U.S. Senator
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Inslee campaign cleared by state panel
OLYMPIA – The state’s campaign watchdog rejected complaints about contributions and spending by Democrat Jay Inslee while a small-business group tried to boost Republican Rob McKenna’s chances for governor Monday. Just days before Washington voters get their ballots in the mail and just over three weeks before the deadline to mail them back, the Public Disclosure Commission voted unanimously to reject a complaint against Inslee filed by McKenna’s campaign manager, Randy Pepple.
Billig vs. McLaughlin, Energy
State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their opinions about renewable energy. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District.
Washington voters will decide fate of same-sex marriages
OLYMPIA – Three years ago, Washington voters approved an “everything but marriage” law, giving same-sex couples all the state-granted rights and benefits that married couples have. Now voters will decide whether to take the next step and allow marriage for all couples in the state, regardless of sexual orientation – something that has not yet been achieved by a public vote. Referendum 74 asks people to either approve or reject the state’s new law legalizing same-sex marriage. That law, passed earlier this year, is on hold pending next month’s vote.
Inslee, McKenna differ on economic fixes, challenge anti-tax claims
To turn the governor’s office Republican for the first time in a generation, Attorney General Rob McKenna seems intent on keeping the race focused on local issues and state politics. To hear him tell it, almost everything that’s wrong with Washington, from high unemployment to struggling businesses to underfunded schools, is the fault of Democrats who have controlled the governorship since 1985 and one or both houses of the Legislature since 1998.
Anti-gay marriage group airs TV advertisements
OLYMPIA – The group fighting to overturn Washington’s gay marriage law started running its first TV ads in the state on Thursday. The 30-second ad from Preserve Marriage Washington is running statewide on both broadcast and cable channels.
Spin Control: McKenna’s dance moves could wrap up the nerd vote
The first rule of campaigning in 2012 should be: Think twice before you do something. There’s always a video camera around. This might be something the staff of gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna should write down, have enlarged to second-coming type, and posted around the headquarters after last weekend.
Hemp may gain ground in votes only
SEATTLE – Residents of Washington, Oregon and Colorado won’t just be considering whether to let adults buy pot at state-sanctioned shops when they vote next month on legalizing and taxing marijuana. They’ll be voting on whether to let farmers grow marijuana’s far less potent cousin – hemp – for clothing, food, biofuel and construction materials among other uses.
Cantwell, Baumgartner exchange political jabs
SEATTLE – Republican Mike Baumgartner repeatedly criticized Sen. Maria Cantwell on Friday for “going to war on a credit card” in Iraq and Afghanistan, and called for a 1-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline to help fund the troops. “The country has not gone to war,” Baumgartner said, trying to turn much of the only debate in Washington’s U.S. Senate campaign into a discussion about Afghanistan. The military, and their families, bear the brunt of the two conflicts, he said.
Solidly GOP district seeing spirited race between Matt Shea, Amy Biviano
To Republican state Rep. Matt Shea, Americans are on the verge of becoming slaves, and he has a plan to stop it. Among his proposals: The federal government should make its payments to states only in gold or silver. The FBI and other federal officers must get permission from county sheriffs to arrest people. Guns made and sold in Washington should not be restricted by federal law.
Gridlock in Congress a hot debate topic
Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, in the final debate before the November election, defended her eight years in Congress and argued that she has worked for bipartisanship in Congress. “We need leadership. We need both parties, Republicans and Democrats, working together,” McMorris Rodgers said Friday morning at the debate at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park. “When you look at my record you’ll see one where I have reached across the aisle to get the job done.”
Billig vs. McLaughlin, Freeway and Electric Bus
State Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat, and Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican, discuss their ideas about completing the North Spokane freeway and the proposed electric bus system in central Spokane. The two are running for state Senate in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District.
McMorris Rodgers, Cowan debate for final time
The final debate between U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Rich Cowan was held Friday morning by Greater Spokane, Inc., the region’s chamber of commerce.
Focusing on the long term
Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke thrives in public life. He’s been both an elected official and private legislative lobbyist. Of the two, he said, he prefers holding office.
House foes differ widely on the issues
The next state representative from the district that represents central Spokane will be 34 and will be new to holding public office. From there, however, the two candidates, Republican Tim Benn and Democrat Marcus Riccelli, differ greatly.
Inslee, McKenna clash in Seattle debate
Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna clashed Thursday night over same-sex marriage, Medicaid and the best way to get more money to the state’s public schools. Each accused the other of ignoring the “will of the voters” when it was convenient. Each claimed the ability to forge bipartisan consensus while contending the other was tainted by their recent government service.