Republicans push for term limits with Dems now in control of all state elected positions
Dec 10, 2021, 11:52 AM | Updated: 11:57 am
(Washington House Democrats)
(Washington House Democrats)
A trio of Washington Republicans are proposing an amendment to the state constitution seeking to impose term limits on state legislators, as well as a handful of other elected offices.
Gov. Inslee: Dems, Republicans do not ‘own the secretary of state’s office’
For lawmakers, it would limit them to a maximum of 12 years in office. That would comprise three four-year terms in the state Senate, or six two-year terms for the state House. It would also impose a two-term limit on the governor, attorney general, treasurer, auditor, superintendent of public instruction, and commissioner of public lands.
The term limit proposal comes from Republican Representatives Drew MacEwen, Chris Corry, and Rob Chase. As a constitutional amendment, it would face a difficult path to passage, requiring one of two pathways. The first would be a constitutional convention put to voters, which would first require two-thirds approval from both the state House and Senate. The second would be putting the amendment on the general election ballot, also requiring the approval of two-thirds of state legislators.
Washington has what are known as a Democratic trifecta and triplex. A trifecta is when one party holds majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature and the governor’s office. A triplex denotes one party’s control as governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. As of December 2021, Democrats hold a 28-20 advantage in the state Senate, and a 57-41 advantage in the state House. With the recent departure of Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman, the party now also holds every state-level elected office as well.
GOP lawmakers on what’s at stake in Washington state
According to Ballotpedia, Republicans hold a combined 23 trifectas across the United States, as well as 20 triplexes. Democrats hold 15 trifectas and 19 triplexes. The remaining states have governments where neither party holds a trifecta or triplex.
Democrats Frank Chopp and Eileen Cody are currently Washington’s longest serving sitting state lawmakers, having both been in the Legislature for 26 years. By the time his current term ends in 2025, Jay Inslee will have served as governor for 12 years, after first taking office in 2013.
