Nirvana co-founder petitions for new political party in Washington

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselić has started a petition to form a new centrist political party in the Evergreen State: The Cascade Party of Washington.

“Our image reflects the majestic Cascade Mountain Range – uniting eastern and western Washington in the middle. We are a home for people tired of the polarized fringes dominating our politics,” CPW’s website claims. “We are an independent state party. Our mission is to offer a new voice to the people of Washington at all levels of government.”

In a TikTok video posted in early July on the organization’s account, Novoselić claimed “we need 1,000 valid signatures for the state to recognize us as a bonafide political party.” He added that CPW does not want to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot.

The organization’s draft party platform outlines its views on several issues including social programs, agriculture, the environment, and health care.

Among the organization’s belief’s, CPW supports “pathways” for people with chronic addiction and debilitating mental illness and supports funding law enforcement and diversion programs such as drug court.

CPW also supports judicial reform – backing a state constitutional amendment for the Merit System to appoint judges. Under this system, the governor nominates candidates who are confirmed by a 60% majority vote in the state Senate.

Additionally, the draft party platform notes support for natural gas and a market-driven transition towards renewable energy, and opposes “government censorship with favoring certain speakers in elections.”

According to the CPW website, the organization uses a “private social media” website called HumHub, which requires a $25 per month subscription.

“The idea with Cascade Party is to empower people and be part of a political realignment. The user agreement for our HumHub is a declaration of affiliation with the party. We are a state party, so users need to be Washington registered voters. Once you agree, you are a member and let into the Hub. Membership privileges include participating on the Hub; voting on and running for party offices, propose resolutions and build a party platform. We can eventually nominate candidates for the public ballot,” Novoselić said in a post on the CPW website.

KOIN 6 News reached out to the organization. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

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