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.

Washington’s Jamie Herrera Beutler Stands Up

The lowest-profile lawmaker in Washington’s Congressional Delegation, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., briefly occupied the national spotlight Friday night and Saturday morning. She “outed” an angry exchange between then-President Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Sen. Maria Cantwell inherits Warren Magnuson’s Committee

Maggie was famous for passing major legislation, as well as for his malaprops. He referred to French President Pompidou as "Poopidou."

Impeachment 2.0: Of the Mob, By the Mob, For the Mob

Rep. Ted Lieu: “I’m not afraid of Donald Trump running in four years. I’m afraid he’s going to run again and lose. Because he can do this again.”

Judge to Tim Eyman: Do Something Else with the rest of your Life!

AG Ferguson has been unrelenting in pursuit of Eyman’s initiative empire, brushing off ceaseless hyperbole, self-pity, and baseless attacks from the initiative promoter.

Biden in the Breach: COVID Bill Will Set the Tone

Joe Biden has a lot on his plate at the moment. Hopefully, he has found time to read Obama’s memoirs, A Promised Land, in which the 44th president eloquently describes being repeatedly stymied and snookered when he sought bipartisan compromise.

A GOP ‘Freedom Caucus’ Forms in the State Senate

The Freedom Caucus says it will fight what Fortunato calls “some of the most radical agendas in Washington history,” pushed by Democrats.

Stage Right: A Primary Challenger to Congressman Dan Newhouse

The challenger is Rep. Brad Klippert, a Benton County deputy sheriff best known for a electoral-college-style proposal to shift votes to Eastern Washington.

Shock and Awe: The Greening of Joe Biden

Biden is off to a fast start, and Team Biden has a common theme: carbon transition means lots of jobs. But industry and GOP allies in Congress are armed and ready for the assault.

The State GOP Whistles Past Assorted Graveyards

Trump will go down as “a great president,” said national radio host Dennis Prager, quickly adding a caveat: “Great presidents have great flaws.” He added one wish for the exiled 45th president: “I wish, instead of a new party, Donald Trump will create a new Internet.”

Retribution: Will GOP Reps. Newhouse and Herrara Beutler Be ‘Primaried’?

Hell hath no fury like that of blue or red party loyalists when one of their own deviates from the party line. They pass resolutions, go on talk radio, and send off angry letters. Still, it’s usually mainly noise, justifying a wise observation by the late Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Chuck Noll: “The empty drum bangs loudest.”

Latest