SEATTLE — When we spoke with Craig Keller he wasn't surprised at Donald Trump's proposal for a ban on letting Muslims into America.
Keller has sponsored multiple initiatives to keep undocumented immigrants from getting state benefits.
“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” Trump said last night.
“Until our government figures out what the blank is going on,” Keller finished Trump’s announcement and added, “So that is what our government should be doing right now.”
While Trump supporters cheered, Democrats and some Republicans were quick to denounce him.
“That we should be considering seriously him as a candidate for president is unbelievable,” said Washington Democratic Congressmen Jim McDermott.
“His comments are terrible I think and they are irresponsible,” said fellow Democrat Suzan DelBene.
“What was proposed yesterday was not what this party stands for, and more importantly it's not what this country stands for,” said Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.
In a statement, Spokane Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers agreed the Trump proposal "does not reflect our values as Republicans or Americans."
Eastside Republican Dave Reichert avoided presidential politics by not responding.
State Republican Chair Susan Hutchison agreed with the others, but added: "The real issue is that the Obama/Clinton foreign policy has put this nation at risk for terrorist attacks as we saw in San Bernardino. Shame on the media for changing the subject."
Craig Keller says President Obama created an opening for Trump.
“Donald Trump may become president because of what our current president is not doing to keep America safe.”
Representative DelBene faces a challenge from Republican Marysville state lawmaker Elizabeth Scott.
In a text message, Scott told us she does not support Trump's call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States.
>>CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story described Rep. Dave Reichert as a Bellevue representative. He no longer represents Bellevue. He does represent much of East King County.