Norm Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner and Awards Banquet – May 31, 2018

Posted on June 24, 2018

Some great pictures from the 5th Annual Norm Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner and Awards Banquet which was held May 31st at the Shilo Inn in Richland. Thank you Ivar Husa for capturing the event! Our keynote speaker was Manka Dhingra – click here to read the text of her speech.

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Norm Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner Dinner
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Our welcome table - Carly Coburn and Jeffrey Aaron Robinson
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Full House!
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Master Singers
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Our keynote speaker - Senator Manka Dhingra
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Our keynote speaker - Senator Manka Dhingra with Andy Miller
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Jay Clough - State Committeeman - 8th LD
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Our keynote speaker - Senator Manka Dhingra and Allison Dabler BCDCC Chair
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Neil Norman - Democratic Leadership recipient and Richard Badalamente
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Neil Norman accepting this years Democratic Leadership Award
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Reid Romine, introduced by Bonnie Kendell
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Reid Romain - Rising Star recipient
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Allison Dabler - BCDCC Chair
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Christine Brown - candidate for U.S. Representative, 4th CD
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Reid Romain
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Enjoying time with friends and raising money for a good cause!
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Reid Romain - family!
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At the table with John Harder
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Christopher Tracy - candidate 8th LD Representative
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At the table with Bob Parazin
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At the table with Diane Schlekewey
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Andy Miller and Adele Connors
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Silent Auction Winner Shir Regev - candidate for 8th LD representative, position 1; with Adele Conners and Mark Lee
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March for our Lives - local leaders
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Shirley Miller and Andy Miller with local March for Our Lives leaders
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At the table with Neil Norman, recipient of the Democratic Leadership Award
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Rebecca Francik, candidate for 16th LD representative, position 2 and Everette Maroon, candidate for State Representative position 1
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Leo Perales - 8th LD candidate for Senate
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Zahra Roach - candidate for Franklin County Commissioner
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Rebecca Francik - candidate 16th LD Representative position 2
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Peter Gerhard-Roberts BCDCC Vice-Chair
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At the table with Norma Rodriguez
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Neil Norman and friends

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Please join us for our most important event of the year, the Norm Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner and Awards Banquet.

This signature Benton County Democrats event was created as a tribute in honor of the late Norm Miller, founder of the Tri-City Democrats, former chair of the Benton County Democrats, ardent advocate for social justice, and devoted family man. This evening we celebrate Norm’s legacy by recognizing outstanding local Democrats who exemplify exceptional leadership and dedication.

We are honored to have as our keynote speaker this year the remarkable Manka Dhingra. This amazing woman turned the Legislature blue in a crucial special election last year! She now represents the 45th Legislative District as State Senator. She has worked as a senior deputy prosecutor for King County and is an ardent advocate for mental health, women’s rights, and immigrant issues. Born in Bhopal, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 13. She received her law degree from the University of Washington. Ms. Dhingra is the first Sikh ever elected to serve in any state legislature. She brings a compelling personal story and an exciting vision for the future of Washington state Democratic politics.

A highlight of the evening are the awards presented to individuals for their outstanding contribution and leadership to the local party. Our honorees this year are:
* Democratic Leadership: Neil Norman
* Rising Star: Reid Romine

Social Hour begins at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and Program promptly at 6:30 p.m.

