Oct. 7 pushed lifelong Dem to run as a Republican for Washington state office

Sarah Mittelman, a lifelong Democrat and former chair of the Clark County Democratic Women, is now running for the Washington state House as a Republican. Her decision stems from what she describes as "Jew-hatred" within the Democratic Party following the October 7 attacks. Mittelman, a nurse practitioner, felt increasingly unwelcome after raising concerns about antisemitism and being called a "genocider" for her Jewish identity. She found that her values "align more with the Republican platform," citing more free discussion and engagement on that side. Mittelman will compete in the August 4 primary against Democrats Kim Harless and Mike Pond in the 49th legislative district.