JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE, WHY SHOULD WE VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRAT
If Moderate Democrats Want Republican Votes, They Have to Give Republicans Something to Vote For
This election cycle, we’re seeing a lot of Blue vs Blue battles, and an appeal for Republican support from self-styled Democrat moderates.
Safe Democrat incumbents are being primaried from the Left and suddenly expect Republican voters to pick them as the “lesser of two evils”. Republicans are told, “You don’t have to like me. I’m better than the alternative. Don’t ‘stay home’ – get out and vote for me.”
But if “moderate Democrats” want Republicans to help them survive a primary challenge (assuming there is no Republican in the race), they have to understand something fundamental:
We need to be able to point to concrete positions, policies and promises and say:
“Here is where this candidate actually broke with their party.”
Without those differences, asking Republicans for support amounts to asking them to reward a different tone while getting the same votes.
Here’s a set of specific proposals the Democratic Moderate Caucus should publicly embrace now, that we could actually shop to our voters.
Public Safety
Washington voters have watched years of debate over police funding, prosecution standards, sentencing, and repeat offenders. Many communities are experiencing property crime, retail theft, open drug use, and repeat offenders cycling through the criminal justice system. The revolving door injustice system has led to a situation where 60% of the violent crime is being committed by a relatively small number of thugs who are well known to police, prosecutors and judges. Their presence back on the street in our neighborhoods is a choice.
A moderate Democrat who wants Republican credibility should be willing to support reforms that:
hold repeat offenders accountable;
strengthen prosecution of habitual offenders;
improve pretrial supervision for dangerous defendants;
give judges meaningful tools to distinguish between first-time offenders and career criminals; and
measure success by fewer victims.
We do acknowledge here that some Democrats, like Lauren Davis, have meaningfully crossed this threshold and stuck their necks out publicly on public safety.
Election Confidence
Washington Republicans frequently express concerns about election integrity. Democrats respond by treating those concerns as illegitimate or unworthy of discussion and then pass yet more legislation to fuel Republican cynicism. “Why don’t Republicans vote?” Because we don’t believe elections in Washington are real.
The Democrat approach has only deepened distrust and they haven’t even stopped yet.
Moderate Democrats don’t have to agree that Washington elections are rigged, but they do have to agree that it’s a big problem when half the state believes that. Confidence is everything with elections.
A moderate Democrat could distinguish themselves by supporting measures such as:
Actual chain-of-custody laws,
Serious penalties for auditors who don’t keep the county voter rolls clean,
Expanded post-election audits,
Proof-of-citizenship for all voters,
and reforms that increase public confidence regardless of who wins.
Democracy depends not only on accurate elections but on citizens believing elections are conducted fairly.
Stop the Abortion Arms Race
Washington has moved way beyond legalizing abortion, and “getting the government out of the bedroom” and is now expanding government’s role in facilitating abortion wherever and whenever possible.
Recent Democrat laws have included expanding public support for abortion access and improving statewide access to abortion medications, while state leaders have also emphasized stockpiling abortion medication in response to legal uncertainty elsewhere. This is in addition to making abortion free through Medicaid and forcing insurance coverage.
Moderate Democrats can revert to the “Clinton Position” and oppose the abortion-maxing wing of their party which seems to see every live birth as a failure of government. A moderate Democrat need not become pro-life by any stretch but still distinguish themselves.
Specifically, they could support policies that:
End the state government’s active promotion of abortion including distribution of abortion pills;
Oppose making Washington a national destination for abortion tourism;
Maintain reasonable health and safety oversight;
End tax funding of abortion; and
Get the state government out of the abortion business altogether.
Moderation means acknowledging limits—not continually pushing toward the furthest edge of one side’s agenda.
Parents Are Not the Enemy
One of the clearest examples of recent political extremism has been parental rights.
In 2024, the People overwhelmingly approved Initiative 2081, establishing a Parents’ Bill of Rights. In 2025, Democratic majorities passed legislation gutting that initiative, describing it as a technical cleanup.
Washington is one of the worst states in the nation for parental authority over children and Democrats are not done. Parents increasingly feel that educational institutions see them as obstacles rather than partners.
A moderate Democrat could stand apart by affirming that:
Children may not get healthcare without parental permission;
Schools must not keep secrets from parents;
Promise to restore the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
That would represent genuine moderation in today’s political climate.
Speak Up When Your Own Side Goes Too Far
Finally, perhaps the biggest obstacle to believing in “moderate Democrats” is that many campaign as moderates but govern as reliable votes for liberal leadership, and are silent in the face of the extremists in their party. Moderation requires actually saying “no” once in a while and calling out the crazies in your midst.
Every political coalition has activists who push further than the average voter wants to go. Republicans are famously happy to publicly criticize Republicans to their Right. We never see the converse from Democrats.
Give Republicans Something They Can Sell
Republican leaders cannot ask Republican voters to support someone simply because “the other Democrat will be worse than me.”
They need to be able to say:
“This candidate genuinely broke with their party on public safety.”
“This candidate defended parents.”
“This candidate supported election transparency.”
“This candidate opposed government overreach on abortion.”
The path to bipartisan support is not complicated. Demonstrate independence. Take difficult votes. Publicly disagree with your party when it goes too far.
Only then Republicans may have something meaningful they can bring to their own voters.
Written by : Jonathan Bloedow, LD 32 Chair
