Washington State is widely associated with progressive politics, thanks to urban centers like Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. But a look beyond the Puget Sound reveals deep-red pockets across the state, particularly in Eastern and Central Washington—where conservative values remain deeply rooted.
Based on the latest available data from 2024 (which informs 2025 profiles), here are the top seven most conservative cities in Washington.
1. Othello
- Population (2022): ~8,600
- % Republican support (2020): 66.6%
Topping the list with two out of every three voters backing the Republican presidential candidate in 2020, Othello stands out as Washington’s most conservative small city. Located in the agricultural heartland, this community reflects a rural ethos anchored in traditional values, with strong support for conservative platforms on issues like taxation, agriculture policy, and gun rights.
2. Moses Lake
- Population: ~25,150
- % Republican support: 65.7%
A mid‑sized city centered around its eponymous lake, Moses Lake shares many demographic and political similarities with Othello. Its rural heritage, combined with a growing aerospace presence, cultivates a politically conservative environment. Local priorities include economic development, defense-related employment, and lower tax rates.
3. Ephrata
- Population: ~8,400
- % Republican support: 65.7%
Ephrata, like Othello, is a compact agricultural community where farming and irrigation projects drive the economy. It’s also where conservative voting patterns are deeply ingrained. With nearly two-thirds of its electorate voting Republican, Ephrata reflects the countryside’s stance on land use, regulatory limits, and social conservatism.
4. Quincy
- Population: ~7,750
- % Republican support: 65.7%
Another staple of Grant County’s conservative region, Quincy’s 65.7% GOP support mirrors its agricultural neighbors. The city is a regional hub for irrigation, fruit production, and energy—issues that often align with conservative positions on regulation, entrepreneurship, and rural community resilience.
5. Centralia
- Population: ~18,230
- % Republican support: 64.9%
Centralia is a notable conservative city west of the Cascades, diverging from the usual liberal-leaning cities in that region. With its industrial base rooted in timber, manufacturing, and freight, Centralia advocates for conservative policies addressing land use, economic revitalization, and skepticism about environmental regulation.
6. Chehalis
- Population: ~7,510
- % Republican support: 64.9%
Just south of Centralia, Chehalis shares the same political temperament—economic pragmatism rooted in forestry and transportation industries. Voters here consistently support conservative candidates who prioritize business interests and oppose aggressive regulations.
7. Clarkston
- Population: ~7,220
- % Republican support: 61.2%
Located on the Washington‑Idaho border across from Lewiston, Clarkston benefits from cross-state economic ties and a robust agricultural sector. It leans conservative, with 61.2% Republican support, though slightly lower than the deeper-red cities. The blend of trade, rural values, and small-town priorities shapes its political identity.
Why These Cities?
RoadSnacks, using “Saturday Night Science” methodology, evaluated all Washington cities with populations over 5,000. By assigning county-level Republican presidential vote shares to constituent cities, these seven emerged as the most conservative as of early 2024 . While statewide politics remain overwhelmingly Democratic at the leadership level, these pockets represent a decidedly different reality—rural, agriculture-heavy, and socially traditional.
Notable Mentions & Regional Context
- East Wenatchee (60.8%), Prosser (58.6%), Kennewick (58.6%) also landed in RoadSnacks’ top ten.
- Lewis County, one of the most conservative counties in western Washington, supports long-standing GOP leadership at both county and state levels .
- Washington’s 4th Congressional District, covering central Washington—including cities like Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata, and Kennewick—holds a Cook PVI of R+10 and has consistently voted Republican in recent presidential elections.
Together, these communities sketch a political landscape that diverges sharply from the blue-leaning Puget Sound area.
2025 Outlook & What’s Next
As Washington heads into mid‑term legislative races and prepares for another presidential election cycle, these conservative enclaves will play a pivotal role in swing‑district outcomes. Though Democrats maintain statewide trifecta control, GOP candidates in Eastern and Central Washington—from legislative to local races—continue to leverage issues like tax reform, natural resource policy, and rural representation .
In the 2025 legislative session, Republican challengers targeting seats in districts like the 5th and 26th—regions overlapping with several of these cities—signal growing political energy in these formerly safe terrains.
Final Thoughts
Though Washington is often portrayed as a solidly blue state, a deeper dive reveals multiple red corridors—cities where conservative values are not just important, but dominant. Othello, Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy, Centralia, Chehalis, and Clarkston each topped the statewide conservative index as of 2024, with voter bases shaped by agriculture, rural economies, and community-focused values.
For political observers, developers, business investors, and policy advocates alike, understanding these communities is essential to grasping Washington’s full political texture in 2025.