Navigating conspiracies in our elections: Today So Far

• Conspiracy theories and rumors at play in the race for Washington's 8th Congressional District.
• Washington state lawmakers are considering a guaranteed income program.

This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for Feb. 2, 2022.

“...these people want power. This is about having their way. There is no dissent with them. If you dissent, you are the enemy."

That's something Spokane Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich once told me while discussing extremism in our state, an issue he is very familiar with. Sheriff Knezovich clearly leans right, politically — he's pro-second amendment, has spoken out against Gov. Inslee, and has supported Trump at times. But to some rightwing extremists, someone like Sheriff Knezovich is an enemy worthy of death threats. The sheriff once told me that one such group of extremists are responsible for running candidates against him in local elections.

Knezovich's experience is on the more intense side of the issue. Such groups come from various angles, bringing conspiracy theories with them. But one thing they have in common — they run candidates for office.

Consider the 8th Congressional District which spans Seattle's suburbs to Chelan. The district was flipped from red to blue when current representative Kim Schrier won the 2018 election. Now, Schrier faces a handful of challengers, some of whom are promoting conspiracy theories as they run for office. KUOW's David Hyde reports that while Republican candidate Jesse Jensen hypes the usual GOP talking points of low taxes and border security, he also embraces baseless rumors about government plans to detain unvaccinated families.

RELATED: WA taxpayers paid for 3 state lawmakers to attend election conspiracy event

Hyde has also, previously, reported on the politics brewing on the Olympic Peninsula where "conspirational" politics are embraced by city candidates and elected officials. This issue has also shown up with candidates for public hospital boards. Many such candidates lost the last election.

Republican King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn is also running for the 8th Congressional District. He presents a much different brand of conservative than Jensen. But he will still have to navigate a field of voters who both embrace and reject conspiracies and rumors. Read David's full report here.

Also on KUOW.org...

Should Washington state have a guaranteed income? That's what lawmakers in Olympia are debating these days.

The issue of guaranteed income is not just for the Yang Gang anymore. It's being promoted from various corners, including right here in Washington.

Currently, the idea is being promoted by State Representative Liz Berry of the 36th District in Seattle. Under a proposal in Olympia, the guaranteed income wouldn't actually be "guaranteed" for all Washingtonians. It would be subject to local markets, such as the price of rent and median incomes. For example, Berry says that someone in Seattle who earns $40,000 or less would be eligible.

But how would this all be paid for? Read more of Berry's arguments for a guaranteed income here.

AS SEEN ON KUOW

The housing market is tight across Washington state. There’s very little out there for people to buy, and that’s driving home prices out of reach for many of the people who live in the region. Rache' Boston works at the John L. Scott offices in Renton and lately has found it difficult to find people homes in a middle price range. (Joshua McNichols / KUOW)

DID YOU KNOW?

There are six more weeks of winter, according to season expert Punxsutawney Phil. However, if you ask Staten Island's Charles G. Hogg, spring will come early. Either way, a groundhog will be right.

Groundhog Day is a unique American holiday, based on the superstition that whether or not a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 determines the length of the remaining winter weeks (though it has deeper roots going back to Germany). Groundhog Day was first celebrated in 1887 at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Since then, people have flocked to see what a groundhog has to "say" about the weather. And it spawned one of the greatest comedy films ever!

ALSO ON OUR MIND

U.S. Army begins to discharge soldiers who refuse COVID-19 vaccination

U.S. Army soldiers who refuse to be vaccinated for Covid-19 will soon be discharged, the military branch announced Wednesday. The Army said it will "immediately begin separating Soldiers from the service" who refuse to be vaccinated or who don't have an approved or pending request for exemption. Read more here.

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