Washington state megathread

[Meeker]

Huh, this is another really cool data set: http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/absentee_stats.aspx?y=2000

As early as 2000, 54% of ballots were being cast by mail. In 2004, it was 68%. By 2008 (the last year before King switched) it was 89%.

ETA: Something is weird with the Pierce numbers for 2011 and 2012.

[Meeker]

I-522 folks say they'll go the put-this-thing-on-the-ballot-until-it-passes route. They're planning a 2016 vote: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/11/14/2829299/backers-of-i-522s-gmo-labeling.html

Hey, it worked for Costco/liquor privatization...

[Meeker]

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seattle-city-councilmember-elect-shares-radical-id/nbxbC/

Oh my God this is going to be the most entertaining few years ever

[Meeker]

KING 5 via The Stranger

"Here's what I think is so amazing: You're this little girl in India, and before you know it, you're on your way to being a city council person. Is that surprising?"

"What caste were you?"

"Will you end your sentences more quickly? 'Cause you are a talker."

"What do you have against corporations? What do you have against millionaires?"

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/11/22/king-5s-linda-brill-interviews-kshama-sawant

[Meeker]

Green is above average and red is below average?

[Meeker]

How many Murray/Sawant precincts were there?

[Meeker]

Does the McGinn/Sawant-Murray/Conlin divide look pretty much like the McGinn-Mallahan split from four years ago?

[Meeker]

Does the McGinn/Sawant-Murray/Conlin divide look pretty much like the McGinn-Mallahan split from four years ago?

Very much like, with Murray basically winning because he did better with highly socially liberal voters.  Not a big surprise.

Sounds right.

As always, great work.

[Meeker]

One other: have you had a chance to calculate what percentage Sawant got in her council district?

[Meeker]

The special election for chair of the state Democratic Party is today. Things kick off at 1:30 PT. I wouldn't expect results until late afternoon/evening.

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/01/02/the-balding-bearded-ultra-liberal-jewish-guy-seat-in-my-37th-legislative-district-just-came-open-hmm

what an annoying man

Oh God, I missed this. Please don't let this happen.

[Meeker]

Who actually makes it all the way down to Vancouver may also be a factor. It's not really convenient for anyone outside of Clark County.

My feeling is that Laurent has this locked down, but I've also heard people fairly insistent that Ravens is the frontrunner. Haven't heard anyone talking up Kainber.

[Meeker]

Ravens won by quite a lot.

Also, new thread title.

[Meeker]

I don't know why that's scary, but the last major GOP statewide victory was in 1994 (Slade Gorton re-elected to the Senate).

[Meeker]

They both have announced opponents, but neither are viable. Meanwhile, none of the freshman Democrats have opponents. Both parties are focused on the State Senate this year.

[Meeker]

I hear good things from those who have met him.

[Meeker]

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/doc-hastings-retirement-103493.html?hp=l3

Didier for Congress!

[Meeker]

To the surprise of no one, State Senator Janéa Holmquist Newbry has formed an exploratory committee.

Meanwhile, the people cry out for Didier.

[Meeker]

New entrant in WA-04: Dan Newhouse, former GOP state representative and Ag Director under Governor Gregoire. I actually like Newhouse quite a bit (for a Republican). I hope he wins.

[Meeker]

Susan Hutchison did an interview with KUOW earlier this week and it's bizarre: http://kuow.org/post/susan-hutchison-republicans-have-been-too-weak-too-long

She brags about a robocall she recorded, talks about how she says things "candidates can't say", favorably compares the state party to Wal-Mart... I'm only halfway through listening.

ETA: There is apparently a "natural connection" between Latino voters and the Republican Party.

ETA part 2: They're "terrific citizens" omg omg omg

[Meeker]

Pretty amusing night down in Olympia. The State Senate is currently in session but in recess. They're unable to vote on their supplemental budget proposal because a "satirical amendment" accidentally got added in committee and now they can't figure out how to take it out.

[Meeker]

This ain't good: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/03/06/3082010/former-democrat-mark-miloscia.html

[Meeker]

I wouldn't say he's favored, but it'll be a tough race for her. This is Pete von Reichbauer's old district after all!

I'm not really sure of any politician in the United States with views like Miloscia's. Dan Lipinski is the closest thing, but I think he's more conservative on fiscal and economic issues than Miloscia is.

[Meeker]

Apparently Miloscia is still a Democratic PCO. Lulz

[Meeker]

Eide just announced she's retiring. Sigh.

[Meeker]

I think Bill Bryant is running for Governor. Or some other statewide office. He spoke at the San Juan County GOP annual dinner this past weekend, and the Whatcom County one the week before that. Hard to believe he's doing it just for kicks.