Former SPD police chief Gil Kerlikowske got confirmed by the Senate today, so he’s now officially the head of the Office for National Drug Control Policy, or the Drug Czar. Kerlikowske passed by a vote of 91-1, the only nay being from Oklahoma’s Tom Coburn, who deeply fears the gay agenda. (Coburn’s office was not immediately available to comment on his vote.) While drug policy reformers expect that he’ll be better than his predecessors, the former SPD police chief who should really be drug czar is kicking it on Orcas Island, advocating against drug prohibition and writing a novel.
More Stories From This Author
Mercer Island School District faces $13.4M sex abuse claim
School leaders received numerous reports that former high school English teacher Curtis Johnston was “dating” a student but failed to intervene, complaint says.
By Moe K. Clark, InvestigateWest • March 5, 2026 3:08 pm
O’Reilly Auto Parts to pay $5.6M for employee discrimination
Missouri-based O’Reilly Auto Enterprises will pay $5.6 million for widespread denial of pregnancy and nursing accommodations to Washington workers under…
By
Steve Hunter • March 5, 2026 9:47 am
KC Council approves moratorium on detention centers
The King County Council approved a moratorium on detention centers in unincorporated King County as an effort to limit immigration…
By
Drew Dotson • March 4, 2026 4:10 pm
