MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!
Some Good News to Highlight
Last week’s Yakima People’s Town Hall sparked a broader conversation with more than 200 people joining former Governor Inslee, Community Leader Maria Beltran, Registered Nurse Jacob Garcia, U.S. Army Veteran Asa Washines, Labor Organizer and Ph.D. student Ninh Khuu, and myself. U.S. Rep. Newhouse says he plans to hold a Town Hall “soon,” but no details have been made public. So we showed him how it’s done!
About 200 people attend Democrats’ town hall in Yakima,
Yakima Herald and Northwest Public Broadcasting
Demócratas realizan Town Hall en Yakima y acusan a Dan Newhouse de ignorar a sus electores,
Latino Herald
As Washington’s legislative session approaches its end date, here are just a few pieces of legislation I’m particularly excited about:
- After the State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1432, this legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Tara Simmons sponsored HB 1432, which establishes a definition of “medical necessity” that includes mental health and substance use disorder services. Once this legislation becomes law, insurance carriers must cover mental health and substance use disorder services prescribed by patients’ doctors – closing a loophole that has long stymied healthcare providers.
- Passage in both chambers of House Bill 1875 means that this legislation to allow Washington workers to use their paid sick leave for immigration-related matters is headed to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Osman Salahuddin sponsored this bill to, “increase equity and access to the legal system.”
Stay tuned for more updates!
Call to Action
- Protect the Vote with North Carolina Democrats
- Republicans are still trying to throw out 66,000 votes to give a Republican Supreme Court candidate a win he didn’t earn. NC Democrats are fighting back in the courts. Sign up here for the latest updates and ways to assist their efforts.
- Share Your Small Business Story
- Trump’s policies are hurting America’s 33+ million small businesses. If you are dreaming of starting a business or already feeling the impacts of Trump’s economic policies in your business, please share your story here.
- Sign Up for The Blue Print
- The DNC has launched a substack called The Blue Print that will provide a weekly update on how the DNC is fighting back against Trump and his allies while working to secure Democratic victories nationwide. It’s free and useful, sign up here.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- TOMORROW – “Bring Them Home” Rally and March hosted by Indivisible Vashon. 11AM-1PM on Vashon Island. More details here.
- TOMORROW – Rally for Science in Spokane. 11AM-1PM in Mission Park. Sign up here.
- Tuesday, April 22 – A Vigil for the Healing of the Earth at Spokane City Hall. 6PM-8PM. Register here.
- Friday, April 25 – WA Dems People’s Town Hall at Spokane Community College. 5:30-7:30PM. Register here. See below for more details.
- Thursday May 1 – International Workers’ Day Rally and March starting at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle. Starts at Noon. More details here.
- Saturday May 3 – Fuse Opposition Summit from 1PM-3PM in downtown Seattle. RSVP here.
- Every Wednesday – Time to Act volunteer trainings organized by Swing Left are hosted virtually every Wednesday from 6:30PM-7:30PM. Sign up here
- Every Thursday – Seattle Indivisible hosts their Issue Advocacy Meetings every Thursday from 5PM-6PM. Sign up here
- Every Friday – Refuse Fascism Fridays in Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville and Mill Creek. Check out our events page for details on the one closest to you.
- Send us details on rallies and protests in your communities
- Email details to press@wa-democrats.org
- 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
- Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates and actions that can benefit your communities:
- BlueSky
- Threads
- TikTok
Bring Them Home
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to El Salvador to seek the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. I applaud his leadership and encourage every Congressional Democrat to consider fact finding missions to Trump’s El Salvadorean gulag. Despite a clear unanimous Supreme Court decision to facilitate Mr. Garcia’s return, Trump claimed victory and blatantly resisted the order. This is not only a constitutional crisis that threatens the rule of law in our nation, it is also a humanitarian disaster that is disappearing lawful residents in our country with no due process. There are numerous actions around the country rallying for the return of the people who have been denied their constitutional rights, demanding they be returned home. Check our events page for a rally near you!
