Washington has been dead last in police staffing for 15 straight years, and Democrat leadership still acts shocked when crime spirals.

15 Years at the Bottom—Thanks, Democrats

For the 15th year running, Washington ranks dead last in law enforcement staffing, according to FBI data analyzed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs. The state sits at 1.36 officers per 1,000 residents—well below the national average—despite adding 292 officers last year. Seattle, after years of hemorrhaging police under Democrat “reform” policies, is finally seeing a slight rebound, with over 100 new recruits hired in 2025. WASPC Executive Director Steve Strachan says overworked, understaffed officers are bad for safety, victims, and de-escalation—yet Democrats keep prioritizing pet programs over public safety. Closing the gap to the national average would cost more than $1 billion annually, but hitting the top spot would take 30,589 more officers and nearly $5 billion. In other words, Washington’s policing crisis is no accident—it’s the predictable result of years of Democrat-driven neglect. Read more at Axios.

Washington: Where Illegal Immigrants Get VIP Treatment

The DOJ just confirmed what everyone already knew—Washington’s Democrat-led government is proudly on the list of 13 “sanctuary jurisdictions” in the U.S., alongside other liberal strongholds like California, Oregon, and New York. Seattle earned its own shiny badge as a “sanctuary city,” meaning local leaders openly defy federal immigration enforcement by refusing to cooperate with ICE, restricting information-sharing, and even offering taxpayer-funded perks like housing aid and legal services to those here illegally. Attorney General Pam Bondi made it clear: change your policies or prepare for court. But in true Democrat fashion, Washington’s leadership seems more interested in protecting illegal immigrants than American citizens—because priorities, right? Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Seattle’s “Moderates” Get Clobbered in the Primary

Seattle’s primary was a political bloodbath for its so-called moderates. Mayor Bruce Harrell, Council President Sara Nelson, and City Attorney Ann Davison—elected in 2021 on promises of public safety and pandemic recovery—are now trailing badly to progressive challengers. Harrell’s down 9.5% to socialist-backed Katie Wilson, Nelson’s getting crushed by 22.9% to Dionne Foster, and Davison’s in a 22.4% hole against former Biden DOJ attorney Erika Evans. The results show Seattle voters swinging hard left again, rejecting the Council’s more cautious approach in favor of candidates pushing higher taxes, “police alternatives,” and social housing expansion. Harrell’s camp insists they can replicate their 2021 comeback, but that year he won  his primary by 1.9%—not trailed by almost double digits. With three months until the general, the moderates face a steep climb against opponents who smell blood and a city electorate clearly leaning back toward the failed policies that helped create Seattle’s crime, drug, and homelessness mess in the first place. Read more at PBS.

Harrell’s “One Seattle” Plan: Wait Until People Die

Mayor Bruce Harrell knew about the dangerous homeless encampment in Lake City for months. Neighbors complained, crime spiked, and the camp grew right next to a playground—but Harrell did nothing. Only after two men were shot and killed at Virgil Flaim Park on August 11—while children played just feet away—did the mayor finally order a sweep. As KTTH’s Jason Rantz reports, residents say this is the same tired script: camp appears, city stalls, tragedy strikes, then the mayor swoops in pretending to lead. Harrell already cleared this camp earlier in the summer, only to watch it re-form because there are no consequences for illegal camping. Instead of tackling the problem, Harrell’s been busy perfecting his “One Seattle” PR shtick and trailing behind a socialist challenger no one had heard of until this year. Meanwhile, families are left with crime scenes where their kids play basketball. Seattle deserves a leader who acts before the body count rises—not one who waits for the headlines. Read more at Seattle Red.

Fair Play Meeting or Legal Showdown?

Pierce County GOP Chair Dave McMullan is set to meet Thursday with Washington State Fair executives in hopes of reversing sudden new restrictions that block Republicans from gathering signatures or selling merchandise at their traditional booth inside the ShowPlex. The fair claims the rules are about “guest experience,” but they only seemed to appear after GOP and pro-life groups were targeted. State GOP Chair Jim Walsh says the changes smell like illegal viewpoint discrimination and warned the fair it’s “asking for a world of hurt” if it doesn’t back down. While both sides say they want an amicable resolution, Republicans are walking into the meeting ready to either secure their space—or prepare for a legal fight that could make this year’s fair a whole lot more interesting. Read more at Center Square.

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