Like many of you, I am not immune to partisanship and rarely, if never, break ranks.
Nevertheless, I appreciate those who are willing to do so when partisan solidarity truly conflicts with their oaths.
Such was the case for Liz Cheney and, locally, for Jaime Herrera-Butler.
Both paid the price for their independence after holding former President Donald Trump accountable at his second impeachment, when they were unceremoniously turned away in their next primary elections.
After divisive primaries, the Republicans retained Cheney’s seat with stalwart Trump loyalist Harriet Hageman in the general election, while Herrera-Butler’s seat ultimately went to democrat Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
Trump loyalist, election denier and conspiracy theorist Joe Kent now moves forward to the general election to challenge her.
Based upon the primary returns, sadly, he is likely to win.
Voters rewarded Herrera-Butler spectacularly in August in one of the most amazing seven-way primaries for state Commissioner of Public Lands.
For the first time I can remember, the voters nearly sent two Republicans to the general election.
By the squeakiest of margins, 51 votes statewide, Democrat Dave Upthegrove will challenge her at the general election in November, pending a recount.
My family, on the East Coast, refers to us as the “left coast” and with good reason. Virtually every statewide office in Washington, Oregon and California is held by a Democrat.
If our state should ever choose to make an exception to this paradigm, please God let it do so now.
Please vote for Jaime Herrera-Butler.
Dan Anderson
Port Angeles