Clallam County

In Western Washington, Clallam County has likely lost its 40 year streak as a bellwether for the presidential election. While more votes are still being counted, the majority of Clallam votes tallied so far are for Vice President Kamala Harris.That is not the story nationwide. The election has been called for former president Donald Trump.

If you were to drive the farthest west you can in Washington, you’d reach Clallam County. That’s on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a remote, wide county, where you can visit Olympic National Park and drive from sunny Sequim to rainy Forks. It’s a place known for its beauty and for its wilderness.Now, it’s made a name for itself in national politics.In 2020, Clallam County voters went blue and voted for Joe Biden. Not only did that break the mold of how they voted in 2016 when they went red for Donald Trump, but it made them the last bellwether county.

Catherine McKinney is a sister of a person with developmental delays. She knows firsthand the joys and challenges families face when seeking opportunity and community for their loved ones.At Clallam Mosaic, where she is the program and communications director, McKinney helps families like hers find community through recreational programs that range from martial arts to quilting. Since 2019, the organization on the Olympic Peninsula has expanded its arts offerings.

Protective surgical gowns are one of the most scarce and eagerly sought items in the current coronavirus pandemic. Responders-turned-MacGyvers in at least three separate places, including two in Washington state, have independently hit upon a do-it-yourself alternative using common construction house wrap.