The Cook Political Report recently shifted our state’s gubernatorial race rating from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat.” A new poll, sponsored by The Seattle Times, KING 5, and the University of Washington, highlights a close potential general election. The poll shows Democrat Bob Ferguson leading Republican Dave Reichert by 9 percentage points in the Washington governor’s race. Among 564 likely primary voters, 42% support Ferguson and 33% support Reichert, with 14% undecided. Republican Semi Bird and Democrat Mark Mullet follow with 7% and 4% respectively. From the Seattle Times:

“The WA poll reveals a stark partisan divide, with 72% of Democrats saying they would vote for Ferguson while 76% of Republicans said they’d back Reichert. The two had roughly even support among independents, with 32% saying they’d back Reichert and 33% behind Ferguson.”

Read more at the Seattle Times.

In case voters need any reminder that State Superintendent of Instruction Chris Reykdal reign has done incredible damage to students across our state: Washington is facing a severe shortage of qualified special education teachers and aides, with at least 1.5% of these educators unqualified for their roles, according to a new state audit. This percentage is nearly three times higher than other content areas, indicating a significant issue under Reykdal’s leadership. Despite some efforts to address the problem, such as a teacher residency program and proposed funding for hiring bonuses, the high turnover and vacancies persist, leading to a reliance on underprepared staff. This cyclical problem exacerbates the challenges faced by the 143,000 students in special education. Just another reason why voters should reject State Superintendent of Instruction Chris Reykdal this November. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

In yet another example of an awful take by a Democrat elected official in our state: Mukilteo Council President Louis Harris stated he has “no sympathy” for former President Donald Trump following the assassination attempt and that he “won’t give him an inch of compassion.” Harris posted this controversial statement on his personal Facebook page, causing quite a stir. From KTTH:

“Harris defended his post in an emailed statement to ‘The Jason Rantz Show’ on KTTH. He noted that he blind carbon copied (BCC) the city of Mukilteo’s legal representative.

“‘This statement was not posted to my City of Mukilteo social media account and doesn’t reflect my views as a representative in the City of Mukilteo,’ he said. ‘As a representative of the City of Mukilteo, I stand with President Biden and other leaders in condemning political violence of any type. I extend my thoughts and prayers to the innocent bystanders who were killed or injured at this event.’

“Notably absent from his statement are thoughts and prayers towards Trump, who narrowly escaped death.”

Given his history of controversial statements – including touting the slogan, “all cops are bastards” – and support for the defund police movement, perhaps Mukilteo Council President Louis Harris should reflect inwardly and learn to dial back his heated rhetoric. Read more at KTTH.

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs’ 2023 report highlights significant increases in specific crimes in Spokane County. The report reveals that drug-related offenses surged from 2022 to 2023, with “Drug Equipment Violations” rising 288% and “Drug/Narcotic Violations” increasing 283%. Other crimes also saw notable increases, including a 39.5% rise in “Extortion/Blackmail,” a 14.5% increase in “Weapon Law Violations,” a 9.8% increase in rapes, and an 8.9% increase in burglaries.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels attributed these crime spikes to the national drug crisis, which he believes is the root cause of much of the violent crime in the area. He pointed to increased drug trafficking and the resulting rise in violent behaviors among residents. Nowels also cited diminished law enforcement staffing and retention challenges, exacerbated by the negative stigma created by Democrats and their anti-law enforcement policies.

The shocking increase in drug-related offenses should be a wake-up call to how our nation’s unsecured southern border impacts communities across our country – but we’re not holding our breath that Democrats take stock and reverse course. Read more at Center Square.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our podcast, dedicated to delivering insightful conversations on the pressing issues facing Washington state. If you’re concerned about the events unfolding in our state – from rising crime rates to the incessant addition of new tax hikes – and want to have a little fun, this podcast is for you.

Hosted by lifelong Washington state residents, our podcast features interviews with conservative thinkers and leaders who share their perspectives and solutions for the challenges our state faces. And, in the coming weeks, we’ll bring you interviews with candidates vying for offices across our state.

Listen to the inaugural, introductory podcast today – and don’t forget to subscribe!

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