State elections
Poll: Tight race in campaign for governor
OLYMPIA -- Washington’s leading candidates for governor are running about even, as Republican Rob McKenna is showing more strength in the state than his party’s presidential nominee, according to a new poll released Wednesday.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Approach to ed reform sets Inslee, McKenna apart
SEATTLE -- Both of Washington state's leading gubernatorial candidates say schools should find innovative new ways to teach. But they disagree sharply on how to make this happen, illustrating a key disagreement among voters.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Social issues part of governor's race debate
OLYMPIA -- Gay marriage in Washington state is all but certain to be decided by voters in November, but the state's gubernatorial candidates will be offsetting each other's votes on whether to uphold the new law approving same-sex unions.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Northwest
Rob McKenna wants tougher driver's license rules; Jay Inslee unclear
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna wants Washington state to join 48 others in requiring proof of legal residency to get a driver's license. Democratic rival Jay Inslee isn't so sure.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Northwest
McKenna's King County files reveal signs of improper campaigning
SEATTLE -- Using a fax machine and letterhead from the King County Council in April 2002, the office of then-Councilman Rob McKenna sent off an invitation to the U.S. secretary of the interior.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Northwest
Who’s running for office
U.S. SenateChuck Jackson (Prefers Republican Party)Michael Baumgartner (Prefers Republican Party)Maria Cantwell (Prefers Democratic Party)Art Coday (Prefers Republican Party)Mike the Mover (Prefers Republican Party)Glenn Stockwell (Prefers Republican Party)
Date: 05/19/2012 | Local News
Education group backs McKenna for governor
OLYMPIA -- An education advocacy group that typically supports Democrats endorsed Republican Rob McKenna for governor Friday, saying he has concrete proposals that would improve outcomes for students.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Northwest
Filing begins, including 2 races for same seat
The political season heats up this week, as candidates file for local, state and federal offices.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Local News
Everett governor candidate shut out of debate
What does a guy running for governor have to do to get an invitation to the election's first big debate next month?
Date: 05/03/2012 | Local News
McKenna says lower business costs will spur jobs
OLYMPIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna is repeating his call to cut costs to small businesses, something he says will enable them to hire more workers.
Date: 05/01/2012 | Northwest
McKenna pushes jobs plan, plugs work with NASCAR driver
Republican Rob McKenna is taking most of today off from his job as the state's attorney general to campaign for the position he hopes to win this fall which is governor.
Date: 05/01/2012 | The Petri Dish
Medical marijuana becomes key issue in Oregon race
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Of the thousands of laws that Oregon's attorney general enforces or interprets, the one allowing medical marijuana has lit up the campaign for that office more than any other.
Date: 04/28/2012 | Northwest
Inslee a meticulous manager of campaign cash
OLYMPIA -- Three months after his first quest for governor came to an end in 1996, Jay Inslee began draining the $6,000 surplus in his campaign account by sending out a refund of $1,000 -- to himself.
Date: 04/25/2012 | Northwest
Inslee, McKenna offer ideas for maritime industry
SEATTLE -- Gubernatorial hopefuls Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna are offering some ideas about how to bolster the region's maritime industry but didn't specifically say how they would pay for those improvements.
Date: 04/24/2012 | Northwest
Another Republican enters race for Pearson's seat
Gregory Lemke of Arlington has become the fourth Republican candidate vying to succeed state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe.
Date: 04/23/2012 | The Petri Dish
Precedent against same-sex marriage
When it comes to marriage, voters in this country aren't all that kind to same-sex couples.
Date: 04/22/2012 | Local News
How gay marriage fared in elections elsewhere
In February, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a law allowing gay and lesbian couples in Washington to marry. It will take effect June 7 unless, as expected, opponents get enough signatures to put the law before voters in November -- with the hope voters will reject it. If opponents qualify
Date: 04/22/2012 | Need to Know
Front Porch: Start rehearsing for lip sync contest
Start rehearsingPeople who love lip syncing can start practicing for the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce competition.The 24th annual Lip Sync Contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Sultan High School Commons, 13715 310th Ave. SE.
Date: 04/10/2012 | Local News
Reed seeks nearly $1 million for special congressional election
The price for the special election to replace U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee is rising.Secretary of State Sam Reed on Thursday asked House and Senate budget writers for another $995,000 to cover costs associated with educating voters and conducting the balloting in August and November.
