WSDCC – July 17, 2026

Posted on July 17, 2026

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!

Special Message
Central Washington is still recovering from the deadly fires in Chelan. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted, and we thank the first responders who fought perilous conditions to save lives and livelihoods. Please consider donating to the North Central Washington Community Foundation to help those who lost their homes and more.

Primary voting starts TODAY! Throughout our state, ballots are landing in mailboxes, and we need everyone to fill those out as soon as possible and drop them in a secure, official ballot drop box. Find your nearest ballot box here.

If you absolutely must vote by mail, you need to get that ballot in as quickly as possible! WA Democrats tested mail delivery rates in every county, and it occasionally took up to a week for mail to be postmarked and delivered. That is why we are encouraging everyone who can to drop their ballot in an official drop box. This election is too important to let federal Republicans’ malicious mismanagement of the United States Postal Service skew the results.

Make sure to fill out the entire ballot so that we get the best Democrats possible running in every race. Once you’ve voted, sign up to volunteer here or jump right in and find your nearest volunteer opportunity here.

Democrats Fight Back

Governor Bob Ferguson is rallying voters to reject Brian Heywood’s misleading and dangerous ballot initiative that would repeal the Millionaire’s Tax, while keeping billions in spending that would blow up the state budget and possibly gut programs like unemployment insurance and the capital gains tax. If passed, I-645 would blow a $13 BILLION hole in the state budget over four years, gutting funding for schools, students, and childcare and early learning. Thank you, Governor Ferguson, for continuing to champion this historic legislation that is building a better future for our children and our state!

Another week, another huge victory for Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown! State Department of Health officials will finally be able to inspect the immigration detention center in Tacoma after thousands of complaints about unhealthy conditions, thanks to a ruling by a federal judge. Democrats stand for accountability and oversight, and we are proud that our elected leaders take those responsibilities seriously.

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is joining 11 other states to block Paramount from buying Warner Bros. Discovery to prevent this Hollywood mega-merger from creating an illegal monopoly that will hike prices, slash quality, and hurt American consumers. This might seem like Hollywood insider-baseball, but the reality is that if this merger goes through, two Trump allies will be in charge of the vast majority of offerings for cable news and studio entertainment. Competition drives down prices, not consolidation. Thank you, AG Brown, for sticking up for Washington consumers!

Congressman Adam Smith is demanding Trump’s removal from office over his “authoritarian takeover of our government” that is “jeopardizing citizens’ lives.” He’s making the case that Trump has completely lost it and Republicans in Congress or the Cabinet must do something to end the chaos. You can watch his full statement here.

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene chairs the House Democrats’ campaign arm, tasked with retaking the House of Representatives. She’s confident that our winning message on affordability will flip enough seats to give Democrats a majority in the House. Democrats are on offense in 46 districts around the country, according to the Congresswoman. Nothing is certain, so let’s do everything possible to help Democrats win up and down the ballot – sign up to volunteer here or jump right in and find your nearest volunteer opportunity here.

Democratic AND Republican election officials are calling Trump’s SAVE America Act unworkable and a disaster for states. Washington state is proud to have the most accessible and transparent election system in the country, and we won’t stop until every state has the opportunity to adopt our convenient, secure, and accurate vote-from-home system.

Washington Democrats see an opening to flip seats in the state legislature in the Yakima Valley this election. Home to one of the largest populations of Latino voters in the state, the 14th Legislative District will be a hotly contested district this election year. Dismal approval ratings for Donald Trump and chaotic and inhumane immigration enforcement actions in the area have changed the fundamentals of this district. We’re keeping a close eye on these races, and our first real test will be the August 4 Primary Election. If you live in the Yakima Valley – get your ballot (arriving today or early next week) into a drop box as soon as humanly possible!

Axios did a write-up on the House Democrats who will be leading the charge to create oversight and accountability of the lawless Trump-Vance administration and the lackeys who have enabled them. It’s a short read and a great primer on the issues that will finally receive serious consideration when Democrats retake the House of Representatives.

Working for Washington
Reports are picking up about ICE activity in Washington state. Make sure you know your constitutional rights and help spread the word to your neighbors and communities. Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is proposing a mandatory class for high school seniors that teaches them practical launch skills before they graduate. The curriculum would include topics such as building a resume, financial literacy, registering to vote, and applying for jobs, colleges, or military service, among other valuable lessons that will prepare students for their futures. Thank you, Superintendent Reykdal, for leading on preparing our students for their futures!

MAGA mega-millionaire Brian Heywood is crowing that he delivered more signatures to repeal the Millionaire’s Tax than any initiative in Washington history. Of course, it’s easy to get people to sign your initiative when you lie about what’s in it. This initiative is so poorly written that if passed it could erase many billions of dollars in state funding beyond what the Millionaire’s Tax would bring in. Unemployment insurance, paid family and medical leave, long-term care insurance, and the capital gains tax could all get the axe if this initiative passes. Make sure you and your neighbors are voting NO on all of the statewide initiatives in this year’s general election!

On Wednesday, July 29, Ben Wikler will be discussing his book “This is the Plan” at a private reception before his book tour event at Town Hall Seattle. If you would like to meet Ben in a more private setting, RSVP here. The reception begins at 4 PM, and there is no cost to attend. I hope you can make it!

  • 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.

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

Ferguson wants FAFSA required for graduation,
The Seattle Times

WA trial begins over Albertsons’ role in opioid crisis,
The Seattle Times

Democrats invoke ‘big, beautiful bill’ far more than Republicans as midterms near,
The Washington Post

Feds push back after WA rejects plan touted for faster Hanford nuclear cleanup,
The Tri-City Herald

Harger: 511,000 signatures to repeal Washington’s income tax. Five reasons that might not be enough,
KIRO

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it,
The Seattle Times

WHAT I’M READING

The Power of One,

The Cycle

Ordinary people change the course of history all the time. Here are profiles of four heroes who never sought recognition, but whose actions in the face of fascism and oppression demonstrated their humanity, saving countless lives in the process. Each of us has the power of one. Don’t sacrifice your agency because you don’t believe it will make a difference – it already has, even if those results can’t be perceived just yet.

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.

DONATE TODAY
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We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

Washington State Democrats
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
United States