I spent half my adult life in Seattle.
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.
I understand. My mom’s family is from Pierce County. Most of them work for the government (Olympia or Land/Wildlife), and a couple are in the queer scene in downtown Seattle — rabid and hardcore. I’ve spent a lot of time there also in my early years. The problem with the rural areas is that government is the biggest employer out in the sticks, so people will vote for job security.
My great grandfather was a brick mason and much of his work is still standing in downtown Tacoma. It’s a darn shame what has happened to the place.