Or, like AZ, it could be that the other party is putting up crazy people. In which case, voters are going for the least worst. Especially because our system (nationally, and I think in most states) has a tendency to pick the extremes from each party, and pit them against each other. The majority of voters are in the middle, and are stuck with two candidates they don't like...in their minds, voting for the least worst.

1pg, we're talking about the city of Seattle here. There is no functioning Republican party. The entire state barely has one; in the bluest areas we have these flavors of politician:

*Out and out socialists (example: thestranger.com - Why im not running again for city council)

*Mini-mes of the out-and-out socialists (mynorthwest.com - Rantz seattle councilmember pushes communist cuban propaganda celebrates castro.)

*liberal but not insane (seattletimes.com - Councilmember sara nelson takes office looking for improvements for businesses public safety)

...there is no alternative candidate to vote for. This place has been deeply and solidly blue for decades and yet voters still vote for the same thing.

The guy I highlighted campaigned on being for more cops and for public safety. Once in office he started voting for defunding the police and showed up at anti-cop protest/riots. His latest stunt was this one:

mynorthwest.com - Seattle city council fails to approve new city drug possession law

...which cost him the last of his business endorsements. As I said, hopefully this guy doesn't make it into the general election.