-governance, and the ones where our votes are the least diluted and most powerful.
You have comforted my broken heart. I grew up in Washington in the Marysville area. I was gone for 10 years after marrying. My husband knew how much I missed the green, with cooler summers and so we moved to SW WA in 1978. We have recently considered moving from WA again because of the far left lean of the politics in this state. I have often wondered at the left leaning thinking of the people who are that way in this state when common sense should point out the flaws in that thinking. It is almost a mental illness to have far left think. We are in the middle of building a new home as our single wide mobile is failing afterr 46 years and 7 kids, all raised now. It grieved me to think of having to sell our property and new home and having to start over somewhere else at 76 years old. I will keep praying that things will change. How much pain and suffering will be enough for all the Dems who vote for progessive policies in our beautiful Washington? When will it finally be enough?
I appreciate the thoughtful analysis and agree with much of it. My concern is the level of Democrat dominance in statewide politics, highlighted by not having Republican governor in 40 years. I’m also wondering about the current effectiveness of state GOP leadership. Having a slight swing toward the right in this election is a good thing. No question. But, will it translate to any local or statewide gains in 2025 or 2026? Or, will any conservative bump now simply languish? How will the GOP leadership in this state build on it? What initiatives will the GOP endorse in January? What’s the battle plan? Just continuing to accept the role of controlled opposition here is no longer acceptable. I also ran some of my own numbers and determined that in the 25 counties that voted for Trump, the registered voter turnout was 59 percent (67 percent in Ferry County), while in the 14 counties that went for Harris the registered voter turnout was 67 percent. So, was it that Democrat voters were actually more energized than we conservatives? Why was that? Apathy? If so, what was the reason for that? I agree that conservatives may be able to exert some influence in upcoming elections. But, without some definable wins in this upcoming legislative session, the quick emergence of true America First candidates, and some dynamic, out-of-the-box statewide GOP leadership I fear we may see a malaise settle in for conservatives.
Agreed....appreciate the positive tone and you're not wrong. We need Conservatives to get engaged and/or stay engaged with our Legislative process. Be vocal. Have conversations with people. Engage others.
Republicans all the way 🇺🇸