MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
(Editor’s Note: WA Democrats’ offices will be closed next week in observance of the holiday week. We’ll be back with a new Message from the Chair on December 5!)
Before everyone celebrates with loved ones next week, I wanted to share how grateful I am for all of you. Washington Democrats devoted time, energy, and passion to help their neighbors turn out to vote and secure victories for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. So, for everything you do to help our party, our state, and our country: thank you.
Not everyone has a home to go to, and Trump’s cruel economic policies are jacking up costs, depriving the most vulnerable of desperately needed resources, and causing grief throughout our state. If you have the means, please consider giving your time or money to one of the following food resources in our state:
Working for Washington
U.S. Senator Cantwell helped secure $2 million for NEW Health’s Chewelah branch in Eastern Washington. This impact goes well beyond Cheweleh, as the health center covers about 5,600 square miles in Eastern Washington and includes a mobile unit for physicals, dental care, career fairs, and health fairs. Thank you, Senator Cantwell, for working to secure these funds and also for your hard work to secure Affordable Care Act subsidies that will help Washingtonians afford the life-saving health insurance they rely on.
Senator Cantwell also joined the Inside the Arena podcast to discuss her legislation to reform Name, Image, and Likeness guidelines for college athletes and programs. She has also questioned whether the multi-billion-dollar college sports industry, which has attracted interest from private equity and venture capital investors, should retain its tax-exempt status, even in the face of schools owing football coaches hundreds of millions of dollars in contract buyouts.
Governor Bob Ferguson was lauded by The Seattle Times Editorial Board for his decisive action to restore SNAP food benefits in our state. This came after legal action, also launched by Washington, and on top of $2.2 million in weekly payments to food banks that will “continue weekly until SNAP funding is restored.” Especially as we enter the holiday season, food scarcity and hunger become more acute. Thank you, Governor Ferguson and every state leader who acted quickly to check Trump’s cruelty and ensure children, seniors, and veterans continue to receive food assistance.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen recently wrote in the Whidbey News-Times about his report on the challenges facing veterans in Northwest Washington, from health care to housing to employment and education. Since January, 30,000 Veterans Administration employees have been laid off in Trump’s mass firings. This adds another burden to veteran families who are trying to make ends meet and access all the services they are entitled to. Washington State routinely ranks among the highest for veterans who decide to retire here. Thank you, Representative Larsen, for dedicating your office to helping the veterans who served our country with honor and courage.
In a big win for civil rights, a federal court in Texas has blocked the Republican-friendly Congressional map from taking effect in the 2026 midterm elections. While this decision can still be appealed, it is a great start to stopping the illegal gerrymander by Texas Republicans doing Trump’s bidding.
This week, we were heartbroken that the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration to deny trans Americans the opportunity to list “X” as their sex designation on their passport. Washingtonians can still avail themselves of the X designation on their enhanced driver’s licenses, which does allow for entry into Canada and on domestic flights. Washington Democrats denounce this decision, and we look forward to a future Democratic Presidential administration that will right this injustice.
Democratic mayors and city council members are reconsidering Flock traffic cameras as courts have ruled that data is public, and ICE has reportedly accessed those records to investigate Washington residents. Redmond, Lynnwood, and Skamania County have turned off their Flock Safety license-plate reading cameras or delayed implementing them. Governor Ferguson and AG Brown are working to ensure local jurisdictions comply with the Keep Washington Working Act that bars most state agencies from cooperating with immigration enforcement.
Washington Republicans are back to their old habits, working to implement more red tape to keep Washington voters from accessing our secure, safe, and convenient vote-by-mail system. Their latest gambit is recruiting a California activist to encourage voters to sign their rights away with a new initiative that would install voter ID laws in our state. Essentially creating a poll tax that requires Washington voters to travel to and pay for an enhanced ID, this misguided venture is just step one in the Washington GOP’s stated mission to dismantle vote-from-home in our state. Washington Democrats urge everyone to decline to sign IL26-126.
You’re paying nearly $1,000 more due to Trump’s economic policies, according to a new report released by the Democratic National Committee. As the most trade-dependent state, we feel Trump’s tariffs more acutely, with only five other states seeing higher increases in costs. This is hurting families, our economy, and is a dereliction of duty from the White House which claimed they would lower prices on day one. Instead, we’re all paying more and getting less.
Celebrate the Latino/a Community
Washington Democrats are excited to invite you to join us in Seattle for an amazing evening celebrating tremendous change makers from Washington’s Latino/a community. We will be awarding four amazing community leaders and celebrating the memories of legendary Washingtonians like Sen. Bill Ramos and Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney. You can purchase your ticket here.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Sunday, November 3 – Vote Save America Community Friendsgiving. Noon-1PM virtual event. Si.gn up here.
- Thursday, December 4 – Bilingual Know Your Rights to Vote Informational Session virtual event. 3PM-4PM. Sign up here.
- Send us details on rallies and protests in your communities
- Email details to press@wa-democrats.org
- Donate
- If you would like to see less Washington D.C. and more Washington state in your community, please DONATE to The Real Washington Fund – our rapid response account to counter MAGA’s chaos with real organizing, real solutions, and real results. We can’t do the work of holding Republicans accountable without your support.
- Follow us on social media
DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS
House votes to. release Epstein files,
Axios
Trump threatens Seattle’s World Cup, calls Mayor-elect Wilson ‘communist,’
The Seattle Times
Trump administration launches plan to dismantle Education Department,
Politico
Seattle, King County move to backfill $40M gap in homeless funds after HUD rule change,
NCWLIFE News
DiCaprio plays fictional ‘Bob Ferguson’ in new movie. I watched it with Gov. Bob Ferguson,
The Seattle Times
Despite Congressional action, quick release of Epstein files is in doubt,
The Seattle Times
Musk is back in politics. Does he want to stay a while?,
The Seattle Times
Washington faces $66 million revenue hit in latest forecast,
The Seattle Times
Girmay Zahilay reorganizing King County executive staffing,
The Seattle Times
Dem sweep is reshaping Newcastle council, GOP faults low conservative turnout,
NCWLIFE News
WHAT I’M READING
Josh Naylor is staying with the Mariners. His goal is to bring Seattle a World Series,
The Seattle Times
While it’s still a few months until pitchers and catchers report for duty, I am beyond thrilled the Seattle Mariners were able to re-sign Josh Naylor to a long-term contract. He electrified our offense when he joined the team last year. We fell in love with his play, and he fell in love with Seattle and our state. I’m counting down the days until opening day at T-Mobile Park.
Thanks for all you do,
Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party
In 2024, Washington Democrats led the nation with sweeping electoral victories. Now, we’re fighting to elect a supermajority in Olympia, protect our swing seats in the House, and stand up to MAGA extremism across the country.
WA Dems empowers grassroots organizing and elects Democrats up and down the ballot. Your support fuels our fight to stop Trump and defend our democracy.
We sincerely thank you for your help and support.
Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States