Washington Supreme Court Strikes Down Natural Gas Initiative, Overriding the Votes of Two Million Washingtonians
Bellevue—In a shocking rejection of the democratic process, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against Initiative 2066, holding that the measure protecting use of natural gas violates the state Constitution’s single-subject requirement. The decision overturns I-2066, a measure approved in 2024 by a clear majority of Washington voters.
Washington State Republican Party Chairman Rep. Jim Walsh questions both the ruling and the timing of its release.
“My sources in and around the Washington State Supreme Court in Olympia say that this [6–3] opinion on the natural-gas initiative was ready months ago,” Chairman Walsh told The John Curley Show on Monday. “They released it now to make a point—basically a statement, a kind of flex, if you will—about the state Supreme Court’s ability and willingness to override the will of the people.”
Chairman Walsh says the timing seems designed to discourage voters ahead of this fall’s midterm elections, when three initiatives will appear on the ballot: I-001, to protect parents’ rights; I-638, to protect fairness in girls’ sports; and I-645, to repeal the state income tax.
“It’s alarming that the high court sat on the decision for six months, as evidenced by retired Justice Barbara Madsen participating in the majority decision,” says Chairman Walsh. “It’s like the mafia coming to your restaurant and threatening to burn it to the ground. The Court is telling two million voters: ‘We don’t care what you want.’”
Chairman Walsh says the ruling not only undermines the state’s initiative process but also echoes the fate of two earlier $30 car-tab measures—Initiative 695 in 2000 and Initiative 976 in 2020. In both cases, the Washington State Supreme Court relied on the single-subject rule, which Walsh argues it has applied inconsistently.
“I believe the current configuration of the Washington State Supreme Court is a rubber stamp for Governor Bob Ferguson and WA Democrats’ left-wing policies,” Chairman Walsh warns.
In response, Chairman Walsh is urging voters to support five independent, constitutionally minded candidates seeking open seats on the Washington Supreme Court in November: Scott Edwards, David Stevens, Sean O’Donnell, Dave Larson, and Todd A. Bloom.
“The people have to protect Washington’s initiative process from the left-wing politicians who are ruining our state. Initiatives are the first line and last line of defense in state politics,” Chairman Walsh says. “Our State Constitution says that the people ‘retain’ the right of initiative. They never delegate it to elected officials—the governor, legislators, or judges. And Article 1, Section 1, of the State Constitution says: ‘All political power is inherent in the people.’ This November, the people need to protect that right and that power. Vote for Edwards, Stevens, O’Donnell, Larson, and Bloom on the State Supreme Court. And vote YES, YES, YES on the three initiatives.”
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