	May 2026
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 Students Rise Up on May Day: Whitman College Students Rise Up on May Day: Whitman College May 1, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Whitman College 345 Boyer Ave Walla Walla, WA 99362 https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/941779/ We’ve watched as college gets more expensive, ICE kidnaps our friends, politicians go to war on our dime, good jobs disappear, and our futures get more uncertain. Billionaires want to rig the system, but we’re rising up on May Day because the system can’t function without us! All are welcome - students, workers, alumni, and community members! We'll be meeting at 12pm for a rally to demand affordability, freedom, and safety at our school. Bring your own signs! See more details [Sunnyside, WA] May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires [Sunnyside, WA] May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires May 1, 2026 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/946236/ Because when the billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. Our Demands for May 1st - Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first. - No ICE. No war. No private army serving unchecked federal power. - Expand democracy, not corporate power. Hands off our vote. Together we will be flexing our collective muscle in a tremendous day of power - showing our unity through a day of marches, rallies, and actions including No Work No School No Shopping in many cities. See more details Indivisible-Tri-Cities First Friday Happy Hour Indivisible-Tri-Cities First Friday Happy Hour May 1, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Moonshot Brewing, 8804 W Victoria Ave # 140, Kennewick, WA 99336, USA Join us for socializing and having some fun! See more details Zillah May Day Strong, May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires Zillah May Day Strong, May Day 2026: Workers Over Billionaires May 1, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 1st Ave 1st Ave and Vintage Valley Parkway Zillah, WA 98953 https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/940532/ We are going to stand on Zillah’s busiest intersection with signs expressing our dissatisfaction with our elected government officials. Because when the billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. Our Demands for May 1st - Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first. - No ICE. No war. No private army serving unchecked federal power. - Expand democracy, not corporate power. Hands off our vote. Together we will be flexing our collective muscle in a tremendous day of power - showing our unity through a day of marches, rallies, and actions including No Work No School No Shopping in many cities. See more details • • • •	2 Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival May 2, 2026 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM https://www.pasco-wa.gov/1521/Cinco-de-Mayo As we come together as nuestra familia de corazon, the Cinco de Mayo Parade & Festival is more than just an event; it's a celebration of what makes our community unique and vibrant. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this transformative experience. Gather your friends and family, and make plans to attend. We look forward to celebrating with you! See more details No One Is Above the Law: Monthly Hermiston Visibility Rally No One Is Above the Law: Monthly Hermiston Visibility Rally May 2, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM East Highland Avenue & South Highway 395 Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community members in Hermiston for our No One Is Above the Law visibility action! On the first Saturday of each month join folks in fighting for accountability, democracy, and justice — reminding our neighbors that the rule of law applies to everyone. Bring your signs, your voice, and your energy for an hour of peaceful sign-waving and community visibility. 📅 When: 1st Saturday of every month at 11:00 AM \| 📍 Where: Corner of Hwy 395 & Highland (by Safeway), Hermiston, OR See more details • •
3 PCO Recognition lunch PCO Recognition lunch May 3, 2026 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Tri-Cities Food Co-op, 1420 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354, USA Benton County Precinct Committee Officers are invited to attend a hosted lunch and bring one person to attend with you. This is an opportunity to visit with other PCOs and share ideas and strategies for the upcoming primary and general elections. See more details •	4 Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 Link available after 8 AM on May 4th until 5 PM May 8th https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx?kiosk=1 See more details •	5 Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 Link available after 8 AM on May 4th until 5 PM May 8th https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx?kiosk=1 See more details Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday May 5, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council May 5, 2026 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • • •	6 Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 Link available after 8 AM on May 4th until 5 PM May 8th https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx?kiosk=1 See more details •	7 Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 Link available after 8 AM on May 4th until 5 PM May 8th https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx?kiosk=1 See more details Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs May 7, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details • •	8 Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer Time To File For Benton County Democratic Precinct Committee Officer May 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 Link available after 8 AM on May 4th until 5 PM May 8th https://voter.votewa.gov/candidatefiling/candidatelogin.aspx?kiosk=1 See more details Last Day To File For Precinct Committee Officers Last Day To File For Precinct Committee Officers May 8, 2026 See more details Tri-City Democrats - Friday, May 8, 6:00 PM Tri-City Democrats - Friday, May 8, 6:00 PM May 8, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 4501 W Lattin Ct, West Richland, WA 99353, USA The weather is fine, so let's have a picnic at the farm for our May event. Friday, May 8, 6pm at 4501 W Lattin Ct, West Richland, WA. There's some chance it will be cool, but we'll have a fire pit and patio heaters and blankets to take the edge off. Bring a hoody! Come gather with like-minded folks and share some fellowship, food and beverages. Bring a dish to share, and Tri-City Democrats will provide utensils and plates, and napkins. We'll have the donation box available for those who care to financially support the group. For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/tri-city-democrats/events/314619216/ See more details • • •	9
10	11 Last Day To Withdraw Precinct Committee Officers Candidacy Last Day To Withdraw Precinct Committee Officers Candidacy May 11, 2026 See more details Benton County Executive Board Benton County Executive Board May 11, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair. See more details • •	12 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday May 12, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Kennewick City Council Workshop Kennewick City Council Workshop May 12, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM See more details • •	13	14 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs May 14, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details •	15	16
17	18	19 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday May 19, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council May 19, 2026 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	20	21 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs May 21, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details •	22	23
24	25	26 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday May 26, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Workshop Richland City Council Workshop May 26, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	27	28 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs May 28, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details 16th LD Democratic Party Call to Meeting 16th LD Democratic Party Call to Meeting May 28, 2026 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Every month on the Fourth Thu, until Jan 28, 2027, 11occurrence(s) Pleasedownload and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendarsystem. Monthly:https://us05web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUldO6hrzwuGd3-10krfe1QmS1Jo9tXBOs-/ics?icsToken=DJVFuCKh_Z4OoP_SCgAALAAAAFdu_ZAfRNNEgm3YY-r-IQJW5lTWuy29jBlclOVfmw-klIsBeuZV2F2PvUCBHbh0ht8yhdyefiR9fBmqRDAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=AnaBeSvNSjeuG9ncdABDuA JoinZoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81837917439?pwd=5kiSQvuTavDmrRe8Vazfbia3G2yvfb.1 MeetingID: 818 3791 7439 Passcode:Dems2026 See more details 16th LD Meeting 16th LD Meeting May 28, 2026 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81837917439?pwd=5kiSQvuTavDmrRe8Vazfbia3G2yvfb.1 Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://us05web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUldO6hrzwuGd3-10krfe1QmS1Jo9tXBOs-/ics?icsToken=DJVFuCKh_Z4OoP_SCgAALAAAAFdu_ZAfRNNEgm3YY-r-IQJW5lTWuy29jBlclOVfmw-klIsBeuZV2F2PvUCBHbh0ht8yhdyefiR9fBmqRDAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=AnaBeSvNSjeuG9ncdABDuA Join Zoom Meeting https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81837917439?pwd=5kiSQvuTavDmrRe8Vazfbia3G2yvfb.1 Meeting ID: 818 3791 7439 Passcode: Dems2026 See more details BCDCC General Public Meeting BCDCC General Public Meeting May 28, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair. Zoom Link See more details • • • •	29	30 Stitch & Story Circle Stitch & Story Circle May 30, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Cafe con Arte, 430 W Columbia St Suite A, Pasco, WA 99301, USA Join our Indivisible Tri-Cities book and knitting club every month for a warm and lively meetup. All readers and crafters are welcome! 📖Book choices include both fiction and nonfiction that are relevant to our goals of creating a just, inclusive, and equitable society for all. You do not have to read this month's book to join our meetup. 🧶Bring a craft to work on while we chat, or learn a new one from one of our members. You do not have to be a crafter to join our gathering. 👀There's no need to RSVP for a Stitch & Story Circle. This posting will be updated to indicate the exact day of the meetup and chosen book as soon as it's selected, so stay tuned! 📫To learn more, please email us at: education.indivisibletricities@gmail.com. See more details •
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Benton County WA Democrats