Sunset (magazine)/Volume 33/Simmering in Washington and Arizona

Simmering in Washington and Arizona

In the state of Washington Governor Lister does not have to gird his loins for battle this fall. His administration will not be put to the test of the ballot box until 1916. Which does not mean, however, that Washington is wholly deprived of the joys of political combat. Senator Wesley Jones, of course, wants to return to the shores of the Potomac after March fourth; the Republicans are anxious that his desire should be fulfilled, so anxious that no one is disputing the Republican nomination with him. Democrats and Progressives are not so bashful, though. The Democrats, praying that the Progressives might develop great and unexpected strength, believe that there is a chance and _ this belief has brought almost half a dozen candidates for the Democratic nomination into the field.

Twenty-five candidates of the three most popular political blends aspire to the vacant sandals of the retiring Representatives, a number not at all above the Western batting average. The Congressional line-up in the West will be discussed in an early issue.

Arizona likewise enjoys freedom from a gubernatorial campaign this fall, Governor Hunt holding over until 1917. The issues in Arizona's Congressional and Senatorial primary fight resolve themselves largely into a scrap between members of the same family, Arizona having almost unanimously turned its back on Republicanism and straddled the donkey immediately after statehood was attained.