'Washington state may be in play': Trump campaign eyes Evergreen State after debate

The Trump campaign is eyeing Washington state following President Biden's disastrous performance during Thursday night's presidential debate, which reportedly launched the Democratic Party into a full-scale panic. The poor performance from Biden may give the Trump campaign more opportunity to gain support in more states before November. 

After loyal Democrat mainstream media pundits spent hours suggesting Biden could be done for in the election, Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller made a bold statement: "Washington state may now be in play." 

"President Trump delivered the greatest performance in debate history," Miller told KIRO Newsradio. "Millions of Americans have now been reminded what a real leader looks like and have had their hope restored that we can turn around our economy and secure our southern border." 

Miller went on to express his enthusiastic endorsement of the former president's performance, describing Trump as a "real leader" who could restore hope to the American people. 

Miller grew up in Seattle and graduated from Edmonds-Woodway High School and some Washington state Republicans posted in response to his comments that they are hoping to see Donald Trump hold a campaign rally in the state. 

While Washington state hasn't voted to elect a Republican presidential candidate since the 1984 election of Ronald Reagan, in part due to the Democrat stronghold of Seattle, many purple counties are also present.  

In recent years, Washington state residents have shifted away from supporting progressive policies. Seattle voted out most of its progressive city council members and replaced them with moderates last election cycle. 

Former GOP candidate for Governor Dino Rossi lost to former Democrat Gov. Christine Gregoire by only 129 votes in 2004. The race was highly contested after Rossi was in the lead until Gregoire "miraculously" pulled ahead. Over one million people in Eastern Washington did not vote in that election. Had they voted, a Republican governorship could have been possible, analysts said at the time. 

With Democrats in a panic following the debate and Washington state on a downward spiral, the Trump campaign could potentially pick up more ground in states that were previously not in play.  

Miller said any potential move by the Democrat Party to replace President Biden as the nominee would be "structurally impossible." 

"Sorry, Democrats," said Miller. "You have your nominee." 

Miller, who was previously involved in Trump's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in 2023.