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Spectaor 2026-05-21

Early Idaho primary results show Republican incumbents ahead, with several legislative races still tight

Early Idaho primary election results show Republican incumbents doing well (unlike Thomas Massie in Kentucky), with Governor Brad Little securing approximately 60% of the initial vote. On the Democratic side, Terri Pickens looks like the apparent gubernatorial nominee. A number of legislative races remain competitive, with key contests still too close to call. Early Idaho primary results show Republican incumbents ahead, with several legislative races still tight is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

Republican voters vanquish more of Donald Trump’s marks in Kentucky, Georgia primaries

Thomas Massie and Brad Raffensperger are the latest Republicans to lose in Republican primaries after being targeted by Donald Trump for defeat. The base's eagerness to give Trump what he wants demonstrates that the party continues to function more like a cult than a political party despite Trump's declining popularity. Republican voters vanquish more of Donald Trump’s marks in Kentucky, Georgia primaries is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

Washington State’s budget has been shrinking, not growing, despite statements to the contrary by former elected officials

Former elected officials like Governor Chris Gregoire, radio personalities like Charlie Harger, and editorial writers at The Seattle Times continue to irresponsibly compare the state budget between eras using absolute dollars, which doesn't allow for a proper apples-to-apples examination. In relative terms — the only terms worth using for comparisons — the state budget has gotten smaller, even with recent tax and fee increases adopted by the people's elected representatives. Washington State’s budget has been shrinking, not growing, despite statements to the contrary by former elected officials is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.

COPE voting results are in: Washington State Labor Council announces federal and state endorsements for 2026

For the midterms, the federation is supporting a mostly Democratic slate for the Legislature along with every incumbent Democratic member of Congress except for Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. The WSLC is also opposing right wing mega-millionaire Brian Heywood's latest crop of destructive initiatives. COPE voting results are in: Washington State Labor Council announces federal and state endorsements for 2026 is a post from NPI's Cascadia Advocate, the journal of the Northwest Progressive Institute. Published continuously since March of 2004, NPI's Cascadia Advocate provides thoughtful commentary and analysis on regional, national, and world politics. Keep The Cascadia Advocate going by making a contribution to sustain NPI's research and advocacy here.