Date: 04/06/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee wants new state dollars to go to education
RENTON -- Gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee said Thursday any new dollars the state brings in through the economic recovery and his plans for job creation and budget cuts should go to education first.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Northwest
House to put out new budget plan Wednesday
House Democratic leaders said this morning they intend to roll out a new budget proposal Wednesday morning and hold hearings on several reform bills in the afternoon.
Date: 04/03/2012 | The Petri Dish
Rob McKenna leaps into fray over state budget
OLYMPIA -- As a budget deal continued to elude lawmakers Monday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna jumped into the fray with his ideas on how to reach agreement in the special session and who is to blame for the continuing impasse.
Date: 04/03/2012 | Local News
Eyman pushes for 'renewal' of anti-tax initiative
MUKILTEO -- Initiative impresario Tim Eyman said Monday he will once again push for a ballot measure limiting the ability of state lawmakers to create or raise taxes.
Date: 04/03/2012 | Local News
McKenna's 15-minute plan to balance the budget
Rob McKenna, the Republican Party's leading man in the contest to be Washington's next governor, is stealing the media limelight again.
Date: 04/02/2012 | The Petri Dish
McKenna to release state budget ideas next week
OLYMPIA -- As lawmakers continue to struggle to find a budget solution, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rob McKenna says he'll unveil an outline of ideas next week.McKenna's campaign said Friday he will release a budget policy paper Monday afternoon in Olympia.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Northwest
McKenna, Inslee praise teacher-evaluation law
SEATTLE -- Gubernatorial candidates Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee on Thursday praised a new law that passed the state Legislature this year making evaluations a part of how teachers are judged.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Northwest
Fundraising freeze side effect of special session
OLYMPIA -- As lawmakers struggle to break a state budget impasse, more than one person has a fiscal interest in whether another special session is needed.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Northwest
Inslee changes mind, agrees to AWB debate
The Association of Washington Business will have its gubernatorial debate after all.Two days after Democratic candidate Jay Inslee said he would not take part in an AWB-sponsored debate in June, the former congressman reversed course and said he will participate.
Date: 03/28/2012 | The Petri Dish
McKenna challenges Inslee to 15 debates
OLYMPIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna has challenged his Democratic opponent Jay Inslee to 15 debates in the coming months, and Inslee's campaign said Monday that they had agreed to three so far.
Date: 03/26/2012 | Northwest
Inslee to hire ex-Jerry Brown spokesman
A man who helped Democrat Jerry Brown become California's governor in 2010 has been tapped by Democrat Jay Inslee to help him win the Washington governor's race this fall.
Date: 03/22/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee's done in Congress
Candidate returns to state to focus on race for governor
Date: 03/20/2012 | Local News
Court upholds initiative privatizing liquor sales
LONGVIEW -- A Cowlitz County judge on Monday ruled that a voter-approved initiative privatizing liquor sales in Washington is constitutional, reversing an earlier decision that had left the measure's fate in question.
Date: 03/19/2012 | Business
Inslee exit may make it possible to serve in Congress for a month
The pending resignation of U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee from Congress is causing an unanticipated headache for state election...
Date: 03/15/2012 | The Petri Dish
WA redistricting plan stands for 2012 elections
OLYMPIA -- The Washington Supreme Court says the state redistricting plan will stand for the 2012 elections, despite a legal challenge.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Northwest
Same-sex marriage petitions active
Those wanting to repeal the state's new same-sex marriage law can start signing petitions today in hopes of putting the question before voters in November.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Local News
The other candidate
Snohomish's Shahram Hadian is running for governor
Date: 03/15/2012 | Local News
McKenna’s campaign raises $250K in 3 days
Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna hauled in $250,000 for his gubernatorial campaign in the three-day thaw in fundraising between the regular and special sessions of the Legislature.
Date: 03/13/2012 | Local News
McKenna rakes in $250,000 for campaign
Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna hauled in $250,000 for his gubernatorial campaign in the three-day thaw in fundraising between the regular and special sessions of the Legislature.
Date: 03/12/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee resigns House seat
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee said Saturday he is quitting Congress to devote himself full-time to becoming the state's next governor.
Date: 03/10/2012 | Local News
McKenna can raise money for governor's race before special session
SEATTLE -- Attorney General Rob McKenna is temporarily able to raise money again for his gubernatorial bid.
