That’s what I hear, but that has not been my experience. I have work colleagues in the rural areas outside of Spokane who are as commie-Lib as it gets. My two cousins who grew up in the shadow of the Emerald City moved out the the rural southeastern part for the hunting, fishing and fire-fighting. Both work for the government, so they and all their friends are either apolitical or Democrats.
Spokane and Tri-Cities are Democrat because they are urban areas with a large Hispanic population. Outside that, most of your small towns and rural areas are Republican. Unfortunately, they are outvoted by the I-5 corridor.
Let me add Yakima to Spokane and Tri-Cities.