Herald Politics

Gov. Jay Inslee campaigns against Initiative 2117, which would cut the state’s carbon cap and investment program, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham on Oct. 5. Environmentalists and one of the world’s biggest oil companies support Washington State’s cap on carbon. But voters are deciding whether to repeal the law amid concerns about energy costs. (Grant Hindsley / The New York Times)

With $10B deficit looming, Inslee calls for WA agencies to make cuts

The outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes.

 

Incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, and Republican challenger Raul Garcia, an emergency room doctor from Yakima. (Courtesy of the candidates)

Garcia challenges seasoned incumbent Cantwell for US Senate

Republican Raul Garcia says the fentanyl crisis and a desire to change the Democrat-dominated state pushed him to run.

 

Janet St Clair, left, Ron Muzzall, Denny Sandberg

Muzzall, St. Clair in a contentious, expensive race for state Senate

Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair have combined to raise over $700,000 as the incumbent looks to fend off a strong challenge.

 

Simon Krane transfers ballots into boxes at the county elections center on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What you need to know on primary election day in Snohomish County

Turn in your ballot — in-person, by mail or by ballot box — to make sure your vote counts on a number of important local races.

Simon Krane transfers ballots into boxes at the county elections center on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carrie R. Kennedy, left, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Clyde Shavers

Shavers faces two Republicans to retain House seat

Rep. Clyde Shavers turned northern Snohomish County’s 10th Legislative District blue in 2022. He wants to keep it that way.

Carrie R. Kennedy, left, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Clyde Shavers
Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Real estate interests raise $27K to fight Everett property tax hike

Yard signs have dotted streets in recent weeks pushing back against the proposed 44% property tax increase.

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Proposed Everett tax increase sparks controversy

Proponents of the measure say the lid lift will go toward essential services. Detractors say city spending is out of control.

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Heather Koellen, left, Brian Burnett

Former sheriff and nurse vie for rural Snohomish County seat in House

Brian Burnett hopes to extend Republican control of the 12th Legislative District. Heather Koellen wants to turn it blue.

Heather Koellen, left, Brian Burnett
Tim McDonald, left, John Snow, Keith Wagoner

Housing, taxes hot topics for rural Snohomish County senate candidates

Sen. Keith Wagoner is defending his seat from Democrats John Snow and Tim McDonald. All three are military veterans.

Tim McDonald, left, John Snow, Keith Wagoner
Top row: Joshua Binda, left, Jason Call, Cody Hart, Devin Hermanson. Bottom row: Leif Johnson, left, Rick Larsen, Daniel Miller, Edwin Stickle

Larsen faces 7 challengers to represent Everett in Congress

As he seeks a 13th term, Rep. Rick Larsen faces competitors from the left and right, including Lynnwood City Council member Josh Binda.

Top row: Joshua Binda, left, Jason Call, Cody Hart, Devin Hermanson. Bottom row: Leif Johnson, left, Rick Larsen, Daniel Miller, Edwin Stickle
Top row: Zephaniah Borynack, left, Robert Sutherland. Bottom Row: Sam Low, left, Kathryn Lewandowsky

Low faces 3 challengers in 39th district House race

State Rep. Sam Low hopes to fend off former rival Robert Sutherland, as well as Kathryn Lewandowsky and Zephaniah Borynack.

Top row: Zephaniah Borynack, left, Robert Sutherland. Bottom Row: Sam Low, left, Kathryn Lewandowsky
Top row: Riaz Khan, left, Jason Moon, Strom Peterson. Bottom row: Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, Kristina Mitchell, Bruce Guthrie

Education, housing top issues in races to represent Edmonds, Mukilteo

Strom Peterson and Lillian Ortiz-Self are both running for their sixth terms in Olympia. They each face multiple challengers.

Top row: Riaz Khan, left, Jason Moon, Strom Peterson. Bottom row: Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, Kristina Mitchell, Bruce Guthrie
President Joe Biden speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14, 2022. Biden plans to nominate Michael Barr  to be the Federal Reserve's vice chairman of supervision. The selection of Barr comes after Biden's first choice for the Fed post, Sarah Bloom Raskin, withdrew her nomination a month ago (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Washington Democrats voice support for Biden’s decision to drop out of presidential race

Some quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him on the ballot.

President Joe Biden speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., on April 14, 2022. Biden plans to nominate Michael Barr  to be the Federal Reserve's vice chairman of supervision. The selection of Barr comes after Biden's first choice for the Fed post, Sarah Bloom Raskin, withdrew her nomination a month ago (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Mukilteo state House candidate arrested weeks before jumping into race

The misdemeanor domestic violence case against Riaz Khan, a former Mukilteo City Council member, has since been dismissed.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lynnwood appoints new council member after abrupt resignation

Derica Escamilla will take the seat vacated by Shirley Sutton in May, who claimed the city had a “total lack of leadership.”

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Voters to decide on 0.2% sales tax increase for criminal justice

The tax is expected to bring in $39 million a year. It would cost the average Snohomish County resident an extra $46.58 per year.

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)

Edmonds state House candidate gets trespassing charge dropped

Bruce Guthrie was arrested at the Edmonds Arts Festival last month for soliciting signatures for a Libertarian presidential candidate.

Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)
Kim Schrier, left, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen

Amid calls for president to drop out, Everett’s Larsen still on ‘Team Biden’

The presidential debate last month raised renewed concerns about the president’s health. Snohomish County’s reps still back him.

Kim Schrier, left, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen
Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Will Supreme Court ruling on homelessness have ripple effect in Everett?

Local reaction was mixed. Everett City Council member Liz Vogeli called the decision “disturbing and reprehensible.” Marysville’s mayor called it common sense.

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)

Edmonds state House candidate arrested collecting petition signatures

Bruce Guthrie believes the city violated his First Amendment rights by arresting him at an event in a public park, making him a “political prisoner.”

Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)