05. August 2023 · Comments Off on Ag and Rural Caucus -Celebrating Ken Caylor · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

Celebration of Ken Caylor’s Life

Celebration of Life

Ken Caylor
2:00 pm 
5 August 2023
Othello Senior Center
755 N 7th 
Othello

Ken Caylor

Ken Caylor passed 14 June. Ken was a giant among Democrats, an ARC founder, and a personal mentor. I first met Ken in his role as chair of the State Party Resolutions Committee, a role that he held many years. I held him in awe as he would work with both the large egos of committee members and the technical detail of the submitted resolutions. He was a master of shepherding the flood of paperwork to the Central Committee floor in a coherent form. He had a gift for gently letting people know that their pet project did not quite make the cut. I learned from Ken only a few of the many ways he was able to say “no” and leave people understanding why. 

Ken was a passionate advocate for rural Washington, and especially eastern Washington. He returned to the floor time after time to speak against ill-considered resolutions targeting farming and rural culture. Calls to remove precipitately the Snake River dams without regard for the consequences were an insult to his values and his judgement, and he communicated both effectively.

I will miss Ken. He was a gentle, wise friend.

Please join Barb, his partner in life and politics, in a celebration of Ken’s life.

Don


Copyright © 2023 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361
03. August 2023 · Comments Off on Ag and Rural Caucus -Better Practices – August 2023 · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

ARC August Better Practices

August Schedule

6:30 pm Thursday 3 August
 Better Practices 

Advocacy: How to be effective in Olympia
Dean Takko
Brian Blake

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81582823697?pwd=V1FaVlV3Ly8xTHFBTTZZM1VxblVjQT09


Better Practices

Advocacy: How to be effective in Olympia
Dean Takko
Brian Blake

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81582823697?pwd=V1FaVlV3Ly8xTHFBTTZZM1VxblVjQT09

Advocacy: Fit into Legislator Calculus?

Legislating is hard work. Emoting and passionate rhetoric may help set the agenda. Getting something actually done, though, not so much. We tend to underestimate the skills politicians bring to the legislature. Legislators need subject knowledge, sure, but they also need social skills and comfort using them.

Rural Democrats, especially, do not go into their caucus with a ready-made majority. They need first to persuade their urban colleagues. Often their urban colleagues will have no life knowledge of rural concerns. Rural Democrats need to win at least twice: In their own caucus first and then in committee and on the floor.

Why is this important to those of us aspiring to be effective advocates? Because we need to fit into the legislators’ world, their calculus. We need to do our own homework. Most of us don’t bother. And we are not particularly effective.

This is all me speculating. Join Brian and Dean Thursday to get the blood behind these dry words.

Don
31 July 2023

Effective Advocacy, or just feel good?

When was the last time you received an email from your go-to 501C(3) asking you to push a button and send an urgent message to your legislator? About 15 minutes ago?

You felt good if you did push that button and signed the form letter. Your voice was heard. But how loud? Will it have anything to do with the solicitation letter that you will receive tomorrow?

On Thursday 3 August we are going to talk to Dean Takko and Brian Blake about what works to get legislation passed. And about what just makes us feel good.

Senator Takko and Representative Blake served LD 19 until the 2020 election when LD 19 shifted red. They know the inside game.

COVID had the good effect of pushing public testimony to legislative committees out to us. We could compose 60 seconds of persuasive text, Zoom in to the legislature and wait for our turn. If the committee ran out of time, we could always email copy of our text to the committee.

 I have done this. I have testified remotely on behalf of ARC…the Lorraine Loomis Act, EFSEC authority, Rural Commission, Cap-and-Invest, Clean Fuels, DOT-owned rail in Whitman County, Capital Gains tax, and so forth.

Was my testimony taken seriously? I mean did anyone recognize my arguments and their nuance? Or did a staffer put me in the Pro, Con, or Other box and report a count?

The count probably was not so important anyway up against the conversations I might have had with my local legislator. But usually did not.

Dean and Brian can help us understand what mechanisms we can use to counter the personal, day-to-day contact our legislators have with full-time paid lobbyists or local elected county commissioners or city council people, or simply their friends.

Personal networking, consistent messaging, setting the agenda early, neutralizing opposition, and solid homework…these work in our daily lives. Is it any different in the Legislature?

Join us. Share your experiences. Ask Dean and Brian for insight.

Don
25 July 2023

Three notes from our LD 7 conversation:

  1. Kathie Schutte reported that levies pass in Pend Oreille County’s three school districts. Schools are a point of local convergence.
  2. Anne Udaloy said that all candidates are running against Seattle. And Brian Blake talked about folks in Seattle demonizing rural values. Tribal identities are points of state-wide divergence.
  3. Brian Blake rhetorically posed “What would Democrats elected in LD 7 do differently than the current Republicans?” What’s our answer?

