Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot elected vice chair
On Friday (Jan. 31), Washington State Republican Party (WAGOP) Chairman and State Representative Jim Walsh (LD19) was re-elected chairman — the same day, his X post, rebuking radical Olympia Democrats who are protecting sex offenders at school (HB 1296), caught the attention of President Donald J. Trump. The post has garnered more than four million views, so far.
Clark County Councilor (District 2) Michelle Belkot, a United States Air Force and United States Navy veteran with a combined 25 years of service in many command leadership roles, was elected vice chairman of the WAGOP. Councilor Belkot has spent most of her professional career as a civil servant, with more than two decades in acquisition and procurement of multi-million-dollar construction and architect and engineering contracts, budget management, planning and zoning policies, advisory boards, and county ordinances.
“I am confident that with another term under my belt as your chairman, and with your support in deploying good campaign tools, we will continue to take back our schools, end the indoctrination of our children, and fix what’s broken in Washington over the next few election cycles,” Chairman Walsh told members at the State Committee Reorganization this past weekend.
Chairman Walsh received more than 72 percent of the votes cast — which underscores the broad and unifying scope of his re-election.
Highlights of Chairman Walsh’s first term include piloting a ballot-harvesting program and leveraging it in school board races across the state — winning 32 of the 36 targeted races as a result. In 2024, the ballot-harvesting program was used successfully in the 14th Legislative District — which had been gerrymandered by a Seattle judge to elect Democrat candidates. Instead, working with the Yakima County GOP and good candidates, the WAGOP shocked the political establishment and won all three legislative races.
In another sign of unity and purpose, State Sen. John Braun and State Rep. Peter Abbarno were present during the chair and vice chair votes. Representing the State Senate and State House caucuses, Braun and Abbarno joined Chairman Walsh for a question-and-answer segment with WAGOP State Committee members. They discussed greater coordination going forward — and a combined focus on several special legislative races taking place in 2025 and the statewide legislative races taking place in 2026.
“We must stand bold and tall for what we believe, empowering the grassroots and training precinct committee officers (PCOs) to use their voices and be heard once again,” says Chairman Walsh.
With this in mind, Chairman Walsh created a new position at the WAGOP to develop County Parties and empower PCOs. This staff member’s role includes managing WAGOP’s PCO portal. This portal empowers PCOs and State Committee members with the tools to fight against radical progressive bills being passed into law so often in Olympia. It gives PCOs the tools necessary to use their voice and engage the people in their precincts. It gives real people the power and ability to push back against the tyranny in Olympia.
Additionally: “We are heading into an election cycle where rapid implementation and development of these campaign tools will help us take back school board seats and unseat the radical, DEI-loving, ideologues who are manipulating children in our public schools,” adds Chairman Walsh. “We also have a few special legislative elections this fall that will prepare us for the 2026 congressional and legislative elections.”
“The key to taking back our state lies in the legislature,”
emphasizes Chairman Walsh. “We must focus on the races which we can win and concentrate our resources.”
Also read:
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Reps. Kevin Waters and David Stuebe condemn Senate Bill 6346, warning the new state income tax sends more money into the general fund without real reform, risks expanding to every family, and ignores Washington’s affordability crisis. - Opinion: Washington’s fight for liberty
Conservative columnist Nancy Churchill argues that despite the passage of a new 9.9% state income tax, signs of shifting political momentum in Washington state give reason for hope and continued action. - 18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce passage of state income tax
Following a marathon 24-hour House floor debate, 18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce Senate Bill 6346, a new 9.9% state income tax on household income above $1 million, warning it could expand broadly, harm Washington’s economy, and face serious constitutional challenges. - Opinion: Brandi Kruse and I are feeling discouraged but we’re planning to continue advocating for political change. Will you?
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a discouraging week in Washington state politics, echoing Brandi Kruse’s frustrations over Democrats’ state income tax victory and local decisions on transit and ICE while urging conservatives not to give up on advocating for political change. - Opinion: ‘My thoughts on yesterday’s tragic state income tax’
Leslie Lewallen argues Democrats passed an unconstitutional “millionaires tax” on March 10, 2026, rejected more than 70 Republican amendments, and set Washington on a path she says will harm jobs, schools, and families statewide.
