Brandi Kruse
News • Politics • Culture
7 must-win seats to stop a dangerous Democratic supermajority
You know those pesky citizen initiatives that have been a thorn in the side of the party in power? Consider them the first thing on the chopping block.
October 15, 2024
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If there is anything more dangerous than one-party control of government, it’s one party with enough power to push through virtually any policy without discussion or dissent.

And it won't stop there.

As far-Left bloggers at The Stranger in Seattle put it, gleefully: “Supermajorities + Democratic Governor = Power to Fix the State Constitution.

That’s exactly what Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shashti Conrad said her plan is – posting as much on social media last year.

“With supermajorities we can clean up the constitution! My goal for 2026!”

You know those pesky citizen initiatives that have been a thorn in the side of the party in power? Consider them the first thing on the chopping block.

That should strike fear in the heart of any reasonable citizen – right, left, and center.

Currently, Democrats hold strong majorities in both chambers in Washington state. The party has 29 of 49 seats in the Senate and 58 of 98 seats in the House. While a supermajority in the House may have to wait until 2026, the State Senate could get there sooner. Democrats just need to net four additional seats in November.

And they’re already plotting their wish list.

From The Stranger:

'It’s pretty exciting, heavy stuff to think about what kinds of things might be possible for us,' said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, who chairs the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign committee. 

 

In phone interviews, both he and his counterpart in the House, Rep. Monica Stonier, mentioned changing the school bond threshold to a simple majority, codifying abortion protections, and adjusting some language to allow the state to experiment with universal basic income programs.

You read that correctly – universal basic income. Add to that rent control and unemployment benefits for striking workers. Both policies narrowly failed to get across the finish line this past legislative session. They will be reintroduced in January.

The good news is voters in key districts across the state can stop such policies from being railroaded through. There are 7 seats Republicans must either keep or flip to avoid losing influence in Olympia and sending Washington state government down a destructive path.

If you live in one of these districts, or know someone who does, the stakes could not be higher. Vote accordingly.

 

RED SEATS REPUBLICANS MUST HOLD

 

Legislative District 10 (Island, Skagit, Snohomish counties)

Sen. Ron Muzzall (R)

Janet St. Clair (D)

August Primary Results:

 

Legislative District 14 (Klickitat, Yakima, Benton counties)

Sen. Curtis King (R)

Maria Beltran (D)

August Primary Results:

 

Legislative District 17 (Rural Clark County)

Rep. Paul Harris (R)

Marla Keethler (D)

August Primary Results:

 

Legislative District 18 (Clark County)

Brad Benton (R)

Adrian Cortes (D)

August Primary Results:

 

BLUE SEATS REPUBLICANS COULD FLIP

 

5th Legislative District (East King County)

Chad Magendanz (R)

Rep. Bill Ramos (D)

August Primary Results:

 

Legislative District 24 (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor counties)

Marcia Kelbon (R)

Rep. Mike Chapman (D)

August Primary Results:

 

28th Legislative District (Lakewood, University Place, Fircrest)

Maia Espinoza (R)

Sen. T’wina Nobles (D)

August Primary Results:

 

 

 

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EXCLUSIVE: Washington state hospital quietly reforms gender clinic
The move comes after a former therapist blew the whistle in The Free Press

 

 

A hospital in one of the most progressive places in America is quietly overhauling the gender care it offers minors – months after a therapist blew the whistle on how adolescents were being systematically pushed toward life-altering treatments as a first resort for gender dysphoria.  

In an internal memo to board members earlier this month, obtained exclusively by unDivided, MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, located in Tacoma, Washington, said it will be taking a more “holistic approach” to gender treatment for juveniles beginning in September.

The move comes after former MultiCare therapist Tamara Pietzke wrote a blistering report for The Free Press in February, detailing several cases where she was expected to promptly refer youth to the hospital’s gender clinic without first exploring possible reasons the teen might be experiencing gender dysphoria – such as social influences, abuse, or depression.

That is about to change.

The hospital’s July 17 letter to board members, titled “Updates to Mary Bridge Children’s gender health services,” strikes a cautious, but clear tone: the hospital no longer believes skipping such steps is in the best interest of the children who come to them for care.

As a result of our review – and based on the best clinical evidence available today – we will enhance our holistic approach to gender-affirming health care for adolescents. Based on the most up-to-date science, we believe this enhanced approach will provide the best and safest course of treatment for our young patients.

The hospital said it will rely on “experts in behavioral health, endocrinology, adolescent medicine, and social work” to determine the best course of care for kids complaining of gender dysphoria. Perhaps most importantly, the hospital wrote it will “work collaboratively with families to support their needs.”

The changes seem in-line with concerns Pietzke spelled out in her Free Press exposé. In one case, she said she was directed to refer a 13-year-old patient to the gender clinic, despite clear signs of trauma that were unlikely to be resolved with gender hormone therapy.

