Totally agree, for the most part. With the exception of Ann Davidson, western WA generally won't elect anyone with an R by their name. Polarization is a part of this (I won't get into the weeds here, but The Last Guy was popular in part due to the perception that he was "owning the libs", and as high-minded as coastal liberals consider themselves, there's a sneer not too far off for any southern accent or 'unenlightened' viewpoint).
> maybe the position of the two main parties were closer so it was not much of an issue
I think the parties were further apart, actually. They almost completely overlap in terms of policy outlook and - tellingly - donor class. Maybe the flames of culture and race war are being stoked by the Tuckers of the world in part because there is no major meat-and-potatoes differentiator anymore.
> maybe the position of the two main parties were closer so it was not much of an issue
I think the parties were further apart, actually. They almost completely overlap in terms of policy outlook and - tellingly - donor class. Maybe the flames of culture and race war are being stoked by the Tuckers of the world in part because there is no major meat-and-potatoes differentiator anymore.