Washington
PV Washington meeting times are at 8pm PST.
Political Landscape of Washington
Partisan Composition of Washington
Overall, Washington is considered a blue state, with a Cook PVI of D+8 as of 2022, regularly voting 55-60% Democrat in statewide races. Washington's US Senate delegation and governorship are Democratic, and their US House delegation consists of 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans. Washington also has solid majorities in their state legislature, with 58 Democrats to 40 Republicans in the state house and 29 Democrats to 20 Republicans in the state senate, which forms a trifecta (as of 2/10/24).
Progressive Outlook for Washington
The overall progressive strategy for Washington is optimistic. As this state is solidly blue, participating in progressive primary races is advisable. As Washington has a top-two primary system, it is even theoretically possible for a third party or independent left-wing candidate to win a seat without becoming a spoiler candidate as they do in other states. Efforts should be focused on primarying out uncooperative Democrats and defending vulnerable seats from Republicans while pushing the state legislature to enact progressive priorities. As Washington has a Top Two Open Primary system, this is also one of the few states where progressive third-party or Independent candidates are viable without falling to the spoiler effect.
Get Involved
Register to Vote in Washington
Progressive Organizations in Washington
Below is a list of progressive organizations in Washington. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.
- League of Women Voters- LWV is an organization working towards expanding voter rights for all, there is a league in Snohomish.
- Swing Left - Swing Left is a great place to find impactful steps you can take for democracy.
- DSA - Democratic Socialists of America is an organization that empowers workers by standing with strikers and helps elect socialist leaders. Listed below are their chapters in the Washington state.
Notable Campaigns in 2024
Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Washington. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them. This calendarshows upcoming Washington and national elections.
August 6th Primary Elections (Filing Deadline May 10th)
Due to the Top Two Open Primary system in Washington, you can generally vote for independent or third-party progressive candidates without worrying about electing a Republican. Do check for every election, though.
- Emily Randall for US House WA-6: 6 term incumbent Derek Kilmer (D) is retiring from congress in this D+10 (according to 538) district, therefore whoever wins the Democrat primary is most likely to win the general election. Emily seems the most progressive of all the primary choices. If you're in Washington and want to support a campaign this primary season, she's your best bet!
November 5th General Elections
- Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez for US House WA-3 Though MGP is considered more of a centrist Democrat, she was able to narrowly win Washington's 3rd district in 2022 in a stunning upset and is running for re-election in 2024. She is absolutely one of the most vulnerable house Democrats in the US and is effectively stealing this R+5 red house district straight from the GOP, so your efforts would not be wasted here.
- Kim Schrier for US House WA-8 - This is a vulnerable, though much less so than Perez (won by under 10% in 2022), Democratic incumbent who needs your support in November as well.
Comprehensive Guide to Seats in Washington
If you're wondering about which campaigns are worth supporting and for what, this is your place. As Washington uses a top-two open primary system, the progressive strategy for all 157 seats differs wildly! Information on which elections are worthwhile may be found here.
Run for Local Office
An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.
Legislation
Staying aware of what bills are being proposed and passed can let you organize with your community and act for change! Washington's legislationis public.
State Officials in WA
(pics, social media links including websites if they have one, description of policies and possibly link to more resources)
Talking with your state's officials, like representatives, is another way to get change.
Washington Senators
Washington Representatives
Representatives have official websites with social media, explanations on the issues they are working on, and even assistance with Government programs.
- WA-1: Suzan DelBene(D) - Representative of Medina.
- WA-2: Rick Larsen(D) - Representative of Everett.
- WA-3: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) - Representative of Washougal. Does not have a Youtube channel.
- WA-4: Dan Newhouse (R) - Representative of Sunny Side.
- WA-5: Cathy McMorris Rodgers(R) - Representative of Spokane.
- WA-6: Derek Kilmer (D) - Representative of Gig Harbor. Derek Kilmer Youtube
- WA-7: Pramila Jayapal(D) - Representative of Seattle.
- WA-8: Kim Schrier(D) - Representative of Sammamish. Kim Schrier Youtube
- WA-9: Adam Smith(D) - Representative of Bellevue.
- WA-10: Marilyn Strickland(D) - Representative of Tacoma