Posts Tagged ‘Washington’
WA: Judge Tosses Limit on Late Campaign Spending
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 10:53 Written by rslcpol Wednesday, 8 September 2010 12:01
From the News Tribune:
State officials are mulling their next steps after a federal judge overturned a state law limiting campaign contributions in the final weeks of ballot measure campaigns.
If the ruling stands, money could flow even more freely to this year’s crop of voter initiatives. Six such measures are on the ballot – the second-most in state history – and state records show the campaigns have raised a combined $32.5 million, with about $10.1 million spent so far.
The law at issue bans contributions larger than $5,000 in the final three weeks of an initiative or referendum campaign. Family PAC, a political group involved in the 2009 referendum on expanded domestic partnerships for gay couples, sued the state last year challenging the contribution limit.
Tags: Washington | Posted under Attorney General News, State Legislature News | No Comments
The Path to Victory in Washington
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 10:56 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 7 September 2010 12:16
RSLC Political Director, Ben Cannatti, co-authors another piece in the series “RSLC State Race Spotlight” on Townhall.com:
Last month we examined the political climate in Oregon noting that in 2010, the Beaver State is “not your traditional swing state.” Head up I-5, and you’ll notice striking similarities between the happenings in Oregon and its neighbor to the north – Washington. Liberal Democrats occupy both U.S. Senate seats and six of the nine U.S. House seats, but a conservative resurgence could dramatically alter the Evergreen State’s political landscape moving forward.
2010 could prove to be a banner year for Washington Republicans. At the top of the ticket (a key indicator of down-ballot success), GOP Senate candidate Dino Rossi is battling entrenched Democrat incumbent Patty Murray in what many political pundits view as a “toss up” race. Republicans are also poised to flip Washington’s Third Congressional District. The August primaries have also boosted GOP hopes of making a comeback in both chambers of the state legislature.
On the House side, Democratic incumbents “failed to capture half the vote or were trailing their GOP challenger,” in several key districts across the state following the primaries. According to The Olympian, “powerful House Ways and Means chairwoman Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, was losing to Republican Vincent Buys in Whatcom County’s 42nd district and other Democrats, such as Rep. John Driscoll of Spokane, were well below 50 percent of the vote.” These results led Kevin Carns, leader of the House Republican Organizational Committee to surmise “his party could gain six to 13 seats, reducing if not erasing the Democrats’ 61-37 advantage.”
One race in the lower chamber that could prove crucial in erasing the Dems’ advantage is the 48th House District (King County) where educator, community leader, and former federal prosecutor, Diane Tebelius is seeking to unseat incumbent Democrat Rep. Ross Hunter. Touting her varied leadership experiences, Tebelius is running on a conservative platform rooted in free enterprise, limited but effective government, job creation, educational investment and natural resource preservation.
Tags: Washington | Posted under Blog | No Comments
Washington: GOP Licks Chops after Primary
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 11:33 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 19 August 2010 01:01
From The Olympian:
Republicans said their hopes for a major political comeback in the state Senate and House were boosted Tuesday as several incumbent Democrats in the two chambers failed to capture half the vote or were trailing their GOP challenger.
“I think we’re within striking distance, no question about it,” said Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla, who is now in a 31-18 minority. He cited Republicans leading incumbent Democrats, including Sens. Chris Marr in Spokane, Claudia Kauffman in Kent and Eric Oemig in Kirkland.
Elsewhere around the region, Republicans were eyeing gains in the House. Kevin Carns, leader of the House Republican Organizational Committee, said he thinks his party could gain six to 13 seats, reducing if not erasing the Democrats’ 61-37 advantage.
But Democrats were not conceding much – even though powerful House Ways and Means chairwoman Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, was losing to Republican Vincent Buys in Whatcom County’s 42nd district and other Democrats, such as Rep. John Driscoll of Spokane, were well below 50 percent of the vote.
Tags: Washington | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
WA: NFIB endorses GOP Lawmakers
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:03 Written by rslcpol Monday, 12 July 2010 01:34
From the Olympian:
Washington’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business has handed out its early endorsements for 2010 legislative races, and it looks like straight Republican-party ticket.