Date: 03/09/2012 | Northwest
Tied with Jay Inslee in latest poll, Rob McKenna steps with caution around presidential race
Republican Rob McKenna's ever-so-smooth ride into the governor's mansion has hit a rough patch of late.First, there are signs Democrats realize Jay Inslee will be their party's nominee and are no longer dreaming of or hoping for others to enter the race.
Date: 03/01/2012 | Local News
McKenna to attend Romney fundraiser as GOP presidential hopeful adds public event in Bellevue
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna will attend a Thursday night fund raiser for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. But the appearance should not be viewed as an endorsement.That's the word from McKenna's campaign spokesman Charles McCray III.
Date: 02/29/2012 | The Petri Dish
Former Seattle mayor to run for secretary of state
SEATTLE -- Former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels will run for Washington secretary of state.
Date: 02/23/2012 | Northwest
Nickels enters race for Secretary of State
Former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is no longer exploring a run for Secretary of State.He's in the race.
Date: 02/23/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee draws even with McKenna in new poll
A new survey released today shows the race for governor in Washington is as tight as expected.Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna are knotted at 42 percent apiece in the phone survey of 1,264 voters from Feb. 16-19 by the Public Policy Polling. The margin of
Date: 02/22/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee campaign says it raised $473,000 in January
SEATTLE -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee raised more than $473,000 in January and has now brought in a total of $3.79 million, his campaign said Monday.
Date: 02/13/2012 | Northwest
Inslee releases economic plan for state
SPOKANE -- Closing unproductive state tax loopholes and holding down health care costs would help pay for education programs that have suffered deep cuts in recent years, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee said during an appearance at a small Spokane aerospace company on Monday.
Date: 02/06/2012 | Northwest
Inslee releases economic plan
Democrat Jay Inslee today revealed how he'd boost the state's economy if he is elected governor.
Date: 02/06/2012 | The Petri Dish
On coaches, state education and Inslee's conundrum
There Ought To Be A Law: For everyone who thinks it should be illegal to use tax dollars to pay head football coaches at the University of Washington and Washington State University, you may get your wish.
Date: 02/05/2012 | Local News
Election Day Registration plan worries auditors
Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel is the person you'd least expect to hear talking trash about a plan aimed at boosting turnout in elections.
Date: 01/29/2012 | Local News
McKenna reaffirms stance against same-sex marriage
OLYMPIA -- As a bill to legalize gay marriage edged closer to becoming law Thursday, the front-running Republican candidate for governor is making clear he'll vote against it if given the chance this fall.
Date: 01/27/2012 | Local News
State watchdog ends inquiry into political mailers
OLYMPIA -- Washington's elections watchdog ended an investigation Thursday into a conservative political group that distributed mailers before the 2010 election.
Date: 01/26/2012 | Northwest
If gay marriage is on the ballot, McKenna is a No and Inslee is a Yes
Republican Rob McKenna, who polls show is currently leading the race for governor, is making clear this week he will vote against legalizing gay marriage if the issue reaches the ballot in November.
Date: 01/26/2012 | The Petri Dish
Kastama to reveal how he'll vote on gay marriage bill
In the state Senate, there will be one less uncommitted vote on gay marriage Thursday.State Sen. Jim Kastama, a conservative Democrat from Puyallup, is calling a news conference at noon to announce how he will vote on legislation to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.
Date: 01/18/2012 | The Petri Dish
McKenna holds fundraising lead during freeze
OLYMPIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna has more money in the bank than his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, even though McKenna has been subject to a fundraising freeze since the end of November.
Date: 01/11/2012 | Northwest
Tim Eyman targets red-light cameras with statewide initiative
OLYMPIA -- One day into the 2012 legislative session and initiatives already are rolling in.Initiative entrepreneur Tim Eyman of Mukilteo may try to cash in this year on a growing public resentment of red light camera use in the state.
Date: 01/10/2012 | Local News
Poll finds voters unlikely to repeal a same-sex marriage law
The Washington Poll today released more details of an October survey that show voters may not be willing to repeal a law legalizing marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Date: 01/06/2012 | The Petri Dish
Inslee says he hasn't agreed to debate in June
The Association of Washington Business on Thursday announced a gubernatorial debate between U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Rob McKenna in the lead up to the governor’s election, but Inslee’s campaign said that they haven’t yet agreed to it.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Northwest
Budget, liquor top state's 2011 stories
SEATTLE -- As the effects of the recession continue to be felt across Washington, it's not surprising that several of the top 10 state news stories of 2011 can be traced to the worst economic downturn in 80 years.