Storybanking
Send Us Your Stories
This week, we traveled to Goldendale in Kittitas County to film more stories – stay tuned next week when we have those ready! For today, here’s a previous story shared by a Washingtonian who asked to remain anonymous:
The best way to persuade people about the horrible impacts of Trump’s chaos is to share real stories from real people in their communities. If you are interested in sharing your story of the direct impacts of Trump 2.0 on your life, please send an email to press@wa-democrats.org that includes your name, contact information, which Washington community you reside in, the story you would like to share, and permission to share your story with the public.
Our Communications team will be in touch within a few business days after you have reached out to help collect your story.
Spokane Town Hall April 25
We are excited to invite residents in Congressional District 5 to our Spokane Town Hall! The event will be on April 25th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Spokane Community College. We will be convening a panel of amazing speakers, including Congresswoman Emily Randall and Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, as well as other members of the community who have been affected by the Trump Administration.
If you would like to attend, please fill out this RSVP Form and invite any community members or friends you think would be interested! This event is open to anyone, and everyone is welcome!
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Washington Democrats are celebrating! Please join us on May 10 at Seattle Harbor Restaurant (formerly China Harbor) to celebrate the power, leadership, and excellence of our state’s AANHPI Democratic family. Special guests are being lined up – I think you’ll be really excited when we announce them next week! RSVP here!
Republicans Behaving Badly
FEMA denies WA request for bomb cyclone disaster aid
The Lewiston Tribune
Washington’s request for federal assistance to recover from last year’s bomb cyclone that caused tens of millions of dollars of damage was denied by Trump’s FEMA. Governor Ferguson is planning to appeal the decision, but this falls in line with Trump’s threats to withhold disaster aid from states led by Democrats.
Central WA Head Start programs shut down without federal funding
The Seattle Times
400 children don’t have early childhood education and 72 people are unemployed thanks to Trump’s illegal freeze on federal funding authorized by Congress (and signed by HIM!) Rep. Newhouse asked the leaders of the Head Start programs for more details. “‘My assumption is, hopefully, they’re trying to get some answers for us’ [the Director] said.” The answer is pretty simple: Trump doesn’t want poor kids getting pre-K education.
NOAA scientists are cleaning bathrooms in Seattle
The Seattle Times
Trump and DOGE laid off all the janitors and hazardous waste removal contractors so scientists who should be focusing on saving salmon from extinction are now creating chore wheels. There’s nothing wrong with cleaning bathrooms, but these broad layoffs are wreaking havoc in the scientific workplaces we rely on for accurate weather forecasts and saving salmon – an iconic species that supports our Tribal Nations, our culinary sector, and maritime industries.
China orders Boeing jet delivery halt as trade war expands
Bloomberg
Trump’s self-inflicted trade war is going to have outsized impacts for Washington. Our state is the most trade dependent of any other in the country.
Democrats in the News
Larsen warns U.S. citizens could be next to have their rights trampled
Cascadia Daily News
Rep. Larsen is sounding the alarm that if Trump’s allowed to bulldoze the rule of law and due process for legal residents, U.S. citizens will be next.
Still think Democrats aren’t fighting back? Introducing Marilyn Strickland.
DailyKos
Rep. Strickland’s message that “Republicans don’t care about you,” is simple and sticking. This is a great write up of the work our Congresswoman from the 10th CD is getting done in the other Washington.
Feds to investigate WA schools agency over gender inclusivity conflict
Washington State Standard
OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal is standing up to the Trump administration’s efforts to erase trans students. Keep up the great work, Chris!
WA Senate honors missing & murdered indigenous women: ‘No more stolen sisters’
The Olympian
I am so glad to live in this Washington, where we honor the people who have lived here since time immemorial and work to ensure no more Native women disappear in our state.
What I’m Watching and Reading
Political scientists find submission to Trump ‘shocking,’ says UW prof
The Seattle Times
“I would say it’s the definition of authoritarian,” says Political Scientist and UW Professor Scott Radnitz.
Law students say they want to work for the firms standing up to Trump
Politico
File this under: the kids are (still) alright. Law students from the most prestigious universities are considering backing out of $200,000 contracts with the firms that capitulated to Trump’s brazen attacks on the rule of law. They are sharing spreadsheets online of the firms that are prioritizing the rule of law and who aren’t “ignoring the elephant in the room.”
Thanks for all you do,
Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party
We sincerely thank you for your help and support.
Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States