Washington state is normally a lock for Democrats. The Democratic Party has held the governor’s mansion since 1985, including one agonizingly close election that is widely regarded by local Republicans to have been stolen.

Washington Democrats now control statewide elected offices after the lone Republican, then-Secretary of State Kim Wyman, got sideways with the GOP faction favorable to President Donald Trump as he rose to the White House for his first, nonconsecutive term. Wyman jumped ship for the administration of Trump’s successor (and predecessor), former President Joe Biden.