MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
Working for Washington
(L: Governor Ferguson and Chair Conrad at the Pacific County Crab Feed, R: Chair Conrad and Treasurer Pellicciotti serve crab)
Last weekend, Washington Democratic leaders convened at the 98th Annual Pacific County Crab Feed in South Bend, Washington. Governor Bob Ferguson, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, joined party leaders and community members to celebrate the longest-running political event in our state’s history, and, of course, crack some crab.
This is one of my favorite events on the calendar every year and speaks to the importance of organizing in our rural communities to build community and trust. I was so excited to finally get the honor of handing out the crab with Treasurer Pellicciotti! I want to thank everyone who made the trek to South Bend, it was a tremendous turnout that will set us up for success come November. You can watch my speech from the Crab Feed by clicking the image above or going here.
While we are still celebrating the passage of the Millionaires Tax this legislative session, one of the lesser noticed pieces of legislation to also pass was House Bill 2632 that directs state and local offices across Washington to replace the word “alien” with “noncitizen” to modernize our legal language. Congratulations to Rep. My-Linh Thai, the bill’s prime sponsor and the first refugee elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, for getting this legislation across the finish line. The term “alien” is dehumanizing and outdated, bringing to mind extraterrestrials and not people who came to our country looking to build a better life.
This year, Washington state will vote on as many as five(!) seats on the State Supreme Court. These often overlooked elected officials have incredible sway over policy solutions and how our state operates. The Northwest Progressive Institute has put together a great tool to help voters track who is running, for which position, and includes links to their campaign websites. Check out the Washington State Supreme Court Elections Visualizer here!
This week, we learned that Joe Kent, the conspiracy theorist and white nationalist who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Southwest Washington (twice!) resigned in protest over the Trump-Vance Iran War. Two things can be true: this war never should have happened and Joe Kent has no place at any level of government. Kent was serving as Trump’s Director of the National Counterterrorism Center when he claimed that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.” Washington Democrats have opposed this war since the beginning and we thank our Democratic Congressional Delegation who are doing everything in their power to stop risking lives in this war with Iran and to help the Washingtonians stranded in the Middle East get home.
Democrats Fight Back
Washington state helps lead the whole country when it comes to organizing. Volunteers from this Washington are helping fight back against Trump’s mid-decade redistricting effort. This Monday, March 23rd, from 12-5 p.m., Congressman Adam Smith’s team is hosting a “Flip the House” phone bank to help Virginians for Fair Elections get out the vote. Join us in person or online. I hope you can make it!
Senator Maria Cantwell has been fighting tooth and nail to stop the assault on basic science from the Trump-Vance administration. Her latest effort is called the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026. This bill will strengthen weather research and forecasting to save lives and prepare communities for weather disasters. Through improvements to atmospheric river forecasts, modernizing weather alerts and radio infrastructure, preparing for landslides, helping farmers plan for drought, and implementing new tools to forecast wildfires, heatwaves, and hurricanes, this legislation will help secure communities using scientifically proven methods. Senator Cantwell’s legislation just passed unanimously out of committee and now awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate. Thank you, Senator Cantwell, for investing in the safety of our communities!
Farewell, Joe!
This week, Washington Democrats bid a fond farewell to our former Director of Development, Joe Barden. For nine years, Joe has led the fundraising efforts at Washington State Democrats. Joe’s work raised record breaking resources to build power throughout every level of government in our state. If you’ve ever been to a State Convention, one of our galas or fundraising events, you have probably heard Joe’s booming laugh come from somewhere in the room. Joe is moving on to lead development efforts at Hugo House, a Seattle institution that has helped launch the careers of countless writers and authors. Everyone at Washington Democrats has the utmost respect and admiration for Joe and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in his new position. Thank you for everything, Joe! And best of luck in your new endeavors!
Stay tuned for an announcement on WA Dems new Director of Development soon!
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- Saturday, March 21 – WA Dems Weekend of Action: LD10, 10AM-1PM. Register here.
- Monday, March 23 – Team Adam Smith “Flip the House” phonebank. In person and virtual. Find more details by registering here.
- Tuesday, March 24 – WA Dems Deep Canvassing Training, 6PM-7:30PM, Virtual. Register here.
- Thursday, March 26 – WA Dems Deep Canvassing Training, 6PM-7:30PM, Virtual. Register here.
- Saturday, March 28 – No Kings Rally. Sign up for updates on times and locations.
- Friday, May 1 – Seattle May Day 2026. SeattleMayDay.org for more details.
- 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
‘These things are not secrets’: WA GOP lists priority districts for 2026 election,
Everett Post
Ferguson fast-tracks billion-dollar pre-K war chest for Washington kids,
Hoodline
WA Gov. Ferguson signs bill dropping degree requirements for state jobs,
Fox13
More WA foster, homeless youth to get tuition help,
The Columbian
Washington tackles rounding rules as nation phases out penny,
The Seattle Times
Washington law will make it easier for state to distribute its abortion pill stockpile,
NCW Life
WHAT I’M WATCHING
The case against Trump’s war of choice in Iran,
Center for American Progress
From the massive human toll of civilian casualties and American service members killed or injured to lighting billions upon billions of dollars on fire with no clear objective or reasoning that has made Americans safer, the Trump-Vance Iran War has no moral, economic, or societal justification. It’s going to take all of us working together to take back Congress this November to stop the chaos emanating from the White House.
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