Thanks to my father Allen Hayward - It’s hardly surprising that many Washington voters are shocked and angry to learn that they must identify a party choice in order to be able to cast a vote in the presidential primary. In many states, having to declare a party preference in order to vote in a primary is common practice, but not in Washington. The confusion comes from the fact that we have two very different laws in place, one dealing only with the presidential primary process and one dealing with all other state elections. The presidential primary is an actual “partisan primary” in which the Republican candidate represents the Republican Party, and the Democratic candidate represents that party. This election is run by the state of Washington but is really for the two major political parties. Initiative Measure 99, passed by the Legislature in 1989, created the presidential primary, but it is crafted to be for and by the parties. Chapter 29A.56.RCW. RCW 29A.56.050 Was...

Blessings in disguise When you're taking on the largest political organization in the world, Service Employees International (SEIU), you have to be able to take a hit. The battle to free workers from the clutches of government unions is analogous to the end of “Rocky,” when Apollo Creed (SEIU) makes a dramatic entrance filled with confidence, only to be knocked down in the first round by a motivated challenger named Rocky (aka, the Freedom Foundation). Humiliated, SEIU has been forced to take us more seriously. Make no mistake, this fight is going to go the distance, and both organizations will sustain numerous blows to the ego and checkbook. As the battle unfolds, SEIU’s seemly unlimited bankroll is being countered by the Freedom Foundation's wit and tenacity. We are also thankful for the blessings in disguise. Every SEIU hit job seems to blow up in their face. When the union put Freedom Foundation CEO Tom McCabe in its sights, we turned ...