MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
Working for Washington
The climate-change-driven atmospheric river which hit Washington this week left many communities vulnerable to flooding. Rivers near Fairfax, Renton, Port Angeles, Snohomish, Arlington, Concrete, and Mount Vernon may have swelled above their record height or come within inches of the record. Governor Ferguson declared a state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard to help communities and individuals. As of press time, evacuations had been ordered in some parts of Pierce County and all of the Skagit Valley flood plain. Our hearts go out to anyone impacted by the flooding. The Red Cross is helping as rivers flood Washington state. Find out how you can help here. And click here for live updates on road closures.
As we head into the holidays, Democrats around Washington state are hard at work. We are helping others and spreading joy to create safe and welcoming communities that lift all of us up. From the bottom of our hearts at Washington Democrats, thank you for helping us achieve ALL of our 2025 goals: we protected EIGHT Democratic legislative incumbents, FLIPPED county council, city council, and school board seats in every corner of Washington, PASSED rent stabilization, secured $100 million for public safety, invested $1 billion into special education, and gave Democrats nationally strong momentum as we turn our sights towards next year’s midterm elections to protect our Democratic Congressional incumbents and win back Congress.
This week, hot on the heels of Democrat Aftyn Behn’s surging overperformance in Tennessee, Democrat Eileen Higgins defeated her Trump-endorsed opponent to become Miami’s first woman mayor and the first Democratic-aligned candidate to win this seat in nearly 30 years. For context, in 2021 the Republican incumbent won by 60+ points. Higgins won by 19 points on Tuesday! That is a truly wild 47+% swing for this D+8 electorate. With this result, Democratic candidates have now won or overperformed in nearly 90% of this year’s key and special elections.
Delegate Election Process for 2026 State Convention
Every two years, Washington Democrats host a state convention for delegates across the state to vote on amendments to the party platform, resolutions, and charter and bylaw amendments. Any self-identified Democrat in Washington state may run to be elected as a delegate to the state convention. I encourage you to run!
Delegates impact our official positions on today’s biggest policy issues, represent their community’s needs and values, connect with leaders from around the state, and teach and learn more about the Washington Democrats alongside other activists and party members.
Anyone willing to publicly identify as a Democrat may run to be a delegate. There is no age limit, but candidates must reside in the legislative district for which they are running to be a delegate in. 1,171 state delegates will be elected alongside 490 alternates from Washington’s 49 legislative districts. State delegates will be elected by their Legislative District Party Organizations (LPOs) to represent their district at the 2026 Washington State Democratic Convention. The Online Delegate Self-Nomination Portal opens on January 1, 2026 at this link. Those with questions should email partyaffairs@wa-democrats.org.
Democrats Fight Back
WA AG, lawmakers propose law to protect workers from immigration raids,
The Olympian
Attorney General Nick Brown and Democratic legislators have introduced legislation to protect immigrant workers and limit employers’ cooperation with ICE and federal immigration agents. The bill would require employers in Washington to notify employers when the federal administration requests an audit of employment eligibility information. This law models legislation adopted by other states like California, Oregon, and Illinois. Thank you, AG Brown and Democratic lawmakers for working to protect our neighbors from the Trump administration’s cruel immigration overreach.
Swing district Republicans brace for political fallout if health care subsidies expire,
PBS News Hour
U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene is leading the Democratic charge to win back the House of Representatives. She knows that health care prices will be top of mind for voters next year if Republicans fail to join Democrats and extend health care subsidies that make lifesaving care more affordable. Next year’s midterms will be laser focused on affordability for American households – which is why we need to make sure every voter remembers who promised to lower prices on day one and then cut taxes for billionaires and millionaires while making life less affordable for the rest of us (hint: it’s the Republicans).
Jayapal, Smith introduce legislation to end inhumane immigration detention conditions,
Press Release
New legislation from U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith seeks to erect desperately needed guardrails to protect civil rights and human rights in immigration detention centers. We have seen how the Trump administration has rounded up immigrants who have not committed any crimes and detained them in unsafe, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions. Since Trump took office, 23 people have died in ICE custody – the vast majority had no criminal convictions. This is the kind of leadership we will see if and when Democrats regain control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections.
A Washington state senator is looking to unseat one of the quirkiest, most vulnerable House Dems in ‘26,
National Review
Even the conservative media has correctly identified WA-3’s Congressional race next year as one of the top targets for a Republican pickup in 2026. U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is focused on solving real problems for her district, our state, and our nation – but she will be up against the popular GOP State Senate Majority Leader John Braun. We know we can’t let a swamp creature like Braun capture this seat in order to help ensure Democrats win back the U.S. House of Representatives.
Valdez introduces bill to ban face-concealing masks by law enforcement in response to masked ICE raids,
Senate Democrats
State Senator Javier Valdez has introduced much-needed legislation that would ban ICE and other law enforcement from covering their faces when interacting with the public. Face shields, medical masks, and respirators for hazardous conditions and helmets for safety are exempted. Anonymous policing invites abuse, so ensuring law enforcement officers have their faces exposed is a low-barrier reform to ensuring that civil rights are upheld and protected.
Democrats make a fresh push to win state legislatures,
The New York Times
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee looks to invest $50 million next year to flip state houses around the country and build supermajorities in blue states. The DLCC thinks next year could be a once-in-a-generation chance to win back ground in state legislatures around the country rivaling the Tea Party wave of 2010.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- Tuesday, December 16 – DNC National Training Team 2026 State of the Race. 1PM-2:30PM. Virtual. Register here.
- Wednesday, December 17 – Run for Something: Candidate Introduction Call. 5PM-6PM. Virtual. Register here.
- Thursday, December 18 – Starbucks Workers United Action and Rally. Noon-2PM. Seattle. 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
Democrats say Hegseth balked at call for full video of boat strike,
The New York Times
Bills begin streaming in ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session,
Washington State Standard
Port of Bellingham commissioner Michael Shepherd announces run for state senate,
News from the States
Have Central WA Democrats already chosen their pick to challenge Rep. Newhouse?,
The Bellingham Herald
Washington’s last coal power plant will transition to natural gas,
Washington State Standard
WHAT I’M READING
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is On NOTUS,
NOTUS Podcast
U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was interviewed by NOTUS’ Reese Gorman for a wide-ranging interview that was conducted during the Republican federal government shutdown. Besides covering her faith and how that interacts with her job representing the 3rd Congressional District, she also discusses how issues like regulating headlights and combating microplastics address the real needs of communities throughout the country. It’s definitely worth your time!
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