To the Editor:
When have you ever heard a local Republican candidate or party member denounce the grift of Trump and his family?
When, I should say, it was not followed by ample rationalizing that though he is not their hero any longer, they still support his policies. They admire his so-far-successful attacks on the rule of law and the increase in the executive powers he wields, congressional review be damned?
In just a few weeks, we will be going to the polls to vote for our choices of candidates to represent us in Congress and in many state and local level offices. Even so-called nonpartisan races can be discerned if one only attends any of the local forums or meet and greets with those running for office. It will only take seconds to know if their partisanship is masked.
It is as if some of us have become a flock of ostriches, burying our heads in denial, while flying our bulbous feathered parts high and proud.
Our vote is our only weapon against a coming authoritarian apocalypse. We owe it to ourselves and our families to take the time to meet and listen to the candidates. Most of them are not that polished, and most of them will show you in minutes all you need to know to decide if they have anything to offer other than hyperbole or are just looking for fans to fan their egos.
—Michael Waite, Sedro Woolley; Oct. 21, 2026