MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s THURSDAY, Washington Democrats!
Programming Note
In solidarity with the National Walk Out TOMORROW, Friday, January 30, we are sending this week’s Message from the Chair a day early. Washington Democrats will not be fundraising or posting on social media tomorrow, and we encourage everyone able to join protests against ICE in your community. Instead, we are handing the keys to our Instagram and TikTok accounts over to Washington High School Democrats, who are taking the day off of school to advocate for policy changes in the state legislature.
ICE Update
Our hearts break for Keith Porter Jr., Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and all other detainees whose names we know and don’t yet know who have been murdered by federal immigration agents. The video and eyewitness evidence cannot be ignored or denied, despite the Trump-Vance administration’s best efforts. Every American should be chilled by this administration’s rush to define innocent victims of their brutality as domestic terrorists. The example set by Minnesotans who have mobilized, in the tens of thousands, in subzero temperatures, and in nonviolent protest to protect their neighbors and communities should also strengthen our resolve. We will not rest until justice is restored to our neighbors in Minnesota, and we will work tirelessly to end the Trump-Vance immigration project that seeks to turn us against our neighbors.
Statement on Attacks on Reps. Omar and Frost
“Washington Democrats denounce the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar. We are thankful to the security personnel and bystanders who helped detain the assailant. Violence has no place in our politics. This attack, just like the assault of Rep. Maxwell Frost in Utah, must be denounced by everyone, especially the president whose perpetual personal attacks helped set the stage for this assault. Rep. Omar will not be silenced and neither will we as we work to take back Congress from the Republican majority that has abdicated their responsibilities of oversight and accountability.”
–Chair Shasti Conrad, U.S. Representative Adam Smith, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, and U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland
Democrats Fight Back
I am proud that both of Washington State’s U.S. Senators have pledged to vote against DHS funding bills absent significant reforms. Thank you Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell for your leadership. Our friends at the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party have asked us to help raise funds for legal defense with the Democratic Governors Association Legal Fund. You can split a donation between the DGA Legal Fund and WA Democrats here. You can also sign up for mobilization action alerts if ICE is in your area here.
Working for Washington
Last weekend, WA Dems’ State Committee Members gathered in Everett for our January meeting. We were honored to be joined by Congressman Rick Larsen, who outlined his priorities for reigning in the lawless Trump-Vance administration. I spoke from my heart during the Chair’s Report – you can watch a clip here. We also helped organize and build the party infrastructure that is going to make us successful in this year’s midterm elections. Thank you Congressman Larsen and everyone who joined us in Everett. We accomplished a lot and even managed to finish in time for folks to watch the Seahawks clinch their berth in the Super Bowl!
It’s official: Let’s Go Washington’s draconian and gross initiatives to out LGBTQIA+ kids and force genital inspections of girl athletes will go to the ballot this November after Washington State Democratic legislators refused to give Brian Heywood and his cronies a soapbox in Olympia. Under the guise of “parental rights,” one of the initiatives would force schools to violate the privacy of their students, increasing risks of homelessness and suicide for vulnerable students who lack accepting families. The other would ban trans athletes from participating in girls’ team sports, forcing adults to conduct genital exams on children during physicals that are required for participation in high school sports. Under current law, these physicals only check for the actual health of the student – blood pressure and other vitals. Washington Democrats forcefully oppose both of these initiatives and will be working to educate voters to defeat these Let’s Go Washington initiatives, just as we did in the 2024 election.
Washington Democrats appreciate everyone who takes a public stand against ICE’s unconstitutional and murderous actions. That includes the moderator of the subreddit r/catbongos who hails from our state and used their leadership of an 800,000 person online community to call out ICE’s atrocities. Every act of public resistance to Trump’s immigration policies makes a difference.
When We Count Fellowship
I’m excited to share with you the DNC’s new organizing effort, the When We Count Fellowship. This is a new DNC program to build Democratic voter registration in key states – and you can be part of it. Apply to be a When We Count Fellow and join a national cohort of emerging organizers who will make the difference in upcoming elections. Apply today!
Pro-Choice Washington Digital Campaigns Fellowship
Pro-Choice Washington is hiring for their Digital Campaigns Fellowship. If you know anyone with a passion for reproductive justice who is seeking part-time, paid employment, please send them here!
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! This year’s Convention will be in Spokane, June 19-21!
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.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- TOMORROW – Walk Out to Protest ICE. Everywhere.
- Tuesday, February 3 – Indivisible Eastside Postcard Writing. Multiple locations, 10AM-11:30AM. More info here.
- Wednesday, February 4 – Organizing the Resistance: Voices from Minnesota. Virtual at 5:30PM. Sign up here.
- Saturday, March 28 – No Kings Rally. Sign up for updates on times and locations.
- 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
Man detained after lunging at Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar at town hall in Minneapolis,
King5
Ferguson, Brown pledge legal action if ICE violates WA residents’ rights,
The Seattle Times
Continued ICE violence met with outrage, calls for more protests in Bellingham,
The Bellingham Herald
WA lawmakers look to make data centers pay for energy cost hikes,
The Olympian
The next front in the wildfire wars,
Politico (requires sign up)
After Alex Pretti’s killing, Patty Murray and Senate Democrats vow to block DHS funding bill she negotiated,
The Spokesman-Review
Killing of man in Minneapolis by federal agents fuels Seattle protests,
The Olympian
Ballot fight looms over trans sports and parental rights in Washington,
Axios
Washington legislature grapples with slew of bills regulating AI,
The Urbanist
Congress has the power to reform ICE,
The Seattle Times (editorial)
New Medicare rules could create ‘major burdens and delays,’
Nasdaq
WHAT I’M READING
Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams Highlights 2025 NFC Conference Championship,
Seattle Seahawks
This was a harder Message from the Chair to write than normal. But the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl and I’m reclaiming my joy by watching these highlights from last weekend’s win over the LA Rams. Go Hawks!
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