Issues

The Problem: Since 2011, Washington has more than doubled tax collection while inflation increased by less than half that rate. This year alone, the Democrat-led legislature just passed the largest tax increase in Washington's history, adding $4.3 billion in new taxes on businesses, financial assets and technology services. These higher taxes on gas, utilities, sales, and property disproportionately hurt working families and drive businesses away.

The Problem: Despite spending nearly $20,000 per student—with only half reaching the classroom— more than 50% of students fail to meet grade-level standards in core subjects. Washington ranks 35th nationally in graduation rates. While the McCleary decision required the state to fully fund basic education, the legislature in 2019 relaxed those requirements, allowing districts to fall back on local levies and creating unequal funding across communities.

The Problem: Despite having the nation's third-highest gas tax and numerous vehicle fees, our roads remain in poor condition and transit projects are billions over budget and years behind schedule. The East Link light rail extension alone had a $225 million overrun before construction could even begin, with defects in concrete plinths causing delays of at least a year, pushing the expected opening from July 2023 to late 2024 and now trending toward an early 2026 opening. Across all Sound Transit projects, the agency has racked up an additional $50 billion in cost overruns in just five years.

The Problem: Policies that limit law enforcement, decriminalize harmful behaviors, and prioritize criminals over victims have made our communities less safe. In King County, we're seeing the devastating results with chronic understaffing of law enforcement agencies. King County Sheriff's Office has been forced to reduce minimum staffing in precincts and stop responding to non-injury car crashes and unverified alarms due to chronic understaffing. For context, Washington state had the nation's lowest number of law enforcement officers per capita in 2024, with just 1.35 commissioned officers per 1,000 residents. While Bellevue has managed to improve staffing through aggressive recruitment and incentives, adding 46 officers in 2024 and seeing a 4% decrease in overall crime, other communities still face challenges. Even in relatively safe cities like Redmond (1 in 34 chance of property crime) and Kirkland (21 per 1,000 property crime rate), residents deserve maximum protection through proper police support and accountability in the justice system.

The Problem: Washington spends over $1 billion annually on homelessness programs, yet the crisis continues to worsen. The "Housing First" model—which provides permanent housing without requiring sobriety or mental health treatment—has created a system that enables addiction and mental illness rather than addressing root causes. Homelessness increased 23% statewide from 2020-2023 despite massive spending, while overdose deaths continue rising in supportive housing facilities. This approach has spawned an entire industry of nonprofit organizations, consultants, and service providers whose funding depends on maintaining the problem, not solving it.

The Problem: Government overreach during COVID and ongoing attacks on constitutional freedoms threaten the rights our founders guaranteed. For those who are unaware, Republicans are the party of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment permanently abolishing slavery, the 14th Amendment which granted full citizenship and voting rights to black men, and the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. The party was also instrumental in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1968. Republicans have consistently been the party protecting individual rights against government tyranny at all levels.

The Problem: Too often, government operates in secrecy with little input from the people it serves. Decisions get made behind closed doors, tax dollars disappear into inefficient programs, and elected officials lose touch with their constituents. This lack of accountability breeds waste, corruption, and policies that don't work for working families.