In Washington state, two political newcomers have unexpectedly become the fundraising leaders in the race for the state legislature. Megachurch pastor Adam James and prosecutor Will Dreer, who handled cases against participants in the January 6 Capitol attack, have no prior political experience. Yet amid polarized public sentiments, they have raised more donations than any other candidates for the state House.
Conservative candidate Adam James, an associate pastor at Grace City Church in Wenatchee, launched his campaign with staggering success. Speaking to congregants, he raised more than $200,000 in a single day, and his total donations reached $328,000. That is ten times more than his intra-party opponent, moderate Republican Mike Steele. James is closely tied to the Christian nationalist movement and takes part in a men's event called "Project Mancard" — a program organized by conservative Christian groups in Wenatchee that promotes traditional male roles and the "kingdom of God" through activities like hunting and archery. Organizers say such gatherings "proclaim that Olympia and Washington belong to God." In a liberal state where the majority on the western side supports progressive policies, these events draw attention as an effort to mobilize the conservative electorate in the eastern regions, which resonates with Christian nationalist ideas.
On the other side of the political spectrum is Democrat Will Dreer. A private attorney from Seattle, he gained prominence for prosecuting dozens of participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. His campaign raised $185,000 in just one month, surpassing incumbent Democrat Gerry Pollet. Experts note that being "the guy who went after the January 6 rioters" has become a powerful fundraising springboard in liberal Seattle.
These two campaigns reflect a deep divide in the state's political culture. Washington is geographically split: conservative Wenatchee in the central part of the state and progressive Seattle on the west act as two poles, and James’s donations come not from Seattle but from conservatives across the state and the country who back Christian nationalist ideas. Voters are valuing moderates capable of compromise less and are increasingly supporting uncompromising outsiders. The situation within the Democratic Party is particularly telling: 18 incumbent legislators are facing challenges from members of their own party, compared with just four in 2024. Among the "victims" are the majority leaders in the senate and the house.
CNN analyst Harry Enten says national polls show "terrible" ratings for the Democratic Party, and voters are unhappy with both Republicans and their own party leaders. "This screams of widespread primary challenges," he says. "People don't trust either Trump or their party." Experts note that traditional Republican-versus-Democrat rivalry is giving way to internal party wars.
However, money does not guarantee victory. Veteran political consultant Steve Finley warns that hot candidates can be "doused with cold water" on Election Day. Still, the trend is clear: voters are tired of waiting for incumbents to step aside and are willing to back newcomers, even if they don't fit traditional party molds.
"Look at last year's Seattle mayoral election," Finley reminds. "A candidate who came from nowhere beat the incumbent mayor. That happens when people are angry. And that is the key backdrop to this whole story: people are really, really angry." In 2021, Bruce Harrell — a former police chief who was considered an outsider — won Seattle's mayoral race, unexpectedly defeating progressive candidate Lorena Gonzalez in a liberal city. That parallel shows how conservative forces in central Washington, who seem like outsiders, can achieve political success. Outsiders appear to have become the defining trend of the political season in Washington.
Based on: From MAGA pastor to J6 prosecutor, what’s hot in WA politics