MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s our first Message from the Chair in 2026, Washington Democrats. Let’s get to it!
Special Note
Our hearts break for the friends and loved ones of Renee Nicole Good. Renee was murdered by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this week. The video is horrifying. We know what we saw. Local police and firefighters tried to save her while ICE agents refused them access. Law enforcement has a responsibility to keep communities safe. This is the opposite of that. We stand with Minnesota leaders and community members who are reeling from the chaos unleashed by the Trump administration. We are more committed than ever to vote Republicans out of office and restore justice and stability to our communities. ICE must be held accountable, and I am in support of our Congressional leaders who are fighting to curtail their out-of-control behavior.
Working for Washington
It’s been a wild few weeks since we last connected. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse announced he will not run for re-election in Central Washington, health insurance premiums spiked as Affordable Care Act subsidies expired, Republicans failed to gather enough signatures to purge voters in Washington, Trump kidnapped the president of Venezuela, Democrats marked the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection, and Washington’s state legislature convenes next week to fill a budget shortfall where Governor Ferguson has endorsed a millionaires’ tax. Whew.
Let’s start with the big one: Trump’s unconstitutional and illegal invasion of Venezuela. Senator Patty Murray and Representative Adam Smith led Washington’s Democratic congressional delegation in condemning the raid which kidnapped Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Here’s a roundup of statements from our Democratic Congressional Delegation:
Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee U.S. Representative Adam Smith has been demanding answers from the administration about how to fill the power vacuum in Venezuela now that we’re on the hook for Trump’s orders. Rep. Smith is absolutely correct that we need oversight and accountability for this lawless administration, and that these “actions will not make Americans safer and do nothing to address the everyday concerns regarding the rising cost of health care, housing, groceries, and other critical issues impacting affordability and the quality of life here at home.” You can read his full statement here.
Senator Patty Murray likened the invasion to the Iraq War, noting “only Congress can authorize war and I absolutely will not support a large-scale military conflict in Venezuela or a dangerous and expensive occupation.” Her full statement is here.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell: “Is America going to be involved in running and stabilizing Venezuela? Today’s actions raise many questions about the stability of the region and our policy towards South America.”
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen: “No one is lamenting the fate of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro. Yet our President’s actions today do not demonstrate strength. They violate international law and harm our credibility with an already shrinking number of allies, friends and partners.”
U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene: “Americans don’t want another forever war without a plan […] Democrats and Republicans should stand united in demanding that the administration immediately come before all members of Congress to explain what the plan is for U.S. involvement, how much this is going to cost taxpayers, what authority he used to justify the operation, and what a successful outcome means for America and Venezuela.”
U.S. Representative Kim Schrier: “The American people deserve answers, especially at a time when the president should be focused on running our own country and making life better for Americans.”
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal: “Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. That fact alone does not give Trump and his administration the authority to invade Venezuela, kidnap him in the middle of the night, and force regime change – something the U.S. has tried and failed to do many times over.
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland: “[…] as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I spend a lot of time talking about quality of life and what we can do to support our troops. And the best way we can support our troops and their families is to keep them out of war.”
U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez: “As today’s events have shown, governments bent around the authority of a single man are weak. Our Constitution is clear that no President can act unilaterally to drag our nation into a long-term foreign entanglement. Congress needs to act like a coequal branch of government.”
U.S. Representative Emily Randall: “The world is watching as Trump illegally stokes the fires of war for his own personal gain. Bypassing Congressional authorization – or at the very least notification – to kidnap a foreign leader and force a regime change in order to extract oil resources is unconstitutional.”
Any other week and I would dedicate this entire newsletter to Governor Bob Ferguson’s announcement that he supports a 9.9% income tax on those who make more than $1 million in income a year. This would only apply to income, not assets, and would apply to fewer than 0.5% of Washington residents. Under our current system, Washington families with income in the bottom 20% pay 13.8% of their total income in taxes, while those whose income is in the top 1% pay only 4.1% of their income. A millionaire’s tax could bring in $3 billion per year. It won’t be quick or easy: even if enacted into law, there will be lawsuits and none of the funds would be available until 2028 at the earliest, but Governor Ferguson’s leadership on this issue sends a strong statement that our Democratic leaders are fighting for a fairer and more affordable Washington. I thank Governor Ferguson for using his office to advance tax fairness in our beautiful state. When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and former Senator Mitt Romney agree on the need to tax the rich, I think that’s what we call a winning issue.
Next week is the beginning of session for the Washington state legislature. Speaker Jinkins has outlined her priorities for the upcoming session, focusing on protecting our state from Trump’s chaos and fighting to make Washington more affordable. Speaker Jinkins outlined protecting immigrant communities, ensuring the Keep Washington Working law is being carried out throughout the state, developing low barrier housing in the face of Trump-implemented restrictions, and working to achieve tax fairness. Thanks to Washington voters, our Democratic Legislative Caucus protected all of our incumbents who were up to retain their seats in last year’s elections, ensuring that Democratic policies will be driving the debate in Olympia.
Let’s start with the big one: Trump’s unconstitutional and illegal invasion of Venezuela. Senator Patty Murray and Representative Adam Smith led Washington’s Democratic congressional delegation in condemning the raid which kidnapped Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Here’s a roundup of statements from our Democratic Congressional Delegation:
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.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- TOMORROW – Strategies to Oppose Authoritarianism in Stevenson. 9A-3P. Register here.
- Tuesday, January 13 – Indivisible Eastside Postcard Writing. Multiple locations. 10A-11:30A. Sign up here for Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Lake Forest Park.
- Tuesday, January 20 – Nationwide Free America Walkout. All day. Take the pledge 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.
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DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS
Trump’s Venezuela move prompts protests, draws backlash from Northwest Democrats, Northwest Public Broadcasting
Trump administration misled Congress before Maduro raid, Democrats say, The Washington Post
WA’s congressional Democrats slam ‘illegal military operation’ in Venezuela, The News Tribune
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson backs an income tax. Will it finally gain traction 94 years after voters once backed it?, The Spokesman-Review
Signatures filed for initiatives on parental rights, blocking trans athletes from girl’s sports, Washington State Standard
Rep. Kim Schrier reacts to vaccine schedule change, KIRO7
Democratic state AGs will lead opposition to Trump in new year, Washington State Standard
Lawmakers being to lay our priorities for upcoming legislative session, KOMO
WA sues Trump admin over $100K H-1B visa fee, says it violates U.S. Constitution, The Olympian
COMMENTARY: Trump administration has not made a case for Venezuela; Congress should act, The News Tribune
WHAT I’M READING
What happens when Moms for Liberty takes over your school board, Barn Raiser
After Moms for Liberty candidates were elected to the school board in Cheyenne, Wyoming, it was just a matter of time before they started banning books and defying public health guidance. Thanks to Washington Democrats like you, we defeated conservative school board candidates across Washington last year, reversing their gains from the previous school board election cycle. We must work together to remain vigilant and continue to flip school board seats still occupied by Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates.
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