MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
Special Message
My heart continues to go out to all the Washingtonians affected by wildfires across the state. This year’s fire season has been devastating. With 20 fires costing the state more than $200 million to contain and an untold human cost disrupting daily life for thousands, words fail to communicate the widespread devastation wrought upon mostly rural communities. My thanks go out to the brave first responders and firefighters on the frontlines, taking care of those affected and working to limit the damage.
These fires have been the third largest by acreage in one year in our state’s history–and we still have several more months in fire season. It’s just another reminder of the everyday impact of man-made climate change and a reminder of the larger fight the Democrats are taking part in. I’m grateful for the environmental movement here in Washington, to our former Governor Jay Inslee for passing the Climate Commitment Act, and to our current Governor Bob Ferguson for continuing the fight to protect our environment.
Primary Results
With this month’s primary firmly behind us, the full picture of what 2026 will look like is shaping up. The topline numbers are very encouraging for Democrats! Every federal incumbent advanced to the general, and in the historically conservative 4th and 5th Districts, Democrats John Duresky and Carmela Conroy advanced.
At the state level, we’re buoyed by strong results stretching from Bellingham to Walla Walla. Multiple legislative districts controlled by Republican trifectas were considered out of reach just three months ago, but are back in play after the primary.
One item we’re tracking is that turnout was slightly lower than our models anticipated. While we’re thrilled about the top-line results, we don’t want to risk getting complacent and underperforming our great primary results. That’s why we have organizers embedded throughout the state, working to educate voters on the great work Washington Democrats are doing for them, and running the largest Democratic turnout operation in the state. The difference between business as usual and a strong repudiation of MAGA and a check on the Trump administration will be strong turnout in November.
Working for Washington
Last week, we partnered with the Young Democrats of Washington for their Convention held in Vancouver! I’m always so moved working with optimistic young people and hearing about their vision for what a better politics could look like. The kids are alright!
As you may know, in addition to being Chair of the Washington Democrats, I’m also Vice Chair to the DNC and serve on the Rules and Bylaws Committee. Last week, the DNC met down in Texas. I had the privilege of helping to set the primary calendar for the 2028 presidential election and I’m proud to say the new calendar is the most diverse one we’ve ever had, making sure Democrats across the country are represented early on and featuring two states in the American West:
And look who I ran into while visiting the Lone Star State. The soon-to-be first Democrat to represent Texas in the Senate since 1993: James Talarico
Democrats Fight Back
Attorney General Nick Brown continues to fight for Washington and stand up to the Trump-Vance Administration’s lawless attacks. Last week, he joined a coalition of 21 states, filing two lawsuits to block the federal government’s demand to hand over the data, including personally identifiable information and Social Security numbers, of 17 million commercial drivers. AG Brown is right when he says “the federal government is violating privacy laws to serve a political agenda,” and Washington won’t be threatened to hand over our data when Trump threatens to pull funding in retaliation. He’s also preparing to counter ways Trump may try to interfere with November’s midterm elections, from stationing federal agents, like ICE, at polling locations to local officials refusing to certify results. Nick Brown and his fellow Democratic Attorneys General are ready to fight off any intimidation or interference from the federal government, protecting our data and ensuring that elections in Washington are free and fair.
The Trump-Vance administration has been hiding conditions inside immigration detention facilities, but Congresswoman Emily Randall is refusing to look away. Last Saturday, she made an unannounced visit to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. 140 detainees have been participating in a hunger strike, protesting the unacceptable conditions and inadequate food. Rep. Randall (WA-06) was joined by Rep. Maxine Dexter (OR-03) for a tour of the housing and kitchen units, but was denied access to the facility’s medical wing and questions about detainees’ health and hunger were met with obfuscation. The stonewalling they encountered speaks volumes about what this administration and its contractors are trying to keep hidden. Congresswoman Randall is doing the hard work of oversight to shine a light on the places this administration wants darkness.
I especially want to thank our committed and gritty Field Team, who have fanned out across the state to power our amazing margins in this year’s Primary Election. They have activated communities, brought in disengaged voters, and turned out voters. We have 10 organizers around the state doing great work, and this year’s Primary showed just how effective Year-Round Organizing can be when it comes to inviting people into our Party.
- 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 – August 21
- Volunteer Coffee House – Olympia! – 2:00PM-4:00PM, Olympia. Sign up here.
- Saturday – August 22
- Save the Chehalis River – 1:00PM-3:00PM, Centralia. Sign up here.
- Ground for Action | Coffee House with WA Dems | West Seattle – 10:00AM-12:00PM, West Seattle. Sign up here.
- Ground for Action | Coffee House with WA Dems | Kirkland – 10:00AM-12:00PM, Kirkland. Sign up here.
- Matcha and Momentum with CD 8 – 11:00AM-12:30PM, Fall City. Sign up here.
- Play Liberally | WA Dems Board Games | Bothell – 2:00PM-5:00PM, Bothell. Sign up here.
- WA Dems Coffee Club – Columbia City – 2:30PM-4:30PM, Seattle. Sign up here.
- Democracy on Tap | WA Dems Happy Hour | Everett – 3:00PM-5:00PM, Everett. Sign up here.
- Red, Wine, and Blue | WA Dems Happy Hour | Ballard – 4:00PM-6:00PM, Ballard. Sign up here.
- Volunteer Social Hour and Potluck – 4:00PM-6:00PM, University Place. Sign up here.
- 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.
- Follow us on social media
DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS
WA state Senate primary separated by 4 votes, set for recount
The Washington State Standard
DelBene delivers $5M ceremonial check to Snohomish County Food & Farming Center
Lynwood Times
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck draws crowd to Anacortes Library for civic health talk
Go Anacortes
Gluesenkamp Perez hits Braun on abortion as battle begins for WA House seat
The Washington State Standard
Washington poised to elect its first openly trans legislator
The Washington State Standard
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen visits two Stanwood clinics to talk healthcare Stanwood Camano News
Senator Murray Secures Nearly $30 Million for Ferries in WA; Murray Made WA Ferries Eligible for Rural Ferry Grants for First Time Ever
San Juan Islander
WHAT I’M READING
Universal Health Coverage Could Save $1 Trillion and 114,000 Lives Every Year, Yale Study Projects
Matt Kristofferson
I often hear from conservative critics that “universal healthcare is a nice idea, but we simply can’t afford it.” This new study from the Yale School of Public Health makes the case that a single-payer system, like Medicare for All, could save more than a hundred thousand lives a year and still cost a trillion dollars less than what Americans are spending right now. The waste isn’t care people receive, it’s administrative middlemen, soaring drug prices, and emergency room visits for conditions people put off treatment for that could have been treated for less earlier. While DC Republicans (and some here in WA too) rip Medicaid and SNAP away from working families, this is a reminder that a better, more humane, policy is not only within our reach, but actually more responsible. This is what Washington Democrats are fighting for.
Thanks for all you do,
Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party
In 2024, Washington Democrats led the nation with sweeping electoral victories. Now, we’re fighting to elect a supermajority in Olympia, protect our swing seats in the House, and stand up to MAGA extremism across the country.
WA Dems empowers grassroots organizing and elects Democrats up and down the ballot. Your support fuels our fight to stop Trump and defend our democracy.
We sincerely thank you for your help and support.
Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States