Benton County Democratic Central Committee

By Steve Hobbs
Special to The Seattle Times
 

In 2023, Dayton Memorial Library in Columbia County was on the verge of becoming the first library in the nation to dissolve due to aggravated community members calling books authored by LGBTQ + individuals “obscene” and “upsetting.”

For many residents across the state, local libraries serve as places of learning, after-school hangouts, community meetings, a resource for free technology access or shelter from the weather. But as treasured as these cornerstones of Washington communities might be, some of the residents who rely most upon them found that they were virtually powerless when a handful of activists made a political attack on the library’s very existence.

That’s why I’m grateful that the Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee have enacted Senate Bill 5824, which empowers more people to participate in the governance of the libraries in their own communities.

Under a law that had not been updated in more than 40 years, not every library patron could have a say if their library remains open, even if their taxes fund the library. If an aggrieved constituent could collect 100 taxpayer signatures — or 10% of jurisdiction voters — on a petition, they could create a ballot measure to dissolve that library, and only voters who reside in unincorporated areas of the jurisdiction could participate. Senate Bill 5824 increases the petitioning threshold to 25% of eligible taxpayers in the district and expands voting eligibility to include all qualified library district residents.

We continue to monitor threats to library service throughout the state, including book bans and reshelving requests. Rural libraries, especially, were at risk of dissolving because in a district with a small population, it would have taken only a few activists to meet the qualifying threshold.

Washington’s 60 public library systems have at least 349 branches, including Dayton Library, and 24 bookmobiles providing free collections, Wi-Fi, and programs to every county in the state. In 2022, the state’s public libraries received more than 17 million visits. Patrons checked out materials more than 73 million times and attended more than 37,000 library programs. They used nearly 6,000 free public computers more than 2 million times and free public Wi-Fi more than 8 million times.

I am proud that SB 5824 will protect libraries as critical resources for their communities. Furthermore, election laws should serve every eligible community member equally so each voice can be heard.

Friends of Steve Hobbs · 3309 114th Dr NE · Lake Stevens, WA 98258-8787 · USA

If you’re looking for a sign to get involved in the 2024 election: This is it.

With these yard signs, you’ll not only be showing your support for President Biden and Vice President Harris, but you’ll also start important conversations in your community and inspire others to get involved. It’s a win-win-win!

Head to the Official Biden-Harris Store today to get your yard sign before it’s too late. Every purchase will help hold the White House this November.

Happy shopping,

Biden-Harris Merch Team

P.S. There’s no better way to show your support for President Biden and Vice President Harris than with union-printed, American-made yard signs! Order yours today before we run out >>

We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

We can’t avoid the threat ahead of us, Kendall. Donald Trump is now the presumptive Republican nominee for president in 2024.

Washington needs a proven fighter on our side if Trump takes on office — and Bob is the only candidate running for Governor who knows how to successfully defeat an extremist administration and defend our rights.

Just look at the facts:

• – Bob defeated the Trump Administration in court over 50 times. 
• – Bob delivered the first defeat of the Trump Administration by forcing Trump to rescind the first ‘Muslim Travel Ban.’ 
• – In recognition of his national leadership to hold the Trump Administration accountable for illegal actions, Time Magazine named Bob one of 100 most influential people in the world.

In contrast, Bob’s opponent, anti-choice Republican Dave Reichert, lacks the political courage to stand up to Trump.  When asked whether he would campaign with Trump, Reichert gave a long pause and said “Umm… I think I’ll cross that bridge when I get… so I’d have to think about that one.” Click here to watch the full clip. 

That’s not good enough. We need a Governor willing to defend our democracy. 

No matter who’s in the White House, Bob is ready to fight for us as Governor — but he can’t go it alone in this competitive race.

Pitch in $5, $10, or whatever you can to elect Bob as Washington’s next governor. We need your help to reach our campaign’s ambitious $500,000 end-of-quarter goal.

Thank you,

Bob Ferguson HQ

Email us: info@electbobferguson.com

BOB FERGUSON FOR GOVERNOR (D)
PO Box 22169 Seattle, WA 98122

Friends –

Washington State is truly a special place. We’re home to beautifully complex and diverse forests, a coast that provides life-giving resources like food and jobs, agricultural lands that feed people across the country, and a habitat that enriches our ecosystem.

