|
|
Giving Olympia the Bird |
An upstart Republican focused on electrifying Eastern Washington conservatives has exposed an ideological faultline in the Washington GOP. As the party gathers in Spokane this weekend to endorse a gubernatorial candidate, expect a rumble. |
 |
|
Just as RANGE was preparing to publish this story Friday, all hell broke loose at the Washington State Republican Convention, as the state GOP’s Candidate Endorsement Committee attempted to strike the governor’s endorsement from the convention ballot. Many speculated that the effort began because of a Seattle Times story alleging Bird had not disclosed pleading guilty to a misdemeanor larceny charge. But in a phone call with RANGE, Spokane Valley Council Member Al Merkel — member of the party in attendance — said the reason wasn’t clear. Nonetheless, Bird supporters seemed to take it as an effort to sideline their candidate. Footage tweeted by the Spokesman’s Emry Dinman showed Bird supporters standing and booing while waiving Bird campaign signs. The uproar led to a vote by the body to keep the governor’s race on the ballot. In response, Dave Reichert — the ostensible Republican frontrunner — said he would withdraw his hat from the endorsement, sharply criticizing the developments on Twitter.
Boy howdy, the drama! But the clamor underscores what our following piece covers in detail: Bird’s support in Eastern Washington is fueling his insurgent campaign, while establishment Republicans like Reichert clearly believe that it’s more important to win west-side moderates than fire up the base, even if that means rejecting your own party’s endorsement. Enjoy it.
— Luke Baumgarten |
|
Conservatives have descended on Spokane this weekend for the Washington State Republican Convention. There will be a lot of pomp, some stumping, and a few votes, most importantly the vote by party delegates to endorse candidates for this year’s election.
In the race for Governor, Dave Reichert, a well-known former lawman and member of Congress, is assumed by many wonks and media people to be the conservative front-runner to make the general election. But there is a growing movement in the lands east of the Cascades, especially among Christians, to push hard for a passionate upstart named Semi Bird.
Read the whole story by clicking the button below |
| Read here! |
|
|
|
|
|
📢 RANGE digs into hundreds of pages of agendas every week so you don't have to.
You can support this work by becoming a member for as low as $10/month or $100/year. |
Become a RANGE member |
|
|
