Washington state Democrats may be looking to change leadership after losses

Stung by the election of President Trump and disappointing losses in some down-ballot races, Washington Democrats could shake up party leadership this weekend.

State Democratic Party Chair Jaxon Ravens, seeking re-election, faces a strong challenge from Tina Podlodowski, the former Seattle City Council member who ran unsuccessfully last year for secretary of state.

The contest — which has brought mudslinging from some former state party chairs — has emerged, in part, as a show of strength by supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who dominated Washington’s Democratic presidential caucuses last spring.

But it’s not as simple as a Sanders takeover, cautioned some Democratic activists. Many Hillary Clinton backers also have been dissatisfied with the state party’s track record in recent years.

Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-democrats-may-be-looking-to-change-leadership-after-losses/