Team —
Last week’s news was dominated by Washington’s primary, and though votes are still being counted, the results are largely settled and the 14-week sprint to the general election has begun for candidates across the state.
Three major themes have emerged based on the primary numbers, and none of them bode well for the Jay Inslee-led liberals trying to-retake control of state government.
- Voter turnout was down, as the top of the Democrat ticket – Sen. Patty Murray and Inslee – failed to generate much enthusiasm among the voters. Though officials were predicting 40% of the state’s 4 million voters would cast ballots, turnout looks now to have come in under 35%. The Democrats need the higher turnout, which brings out a greater number less-informed voters, for their higher taxes and bigger government agenda to succeed at the polls.
- Inslee’s “all-Trump-all-the-time” attacks failed, and he was rejected by a majority of the voters in his race. Now he faces off against Bill Bryant in the general election, and may be forced to actually defend his dismal first-term record and his support for a state income tax.
- Republicans made sure that Democrats will have to fight a two-front battle over control of the state legislature, essentially picking up the one Democrat House seat they need to force a tie in that body, by racking up a big majority in a 31st District primary. The GOP is looking at a couple other options to secure the 50th seat which would mean a majority (and an end to Frank Chopp’s record-long House Speakership). The liberals also failed to make much of a dent in the Majority Coalition’s two-seat advantage in the State Senate, with both parties having one incumbent hovering around the 50% mark, and at least one open seat in play as well.
Democrats also suffered an embarrassing defeat in the open State Treasurer’s campaign, as two Republicans earned general election berths by finishing ahead of the three Democrats in the race. Benton County Treasurer Duane Davidson and finance professional Michael Waite will face off in November, with the winner becoming the first GOP treasurer in 60 years.
There will be plenty of action for Shift to shine a light on over the next three months, as we point out the truth about the Democrat attacks that have already started and will only increase before November 8.
Happy reading.
The Shift Team