WSDCC – September 11, 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Friday, September 11, 2026

It’s Friday, Washington Democrats. Today, we remember those lost in the attacks and aftermath of 9/11. On a personal note, I was 16 when the attacks happened and my cousin was working at the Pentagon. I remember the fear as our family waited hours not knowing whether she was alive. We eventually heard from her, but she had been thrown across the room from the impact, and has lived with lung issues ever since. I think about how our family changed and how the world changed from that moment on. Grateful to everyone who came together to help in the aftermath.

A Special Message

25 years ago, the United States of America suffered the deadliest attack on our soil. In real time, the world watched the worst atrocities humanity could conceive alongside the greatest strength and courage we are capable of. First responders and volunteers joined together to risk their own lives to save others. As we mourn those lost, not just in the direct aftermath of the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, but also those who suffered and continue to suffer from the deadly toxins and emotional distress caused by the attacks, we remember the strength and courage of those who were lost and strive to build a society that is worthy of their sacrifice.

What is not worthy of that sacrifice is the ongoing Islamophobia and xenophobia that continues to plague our great nation, unjustly targeting entire communities for the deranged actions of 19 terrorists and their radical backers. We also reject the belief that the United States may wage endless war without consequences, sacrificing American lives for plutocratic ambition. Instead, we will focus on the innumerable examples of basic human decency that followed the wake of this tragedy, where we came together as one nation to lift each other up, sharing in our common bonds and mourning those who were lost.

Vote-by-Mail Elections Update

On Tuesday afternoon, I joined Secretary of State Steve Hobbs for a Q&A session regarding our elections and vote by mail in Washington state. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland also joined us to discuss how Democrats in Congress are working to keep our elections secure from interference and how we will provide oversight and accountability when we retake control of Congress. Watch the whole thing here.

The main takeaway that Secretary of State Hobbs impressed on everyone who attended was, “Don’t panic!” Washington’s elections are secure, safe, convenient, and staffed by incredible professionals. The second main takeaway was that we need everyone to know you cannot wait to vote through the mail. Even just waiting a few days to put your ballot in a mailbox may mean it will not be delivered on time to be counted. The best way to vote in this election is to use a secure ballot drop box. If you absolutely must vote using the mail, do so immediately upon receiving your ballot.

You can also sign up for text alerts from the Secretary of State’s Office to get real time updates on when your ballot has been mailed, received by the county you live in, and counted. Go to VoteWA.gov and enter your name and birthday to sign in. On the right hand side of your screen you will see a link to “sign up for SMS updates.”

The whole conversation was reassuring and helped underscore just how excellent Washington’s vote by mail system continues to be. We are looking to schedule a second update from Secretary Hobbs once ballots go out. Stay tuned for more details! Meanwhile, I hope you will watch the whole Q&A with Secretary Hobbs. Watch the whole recording here.

Working for Washington

One week to go until our star-studded gala! On Friday, September 18, Washington Democrats are rolling out the red carpet for two Democratic Party superstars, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and California U.S. Representative Ro Khanna. We’re hosting a gala reception at the Edgewater Inn. This is your chance to bust out your best cocktail attire and hear from two potential 2028 Presidential candidates about their visions for our country and how we’re going to undo all the damage of the Trump-Vance administration. Expect delicious food, amazing views of Puget Sound, and a who’s who of Washington Democratic leadership. I hope to see you there!

This week, I was honored to join women leaders from around our region for Women Leading the Future where we discussed leadership, public service, civic engagement, and building communities. I joined our terrific State Senators Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter as well as Mayors Katie Wilson and Angela Birney among many other powerhouse leaders. Thank you to the First District Democrats who convened these amazing women and led an illuminating conversation.

Our historic August Primary was featured this week by the Democratic National Committee. I authored a substack How Washington State Democrats Keep Winning highlighting the tremendous work our Party does that helped us grow our legislative majorities for the past five election cycles (soon to be six!). None of this success would be possible without our supporters and volunteers – like all of you! 

Next week, we will welcome Washington Democrats’ State Committee Members for our quarterly meeting in Seattle. I look forward to hosting everyone as we move our priorities forward and continue building power for Democrats to win up and down the ballot this November!

Democrats Fight Back

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is fighting for everyone who relies on Apple Health (hundreds of thousands of our neighbors and family members). He signed an executive order to mitigate the impacts of the Big Ugly Bill that would gut health care and food assistance in our state and across the country. The Governor’s Office was able to save Apple Health coverage for 3,000 Washington immigrants and implement an automated verification hub to help 400,000 Washingtonians keep their Apple Health coverage. Thank you for always fighting for us, Governor Ferguson!

Relatedly, Governor Bob Ferguson has been hard at work laying the groundwork for a cellphone ban in public schools. He’s crisscrossing the state to build support for his plan from schools, teachers, and parents. He kicked off his tour at Pasco High School which already has a phone ban in place. Legislators will have an opportunity to pass this legislation in January, when the next legislative session kicks off.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray is also focused on the awful impacts of the Big Ugly Bill. She joined a roundtable at Harborview Medical Center and pointed out that 50,000 Washington residents have already lost their Apple Health and other health coverage. 22 Washington hospitals are at risk of closing or reducing services and the state could lose a minimum of $662 million in Apple Health revenue every year. As our neighbors lose their access to care, fighters like Senator Murray are working every day to help them and provide a better path forward for our country when Democrats regain control of government in Washington, D.C.

Our friends in the 34th Legislative District Democrats are hosting their second Bend It Like Booker 25-hour community event! In honor of Sen. Cory Booker’s historic 25-hour filibuster, they have put together 25 hours of storytelling, presentations, and speeches from a cross section of Washington’s best and brightest. Of course, yours truly will also be speaking (time TBD) but I hope you will tune in for some or all of it! The event starts Saturday, September 12 at 10AM at the IAM 751 Union Hall and runs through Sunday, September 13 at 11:15AM. Find out more here!

Rally, Protest, and Gather

• Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
• Anytime – We have organizing events nearly every day of the week through the Primary – find the nearest to you at www.wadems.org/events!
• TODAY – Coffee Club with WA Dems, Federal Way, 2PM-4PM. Sign up here.
• TOMORROW – Knock Doors with WA Dems, 10AM-2PM, multiple locations. Skamania, Olympia, Monroe, Ballard, Port Angeles, and Kirkland
• TOMORROW – Knock Doors with WA Dems, 1PM-4PM, multiple locations. Auburn, Camano Island, and Bellingham.
• TOMORROW – Statewide Virtual Phonebank, 4PM-6PM. Sign up here.
• Email details to press@wa-democrats.org.

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.

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What I’m Asking

There’s important work happening across Washington, and your continual support helps make it possible. Contributing to WADems today will help us organize in every community, reach more voters, and elect leaders who share our values. Whether it’s $10, $25, or more, every donation strengthens our party and helps us keep moving Washington forward. Will you chip in today?

Thanks for all you do,

Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party

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