Melissa Santos is formerly a Crosscut staff reporter who covered state politics and the Legislature. She came to Crosscut from The Seattle Times editorial board, where she wrote columns and opinion pi
State Rep. Matt Shea has come under fire for his ties to far-right groups. But history shows how rare — and politically difficult — it can be to expel an elected lawmaker.
The announcement dashed some politicians’ hopes for higher office. But many believe the governor’s office could still become vacant in 2021.
The decision is likely to stall other Democrats' plans to move up in state leadership.
Dr. Frederick Rivara is leading a new effort to study gun violence, decades after his work prompted backlash from the National Rifle Association.
A new speaker of the House in Olympia could mean action next year, but an assault weapons ban is probably still off the table.