We are also one of just five states that elect a Public Lands Commissioner. This means that Washingtonians have a unique role in shaping who manages our lands and how they are protected and cared for.

The Commissioner of Public Lands (CPL) leads Washington’s Department of Natural Resources. This is one of the largest natural resources agencies in the United States! The CPL oversees millions of acres of forests and tidelands; generates revenue for schools and communities; helps keep Washingtonians safe from wildfires and natural disasters; protects our natural resources; guides our state’s forest management; and so much more. All this to say, the CPL plays a multi-sector, collaborative role critical to the future of Washington. The CPL’s decisions directly impact both the short- and long-term state of our forests, waterways, timber industry, and budget. The CPL is ultimately accountable to you, the people of Washington.

With so much at stake, including worsening impacts of climate change and wildfires, increasing unaffordability across our state, and big business driving an agenda that further destroys our shared 

environment and communities, our next CPL must have the ability to deeply connect with communities and partners across our state. This calls for a coalition builder, a leader who has successfully led on enacting statewide policies, and someone with strong conviction — so when big money bullies come to the table, they are no longer driving the agenda.

I’m the only candidate in this race who has professional experience as both an executive director and State Senator. I understand shifting community needs and know how to adapt to those needs. I will put my ego aside to create space for peer learning, collaboration, and professional development; and I will make decisions based on the best science available.

This is why I need your support. We are a people-powered campaign, and I refuse to accept money from big timber and polluters. Can you donate $50, $100, or more by the end of today to help me meet my end of march goals?

As Public Lands Commissioner, I will use my position to create stronger partnerships to help counties and our state generate more sustainable and diversified revenues for their local needs by first listening to what they value and what they envision for their communities.

I have the passion, track record, and personal experience to advocate and make progress for public health, climate justice, and economic equity. Join us today!

Adelante,

Team Rebecca Saldaña (D)

PO Box 20776
Seattle, WA 98102
United States

Nick’s mom, Pat, here.

Nick’s dad, Hank, and I met while serving our country. We were both at Walter Reed Medical Center, where I was an Army nursing student, and Hank was a medical logistics officer. Public service and hard work have long been important to both of us.

Because of this, we taught our son, Nick, to understand the value of showing up for others and giving his all in everything he did. These values undoubtedly had a big impact on shaping him into the incredible leader he is today.

Nick’s dedication to working hard and helping others spans from his first job at Taco Bell in high school to his most recent role as U.S. Attorney for Western Washington. Throughout his career, he’s always put others first and worked to uplift those who are far too often overlooked by people in power.

There is nobody who will work harder to protect our community than Nick. I’m definitely biased — I am his mother, after all, but I’m also a former nurse and grandmother who understands that our women and girls can’t afford to have a leader who won’t protect their rights. Nick has been a champion for women’s rights, and he will continue to fight for not just you and me but for his daughter and all our daughters as your next Attorney General, but he needs your help to get elected.

Can I count on you to contribute today to my son Nick’s campaign for Attorney General? No matter how you support him, he’s grateful to have you on this grassroots team.

Thanks for supporting my son, Nick, today!

Best,

Pat Brown
Nick’s Mom

Nick Brown for Attorney General
401 2nd Ave S STE 303
Seattle, WA 98104
United States

INFO@NICKBROWNFORAG.COM

We hit the ground running in 2024, and now our campaign is facing a major test: our first end-of-quarter Federal Election Commission (FEC) deadline on March 31.

This report will be the first time we publicly show the strength of our grassroots movement we’re building ahead of November’s generation-defining election. We already know that right-wing groups are on the lookout for Democrats to target.

I know our team is strong enough to take on anything they throw our way – but our FEC report has to prove it. Will you rush in $10 to help us hit our $50,000 goal before midnight on Sunday?

I’m not afraid to go to bat on the issues that matter most to Washingtonians, Ben.

Just in 2024 alone, I’ve been proud to spearhead efforts to protect reproductive care, repair our infrastructure, build more affordable housing, and conserve our coastal ecosystems.

