Washington voters are just months away from deciding five of nine seats on the state Supreme Court, setting up one of the most consequential judicial elections in years. Jeff looks at why some observers see the race as a pivotal moment for the court, why others think its moderate-to-progressive bent is likely to hold and how major legal battles, including the challenge to the state’s new “millionaire’s tax,” could soon land before the justices elected this fall.
PLUS: The U.S. Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act in a ruling that could dramatically change how congressional districts are drawn and challenged across the country. ABC’s Steven Portnoy explains why the decision may open the door to more aggressive partisan mapmaking in both red and blue states ahead of this year’s midterms.
AND: Investigators are still sorting through last week’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, including whether the suspect fits a familiar mass-attacker profile and whether the Secret Service response revealed any deeper vulnerabilities. Jeff also closes the episode by remembering former state lawmaker Sam Hunt, whose public-service career in Olympia spanned nearly 25 years.
The Northwest Politicast with Jeff Pohjola: From this Washington to that one, Jeff Pohjola explores the politics and issues of the week. Frequent guests and top analysts break down the news to get to the heart of what matters most.
Subscribe at nwnewsradio.com or on your favorite podcast app.