Ellen Dennis

Current Position: statehouse reporter

Ellen Dennis came to The Spokesman-Review in June 2023. She is the legislative reporter in our Olympia Bureau covering Washington state legislature. Ellen previously worked as the public safety reporter for the Everett Herald.

Email: ellend@spokesman.com
Phone: (206) 486-5723

Most Recent Stories

News > WA Government

Democrats on their way to grow their majority in Washington’s Legislature if current election results hold

UPDATED: Mon., Nov. 11, 2024

General election results show Democrats in Washington are on track to growing their already-strong majorities in the state Legislature. Heading into the election last week, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 29-20 in the Senate and 58-40 in the House.

News > WA Government

As country gets redder, Washington voters are getting bluer, showing potential support for an income tax, stricter climate regulations down the line

UPDATED: Sun., Nov. 10, 2024

Voters in Washington this year showed overwhelming support to keep in place the state’s controversial landmark climate policy as well as its capital gains tax.

News > WA Government

Washington’s newly elected governor and top lawyer pledge to defend the state against Trump

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 7, 2024

On Thursday, current Washington attorney general and soon-to-be governor Bob Ferguson and incoming Attorney General Nick Brown sought to calm the nerves of worried Washington residents, saying they’re prepared to challenge the Trump administration if its policies threaten state laws.

News > WA Government

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee reacts to Trump’s election, acknowledging national fear but calling for local optimism

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 6, 2024

The longtime governor addressed the press and state Wednesday afternoon, speaking from a federal office building in downtown Seattle.

News > WA Government

Tuesday night results show Democrats win Washington attorney general, other state executive offices

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 5, 2024

If Tuesday’s vote counts hold, Democrats will keep the keys to the governor’s mansion along with eight other powerful offices, including attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and lands commissioner.

News > WA Government

For 40 years, this Washington county has picked the winning candidate for president, the longest streak in the nation

Mon., Nov. 4, 2024

The last time Clallam County voters picked a losing presidential candidate by popular vote was in 1976, when they chose Republican Gerald Ford who narrowly lost the national election to Democrat Jimmy Carter. Since then, the county’s voters have picked the winners in every presidential race.

News > WA Government

Arson burns hundreds of ballots in a southwest Washington ballot box

UPDATED: Mon., Oct. 28, 2024

The FBI is investigating an intentionally set fire that destroyed hundreds of ballots in a ballot drop box early Monday morning in Vancouver.

News > WA Government

Failed candidate for Washington governor Semi Bird leaves role in state GOP, citing ‘darkness’ in politics

UPDATED: Wed., Oct. 23, 2024

Former Washington gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird has stepped down from his posts as chairman of the Benton County Republican Party and executive board member of the state Republican Party.

News > Spokane

Spokane County’s voter turnout so far double the statewide average, two weeks until Election Day

UPDATED: Tue., Oct. 22, 2024

Statewide, an average of 10% of Washington’s registered voters had cast their ballots as of Tuesday night, according to new data released by the Secretary of State’s office. Spokane County showed the third-highest voter turnout In the state according to the data, following Mason County’s 28% turnout and Thurston County who held a slim 0.10% lead over Spokane County’s turnout.