Orion Donovan Smith

Current Position: reporter

Orion Donovan Smith came to The Spokesman-Review in June 2020 through a grant received from the Report for America reporter program. He is the legislative reporter in our Washington, DC Bureau.

Email: orionds@spokesman.com
Phone: (202) 853-2524
Twitter: X

Most Recent Stories

News > WA Government

Facing steep odds in Senate race against Maria Cantwell, physician Dr Raul Garcia’s unconventional campaign focuses on health care

Tue., Sept. 17, 2024

WASHINGTON – It’s not easy to get elected to statewide office as a Republican in Washington state. When voters don’t know your name, it’s just about impossible.

News > Nation

Three takeaways from Trump-Harris debate

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 10, 2024

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris met on stage in Philadelphia on Tuesday in a debate that kicked off the final stretch of an unusually short and tumultuous presidential campaign.

News > Nation

Republicans and Democrats presented starkly different visions for America at their conventions. Now it’s up to voters

Sun., Aug. 25, 2024

CHICAGO – The Republican and Democratic conventions took place just one month and 90 miles apart. The fact that both were defined by joy and optimism among the delegates who officially nominated their parties’ candidates speaks to just how dramatically the presidential race has changed in that span.

News > WA Government

Northwest delegates joyful, optimistic as Harris closes Democratic National Convention

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 22, 2024

CHICAGO – The Democratic National Convention came to a euphoric close on Thursday as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination for president, leaving delegates from the Inland Northwest feeling confident as they gear up for the final stretch of an election they don’t expect to be easy.

News > ID Government

To beat Trump, Harris and Walz need to win over moderates. Idaho Democrats have some ideas.

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 22, 2024

CHICAGO – Delegates at the Democratic National Convention were fired up on Wednesday as Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the party’s vice presidential nominee, took the stage to rally the party faithful and make a pitch to the voters who will decide the election.

News > World

Washington delegates at DNC press Harris to change policy toward Israel and Gaza

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 20, 2024

CHICAGO – In the first month of her campaign for the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris has emphasized broad principles more than specific policies, capitalizing on enthusiasm among Democrats without making it clear how she would govern differently from President Joe Biden.

News > WA Government

Northwest Democrats riding high as DNC kicks off in Chicago

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 19, 2024

CHICAGO – When President Joe Biden took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, it wasn’t the way he planned to do it just a month earlier.

News > Military

In farewell to McMorris Rodgers, Fairchild summit showcases progress, pitfalls for military families

Thu., Aug. 15, 2024

Military families and their advocates gathered at Fairchild Air Force Base on Wednesday to share resources, reflect on the progress they have made and highlight the barriers that still make it hard for troops and their families to access adequate food, housing, employment and education.

News > WA Government

Facing his biggest challenge yet from Jerrod Sessler, Dan Newhouse needs help from Democrats and independents

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 7, 2024

When Rep. Dan Newhouse was first elected in 2014 to represent central Washington in Congress, he did it by beating fellow Republican Clint Didier by a single percentage point in the general election after a primary in which Didier won about 30% of votes and Newhouse won roughly a quarter.