Policy Briefing

Have  you read about the flood of passport applications? I think most of Washington State is on the move next month. We will resume our Policy Briefings in September with opioids in rural Washington, and October we will take up community newspapers.

Don
25 July 2023


Our Better Practices roundtable is on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm.. Use the link above for 2023.

Our Policy Series is on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Use the link above for 2023. 


Copyright © 2023 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361
14. July 2023 · Comments Off on Emerge Boot Camp – July 2023 · Categories: Announcements, Recent Events

Emerge has trained over 5,500 women who are changing the status quo – fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive justice, fair access to higher education, and a robust democracy. And now, we are looking for the next generation of women to train so they can win. 

The Emerge Boot Camp training is designed to support women as they face the challenges of running for office, and has helped over a thousand individuals get elected. 

Applications for the Emerge Southern Regional Candidate Boot Camp are open now through July 14th. We need your help to recruit our next class of women of the New American Majority who are leading change across the country.

Boot Camp participants learn the fundamentals of running a campaign, including campaign strategy, building a winning team, and fundraising. They also join a powerful network of alumni who are pushing for progress in their communities, from their local school board all the way to the U.S. Congress. 

But time is running out! The deadline to apply for the Boot Camp is fast approaching, and you don’t want to miss this opportunity to apply, or share this with someone who should run for office in 2023 or 2024. While applications from Southern states will be prioritized in the selection process, we’re accepting applications from across the country.

Applications are due on Friday, July 14th, so apply now!

The ultimate compliment is telling an inspiring woman in your life she should run for office. Forward this message to someone who should run in 2023 or 2024! 


Empowering Democratic women to run – and win!
www.emergeamerica.org

818 Connecticut Ave NW
Suite 450
Washington, DC 20006

12. July 2023 · Comments Off on Marie Gluesenkamp Perez takes a dive · Categories: Committee News

Marie dives into pool for Wahkiakum students

Good fun and great success, for Wahkiakum students, Ron Wright, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

From the Wahkiakum County Eagle, 6 July 2023:

If you thought Marie Gluesenkamp Perez didn’t keep her promises, you’d be all wet.

As the story goes, a member of the Wahkiakum School District’s robotics team asked the Congresswoman for Washington’s Third District if the team could push her in the pool if they won the qualifier for this year’s International SeaPerch underwater robotics competition. The year before, they celebrated a win at the inaugural qualifier with a dunking of their coach, Ron Wright.

She was heard to say yes, and in March, the Mecha Mules took first place at the qualifier.

Last Thursday following an informal town hall in Cathlamet, Perez and her team made their way up to the Cathlamet swimming pool, named for a predecessor, Julia Butler Hansen. While catching up with the robotics team, dressed for success in a two piece suit, Perez gamely dove into the deep end, then paused with the team for a few more pictures.

Perez spoke about the Mecha Mules during an address to the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. prior to the competition in March and their mention will forever remain in the Congressional Record.

Diana Zimmerman:

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to give a huge shout-out to the Wahkiakum High School Mecha Mules robotics team,” Perez said. “Somebody needs to make a movie about these guys. They are phenomenal.”

“Wahkiakum High School actually did not have hot running water in many of their bathrooms. It is a rural and in many ways, a very underresourced school,” she continued. “These kids ranging in age from eighth grade all the way to seniors placed second at the International SeaPerch underwater competition.”

“These kids really know their stuff,” she said. “I am behind them 100 percent, so much so that I actually offered or agreed to jump in the pool if they are successful in their next competition. We are proud of you. You have made your community very proud and I am very excited to see what you all continue to do.”


Copyright © 2023 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361
07. July 2023 · Comments Off on WSDCC Wrap-up July 7, 2023 · Categories: Committee News

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Hello Democrats,

With the 4th of July fresh in our memories, this is an important moment to discuss freedom in America. The GOP constantly argues that they are the Party of freedom and personal liberty, while rolling back our rights every chance they get. One needs to only look at the Republican-packed Supreme Court’s rulings, to understand what I mean. If Republicans truly believe they are promoting greater freedom by limiting access to necessary and lifesaving health care, keeping millions of Americans in crushing debt, and facilitating discrimination against marginalized communities, they are in need of a serious reality check. 

We spend a lot of time talking about freedom in America — but for so many people across the country, freedom is still stifled or threatened. Financial freedom, freedom of self expression, freedom to pursue necessary healthcare, and freedom from prejudice, to name just a few, are far from guaranteed. Freedom only counts if it applies to all of us, and we must stand together as Democrats to stop the GOP’s relentless onslaught on our rights. 