In an interview on unDivided following The Free Press report, Pietzke detailed numerous struggles the teen patient faced that could be contributing to her feelings of gender dysphoria: Her mom tried to kill her sister. She watched adult movies at home. Her mother had engaged in bestiality. The teen told Pietzke she would “age regress” and sit in front of the TV for hours, watching Teletubbies and sucking on her thumb. She dressed as a “furry” at school – wearing animal ears and a tail.

“Here we are, trying to get a letter for this child to start testosterone and there’s all these other things at play,” Pietzke said. “I wanted to process all the different things that were going on – trouble making friends, trauma history – there was just so much there. So much to unpack.”

Instead, she said the directive from higher ups was clear: “That I would just sign off on whatever was asked.”

Reached for comment about the July 17 letter indicating changes to gender care for minors, Pietzke called it “encouraging.”

“It’s very emotional to see the letter. I’m very grateful to know that my voice has counted in some small capacity.”

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Given my endorsement of Dave Reichert in the race for governor, Bob Ferguson’s campaign informed us earlier this year that it will not respond to our questions. Fair enough. I can only hope others in the news media will do enough to vet those who seek the highest office in our state. Now is not the time to hold back.

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1. Emergency powers

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2. Lowering costs

In the first TV ad of your campaign, you focused on lowering costs for families. Can you name one tax or tax increase passed during three-terms of the Inslee administration that you did not support?

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3. WA Cares

You do not support Initiative 2124 making the state's long-term care program optional. Why should Washingtonians be forced to pay into a program if they do not want to use it later in life?

4. Crime and disorder

In the summer of 2020, you did not speak out publicly during or after riots and looting in downtown Seattle, where police cars were lit on fire and high-powered police rifles were stolen. You also did not speak out during the month-long occupied protest zone on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, where several people died, and an entire police precinct was rendered inoperable. As the state's chief law enforcer, please explain why you chose to stay silent during such a profound period of lawlessness.

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5. Police staffing

In your first TV ad of the campaign, you pledged to hire more police officers to improve public safety. Washington state has the lowest number of police officers per capita of any state in the nation. Name one reason – excluding monetary reasons, such as bonuses and increased pay or benefits – that a police officer would choose to work in Washington under a Governor Bob Ferguson.

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6. Police pursuits

Earlier this year, you told King 5 News that you did not support a bill, passed by Democrats and signed into law by Governor Inslee in 2021, that dramatically limited police pursuits. There is no record of you voicing that opposition in 2021, 2022, or 2023. Given that you weighed in publicly on other legislation during those three years, why did you not take a public position on police pursuits until the law was fixed via initiative in 2024?

7. Prices at the pump

You do not support Initiative 2117 to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Regardless of your stance on the initiative, do you believe the Climate Commitment Act has contributed to an increase in gas prices for Washington drivers, yes or no?  

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8. Homelessness

Both Governor Jay Inslee and King County Executive Dow Constanine have stated that the fundamental cause of our homeless crisis is a lack of affordable housing. Do you agree?

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9. Drug abuse

In an April 2021 interview on KUOW, you urged state lawmakers to "eliminate the criminal penalties associated with possessing a non-commercial amount of drugs." Given the extent of our state’s drug and overdose crisis, and the failure of a similar experiment in Oregon, do you still believe the legislature should move to decriminalize deadly drugs like fentanyl?

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10. Capital gains

Currently, Washington’s capital gains tax excludes profits from the sale of someone’s primary home. Would you veto any bill that seeks to include profits from the sale of a primary home as capital gains?

11. Energy choice 

Last week, Let's Go Washington turned in 546,000 signatures to send I-2066, which preserves energy choice, to the ballot. Would you sign a law restricting or banning the use of natural gas as an option for homes and businesses?

12. Fair play

As both a candidate for governor and as the father of a female athlete, do you believe biological boys should be able to compete against biological girls in state-sanctioned athletic competitions?

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13. Gun control

Despite gun control laws spearheaded by you and your office, gun-related crimes have spiked in Washington state in recent years – including shots fired, shootings on highways, and homicides committed with guns. With more gun control in Washington state than ever before, why do you believe it isn't having the desired effect on crime?

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14. Election interference?

You have been criticized for directing Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to alter the order on the primary ballot, placing two other candidates beneath you. Hobbs has since stated that he informed you such an action would have violated state election laws. In hindsight, do you regret this request?

15. Status quo

In a recent campaign ad, you said you "have never been satisfied with the status quo." In what way would a Bob Ferguson administration be fundamentally different than the Jay Inslee administration?

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We have given these questions to the Ferguson campaign and will update this story in the unlikely event we hear back.

Join the conversation: If you could ask Bob Ferguson one question face-to-face, what would it be? Comment below.

 

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