MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
Working for Washington
We did it! On Monday, Governor Bob Ferguson signed the Millionaires Tax into law! The 9.9% levy on earnings exceeding $1 million is expected to bring in roughly $3-4 BILLION a year and will fund universal school lunches, eliminate the sales tax on diapers, hygiene products, and over-the-counter medications and will make approximately 460,000 Washington households eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit, putting $330-$1,330 back into the pockets of hard working Washington families. This was a herculean task that would not have been possible without the leadership of Governor Ferguson, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, as well as Representative April Berg and Senator Noel Frame, who helped champion this bill through the legislative process and over the finish line. I also want to thank everyone in the state legislature who stayed up 24 hours to ensure this historic investment in our future!
Now, this isn’t the end of the road. The wealthy few and their Republican puppets aren’t going to back down without a fight. A group of plutocrats calling themselves Citizen Action Defense Fund has already retained former Republican State Attorney General Rob McKenna to lead their lawsuit against the Millionaires Tax. We also expect there to be an initiative campaign aimed at overturning the law. But we also know that we have your support and that’s how we’re going to win. Governor Ferguson served 12 years as our state’s Attorney General and if he believes this will be found constitutional by our State Supreme Court, then we know we’re on firm ground. Polling has shown the Millionaires Tax to be popular with every segment of the voting public – even among Republicans! Misinformation and straight up lies are all our opponents have left.
Let’s work together to inform voters of everything we have to gain from this policy and how only the ultra-wealthy are the ones to pay. Please also consider thanking our elected officials who made this possible! Click on the image above or go here for a video from our Communications Director laying out some of the many benefits of this new law.
In last year’s elections, Washington Democrats helped field test new organizing tools for the DNC. This week, the DNC unveiled their new Playbook for 2026 campaigns and beyond. Traditional organizing tactics like phone calls and door knocks are decreasing in utility as more people screen their calls. Despite making more phone calls and door knocks in 2024 than in any previous Presidential campaign, we still came up short. This Playbook will give candidates, campaigns, local parties, and organizers the best practices and tools to ensure we win, not just this year, but every year. Check it out by clicking the image above or going here.
Democrats Fight Back
Last Saturday, at least 8 million of us took to the streets as part of the 3rd No Kings Rally and March. All 50 states hosted more than 3,000 rallies and marches, including every corner of Washington state. This tremendous outpouring of resistance to the current regime occupying the federal government was one of the largest peaceful demonstrations in American history.
Our solidarity will be essential to taking back Congress this November, not just the House, but the Senate too. For great photos from around the state showing the energy and passion Washingtonians are bringing to this fight, click here or on the image below.
No Kings also happened to occur during the Holi celebration at the Seattle Center. It was great to celebrate my Indian heritage and join tens of thousands of others to resist fascism while building joy and community. Holi is the Hindu celebration marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil – I can’t think of a more fitting description of what we saw last weekend. See my special crossover Holi x No Kings video by clicking here or on the picture below.
Thank You, Rep. Ormsby!
After Governor Ferguson signed the budget he helped write, State Representative Timm Ormsby (LD3-D) announced his retirement from the State Legislature this week. First elected in 2003, Timm has been a champion for working people and ensuring Washingtonians have robust social services. Before joining the state legislature, Timm was a cement mason and labor leader. Every day, Timm brought those experiences to help make life better for working families in Washington state. Thank you, Representative Ormsby and best wishes on your retirement!
Mike Chapman Defends His Constituents
In a world of crazy headlines, “Sen. Mike Chapman shields elderly neighbor in brutal Port Angeles attack” wasn’t on my bingo card. Thank you, Senator Chapman, for your quick thinking and even faster reflexes. Washington Democrats are proud of the work you’re doing both inside the State Legislature and back in your home district.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- Friday, May 1 – Seattle May Day 2026. SeattleMayDay.org for more details.
- Friday, May 1 – May Day General Strike. No work, no school, no shopping in WA. Learn more 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
WA officials argue birthright citizenship before Supreme Court hearing,
The Seattle Times
Cantwell tours ‘Silicon Valley of Space,’
King5
Murkowski, Murray introduce bipartisan legislation to address youth homelessness,
Alaska Native News
Ferguson signs AI protection bills as public increasingly embraces the technology,
The Spokesman-Review
New WA law allows housing in most commercial areas,
The Seattle Times
Washington farmers feel the pain of Iran war,
KUOW
Ranking Member of House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith discusses the war on Iran,
NPR
Spin Control: Partisan divide over election laws shows up in new Washington laws,
The Spokesman-Review (opinion)
Seattle opens world’s first light rail across floating bridge,
Fox13
WHAT I’M WATCHING
“Action is the antidote to doomscrolling anxiety” – Edward Norton interview,
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
I was deeply moved by Edward Norton’s call to action and his dramatic interpretation of Walt Whitman’s poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” which starts around the 18 minute mark during his interview with Stephen Colbert. The whole interview is worth a listen, but I especially recommend his reading and the message he reverberates from more than 100 years ago to reflect our current situation.
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