Two things. Eastern Washington and Oregon are conservative, though lacking the population of the western parts of both states. Liberals in western Washington are the biggest pansies in the state. Cut off their latte and they will drop to the ground on their knees sniveling and whining.
You’re right: Politically and socially, west of the Cascades is one state; east of the Cascades is an entirely different state poltically and socially. But west of the Cascades, unfortunately, calls the shots due to demographics.