Date: 12/31/2011 | Northwest
Jay Inslee calls for 6 governor debates with Rob McKenna
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee on Monday called for six debates with Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna to help voters decide which of them should be elected the state's next governor.
Date: 12/06/2011 | Local News
State teacher's union endorses Inslee for governor
SEATTLE -- The state's largest teacher's union endorsed U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee for governor after Attorney General Rob McKenna backed out of plans to speak to the organization's leadership on Saturday.
Date: 12/03/2011 | Northwest
Votes on initiatives raise some new questions
Voters decided the fate of three statewide initiatives this week and stirred new questions in the process. No. 1: What will the Yes on 1183 Coalition do with its leftover $2.4 million?
Date: 11/13/2011 | Local News
Inslee holds cash edge; McKenna faces money freeze
OLYMPIA -- Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jay Inslee holds a cash lead over Republican candidate Rob McKenna
Date: 11/11/2011 | Northwest
Al Gore in Seattle for Jay Inslee fundraiser
SEATTLE -- With the 2011 election at an end, the 2012 battle for governor moved quickly into the political spotlight.
Date: 11/09/2011 | Local News
Costco-backed liquor initiative wins over voters
Voters broke the state's ironclad grip on the sale of booze Tuesday, approving a measure to privatize the industry, pushed by Costco, in an election battle that broke spending records.
Date: 11/08/2011 | Local News
Time to vote
Use our guide to research the races; ballots are due today
Date: 11/07/2011 | Local News
Front Porch: Register by Monday to vote in general election
Register to voteThere are so many interesting issues on the upcoming ballot. Don't miss out on your chance to vote for your people picks and weigh in yay or nay on the measures.You need to register to vote by Monday in order to cast a ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.
Date: 10/27/2011 | Local News
No city, county revenue at stake in liquor vote
OLYMPIA – A year ago elected officials throughout Snohomish County worried aloud about a Costco-inspired liquor privatization measure shorting city and county budgets of millions of dollars in revenue.Their silence this year on the company's Initiative 1183 is audible.
Date: 10/24/2011 | Local News
Meet the candidates
Got your ballot? Learn more about who you're voting for
Date: 10/21/2011 | Local News
Costco gives a record $22 million for liquor initiative
OLYMPIA -- Costco Wholesale Corp. has shattered records for initiative spending, dumping more than $22 million into a plan that would privatize Washington state's liquor sales and distribution system.
Date: 10/20/2011 | Northwest
Aaron Reardon says he has no plans to run for governor or Congress
EVERETT -- Rumors that Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon could soon launch a bid for governor or Congress have percolated throughout his ongoing reelection campaign.The rumors aren't true, according to Reardon and Democratic Party leaders.
Date: 10/19/2011 | Local News
Judge says names can be released from petition seeking vote on gay rights
OLYMPIA – It's no longer a secret who signed petitions putting a controversial expansion of the state's gay rights laws up for a vote in 2009.
Date: 10/17/2011 | Local News
I-1183 the second attempt to shift liquor sales to Costco, other private retailers
OLYMPIA -- Is this the year the state gets out the liquor sales business for good?Costco is investing millions of dollars to hasten the government's exit while a phalanx of beer, wine and liquor distributors is spending nearly as much to keep it in.
Date: 10/16/2011 | Local News
Impacts of Tim Eyman’s tolling measure, I-1125, debated
OLYMPIA -- Tim Eyman's latest shot at shaping state government via initiative clamps down on the use of tolling to solve the biggest transportation riddles in Washington.
Date: 10/09/2011 | Local News
Drawing lines in a fuzzy process
OLYMPIA -- The four members of the state redistricting commission are just days from revealing their ideas for carrying out the once-a-decade makeover of Washington's political map.
Date: 09/05/2011 | Local News
Giving Cantwell a pass might boost 2 GOP hopefuls
Republican Reagan Dunn figures his chances of becoming Washington's next attorney general improve if his party doesn't put up much of a fight to prevent U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell's re-election in 2012.
Date: 08/28/2011 | Local News
Inslee, McKenna have both raised more than $1M
OLYMPIA -- Washington's leading candidates for governor have both raised more than $1 million for their campaigns.
