SEATTLE — Four weeks out from the general election, Washington state’s Republican and Democratic party chairs weighed in on Tim Walz’s visit to the Seattle area and the state of the governor's race.
Walz attended a campaign fundraising event in Hunts Point on Tuesday before traveling to Sacramento.
Washington state Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh said it wasn’t a surprise to see Walz visit Seattle.
“There are a number of very deep-pocketed millionaire and billionaire supporters of Gov. Walz and the vice president,” Walsh said. “And there’s an old saying the progressive left looks at King County as an ATM and they like coming out here and making withdrawals.”
Walsh said the party has been in talks with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance about visiting Washington state for a quick campaign rally. Walsh suggested the Columbia River gorge or Moses Lake could be possible locations. However, the details are undetermined.
Washington state Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad said Walz's visit was exciting and she loves the attention on the Evergreen State.
"I think it shows Washington state’s on the map and they knew it was important to come here," Conrad said.
Like the GOP, Democrats are in the final stretch before election day. Conrad weighed in on one of the hottest topics on the ballot: four statewide initiatives targeting climate change, natural gas, capital gains and long-term care insurance. Conrad said the Democrats urged voters to reject the initiatives, especially Initiative 2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act.
"It’s about taking us backwards," Conrad said of I-2117. "We as Democrats believe we've been able to pass landmark legislation these past couple of years, and it's backed by people who pick their state legislators, and we want to make sure we’re standing up for keeping our air clean."
