As Shift WA previously reported, Washington Democrats are now within striking distance of a supermajority in Olympia, and the August primary results have put them closer to having nearly unchecked control of the Legislature. Democrats need to pick up seven House seats and three Senate seats this November to reach the two-thirds threshold.

Why does that matter? A supermajority would allow Democrats to override Gov. Bob Ferguson’s vetoes and push constitutional amendments without a single Republican vote. That could open the door to everything from enshrining abortion protections in the state constitution to changing school bond requirements — and potentially even redrawing legislative districts in ways that could cement Democratic power.

And if you think Democrats would suddenly become more restrained with that kind of power, consider the 2026 session. They passed the 9.9% tax on household income over $1 million, increased spending and continued piling new costs onto Washington families.

The primary results show Democrats are making progress toward their goal, particularly in competitive Southwest Washington House races. But Republicans still have a chance to stop them in November, when turnout will be much higher and voters are paying closer attention.

The stakes are bigger than simply who controls Olympia for the next two years. A Democratic supermajority could give the party the power to rewrite the rules without Republican support.

Please, don’t sit this election out. Read NPR’s take on the issue.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is already facing a recall hearing on Aug. 31, just months into her first term, after a North Seattle couple accused her of failing to adequately handle the city’s public-safety problems.

The petition points to the five-hour delay before Wilson addressed the public after the July 26 Bite of Seattle shooting that killed three people, continued crime concerns in North Aurora and the Chinatown/International District, and her decision to turn off surveillance cameras after the World Cup.

If a judge approves the petition, the couple will have 90 days to collect 69,000 valid signatures.

And voters may actually be ready to sign. A new Change Washington poll found 60% of Seattle voters say Wilson should resign or be recalled, while roughly two-thirds disapprove of her performance. Even among Democrats, 53% want her gone.

But there’s a big serving of irony here: Seattle voters elected a far-left, inexperienced mayor, and now even they may be wondering what exactly they voted for. Is there a limit to how much ideological experimentation the Emerald City is willing eat? Time will tell. Read more at The Center Square.

Washington’s top-two primary is not finished deciding which Democrat gets to lose to Republican Erika Creydt in the 42nd Legislative District.

After Monday’s challenged-ballot review, Michael Shepard leads fellow Democrat Eamonn Collins by just four votes—13,125 to 13,121—for second place and a spot on the November ballot.

The two are headed for a hand recount next week, making this one of the closest races in the state. Republican Erika Creydt finished first with 44.6%, while Shepard and Collins split the Democratic vote.

The seat is open because Democratic Sen. Sharon Shewmake is not seeking reelection. Creydt, a psychologist and Blaine school board member, will face whichever Democrat survives the recount. She will face an uphill – though not impossible – battle.

So far, Whatcom County has counted nearly 50,000 ballots, with the Democratic candidates separated by just four votes. At this point, every challenged ballot really does matter—which is probably not what anyone expected from a race featuring two Democrats fighting over who gets the chance to take on the Republican in November. Read more the Washington State Standard.

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