I’m proud to say today and every day that Democrats are truly the Party of freedom and we are ready, willing and able to lead the charge toward a more fair and just society. Thank you for standing with us in this fight.

And let me take a moment to talk about someone who will do nothing to advance the rights and freedoms of people in Washington State. I was deeply concerned to see that former GOP U.S. Representative Dave Reichert is throwing in his hat for next year’s gubernatorial race. Reichert would bring an abysmal record to the seat – including a long history of opposing choice at every level. He’s also well-known to the voters of Washington State and presents a very real threat. We cannot let someone like this ever hold the Governor’s office in Washington State and we will work tirelessly to ensure this seat stays in Democratic control in 2024 and for years to come.

And don’t forget, Reichert is just one of the Republican threats we will face next year. With Reichert entering the race, Republican “also ran” Raul Garcia has announced he will step out of the fray in order to challenge Maria Cantwell in the race for U.S. Senate. There’s no doubt that the Republicans will continue to prop up dangerous, failed candidates who want to send Washington State backward and we must fight tirelessly over the next fifteen months to ensure they have no chance at clawing back the power we’ve fought so hard to win. 

It is so important that we start working now so we have what it takes to earn big victories next year. Thank you to each and every one of you for standing with us as proud Washington Democrats and putting in the work we need to win

WORKING FOR WASHINGTON

It may be hard to believe, but the August 1st Primary Election is less than one month away! That means ballots will be mailed out next week and we need every Democrat to show up and vote this August. Although local races like city councils and school boards don’t draw as much attention as their top of ticket counterparts, they are a critical component of growing Democratic power across Washington State! 

Local elected officials create ground-level policy that can have massive impacts on the lives of people across Washington State – and it’s crucial we elect terrific Democrats who will fight for their constituents rather than far-right special interests. These leaders also constitute our “bench” of Democratic candidates statewide. Don’t forget, today’s school board member could be tomorrow’s governor and we can’t let a single great candidate slip through the cracks! 

Please join me in wishing a huge thank you to every Democrat on the ballot this Primary season and an equally big thanks to all the terrific Party leaders and volunteers working tirelessly to make sure they have what it takes to win!

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

Biden makes his economic case in deep-red South Carolina, says his policies add jobs in GOP states

Making his case for 2024, President Joe Biden declared in deep-red South Carolina on Thursday that Republican-led states are gaining factory jobs because of economic measures he pushed through Congress despite stiff GOP opposition.

U.S. Transportation Sec. Buttigieg visits Mukilteo ferry terminal

U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg, along with Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Rick Larsen, and Sen. Patty Murray visited the Mukilteo ferry terminal Thursday morning.

Rep. Marilyn Strickland Visits U.P.

U.S. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) visited University Place to deliver a $190,000 check to the Food Lifeline Food Bank thanks to contributions from Fred Meyer, QFC and the Kroger Zero Hunger/Zero Waste Foundation.

Keep in touch, stay engaged, and as always, thank you for all you do!

With gratitude,

Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party

The work we do today wins elections this November. If you’re ready to elect Democrats in every race and every place in Washington state, invest in our efforts and make a contribution now


Want to support our work year round? Join Blue Washington, our monthly giving program! It is the most effective way to help candidates, volunteers, organizers, activists, and staff because it gives us the certainty we need to scale up our program with confidence. Your monthly investment ensures we can defend our strong legislative majorities, flip key congressional seats from red to blue, and fight for progressive values. Help us lead the way to victories at all levels of government today!

Washington State Democrats
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
United States
07. July 2023 · Comments Off on National Democratic Training – July 7, 2023 · Categories: Recent Events

Partner Program Spotlight: Blue Leadership Collaborative

Our partners at Blue Leadership Collaborative, in partnership with the Pipeline Fund, invite you to attend a virtual information session to learn about their State Manager Program and how you can apply to be a campaign manager in 2024!

Since 2019, their State Manager Program has trained over 80 leaders to manage state legislative campaigns who have gone on to manage competitive congressional, senate, and statewide races.

Interested in being part of the 2024 State Manager Program? Click here to sign up to attend an upcoming BLC information session to learn more about this program, when to apply, and how to apply.

[SPECIAL EVENT] NDTC Expert Q&A: Messaging Around Reproductive Rights & Abortion
Thursday, July 20 at 1pm ET

It’s been just over a year since the disastrous Dobbs decision that overturned abortion access under Roe. Despite this outcome, state referendums and elections alike have shown that Americans across the country care about defending reproductive rights.

Join abortion and reproductive justice experts on July 20 as they discuss ways progressives can frame abortion as a winning policy priority. Additionally, learn how to combat disinformation around this critical issue area.

How to Have Meaningful One-on-One Conversations
Tuesday, July 13 at 1pm ET

One-on-one conversations will be an integral part of your field and canvassing strategy. In addition to these conversations on the trail, by mastering meaningful conversation strategies, you’ll be better equipped to have candid conversations with your volunteers too.

