By Bill Lucia | Editor
Over the weekend, nearly 900 Democrats gathered in Spokane for their party’s state convention. Democrats here enter the 2026 election cycle coming off strong showings in 2024 and in last year’s races for a handful of seats in the state Legislature. Still, there’s ongoing tension between more strident progressives and those in the party’s more moderate camp. “What we’re celebrating is not automatic,” Shasti Conrad, the party chair, told the crowd, referring to Democrats’ recent success in the state. “We’re showing the country what leading with values looks like.”
Also in today’s edition…
Postal Service officials are a no-show at a hearing with state lawmakers.
Changes to fire codes to save construction costs are raising worries.
And, checking in on the state’s investigation into the Longview mill disaster.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
By Jerry Cornfield
Winning back power in Congress and retaking the White House in 2028 were animating topics at the Democratic convention. “We’re fighting for the soul of our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.
But other moments focused squarely on politics in this Washington, such as the punchy speech Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal delivered. He rebuked education cuts recently approved by the Democratic-led Legislature and Gov. Bob Ferguson and suggested it’s okay to back progressive challengers to Democratic officeholders at the state level who aren’t upholding the party platform.
State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti led attendees in an eyebrow-raising chant in support of a candidate running in one of this year’s more competitive state Supreme Court races. And a resolution critical of U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez failed narrowly.
Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Photo by Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
Postal Service officials canceled an appearance before a Washington state House committee Monday, just hours before the meeting. They were scheduled to discuss a controversial rule intended to add federal oversight to mail-in voting. Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, said the federal officials stated they’d “improperly confirmed” participation in the State Government and Tribal Relations hearing.
The proposed rule would require state election officials to share with the Postal Service a list of mail-in voters and also sets new conditions for states to send ballots via mail, including the design of the envelopes. The rulemaking is taking place under an executive order that President Donald Trump signed earlier this year.
By Robbie Sequeira
Around the U.S., state and local officials have been taking steps to loosen building codes to reduce the costs of housing construction. The idea is to help get more affordable housing built. But some of the changes, like allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have only a single stairway and revisions to electrical requirements, are raising fire-safety concerns. “None of these codes change just to change them,” said Iowa Democratic state Rep. Jeff Cooling, who works as an electrician. “They’ve changed because people have been seriously injured or killed.” Proponents dispute that the cost-saving changes put residents at greater risk. Here in Washington, a new elevator law, enacted this year, directs the state Building Code Council to allow smaller apartment buildings to use smaller and less expensive passenger elevators.
By Paul W. Taylor, TVW
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries expects its investigation into the deadly Longview tank implosion that killed 11 workers will take most of the six months allowed under state law, according to the agency’s director, Joel Sacks. The investigation focuses on workplace safety requirements, potential violations and lessons that could prevent similar accidents in the future. The federal Chemical Safety Board is also investigating the incident.
ICYMI
Battle ramps up over WA ballot measure to bar transgender students from girls’ sports | by Jake Goldstein-Street
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