WSDCC – January 23, 2026

Posted on January 23, 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

(MLK Day Marchers in Seattle)

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our communities with MLK Day celebrations and remembrances last weekend. It was truly inspiring to see so many people from all walks of life join together and protect our neighbors through peaceful protest.

Working for Washington

(AG Nick Brown sued Trump at a pace of nearly once a week last year)

“Nick Brown has been Washington’s attorney general for one year and has sued the president 50 times. That’s nearly once per week,” is how The Seattle Times started their article of Nick Brown’s first year in office. He’s on pace to surpass (and possibly even double) Bob Ferguson’s number of cases filed during Trump’s first administration. These lawsuits are necessary to protect constitutional rights for every Washingtonian, secure billions of dollars in congressionally-authorized federal funding, and protect Americans from their own, lawless president. Washington voters picked a champion for constitutional rights and the rule of law when we elected Nick Brown attorney general and he has been fighting for us ever since.

Thousands of Washingtonians are making their voices heard to protect their neighbors’ rights. Several proposals in the state legislature to require employee notifications of immigration raids, ban ICE from non-public places, and limit the use of automated license plate recognition cameras and FLOCK cameras for immigration enforcement received thousands of “pro” comments from Washington residents. If there’s legislation in Olympia you want to weigh in on, the Washington Education Association has a great primer on how to do so here.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray helped secure $3.2 billion to clean up nuclear waste at Hanford. This is $200 million more than the previous allocation to clean up one of the most complex polluted sites on the planet. While the work will require decades to finish, these funds are crucial to ensure its completion. Thank you, Senator Murray for your leadership!

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez secured key Southwest Washington priorities in three congressional funding bills this past week. The Congresswoman’s accomplishments include supporting salmon and steelhead populations, bringing down energy costs, supporting mental health, lowering costs for manufactured homeowners, and fighting invasive species. 

Democrats Fight Back

Last week, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal led a delegation of more than two dozen Democratic U.S. Representatives for an unofficial field hearing on immigration in Minnesota. Why was it unofficial? Because Congressional Republicans refuse to provide any oversight or accountability of federal immigration agents. DHS has deployed 3,000 ICE agents to Minneapolis, five times the number of police officers patrolling the city to create fear and the pretext to invoke the Insurrection Act. Democrats like Congresswoman Jayapal will continue to provide what oversight they can from the minority, which is why we need to take back Congress in this year’s midterm elections to restore official accountability of this lawless administration.

With recent reports that the military is preparing 1,500 troops for deployment to Minnesota, it’s clear this is no longer about enforcing immigration laws, but creating fear and chaos to punish political opponents. Investigations of Governor Walz and Mayor Frey from Trump’s DOJ lack any kind of justification other than trying to silence opposition. Washington’s congressional delegation is working to create accountability, but true justice cannot be achieved until Trump’s Republican enablers are in the minority in Congress. If you haven’t already, sign up for Washington’s ICE mobilization alerts so you know if federal immigration agents are spotted in your communities.

Congressman Adam Smith discussed global tensions over Trump’s obsession with Greenland, describing our policy of bullying allies as “certifiably insane.” Trump’s age and increasingly erratic behavior are making Americans less safe and rupturing 80 years of American global leadership. Thank you, Representative Smith for calling Trump what he is – a wannabe dictator who is making our world less safe.

When We Count Fellowship
I’m excited to share with you the DNC’s new organizing effort, the When We Count Fellowship. This is a new DNC program to build Democratic voter registration in key states – and you can be part of it. Apply to be a When We Count Fellow and join a national cohort of emerging organizers who will make the difference in upcoming elections. Apply today!

Pro-Choice Washington Digital Campaigns Fellowship
Pro-Choice Washington is hiring for their Digital Campaigns Fellowship. If you know anyone with a passion for reproductive justice who is seeking part time, paid employment please send them here!

I’m excited to share with you the DNC’s new organizing effort, the When We Count Fellowship. This is a new DNC program to build Democratic voter registration in key states – and you can be part of it. Apply to be a When We Count Fellow and join a national cohort of emerging organizers who will make the difference in upcoming elections. Apply today!

State Committee Meeting
This weekend, we are looking forward to joining State Committee members from around the state in Everett for our first State Committee Meeting of the year! We will be discussing the great accomplishments we achieved last year and how we’re going to build on that success to win this year’s midterm elections. We will also debate resolutions, plan for our State Convention (more details below) and build the party infrastructure to keep our record as the most successful State Democratic Party in the country!

Delegate Election Process for 2026 State Convention
Every two years, Washington Democrats host a state convention for delegates across the state to vote on amendments to the party platform, resolutions, and charter and bylaw amendments. Any self-identified Democrat in Washington state may run to be elected as a delegate to the state convention. I encourage you to run! This year’s Convention will be in Spokane, June 19-21! 

Delegates impact our official positions on today’s biggest policy issues, represent their community’s needs and values, connect with leaders from around the state, and teach and learn more about the Washington Democrats alongside other activists and party members.

Anyone willing to publicly identify as a Democrat may run to be a delegate. There is no age limit, but candidates must reside in the legislative district for which they are running to be a delegate in. 1,171 state delegates will be elected alongside 490 alternates from Washington’s 49 legislative districts. State delegates will be elected by their Legislative District Party Organizations (LPOs) to represent their district at the 2026 Washington State Democratic Convention. The Online Delegate Self-Nomination Portal opens on January 1, 2026 at this link. Those with questions should email partyaffairs@wa-democrats.org.

  • Rally, Protest, and Gather
    • Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
    • Saturday, Jan 24 – We’re Still Standing March & Rally, 12:30PM-3PM, Hiawatha Playfield in Seattle. More details here.
    • Sunday, Jan 25 – Pramila Jayapal Special Edition Resistance Lab: Stand for Good, 11AM-1PM, Virtual. Register here.
    • Monday, Jan 26 – NDTC Field Tactics 101, 10AM, Virtual. Sign up here.
    • Tuesday, Jan 27 – NWIRP Immigration Updates. English: 5PM-5:45PM. Spanish: 5:45PM-6:30PM. Register here.
    • Tuesday, Jan 27 – NDTC Tech Time: Building a List in VoteBuilder, 4PM, Virtual. Sign up here.
    • Wednesday, Jan 28 – NDTC Running in a Red District, 10AM, Virtual. Sign up here.
  • 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.

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

WA lawmakers push for immigrant protections amid increased federal deportations,
The News Tribune

U.S. Senators tour California City Detention Center, decry conditions and inadequate medical care,
The News Tribune

Washington Democrats propose collective bargaining for farmworkers, 
Capital Press

WA lawmakers look to protect minors from AI chatbots,
KNKX

The Newsfeed: 2026 Washington state legislative session preview, 
CascadePBS

WA Dems move to regulate ‘high-risk’ AI used in certain decisions,
The Seattle Times

WHAT I’M READING

Stacking Every Opportunity – NFC Championship Hype Video,

Seattle Seahawks

We might need to show this hype video to canvassers about to knock doors. Coach Macdonald has me ready to run through a brick wall. Let’s go to work!

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.

DONATE TODAY
DONATE MONTHLY

We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

Washington State Democrats
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
United States