Learn more about values-based conversations, establishing a good flow, and the many contexts you might have one-on-ones in this important training.

Building Equity-Centered Volunteer Teams
Monday, July 17 at 1pm ET

Centering equity isn’t just a value; it’s a series of actions that show how diversity makes all campaigns better.

This training will go over how to bring an equity mindset into team and volunteer settings. From the hiring process to building an inclusive team culture, you’ll walk away with actionable ways to better retain and accommodate diverse talent.

And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.

07. July 2023 · Comments Off on Benton County Elections – Observer Training Update · Categories: Announcements

Good Morning,

Update–>

We will be testing out our evacuation procedures with the Sheriffs office on the 7th at 9am and then will have the training immediately following that.  We would love to have all observers participate in the drill so we can test out procedures as if a full operation was taking place.  If you have e-mail addresses for your observers please send them my way and I can e-mail calendar invites to everyone if needed. 

Also those of you who I have not received your coordinator sheets back, please send those to me as soon as possible.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

<–End Update

Below are our dates for our mandatory observer training and our Official Logic & Accuracy test for the Primary Election.  This is for the paid observer program.

Mandatory Observer Training – July 7th 2:00pm (please keep in mind that any observers you have for your group must come to the training in order to be part of the program)

Official Logic and Accuracy Test – Wednesday July 5th  at 2:00 pm.  Due to this election only being local items the State will not be involved.  It will just be our internal Logic and Accuracy test.

I have attached the coordinator guidelines if you are still going to be the coordinator for your group as well as the observer manual.  If so, please complete and return back to me at your earliest convenience.

We may also be having a test run of our evacuation drill at the time of the training.  If it is scheduled I’ll send out more information as time gets closer.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Link to Observer Manual

Link to Observer Coordinator Guidelines

Amanda Hatfield
Elections Manager
Benton County Auditor | Elections Division
2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd. | Richland, WA 99352
(509) 736-3085 ext. 5639
Email: amanda.hatfield@co.benton.wa.us
www.bentonauditor.com
06. July 2023 · Comments Off on Ag and Rural Caucus -Better Practices – July 2023 · Categories: Committee News, Recent Events

ARC July Better Practices

July Schedule

6:30 pm Thursday 6 July
 Better Practices roundtable

LD 7: Where to start
Kathie Schutte, Lisa Wolfe, Katie Haven, Karen Keleman

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81582823697?pwd=V1FaVlV3Ly8xTHFBTTZZM1VxblVjQT09

Policy Series
Vacation: No Policy program in July



I wrote last week that LD 7 is big and it is red. Neither is unique to LD 7. LD 9 is very large as well. I have not calculated square miles but take a look at the map. And certainly, Grant County is red, as is Columbia County.

Is there something more? Tolstoy has it that “every family is unhappy in its own way.” Is each difficult district unique? Or are rural districts enough the same to permit generalization?

For some reason, the north counties feel different than it does in Moses Lake or Dayton. What may be shared is a perspective that nature is to be managed. Natural resources are to be employed to generate income, albeit in a way that keeps on producing (“sustainable”). There is more, but just what is it?

Thursday may start out as a nuts-and-bolts discussion of how to build a progressive party from scratch in a remote, rural community, but we may try to figure out what makes it so difficult.


Don


LD 7 is big and it is red. It takes four and a half hours to drive, in the summer. It is home to Washington’s backwoods radicals. The electoral trend for Democrats is not good. In 2018 Democratic LD candidates won 32 percent; 2019 the votes were 28 and 25 percent. In 2022 no Democrats ran for the house or the senate. Maybe not so bad actually, since no Democrats ran in 2016 either.

So, what do you do as a Democrat in LD 7? What is your first step, since you pretty much are starting from scratch? Or, are you?

Join Kathie (Kat) Schutte (PDO), Lisa Wolfe (ST), Katie Haven (OK), and Karen Keleman (DG) to talk about backwoods organizing.

For more about Washington’s backwoods radicals, check out OPB’s Bundyland podcast on Stevens County:  https://www.spreaker.com/user/oregonpublicbroadcasting/b2-finals-ep4

The series title is Better Practices, not Best Practices. We each have our own experience with what works well. Join us to learn from your colleagues and to share your own experience.

Don


Our Better Practices roundtable is on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm.. Use the link above for 2023.

Our Policy Series is on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Use the link above for 2023. 


Copyright © 2023 Ag and Rural Caucus, All rights reserved.
Ag and Rural Caucus of State Democratic Central Committee
Our mailing address is:
Ag and Rural Caucus
2921 Mud Creek Rd
Waitsburg, WA 99361