The Politics Blog

Brad Shannon is political editor at The Olympian and can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@theolympian.com.

Contact

Political Editor

Brad Shannon
360-753-1688
bshannon@theolympian.com

GOP Sen. Pflug leaving Legislature; party control of her seat hangs in balance

posted 03:26 PM 05/22

Republican Sen. Cheryl Pflug is moving on to a new job, leaving an open seat that will help determine control of the state Senate.

WEA endorses lawmakers, GOP's Kim Wyman

posted 01:30 PM 05/21

At the Washington Education Association's weekend convention, Secretary of State candidate Kim Wyman became the first Republican statewide candidate to get the teacher's union's endorsement this year.

UPDATED - McKenna wins Stand for Children’s K-12 endorsement

posted 11:05 AM 05/18

In what looks like a significant setback to Democrat Jay Inslee and a big boost to Republican Rob McKenna, education-advocacy group Stand for Children has endorsed McKenna’s gubernatorial campaign as a “change agent” for public schools. The group, which endorsed Gov. Chris Gregoire’s re-election four years ago, rated both candidates based on answers to questions and McKenna scored higher in almost every category except high expectations for students.

McKenna makes it official, files for gov from Spokane

posted 06:52 PM 05/17

Republican Rob McKenna filed to run for governor today, doing it online from Spokane. He also put out a news release [pasted below] that touts his “new direction” theme that includes school reform and reducing regulations that hinder economic growth.

McKenna was the seventh to file for governor and the field is likely to again be crowded for the Aug. 7 primary. But the two-term attorney general expects to emerge easily in a two-man race with Democrat and former congressman Jay Inslee.

UPDATE - Ex-Rep. Williams jumps into Appeals Court race

posted 12:53 PM 05/18

Brendan Williams, the former three-term state representative, filed to run in a crowded Court of Appeals race [Thursday], making an abrupt turn away from a Thurston County Superior Court seat he had been collecting cash and a slew of labor endorsements for.

The move shakes up at least two races. In a separate move, Thurston Superior Court commissioner Indu Thomas filed for the county judge position Williams had been eyeing.

In filing for the Division 2 appellate seat, Williams joins five other candidates – Pam Loginsky of Port Orchard, Thomas Bjorgen of Olympia, Michael Lynch of Tumwater, Thomas Weaver of South Colby, and Jim Foley of Olympia.

Inslee first to file for gov, pledging to create jobs

posted 01:39 PM 05/15

Democrat Jay Inslee made his run for governor official this morning. He filed paperwork and then held a low-key rally with about 45 supporters on the Capitol steps – built around a jobs and education theme.

Republican Rob McKenna is expected to follow suit Wednesday in a race that is not expected to draw any other serious challengers – although others undoubtedly will put in their names. Inslee has a slim $5.4 million to $4.7 million fundraising edge.

Rep. DeBolt sees gain of 6 to 9 House seats

posted 02:57 PM 05/14

House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt of Chehalis filed for re-election this morning, and the 20th district lawmaker says he expects his party to move closer to parity with Democrats in the November election.

UPDATE - Drew, Kastama, Wright file early for secretary of state

posted 11:31 AM 05/14

State Sen. Jim Kastama of Puyallup and former state senator Kathleen Drew who lives in Olympia were among early filers for secretary of state this morning as filing week got under way at 8 a.m.

Also filing was Sam Wright of Olympia who listed himself as with The Human Rights Party. A fourth candidate is Karen Murray, a Quincy resident who listed her party preference a the Constitution Party. All are running for the seat that Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed is retiring from after three terms.

Former Seattle mayor Greg Nickels, a Democrat, also is running – as is Republican Kim Wyman, who serves presently as Thurston County auditor.

UPDATE - Mixed news: State revenues steady

posted 07:55 PM 05/11

Washington’s top revenue forecaster put out his monthly collections report today, showing state general-fund revenue collections dipped by about $7.6 million in the preceding month. But the cumulative total is still $9.6 million ahead of the last quarterly forecast in mid-February.

Go here for interim forecaster Steve Lerch’s report, which talks about a mixed economic outlook nationally and at the state level. He also notes that Washington’s economic is facing a drag from spending cuts in state and local government.

Dick Muri first in the door to register in Olympia

posted 01:28 PM 05/14

Republican Dick Muri of Lakewood, who is running for Congress in the state’s new 10th district, was the first candidate to file in person at the Office of the Secretary of State this morning at 8 a.m.

» PREVIOUS STORIES

MORE STORIES »