Local News

The Seattle Times political team explores national, state and local politics.

Good morning.

Big weekend for gay marriage in Washington state. So, what do voters across the country think about gay marriage? A new poll reported in Politico says a plurality — not a majority – of Americans favor gay marriage. The Times’ Carol Ostrom reported Saturday about people in our state who voted against both gay marriage and marijuana legalization. The U.S. Supreme Court will take up gay marriage, two cases.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue,
not Tacoma

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith stays put on armed services: The News Tribune of Tacoma has an interesting piece on Adam Smith, formerly of Tacoma, who has recently moved to Bellevue. The point is Smith may have moved out of the Tacoma area and away from close proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, but his interests are still with armed services. Smith is staying on as the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee in the upcoming Congress. Smith, by the by, moved closer to the center of the newly-drawn 9th Congressional District.

Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker

Booker on the move: Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker is making plans. Or thinking about a move up in politics, anyway. Booker, one of the rising stars in Democratic politics, is pondering a run next year against popular New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Wouldn’t that be a fun race? Christie, a Republican, aggravated members of his own party for the hug heard round the world during the presidential race. (You might remember Christie embraced and praised President Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.)