in the washington gubernatorial election, 2012, mainstream republicans of washington endorsed gop candidate rob mckenna and criticized votes taken by democratic challenger jay inslee while in congress which the group characterized as being anti-gay. the following year the group joined with the democratic party in washington in opposing initiative 517, a ballot measure that would require some private property owners to allow petitioners to gather signatures on their property. the proposal was subsequently rejected by voters. the 2013 election season also saw mainstream republicans of washington come out against initiative 522, which would have required labeling of genetically modified foods.