Cascade Party
A new path in Washington State politics.
A new path in Washington State politics.
Election 2025
Moderate Democrats are being shunned from Washington State's ruling party.
Image: A struggle session denouncing Zhongxun, the father of Xi Jinping, at Northwest A&F University during the Cultural Revolution, September 1967. The sign reads, "Anti-Party element Xi Zhongxun”
After Tuesday’s performance at the polls, the Democratic establishment in Washington, under the influence of a surging national group, are feeling their oats. Ideological purity is demanded, or you’re denounced.
By Krist Novoselic (November 10, 2025)
Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling is a moderate Democrat who this year challenged the appointed Democrat in the 33rd legislative district special state house election. The appointee, Edwin Obras, reliably votes with the ruling party's activist agenda in Olympia.
The Stranger “Election Control Board” is campaign advocacy for the activist left. This quote sets the tone,
DON’T LET THIS ASSHOLE WIN, THE ASSHOLE IS NOT WINNING...We do not want a ghoul [Schilling] masquerading as a Democrat in the Legislature when it comes time to hard conversations around budgets and possible changes to that pesky regressive tax code. The average Dem is bad enough!
I emphasized that last sentence as it says a mouthful.
Apparently, Schilling is an “average Democrat” — as opposed to the ideologues who won a lot of power locally last week.
Schilling checks boxes that should elicit some respect — he voted for Harris, is queer and has a track record as the kind of moderate who helped build our state.
Forget it! To the Stranger, and the readers it appeals to, Schilling is an “average Democrat asshole”.
Apostate
The Burien mayor is no stranger to the attitudes emanating from the activists dominating our politics. After announcing his campaign as a Democrat, Schilling went to the 33rd LD Democratic group where he was received as persona non grata.
Schilling was shunned for implementing the city’s camping ban. This was over the city council’s concern with public safety issues involving homelessness and public drug abuse.
But that’s not his only sin, the apostasy is how Schilling campaigned on expecting “measurable results” with programs resulting from Olympia’s spending money.
In essence, the "average" Democrat dared to question Democratic Party political patronage tracts.
Politically, candidates like Schilling have nothing to offer the ruling party by suggesting the state must be better stewards of public dollars.
Democratic candidates like this are not only shunned, as quoted above, lefty client media taunts them as “assholes” when they’re down in the count.
If the ruling party really is a big tent, Democratic state Chair Shasti Conrad needs to make a statement on how this attitude and language are unacceptable.
New Path
After his shunning by the local Democratic group, and needing institutional support, Schilling turned to the Cascade party — while still appearing on the ballot as a Democrat.
There are currently three recognized parties in our state — and Cascade is one of them!
Democrats and Republicans created campaign finance rules to benefit their dominant parties. Cascade has met the requirements to achieve official party status in our state.
This means our party has access to the same campaign finance rules the two major parties enjoy.
If anyone wants to start a real new party in Washington, the period to qualify will reopen in the spring of 2028.
Until then, the GOP are stuck with Trump, who likes to troll people with his bull in the china shop style. The Republican brand is toxic in Washington State.
On the other hand, the longtime project of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to take over the Democratic Party is now complete. Washington State Democrats are the host body to the DSA — with that national party’s values in control.
People are tired of the two major parties — because both those parties are tired.
Cascade is not another political action committee. We are a member-driven political party. Our innovative organization fuses private social media with traditional political association.
Join us to reinvigorate politics to advocate for people from all walks of life. Our state was built on providing opportunities creating prosperity for working people and businesses alike.
The ruling party in Olympia has been in power for too long. Democrats are dogmatic, offering policies costing billions. These programs promise a lot and it’s reasonable to expect measurable results.
Consider joining us — we’re different from the two major parties.
The GOP are MAGA — home for populism branded within a cult of personality.
Cascade rejects this kind of reality TV politics.
Then there is the other party.
Democrats in our state are now the vessel for activists — pushing the really old ideas which inspire leftist populism. If you don't agree with the policies, or even campaign on good government issues like fiscal prudence, their media derides you as an asshole.
Cascade party will treat you better than both dominating old parties.
Krist Novoselić is Cascade Party Chair. He serves on the board of directors in an at-large position. He served as Chair of Wahkikakum County Democratic Central Committee from 2005 until 2009.
