GOP may strengthen firewall in state Senate

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Republican lawmakers may have a minority in the state Senate, but they also have a chance to expand their influence with the help of two moderate Democrats.

Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch have both signaled in recent days they aren’t going to endorse their party’s leadership to control the chamber.

That could lead to some sort of power-sharing agreement, a different Senate Majority Leader and a situation where a mix of both Democrats and Republicans hold committee chairs.

Tom said the public wants to see government operate without party labels.

“We need to govern more out of the middle,” Tom said.

The move would escalate an effort last year in which Tom and Sheldon worked with Republicans on the budget, helping drive some major changes on pensions and balanced budgets.

Both parties are still forming their leadership and committee teams after this month’s election, and the Legislature returns to work in early January.

The state Senate now serves as a firewall for Republican policy. They have little power in the House and lost a chance this year to take the governor’s office.

The party now holds just one statewide seat: a secretary of state position that has a minimal role outside of managing elections.

Much of the GOP strength in the Senate could also fall apart if a recount alters the outcome of a legislative race.

The Clark County seat held by Republican Sen. Don Benton is headed to a recount as Benton now holds a lead of roughly 100 votes over Democratic Rep. Tim Probst.

A win by Benton would give Democrats a 26-23 advantage, meaning defections by Tom and Sheldon can give power to a GOP-led coalition. A win by Probst would give Democrats a more solid leadership advantage.

Democratic Sen. Ed Murray, who was recently chosen by fellow Democrats to lead the caucus, said Tom and others are essentially looking to toss Senate precedent and tradition, creating what he deemed a poisonous atmosphere in the chamber.

He believed it would be more productive for one party or the other to be in full control of the chamber.

Murray sent off a letter this week to Senate Republicans, asking for a meeting between the leadership teams after the two parties had completed those internal votes.

“Our goal is to recognize the fluid nature of the Senate at present and to govern accordingly,” Murray wrote in the letter, which he signed with the title of Senate Majority Leader.

Republican Sen. Mark Schoesler of Ritzville, who has been serving as the Republican Floor Leader, said it’s still not clear how the proposal of a coalition leadership would work.

But he said there was support from Republicans for moving policy based on a philosophical majority instead of a political one — particularly on issues like education, government reform and fiscal responsibility.

“I’m optimistic that we can do good things and show people a path that’s different from the other Washington,” Schoesler said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.