I don’t rely on political games or mudslinging to deliver results for our state. I’m counting on support from folks like you to ensure I can keep getting things done for Washington – if right-wing mega-donors succeed in flipping the Senate, all of our progress will be on the chopping block.

Our March FEC filing can send a clear message that we have the grassroots strength to take on far-right extremists and their dark money backers – and win. Please contribute whatever you can before the FEC deadline on Sunday:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mc-fr-2403

Thanks for all you do.

Maria

We’re kicking off Women’s History Month by featuring the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris!

From her barrier-breaking time as district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California to proudly serving as a United States senator and the first woman Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris has never stopped delivering for Americans and is an inspiration to all.

As Vice President, Kamala Harris has worked to bring people together to advance opportunity, deliver for families nationwide, protect every American’s fundamental freedoms such as voting and reproductive rights, and so much more.

Kamala Harris’s accomplishments and continued fight for the American people has led to a brighter, fairer tomorrow. We hope you join us in our celebration of Vice President Harris with something from the Kamala Signature Collection:

Every purchase from this American-made, union-printed collection honors Vice President Harris and helps build the tools and resources the Biden-Harris campaign needs to win nationwide come November.

Shop the Official Biden-Harris Store to get your merch today!

Happy shopping,

Biden-Harris Merch Team

We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

Did you see the latest Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI) poll in our race?

It’s close, but we’re leading anti-choice Republican Dave Reichert by 4 points.

With this narrow lead, we can’t let up. Our lead is VERY close to the margin of error, and the data shows 11% of Washingtonians are undecided.

Can you help our campaign grow Bob’s narrow lead by contributing $5 or more?

Bob is working hard to reach these undecided voters. Last weekend, he was in Aberdeen, Tokeland, South Bend, Ocean Park, and Kalama. Bob is visiting all 39 counties a second time, but he needs your help to travel across the state, purchase yard signs, and buy TV ads.

We’re relying on a people-powered movement to build this campaign to its full potential. Pitch in $5 or any amount today if you can.

Thank you for your time and support,

Team Ferguson

Email us: info@electbobferguson.com

BOB FERGUSON FOR GOVERNOR (D)
PO Box 22169 Seattle, WA 98122

Today’s the ACA’s fourteenth birthday!

Since Joe Biden first helped pass the Affordable Care Act through the Senate in 2009, we’ve been busy! Together, we have:

•  Made sure young people can stay on their parents’ insurance

   Delivered health care access to more than 40 million uninsured Americans

   Cut uninsurance rates in half

   Created key protections for those with preexisting conditions

But some people don’t think that’s worth celebrating. As you’ve heard, Trump has threatened to repeal the ACA. But we’re not going to let Trump and his MAGA allies stop us from delivering high quality health care to the American people.

As Democrats, we’ll keep fighting to secure health care as a fundamental right for all. So if you’re ready to show that you’re proud to belong to the party of the Affordable Care Act (and that you support Democrats up and down the ballot), shop our Democrat merch today!

Thank you,

The Democrats

Text JOIN to 43367

If you’re ready to elect Democrats in all 50 states, territories, and D.C., make a contribution today.

Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not tax deductible. Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, www.Democrats.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

 I have a personal request for you:

Will you show your support for this grassroots campaign by personally endorsing my campaign today? I’ll explain why this request is so important in a moment.

My campaign has already received incredible endorsements from the Washington Machinists Council, Governor Jay Inslee, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, just to name a few. While I’m incredibly honored to have received the support of notable organizations, unions, and community leaders in our state, this team’s support is extremely important to me — and that includes yours, Kendall.

I’m beyond grateful to have this grassroots team in my corner as I travel the state, spreading our shared vision of a brighter future for all Washingtonians.

But we’ve got a long way to go, Kendall, and I need you on my side if we’re going to ensure that every Washintonian’s voice is heard and that people who have been ignored for far too long finally have a seat at the table.

That’s why I’m asking: Will you join the changemakers in my corner by endorsing my grassroots campaign for Attorney General today? Sign your name now and join us in making history >>

Thanks for stepping up and taking the time to add your endorsement.

— Nick

Nick Brown for Attorney General
401 2nd Ave S STE 303
Seattle, WA 98104
United States

INFO@NICKBROWNFORAG.COM