Two Democrats Who Opposed Millionaires Tax Are Losing To Progressive Challengers In Primary

Earlier this year, Washington State House Representatives Melanie Morgan (D-Tacoma) and Amy Walen (D-Kirkland) crossed party lines to oppose the signature progressive legislation of the session: the Millionaire’s Tax. Now, they’re facing the consequences of voting like Republicans in their blue districts. As of Friday’s ballot drop, both Morgan and Walen are behind their progressive challengers, Tacoma small business owner Krista Perez and Redmond City Council Member Jessica Forsythe respectively. 

On election night, some politicos declared an end to the anti-incumbent tidal wave, pointing to the defeat of a scrappy challenger for State Senate in the 43rd LD Hannah Sabio-Howell. But the progressive pain didn’t stretch the entire region. About 30 miles south, Perez celebrated a lead of five ballots over the incumbent on election night.  

“Every vote must be counted, but I am cautiously optimistic about early results that show voters in the 29th LD have responded to our message about decency and progressive values,” Perez said in an email statement following the initial results. “It’s true now just as it was when we launched our campaign: the 29th District deserves better. The district deserves a member who will be laser-focused on affordability, supporting workers, building more housing, addressing youth gun violence, fighting climate change, protecting access to abortion, and keeping our immigrant communities safe. We will be following results closely over the coming days and pivoting to the general election where we will work just as hard to make our case to voters.”

As the ballots continued to trickle in, Perez’s lead widened. As of Friday afternoon, 48.85% of voters backed Perez and 46.56% backed Morgan. However, Perez may struggle in the general election after getting charged with a DUI earlier this week.

Forsythe only just crossed over to first place on Friday afternoon. A week and a half ago, on election night, Forsythe claimed 45.1% of the vote, just a few hundred ballots behind Walen. Forsythe inched closer every ball to drop and finished the first week with a nail-biting 133 ballot gap. Now, as of Friday afternoon, Forsythe is 25 ballots ahead. 

“This Primary is proof that our community is ready for someone who will stand up and fight for fully funding education, expanding the working families tax credit, providing small business relief, and who will put people over profits,” Forsythe said in a statement to The Burner. 

But not every Democrat who crossed party lines on the Millionaires’s Tax last session got punished by progressives. Millionaire’s tax naysayer Rep. Dan Bronosoke (D-Lakewood) didn’t even draw a challenger. Reps. Kristen Reeves (D-Federal Way), Alicia Rule (D-Blaine), and Joe Timmons all surpassed 50% against Republican opponents. And for some, voting against the Millionaires’ tax couldn’t save them from their purple district. Reps. Adison Richards (D-Bremerton) and Clyde Shavers (D-Clinton) are both in danger of losing their seats to Republicans this year.