It is noteworthy on this hallowed day to take a look through Shift’s Interviews of legislative candidates and see the number of  Republican candidates who began their public service by committing to military duty.  Just of those we interviewed (Shift focused on candidates challenging Democrat incumbents or those running in open seats), there were a couple of Republican state senate candidates (Janelle Cass in the 21^st LD and Bill Boyce in the 47^th) who volunteered to serve our country.

In state house contests there were many GOP candidates with military experience.  This list includes Chad Magendanz (5^th LD), Karen Lesetmoe (10^th LD), Susanna Keilman (28^th), Gabe Sachwitz (28^th), Brett Johnson (29^th), Travis Couture (35^th), Mark James (38^th), and Dan Johnson (42^nd).  On this Veterans Day, all of us at Shift thank all of these veterans/candidates for their past service to our country and for being willing to step up to serve the citizens of Washington State by taking on the disastrous policies of the majority party.

These individuals provide a very sharp contrast to the Democrats’ top veteran candidate, Clyde Shavers, in the 10^th Legislative District. Clyde  not only lied about his work experience, family history, and residency during his campaign, but he disgraced the uniform by repeatedly lying about his military service.   Clyde’s father wrote that not only did his son lie about his time in the U.S. Navy, but he had “disdain for the military.” Sadly Clyde’s lies and his views on the military did not become public until after a majority of votes had been cast (thanks in part to the Seattle Times waiting six days to report the story, and then described Clyde’s multiple lies as “exaggerating”), and he now clings to a 1,500-vote lead, with later-arriving ballots breaking stronger for Republican Representative Greg Gilday.  If Shavers manages to hold on and win, it will be interesting to see what punishment he receives from his new Democrat colleagues. If he survives the term without being forced out for his absolute dishonesty, he will undoubtedly be the top target of Republicans in 2024, when not even media complacency will hide Clyde’s habit of lying to the voters. (Shift’s Legislative Candidate Interviews and Shift Article)

Yesterday’s vote count slightly narrowed the lead of Democrat Steve Hobbs by 2,000 votes over Independent Julie Anderson in their Washington Secretary of State contest, but he still remained ahead by 51,000 votes and she has conceded the race.  It is becoming more apparent that the misguided effort to write-in Brad Klippert for the position (currently there are more than 85,000 write in votes) will give control of this important election office to an extremely partisan Democrat in Hobbs. Thus endeth a 58-year tradition of electing Republican Secretary of States who delivered fair and balanced decisions on election issues.

Many media outlets have called Democrat Representative Kim Schrier the winner in the 8^th Congressional District. Republican Matt Larkin was able to win strongly in the district’s Central Washington counties (Chelan, Douglas, and Kittitas), and in the eastern portions of Pierce and Snohomish counties.  Yet Schrier’s 62% – 38% margin in King County (where approximately 45% of the district’s voters reside) was enough for her to be re-elected.  In the 3^rd Congressional District,  Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’ lead shrunk to less than 6,000 over Republican Joe Kent, thus ensuring the race will remain in doubt at least through the weekend.

In legislative races, Republicans in the Southwest Washington’s 17^th and 18^th legislative districts took strong leads in post-election day counts.  Races in the 10^th, 26^th, and 42^nd legislative districts remain close, and many of these races won’t by called until next week. (Secretary of State Election Results)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley hinted, in a Facebook message posted yesterday afternoon, that she will be running again soon.  The veterans’ advocate and former nurse wrote that she had the best campaign team in the country and that they “were brought together for a purpose.”  She ended the post by writing, “This is just the beginning.”  (Tiffany Smiley campaign Facebook)

Speaking of future campaigns, League of Our Own Washington announced they will have a Zoom kick-off event for their 2023 efforts on December 13, starting at 5:00 PM.  The League of Our Own is  “dedicated to finding talented women who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal accountability to run for office. (They) provide them with the tools, resources, training and mentorship they need to be successful candidates and effective leaders.”  The League was successful in both 2021 and 2022, assisting many strong moderate/conservative female candidates across Washington.  The December 13 event will feature Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and journalist Brandi Kruse as the group describes its “BIG plans for 2023.”  Clink on this link for more information and to register. (League of Our Own announcement and Executive Director Kaitlin Vintertun Shift Interview)

Seattle Times business columnist Jon Talton writes that the wisest way for the Seattle City Council to balance the city’s budget is to “pet the goose that lays the golden eggs.”   Talton writes that if the council does what it normally does, which is raise taxes on businesses, it will do more harm than good. He notes that downtown retail is struggling due to office buildings remaining half empty as employees continue to work from home, and shoppers not feeling safe due to the ongoing homelessness crisis and skyrocketing crime rates.

The City of Seattle is currently facing a projected $141 million deficit for next year (out of a $7.1 billion annual budget) primarily because of a reduction in retail tax revenue. Projections show that the city’s deficit will grow to $152 million in 2024 and $142 million in 2025.  Recent analysis shows that over the past 10 years “Seattle general fund and other operating fund taxes have grown four times faster than the economy and the population.” The Seattle City Council has approved $700 million in new annual taxes since 2018.

Talton asserts the belief that the council should do more to bring workers back into the city and more programs like the one which new Councilmember Sara Nelson recently passed to spend $2 million helping small businesses replace broken windows and repair other damage committed by vandals. Talton also believes that government should force employees to return to their downtown office spaces for it “would help support the ecosystem of restaurants and other businesses dependent on workers as customers.”  He also called on the council to place an “emphasis on public safety” which will encourage companies to bring their employees back to the office. (Seattle Times)

A suspect has been arrested for a series of armed carjackings which took place on Monday around King County. Carjackings and car thefts have skyrocketed in Washington State since the Democrats passed their anti-police package during the 2021 legislative session.  A 22-year-old man was charged with carjackings in Kent, Bellevue, and Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood, for smashing into two cars while speeding across the 520 bridge, and for illegally using stolen credit cards.  Since he fired his weapon in the carjacking that took place in the Bellevue Square parking lot and used the weapon in the other criminal activities, police were able to pursue him when the last car he had stolen was located back in Kent. The suspect was arrested after police successfully used a “PIT” maneuver to stop the vehicle.  The suspect has 6 previous felony convictions in Spokane County. (KOMO News)

In the same week that Nikki Torres became the first Latina elected to the Washington State Senate from Eastern Washington, Sonia Rodriguez True became the first Latina appointed to the Yakima County Superior Court.  Republican Torres won with nearly 70% of the vote in 15^th Legislative District (Yakima Valley) Senate race. Rodriguez True was appointed to the court to fill the position vacated by Judge Gayle Harthcock’s retirement. (Yakima Herald and Secretary of State election results)

Republican Bob McCaslin is gaining on incumbent Democrat Spokane Auditor Vicky Dalton with the latest batch of votes counted Thursday.  After Tuesday night, McCaslin, who is currently a state representative, was down more than 5,700 votes.  After receiving 57.3% of the vote in the ballots counted on Thursday, he is down only 1,960 votes.  The Spokesman-Review figures McCaslin will need to win just 53.5% of the remaining 28,000 ballots to overtake Dalton.  (Spokesman Review)

Do you like The Daily Briefing? Do you want to keep seeing coverage of issues which are important to you?

Shift is the only media outlet in the state to interview legislative candidates to obtain their views on the important issues facing Washington State voters.

Please consider making a contribution to ensure Shift continues to provide daily updates on the shenanigans of the liberal establishment and provides you inside coverage of the 2022 elections which includes exclusive interviews with top candidates.

Forward this to a friend.  It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

You can also follow SHIFTWA on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].