“She is a ghost in the state and in the Senate”
Statewide
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell has a new challenger. Former state Republican Party chair Susan Hutchison filed late Friday afternoon, taking on Cantwell as she goes for her fourth Senate term. “She is a fake senator. She is a ghost in the state and in the Senate,” Hutchison said of Cantwell. 28 other candidates also filed, making for an incredibly crowded ballot. (Seattle Times)
Happening in Olympia
After last week’s Texas high school shooting, state Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia) urged Gov. Jay Inslee to order a special session soon so the Legislature can consider bills aimed at preventing mass shootings. “No law or legislative action will alone change human hearts and altogether stop violence,” he said in a written statement Friday. “But the Legislature can take steps to reduce the risk of deadly school violence, which often stems from mental illness.” (Tacoma News Tribune)
Western Washington
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is streamlining the process to build backyard cottages, saying, “We need to use every tool in our toolbox to boost the supply of housing.” Durkan wants to fast-track construction of backyard cottages from pre-approved designs. The issue of the cottages, known as accessory dwelling units, has been stalled at City Hall for years. (My Northwest)
Taxpayers are footing the $250,000+ in legal bills (so far) to defend Councilmember Kshama Sawant in multiple defamation suits against her. One of the lawsuits was brought by two Seattle Police officers who claim Sawant falsely said they had committed “brutal murder” in 2016. (Seattle Times)
Eastern Washington
Three candidates jumped in the race to replace retiring state Rep. Terry Nealey (R-Dayton). Republicans Skyler Rude of Walla Walla and Dan Mildon of Kennewick and Democrat Rebecca Francik of Pasco are going for the seat. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
Notable Tweets
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