Harger: Voters fired Republicans in D.C. and doubled down on Democrats in Olympia

Moderates are ticked. And moderates make up the silent majority.

As the results rolled in last night, Sean Trende, the senior elections analyst at RealClearPolitics, hardly a left-leaning outlet, called it “easily the worst election for a party since 1974.”

He called it a 100-year flood.

Democrats flip the House, the Senate, Texas, and Kansas

Democrats took the House and the Senate, according to the Associated Press calls reported by Forbes. Texas sent a Democrat, James Talarico, to the Senate. So did Kansas. Kansas. Adam Hamilton beat Sen. Roger Marshall, and he’s the first Democrat Kansas has sent to the Senate since 1932.

The country isn’t in a good place. Gas is high. Groceries keep climbing. And buying a home? For a lot of young families, forget it. Parents look at their kids and worry they won’t have a prosperous future.

Two years ago, that worry sent voters to Donald Trump. They looked at the economy under Joe Biden, saw things going sideways, and took a chance on something different. Plenty of you made that choice.

This time, voters put the blame on Trump.

Rob McKenna: a repudiation of Trumpism

Former Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna told “Seattle’s Morning News” that last night’s election was a repudiation of Trump and Trumpism.

Leyla texted us during KIRO Newsradio’s election night special.

“I’m not a Democrat or Republican, but I go for common sense!!” she wrote. “People are voting against Donald Trump. They are tired of him.”

Corruption topped the CNBC survey

Going into the election, prices weren’t voters’ top worry. In CNBC’s final All-America Economic Survey, 36% named government corruption as their top issue, ahead of grocery costs at 34% and gas at 23%, according to Political Wire’s summary of the poll.

That should sting for a president who promised to drain the swamp. His own financial disclosures show about $1.2 billion from his family’s crypto ventures last year. He’s flying on a new Air Force One that was a gift from Qatar, and the White House said no final decision has been made on what happens to it after he leaves office. Is there any doubt he will try to keep it? Asked about the crypto money he and his family raked in, he said, “Everybody’s profiting.”

Most families in Kent and Lakewood would say they aren’t.

Neil Newhouse, the Republican pollster whose firm co-led that survey, said voters assume “most elected officials are corrupt.” That’s a warning for every party, including the one that won last night.

There’s a certain beauty to divided government. The White House has to find common ground with Congress. That creates friction. And in normal times, friction means compromise.

WA voters gave Democrats more

Here at home, voters didn’t fire anybody. They gave Democrats more.

On Election Day, gas in Washington averaged $5.18, about a dollar above the national average, according to AAA. We rank third in the country for how much of a family’s budget goes to groceries. Democrats have run Olympia for years. Voters still handed them a bigger majority.

Democrats led for nine Republican-held state House seats, including all four in Clark County’s 17th and 18th districts, according to The Washington State Standard. If those leads hold, they clear a two-thirds supermajority. Those leads could shrink.

Remember that friction I said was good for D.C.? It’d be good for Olympia too. Judging by last night, it won’t be coming from across the aisle.

Gary Locke Democrats v. Shaun Scott Democrats

So it’ll have to come from inside the party. On one side are the old-school Gary Locke and Chris Gregoire Democrats, who are warning leaders to be careful with money. On the other is the progressive wing of Seattle Rep. Shaun Scott, a democratic socialist.

You could see that split on the ballot last night. In the 32nd District, progressive Rep. Cindy Ryu was leading Democratic Sen. Jesse Salomon by 352 votes.

The clock is ticking on Democrats

It was a good night for Democrats. But voters are ticked. Ticked, as in ticking. The clock’s ticking on Democrats now.

Look at the whiplash since 2016. Trump. A Democratic House. Biden. A Republican House. Trump again. And now this. Voters aren’t looking for a team. They’re looking for somebody who’ll make things better. They’re clearly tired of Trumpism. Look at the numbers last night.

So, Democrats, you’re up. The ball’s in your court. The clock’s running. Make it count.

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here. 

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