Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 25
Washington legal marijuana initiative in danger
An effort to legalize marijuana for adults in Washington is in danger of not making the ballot this year, after support from the state’s progressive establishment failed to materialize.
Candidates must file for office by end of week
For Washington state candidates, it’s put up or shut up time. Starting Monday morning, they have five days to file paperwork and pay the fee necessary to run for one of the many elective offices on this year’s ballot.
Eight simples rules can smooth campaign path
Each campaign season brings a new crop of candidates who pump fresh blood into the body politic. Good thing, too: The body politic could use a transfusion, or at least iron supplements. Most years, some newbies call for advice, which Spin Control is prohibited by the newspaper’s owner, long-standing journalism policies and several admonitions in the Bible from providing. As we did at the start of last year’s campaign season, however, we will offer our eight “rules to live by” for candidates and campaigns.
Benton drops out of Senate race, backs Rossi
Just a week after saying he was sticking in the U.S. Senate race, State Sen. Don Benton dropped out and endorsed the man he labeled the “establishment” candidate, Dino Rossi.
Campaigns adjust to Labrador upset
BOISE – Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick’s campaign has spent months and money preparing to square off against Republican Vaughn Ward. They even tracked the Marine reservist’s every step along the campaign trail on video. But GOP voters in western Idaho had different ideas. They selected state Rep. Raul Labrador on Tuesday as the Republican nominee in Idaho’s nationally targeted 1st Congressional District race.
GOP Senate field still wide
Dino Rossi’s long-expected entrance into the U.S. Senate race did not prompt a mass exodus by other Republican candidates Wednesday. Several said they welcomed competition with the former state senator who has been weighing the race for months. Rossi, who announced his candidacy on the Internet early Wednesday, has statewide name recognition from two runs for governor and enters the race with the support of top Senate Republicans. But at least five active GOP candidates said they’ll stick in the race.
Rossi plans Wednesday announcement on Senate race
Republican Dino Rossi says he will release an online video announcement on his plans for the U.S. Senate race in Washington state.
In primaries, voters snub establishment
WASHINGTON – Party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter fell to a younger and far less experienced rival in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, and political novice Rand Paul rode support from tea party activists to a Republican rout in Kentucky on Tuesday, the latest jolts to the political establishment in a tumultuous midterm election season. In another race with national significance, Democrat Mark Critz won a special House election to fill out the term of the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha in southwestern Pennsylvania. The two political parties spent roughly $1 million apiece hoping to sway the outcome there, and highlighted the contest as a possible bellwether for the fall when all 435 House seats will be on the ballot.
GOP Senate candidate gets farm aid
SEATTLE – Washington GOP Senate hopeful Clint Didier is campaigning against big government, but he has taken government aid for his farm near Pasco. The Seattle Times reports he has received nearly $273,000 in farm subsidies since 1995. The figure comes from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit critical of the programs.
Billig nominee for Wood’s seat
Democrats have selected Andy Billig, who is club president of the Spokane Indians, to serve as the nominee for state representative from the 3rd Legislative District.
Plenty of jabs in Idaho debate
BOISE – Republican U.S. House hopeful Raul Labrador came out swinging at a debate Tuesday, criticizing opponent Vaughn Ward for his lack of political experience and for wavering on earmarks and other issues. Ward, a U.S. Marine and former John McCain aide, countered that he had taken steps to correct mistakes on the campaign trail, jabbed at Labrador’s stance on immigration reform and stressed the need for more veterans in Congress, not “status quo” politicians.
Ward campaign discloses more assets
BOISE – Republican U.S. House hopeful Vaughn Ward on Tuesday released a new U.S. House financial disclosure detailing about $110,000 worth of family assets he hadn’t included in a similar report last year. U.S. House candidates and members must disclose most assets, including from spouses, worth more than $1,000.
Income tax initiative to include same-sex partners
Supporters of an initiative campaign to tax the earnings of couples making more than $400,000 annually want to make sure the state’s domestic partners are taxed at the same rate as married couples.
Tea party in the park
There may be plenty of disagreement in political rallies of thousands, but Oakesdale resident Ken Hanson’s opinion on taxes is one that was nearly universal at Thursday’s Tea Party gathering in Spokane. “As the government continues to increase taxes and put more and more regulations on us, it’s impossible for us to prosper,” said Hanson, a farmer and owner of an irrigation supply business who brought his sons to the event.
Tea supporters turn out for a party
There may be plenty of disagreement in political rallies of thousands, but Oakesdale resident Ken Hanson’s opinion on taxes is one that was nearly universal at Thursday’s Tea Party gathering in Spokane.