Date: 08/11/2011 | Northwest
Everett pastor enters governor race
Republican Shahram Hadian of Everett, a Christian pastor and former Muslim who now lectures on the threat of radical Islam, has launched a campaign for governor.
Date: 08/09/2011 | Local News
Wisconsin recall efforts center of fight over GOP agenda
RIPON, Wis. -- In the very building where the modern Republican Party was founded more than 150 years ago, the worker collecting the entry fee from tourists said that he, for one, has had enough of what the party is up to these days. And he says he plans to show it when he goes to the polls Tuesday...
Date: 08/07/2011 | Nation & World
Some state candidates have shaky pasts
OLYMPIA -- Drug charges, bankruptcies and other personal troubles litter the backgrounds of local political candidates around Washington, according to court records and interviews.
Date: 08/05/2011 | Northwest
State watchdog reconsiders $1M Inslee transfer
OLYMPIA -- Washington's elections watchdog altered its interpretation of state law Friday, placing strict limits on how Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee will be able to use $1 million stashed in a federal campaign account.
Date: 07/29/2011 | Northwest
Law may provide Inslee with a $1M boost
OLYMPIA — A contended interpretation of Washington's campaign finance laws may allow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee to gain a $1 million fundraising advantage by tapping cash he raised in previous election cycles.
Date: 07/23/2011 | Northwest
Fake Democrats lose in Wisconsin primary recalls
MADISON, Wis. -- All six fake Democrats lost to Democrats supported by the party in primaries Tuesday that are the first in a series of recall elections targeting nine Wisconsin state senators for their positions on Republican Gov. Scott Walker's divisive union rights restrictions.
Date: 07/12/2011 | Nation & World
Three issues likely to qualify for ballot
Voters this fall will be asked whether to place restrictions on tolls to pay for highways, to tighten standards for long-term health care workers and again to privatize liquor sales.
Date: 07/09/2011 | Local News
Animal welfare group drops state chicken initiative
OLYMPIA -- An animal welfare group in Washington is dropping its planned initiative that would have required businesses to provide egg-laying hens with more spacious cages.
Date: 07/07/2011 | Northwest
Sonntag decides against run for governor in 2012
OLYMPIA -- State Auditor Brian Sonntag said he has decided not to run for governor in 2012.
Date: 07/05/2011 | Northwest
Secretary of State Reed won't seek re-election
OLYMPIA -- Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed, who oversaw ballot counting in the historic 2004 contest for governor, then pushed through unprecedented reforms in the aftermath, said Tuesday he will not seek re-election next year.
Date: 06/28/2011 | Local News
Timing, strategy are key to legalizing marijuana
OLYMPIA -- Deciding how and when to deliver a measure legalizing marijuana to voters was easy.Deciding exactly what to write in the initiative took longer -- right up to when authors filed it earlier this month.
Date: 06/27/2011 | Local News
Inslee will announce run for governor next week, source says
OLYMPIA -- U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee will launch a campaign for Washington governor early next week, wading back into state politics after more than a decade in Congress, a Democrat familiar with his plans said Thursday.
Date: 06/23/2011 | Northwest
AP: Facts don't back up McKenna's claims
OLYMPIA -- Rob McKenna launched his campaign for governor recently with a vow to curb the costs of personnel in state government, citing statistics that drew gasps from his audience of supporters.
Date: 06/19/2011 | Northwest
The first Republican governor in a generation?
Republican Gov. Rob McKenna.Better start getting used to it.When Washington's last Republican governor left office, Madonna's "Like a Virgin'' was the number one song in America.
Date: 06/12/2011 | Local News
Rob McKenna officially in the race for governor
BELLEVUE -- Attorney General Rob McKenna says he is the best person to become Washington's next governor, vowing to restore fiscal discipline in Olympia. McKenna officially launched his campaign Wednesday night at a Bellevue event attended by hundreds of supporters.
Date: 06/09/2011 | Northwest
McKenna expected to announce run for governor Wednesday
OLYMPIA -- The wait is over.Tonight, Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna is expected to launch his campaign to become Washington's next governor in 2012.
Date: 06/07/2011 | Local News
Gregoire says she's made no decision on re-election campaign
SEATTLE -- Gov. Chris Gregoire says she hasn't made a decision about whether to run for re-election next year.Gregoire said Monday she will talk it over with her family before making that decision but is currently in the middle of signing bills from the Legislature's special session.
Date: 06/06/2011 | Northwest
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