Election 2020

Bill Bruch (left ) and Dave Paul

First-term Dem faces a GOP challenger for House seat in 10th

Rep. Dave Paul and Bill Bruch differ widely on the response to COVID-19.

Bill Bruch (left ) and Dave Paul
john lewis vote

Editorial: A recap of our general election endorsements

Get your ballot in by mail or drop box soon to make sure it counts in the Nov. 3 election.

john lewis vote
Some county auditors throughout the state are worried about ballot issues, but say voters shouldn't worry. (Herald file)

Editorial: A recap of The Herald’s primary endorsements

Make sure your vote counts by returning or mailing your ballot before Aug. 4

Some county auditors throughout the state are worried about ballot issues, but say voters shouldn't worry. (Herald file)
People watch from their vehicle as President Donald Trump, on left of video screen, and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speak during a Presidential Debate Watch Party at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The debate party was organized by Manny's, a San Francisco community meeting and learning place. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Comment: Candidates were muted but not their differences

The debate’s exchanges were much improved over the first meeting; so who used that to its best effect?

People watch from their vehicle as President Donald Trump, on left of video screen, and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speak during a Presidential Debate Watch Party at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. The debate party was organized by Manny's, a San Francisco community meeting and learning place. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A technician works in a TVW control room, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, during a debate in Olympia, Wash., between U.S. Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash., shown at right on the video monitor, and Washington Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, left, in the race for lieutenant governor of Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Lieutenant governor debate: Heck, Liias agree on most issues

Both said they would not seek reelection as governor if the current governor left office.

A technician works in a TVW control room, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, during a debate in Olympia, Wash., between U.S. Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash., shown at right on the video monitor, and Washington Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, left, in the race for lieutenant governor of Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Comment: The GOP is headed for defeat, and it knows it

Don’t trust the polls? Consider how Republicans are scrambling to lock in actions before the election.

Comment: Why do some entertain election doomsday scenarios?

Paradoxically, it’s a kind of desperate optimism and idealism that lurks behind responsible pessimism.

Kevin Duncan puts his ballot in the ballot drop box outside of the Arlington Library on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 in Arlington, Wash. The Arlington school District has three measures on the February ballot, including one to replace Post Middle School. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Commentary: Get your ballots in early by mail or drop box

To make sure your ballot is counted and your voice heard get your ballot in; the earlier, the better.

Kevin Duncan puts his ballot in the ballot drop box outside of the Arlington Library on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 in Arlington, Wash. The Arlington school District has three measures on the February ballot, including one to replace Post Middle School. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helen Price Johnson (left) and Ron Muzzall

Whidbey Island candidates for Senate offer varied strengths

Republican Sen. Ron Muzzall and Democrat Helen Price Johnson are running for the 10th District seat.

Helen Price Johnson (left) and Ron Muzzall
Top (L-R): Suzan DelBene, Jeffrey Beeler, Rick Larsen. Bottom (L-R): Pramila Jayapal, Craig Keller, Tim Hazelo.

COVID isn’t the only issue in contests for three House seats

Incumbent Democrats face challengers who talk about immigration, federal spending and term limits.

Top (L-R): Suzan DelBene, Jeffrey Beeler, Rick Larsen. Bottom (L-R): Pramila Jayapal, Craig Keller, Tim Hazelo.
Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel is predicting 34 percent of the county’s registered voters will cast ballots. FILE PHOTO  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

State demanded more drop boxes, and now it must pay for them

A King County judge says a law requiring more ballot boxes was an illegal unfunded mandate.

Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel is predicting 34 percent of the county’s registered voters will cast ballots. FILE PHOTO  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, left, during the second and final presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Seated in the center is moderator Kristen Welker of NBC News (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Trump and Biden go after each other in final showdown

The Nashville debate offered them a final national stage to outline starkly different visions for the country.

President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, left, during the second and final presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Seated in the center is moderator Kristen Welker of NBC News (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Michigan State Fairgrounds in Novi, Mich., Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Editorial: Joe Biden can restore nation to normalcy

His nearly 50 years of public service can guide the country in confronting a range of challenges.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Michigan State Fairgrounds in Novi, Mich., Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Comment: Chief justice most focused on court’s legitimacy

His siding with the court’s liberals in an election case signals his desire to avoid partisanship.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee poses for a photo, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. Inslee, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Loren Culp, police chief of the small town of Republic, Wash., in the Nov. 3 election. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee faces political newcomer as he seeks rare third term

The last three-term governor in Washington was Republican Dan Evans, from 1965 to 1977.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee poses for a photo, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. Inslee, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Loren Culp, police chief of the small town of Republic, Wash., in the Nov. 3 election. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp smiles while greeting supporters at a rally Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Mount Vernon, Wash. Culp, police chief of the town of Republic, Wash., is running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee in November. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Culp is an atypical GOP candidate for Washington governor

Unlike most previous GOP candidates for the state’s top office, he is a first-time politician.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp smiles while greeting supporters at a rally Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Mount Vernon, Wash. Culp, police chief of the town of Republic, Wash., is running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee in November. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
CORRECTS NAME OF CANDIDATE AT LEFT TO MAIA ESPINOZA INSTEAD OF OF MONICA MARCHETTI - Maia Espinoza, a candidate for Washington state superintendent of public instruction, is shown at left in an undated photo taken by Monica Marchetti and provided by her campaign. Espinoza is challenging incumbent state superintendent Chris Reykdal, right, shown in an AP photo taken Oct. 2, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., in the upcoming November election. (AP Photo)

COVID and sex education frame the state superintendent race

Maia Espinoza, 31, is challenging incumbent Chris Reykdal, 48. They are both parents — with divergent views.

CORRECTS NAME OF CANDIDATE AT LEFT TO MAIA ESPINOZA INSTEAD OF OF MONICA MARCHETTI - Maia Espinoza, a candidate for Washington state superintendent of public instruction, is shown at left in an undated photo taken by Monica Marchetti and provided by her campaign. Espinoza is challenging incumbent state superintendent Chris Reykdal, right, shown in an AP photo taken Oct. 2, 2020, in Olympia, Wash., in the upcoming November election. (AP Photo)

Comment: Democrats shouldn’t retaliate; they should legislate

Rather than packing the court, they can heed the court’s ‘texualists’ and pass laws that protect policy.

Kristen Welker on the "Today" show in January. MUST CREDIT: Nathan Congleton/NBC

Comment: How debate moderator can deliver useful discussion

NBC’s Kristen Welker can take some tips from Savannah Guthrie to keep control of the questioning.

Kristen Welker on the "Today" show in January. MUST CREDIT: Nathan Congleton/NBC
Paul J. Lawrence, attorney for the Legislature, addresses justices during a hearing before the Washington Supreme Court Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Olympia, Wash. The court heard oral arguments in the case that will determine whether state lawmakers are subject to the same disclosure rules that apply to other elected officials under the voter-approved Public Records Act. The hearing before the high court was an appeal of a case that was sparked by a September 2017 lawsuit filed by a media coalition, led by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Editorial: Montoya-Lewis, Whitener for state Supreme Court

Both justices’ legal experience is further informed by their perspectives as women and minorities.

Paul J. Lawrence, attorney for the Legislature, addresses justices during a hearing before the Washington Supreme Court Tuesday, June 11, 2019, in Olympia, Wash. The court heard oral arguments in the case that will determine whether state lawmakers are subject to the same disclosure rules that apply to other elected officials under the voter-approved Public Records Act. The hearing before the high court was an appeal of a case that was sparked by a September 2017 lawsuit filed by a media coalition, led by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)