By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
Over the past decade, Democrats have amassed power in Olympia through areas further and further from their urban bases.
These are places like east King County suburbs where Republican Dino Rossi’s tenure as a state senator nearly carried him to the governor’s office; northern Whatcom County, not long ago a redder shade of purple; part of the Kitsap Peninsula that has been a rare split district but may soon be represented by three Democrats; and Island County, where Democrats are gaining strength.
The shifts allow Democrats to continue expanding and strengthening a foundation for a supermajority in the Legislature, which could lead to transformational changes to state law.
Also in today’s edition…
• Setting the national scene for Tuesday’s midterms.
• Daylight saving time bill awaits action in U.S. Senate.
• And, a judge rules some can maintain Medicaid coverage despite work requirements.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
State Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, won a special election last year to retain her Senate seat. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
There are two central reasons why Democrats have grown in power in these areas. For one, Donald Trump. As moderate Republicans and independent voters have soured on the president’s brash rhetoric, Democrats have provided refuge. The second reason is the suburban districts have been the recipients of new Democrat-leaning voters, driven further from urban cores by the high cost of living and the promise of hybrid or remote work.
By Ashley Murray and Jonathan Shorman
When the polls close Tuesday night, the 2026 U.S. election will go down as one of history’s most expensive and extraordinarily ugly midterms — galvanizing record-breaking early voter turnout among a deeply divided electorate.
By David Lightman
President Donald Trump wants year-round daylight saving time. The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly in July for the change. Lots of Democrats and Republicans are behind the idea. Yet, any momentum has stalled. The legislation can’t get out of the U.S. Senate, and it looks unlikely there’ll be much progress anytime soon.
Senators are due to return to Washington from a lengthy recess on Nov. 9, and a push for year-round daylight saving time is expected. But it faces strong opposition from senators in rural areas and those who represent states where children could be walking to school in darkness for most of the winter.
By Shalina Chatlani
Medicaid recipients who are disabled or have a chronic illness will not have to prove they are unable to work to be exempted from new work requirements that take effect next year, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
The decision grants a partial victory to the 25 Democratic-led states, including Washington, that sued the Trump administration in June, arguing that its new “medically frail” designation was too narrow and would make it too difficult for ill and disabled people to remain on Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for people with low incomes.
“Our state is healthier, safer, and more productive when everyone can get the care they need,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement. “We will continue to defend Medicaid as the federal government uses bureaucracy and red tape to try to deny Washingtonians the care they deserve.”
ICYMI
In a tight battle for a legislative seat, a PAC tries influencers to reach voters | by Jerry Cornfield
As open enrollment begins, far fewer than expected have lost coverage | by Jake Goldstein-Street
WA mobilizes National Guard for added security for ballot drop boxes | by Jerry Cornfield
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