Politics in Washington is following a dangerous trend

In just two weeks we will see the first election results, which will give us a pretty good idea of ​​who our next group of elected leaders will be. It’s a big moment after months of campaigning, debates and all that talk.

But to be honest, I feel a bit exhausted.

The presidential race has been stressful, to say the least. The non-stop news cycles, heated debates and constant barrage of opinions have taken their toll on many of us. And now political strategists appear to have decided to bring the same vicious, toxic mix of national politics into our Washington races. It’s as if the negativity couldn’t be contained and had to spill over into our local competitions. But is that really what we want for our state?

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As a reporter for over 20 years, I have had the opportunity to cover both Dave Reichert and Bob Ferguson. I watched their political careers develop.

I remember sitting in a small office with Dave Reichert and sharing with him my deep regret that he had not been able to stop the Green River Killer sooner. He spoke about the nightmares that continued to haunt him more than 30 years after he took on the case. Not exactly what you’d expect from attack ads that turn real people into one-dimensional villains.

I also stood on the sidewalk with Bob Ferguson after an interview and talked about his concerns about failing a case. He wanted to do the right thing for the victims affected – at least from his perspective. Again, this is not the villain he is sometimes portrayed as in exaggerated political messages.

These aren’t villains. Dave Reichert is a decent human being. Bob Ferguson is a decent human being. You may disagree with their politics – and that’s completely fair – but when I see them portrayed as something sinister in the attack ads, I just shake my head. It’s disappointing that despite their decency, both have allowed their campaigns to lead to them tearing each other down.

Politics in Washington is following a dangerous trend

Do we really want a future where victory means destroying the other side, not just debating political differences but portraying opponents as almost evil? Is this the kind of policy we want to accept here in Washington?

We need to find a way to engage politically without demonizing those we disagree with. It sucks and builds up so many walls. These walls don’t just block neighborly conversations; They prevent us from listening to someone who does not share our views. They create echo chambers in which only known opinions are reinforced and different perspectives are ignored.

When every disagreement becomes a battle between good and evil, it is not only stressful but dangerous. We lose sight of real solutions because the only goal is to win at all costs. Important issues affecting our communities are lost in the noise of partisan political arguments. We forget that compromise and understanding are the key to success.

I’ve been around politics long enough to know that it’s not always pretty. Campaigns can become chaotic and emotions run high. But if we continue down this path of demonization, we will only deepen our divisions. This is not healthy for a democracy.

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I know that sounds idealistic. We can change things. Maybe not in this election, but maybe in the years to come. It’s time we demand campaigns that reflect the best of us in Washington, rather than emulating the worst examples nationally. Let’s encourage candidates to focus on their vision, their plans and the way they want to serve the public. Let us promote a political culture in which ideas are discussed respectfully and opponents are treated as fellow citizens rather than enemies.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to build a better future for ourselves and future generations. Let’s not allow the toxic tactics of negative campaigns to overshadow this shared goal. As voters, we have the power to set the tone. Let’s choose leaders who inspire us with their ideas, not those who rely on tearing others down.

It is up to us to make that choice and demand more from those who want to represent us.

Charlie Harger is the news director for MyNorthwest and KIRO Newsradio. Follow Charlie on X here and email him here

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