Elections 2012

Charter School Initiative Passes, Says AP

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:09:06 +0000

The charter school initiative has passed by a narrow margin, according to the Associated Press. The vote stands at 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent. That's a difference of about 44,000 votes. Statewide, 269,000 ballots remain to be counted. The No on 1240 campaign Facebook page says campaign managers won't consider the race over until every vote is counted.

Republican Recriminations Fly In 1st District Congressional Race

Deborah Wang — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:09:10 +0000

The 1st District was supposed to be the Republican Party’s best chance of picking up a Congressional seat in the state this year. But after Democrats won the seat decisively, Republicans are pointing fingers over who is to blame.

Your Take On The News

Steve Scher — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

It’s Friday — time to review the week’s news. Joni Balter, Eli Sanders, Peter Jackson and C.R. Douglas join us to wrap up the presidential race and the week's big national, state and local election stories. What’s your take? Call us at 206.543.5869 or write to weekday@kuow.org.

John Koster Plans To Concede 1st District Congressional Race

Deborah Wang — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:03:12 +0000

The battle for Jay Inslee’s old seat in Congress now appears to be over.

Republican John Koster sent a letter to supporters Thursday night informing them that he plans to officially concede the race today.

New Washington Democrats Face Tough Choices In Congress

Amy Radil — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:24:05 +0000

At a post-election lunch for politicians and labor leaders, Democrats were savoring their victories, but also contemplating the tough choices awaiting progressives in Congress this month.

Gay Marriage Supporters Declare Victory

Liz Jones — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:05:13 +0000

Supporters of same-sex marriage in Washington are celebrating victory. The campaign to approve Referendum 74, Washington United for Marriage, says it's now confident their four-point lead will hold.

Election 2012: Where Did The Money Go?

Steve Scher — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

The 2012 presidential race is in the history books as the most expensive campaign in American history. That is, at least until 2016. The Obama and Romney campaigns spent an estimated $1 billion each on the race. What did all that money accomplish? Bill Allison of the Sunlight Foundation has some insight.

Washington State GOP Searching Its Soul Over Losses

Deborah Wang — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:45:04 +0000

As the vote count continues, Washington Republicans are preparing for possible losses in several key state races.

Democratic attorney general hopeful Bob Ferguson leads Republican Reagan Dunn. The two are vying for the seat left open by Republican Rob McKenna, who stepped down to run for governor. McKenna has held the office since 2005.

Inslee Organizes Transition Team Despite Continued Vote Counting

Colin Fogarty — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:20:08 +0000

The race for Washington governor remains too close to call. But Democrat Jay Inslee said Wednesday he’s already forming a transition team to prepare to take office. The former congressman leads Republican attorney general Rob McKenna 51 percent to 49 percent.

Young Washington Republicans Enthused, But Not Always Party Line

Amy Radil — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:47:28 +0000

When you talk to Madeline Fakharzadeh, a high school senior in Kent, you wouldn’t necessarily think American politics are all that divisive right now. At Tuesday's Republican election night party in Bellevue, she held a campaign sign for her local congressman, Republican Dave Reichert. But she has also volunteered for Democrats and for Washington United for Marriage, the group behind Referendum 74 to legalize same-sex marriage. And she didn’t think she was out of the ordinary in a Republican crowd on election night. “With times changing the way they are, it’s not a matter of, ‘I’m a conservative, I don’t believe in same-sex marriage.’ It’s changing,” she said.