The 39 candidates include 38 incumbents and only one Democrat is on the list — Sen. Tim Sheldon of Potlatch, who commonly crosses over to join Republicans on budget, tax and regulatory bills. Three South Sound Republicans were endorsed — Rep. Gary Alexander of Thurston County, House GOP leader Richard DeBolt of Chehalis, and Rep. Jim McCune of Graham.
Tags: Washington | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
WA: Governor Seeks to Counter Suit Challenging Health-care
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:30 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 24 June 2010 01:31
From The Seattle Times:
Gov. Chris Gregoire is joining three fellow Democratic governors in asking a federal judge to consider their opposition to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the nation’s new health-care law.
The lawsuit filed in March by 13 state attorneys-general challenges the new law’s requirements that everyone purchase health insurance and that states expand Medicaid coverage for the poor.
The decision of Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna to join the lawsuit infuriated Gregoire and other Democratic leaders, who argued Republican McKenna’s position doesn’t represent the state’s interests.
Democratic governors Bill Ritter of Colorado, Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania found themselves in similar arguments with Republican attorneys-general in their states.
Tags: Washington | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
Lively GOP Convention in Washington
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:40 Written by rslcpol Monday, 14 June 2010 01:27
From The Seattle Times:
Outsiders were in at the Washington state Republican Convention, with candidates who align themselves with the tea party movement and conservative causes getting long and lengthy ovations.
More than 1,200 delegates wrapped up the three-day meeting Saturday in Vancouver, hearing speech after speech castigating big government and Democrats, who hold power in both Washington, D.C., and Washington state.
Enthusiasm aside, the August primary and not party conventions will decide the candidates for November’s general election.
“It’s time we the people had the courage and fortitude to take our country back,” U.S. Senate candidate Clint Didier told the gathering Saturday. “When I get to D.C., there’s going to be hell to pay.”
Tags: Washington | Posted under State Legislature News | No Comments
WA: AG Requested Bills go into Effect
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:44 Written by rslcpol Thursday, 10 June 2010 01:38
From Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna:
OLYMPIA – Five laws proposed by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna during the 2010 Legislative Session become effective today:
* HB 2424, restricting child pornography: Combats the rape and molestation of children by pursuing abusers who video-record their crimes, and the underground market that trades in the resulting images.
* HB 2777, enhancing domestic violence sentences: Just as the law gives extra penalties to serial car thieves and drug dealers, McKenna’s proposal clamps down on repeat domestic abusers. HB 2777 includes the sentencing provisions recommended by the AGO’s Domestic Violence Task Force, which were originally included AGO-requested bills.
Tags: Washington | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
WA: AG McKenna on Health Care Suit VIDEO
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 12:56 Written by rslcpol Friday, 28 May 2010 12:42
From Comcast Newsmakers:
Tags: Attorney General News, Washington | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
WA: Big Crowd Out to Support AG McKenna
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 02:07 Written by rslcpol Monday, 29 March 2010 01:47
From The Olympian:
A large crowd gathered Saturday morning at the state Capitol in support of Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna, a day after people at a much smaller rally took him to task for taking legal action against recently passed federal health care legislation.
Larger crowd supports Rob McKenna
The rally on the steps of the Legislative Building began about 11 a.m., although a large crowd had arrived before then, with many carrying the current U.S. flag as well as the nation’s old “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. Others carried signs that read “Repeal the bill,” “Give me liberty not debt,” and “No gangster government.”
Crowd estimates varied; a sergeant with the State Patrol said 850 people were there, while some supporters pegged the crowd at 2,000 and others as high as 4,000. After the pledge of allegiance and a moment of prayer, McKenna stepped up to the microphone about 11:15 a.m. and addressed the crowd for about 15 minutes.
Tags: Washington | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments
WA AG Represents We the People (Video)
Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 02:09 Written by rslcpol Monday, 29 March 2010 01:37
Tags: Washington | Posted under Attorney General News | No Comments