Majority rules? Is the unusual Washington coalition that took control of the Senate a mere political blip or the start of a new era?

• Author: Mak, Robert
• Position: LEGISLATURES

In the hallways of the Washington state Capitol, some Democrats have been grumbling for months about one of their own. "What's his deal?" they ask, making little effort to hide their animosity toward Senator Rodney Tom (D).

"Obviously, there are people who still won't talk to me," says Tom, acknowledging that his unorthodox path to become majority coalition leader left many of his colleagues not just perplexed, but furious.

Democrats called Tom a traitor after he and Democratic Senator Tim Sheldon turned from their caucus this year to form a coalition with Senate Republicans--a move that tipped the balance of power.

As the Washington Legislature wrestles over education funding and ongoing budget shortfalls, Olympia is still debating the significance of this unusual coalition that crosses party lines.

"There are people in the Republican Party who aren't real excited with me either," says Tom, who still considers himself a Democrat. He says his motivation is simply to reflect the views of his suburban district. "It's about changing the direction of politics."

A Coalition Emerges

The 2012 election set the stage for Tom's unlikely ascent. In a state colored blue on most national political maps, Democrats retained the governor's office and easily maintained their majority in the House. They also won the Senate with a narrow three-seat lead and proceeded to elect veteran Seattle Democrat Ed Murray as majority leader.

Democrats knew their control was tenuous. Sheldon had a long history of straying from the party line. And caucus members were suspicious of Tom, who originally was elected to the House as a Republican before switching his party affiliation in 2006. As a Democrat in 2010, Tom helped craft his caucus' budget, but ended up voting against it, saying he couldn't live with its tax increases.

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One month before the 2013 session convened on Jan. 14, Republicans called a press conference announcing that Democrats Tom and Sheldon were joining them to form a new caucus.

With a 25-24 margin, the coalition seized power, and Senate Republicans supported Tom to be the Majority Coalition leader and Sheldon to be Senate president pro tempore. "I'm personally very happy with it," says Senator Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla, Republican leader for the past seven years. "The leadership is from the center."

Republicans described the change as a promising sign of bipartisanship. Democrats saw it differently, stung by the realization they had lost control, despite winning the election.

"Is it bipartisan, or is it just two guys who kind of look like, and quack like, and waddle like Republicans?" said Senator Jeannie Darneille (D).

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The Swing Districts

Both Tom and Sheldon say the willingness of state Democrats to raise taxes is what pushed them toward the coalition. "I'm very much a Democrat. I am a social liberal, fiscal conservative," says Tom, who made his career in real estate and investments. "The Democrats want to tax everybody. Of course, they want you to tax the other person. And the Republicans want a bunch of stuff for free."

In delivering criticism of both parties, Tom says he's betting that constituents are more concerned about his...