Joel Connelly

I worked for Seattle Post-Intelligencer from 1973 until it ceased print publication in 2009, and SeattlePI.com from 2009 to 6/30/2020. During that time, I wrote about 9 presidential races, 11 Canadian and British Columbia elections‎, four doomed WPPSS nuclear plants, six Washington wilderness battles, creation of two national Monuments (Hanford Reach and San Juan Islands), a 104 million acre Alaska Lands Act, plus the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area.

Pramila Jayapal, Congressional Icarus?

The bright lights of notoriety are casting shadows on the fast-rising Jayapal.

How Kim Schrier Hopes to Hold on to Her Job

“I’ve got to run a perfect campaign:  One slip up and I’m toast,” Schrier told supporters on Tuesday night.  "This is a nail biter."

New Poll: Murray-Smiley Race is Slightly Tightening

The Survey USA findings show a whopping gender gap, with Murray enjoying a 55-35 percent lead among women, while Smiley leads 49-43 percent with male voters.

British Columbia’s New Premier

David Eby, 46, began his legal career working in Vancouver’s drug-ridden Downtown Eastside and later was executive director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association. 

Oops: Inslee Sends a Fundraising Pitch to Tom Foley

The latest appeal from Jay Inslee for Washington speaks not a word on how the donation will be spent and fails to mention the mid-term election in Washington state.

So Stressed! Help! Last Ditch Effort! It Depends on You! Tiffany Smiley’s Relentless Emails

The fear-inducing tone of Smiley’s ceaseless stream of e-mails, begging money for the Republican’s U.S. Senate campaign, makes me wonder whether to respond with a contribution or call for a crisis intervention.

Montana and the Fine Art of Suppressing Hostile Voters

The Republican-run Montana Legislature, seeking to make it difficult for people we met to vote, has deployed distances in the Big Sky State as a political weapon.

Alaska’s New Congresswoman Mary Peltola Goes Fishing at a Seattle Fundraiser

The moderate Peltola delivered a lesson on Alaska politics, practical problem solving, and cross-party cooperation to a Seattle audience.

Nina and Ruth: A Beautiful Friendship with Serious Consequences

Nina Totenberg could have, should have, acted on her knowledge of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health problems.

A Strong and Restive Bench: Attorney General Bob Ferguson in the Wing

The emergence of a new front bench of Democrats are mostly prominently attorneys general who brought successful court challenges against Trump.

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