Benton County Democrats

Standing up for the people of Benton County, WA

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WSDCC – May 14, 2025

Posted on May 16, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

(Chair Conrad joins Washington AAPI Elected Leaders for a group photo)

Updates from the Last Week

Thank you to everyone who joined us last weekend for Washington Democrats’ 2nd Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Solidarity Celebration at Seattle Harbor Restaurant! Featuring keynote addresses from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, and DNC Executive Director Roger Lau, we celebrated our community during AANHPI Heritage Month and the important role our community plays in our electoral system as the fastest growing demographic of voters in the country

I want to thank the numerous AAPI elected officials from every level of government who joined us last Saturday. I especially want to thank event sponsors Washington Secretary of Commerce Joe Nguyen, Hyeok Kim, Juliet Ledorze and State Senator Deb Krishnadasan who helped make the event possible. Special thanks to rapper Prometheus Brown and the Mak Fai Lion Dance team who brought down the house!

Remembering Rep. Gutiérrez-Kenney

Democrats Fighting Back

State Treasurer Mike Pelliciotti joined Democratic State Treasurers to sound the alarm about Congressional Republicans tax plan, where more than two-thirds of tax cuts would go to households making $217,000 or more per year while the top 1% – those who make more than $1.1. Millions per year would see one quarter of the tax cuts. All of these cuts would be partially offset by $880 BILLION in cuts from Medicaid programs like Apple Health. 

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell called out these Medicaid cuts, pointing to the 780,000 Washingtonians who could lose health coverage just so the very richest Americans get a tax cut. 70% of the children in Congressional District 4 (represented by Republican Dan Newhouse) use Washington’s version of Medicaid, Apple Health. 

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal condemned U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s memo revoking protections for vulnerable people in custody, including denying pregnant women access to water and infants to have diapers. 

U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland and Emily Randall have formally re-launched the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus to protect our iconic waterway from pollution, restore habitat, and reopen shellfish beds.

Call to Action

  • Fight to Save Medicaid (Apple Health)
    • Sign up for the DNC’s new training: The Network Strategy – learn tactics for holding Republicans accountable throughout the year. Sign up here.
    • CD4 and CD5 residents: Call your Republican Representative – Call their office and let them know you don’t want any changes to Apple Health. The DNC has set up an easy tool with a script for you. Click here for the call tool kit.
  • Rally, Protest, and Gather
    • SUNDAY: Saturday, May 18 – Canvass for Sen. Deb Krishnadasan with U.S. Rep. Emily Randall. 10AM-5PM in Port Orchard. Help us win this crucial special election! Register here!
    • Wednesday May 21 – Northwest Immigrants Rights Project is hosting informational webinars in Spanish and English. Spanish: 12PM-12:45PM. English: 12:45PM-1:30PM. Register here.
    • Every Friday – Refuse Fascism Fridays in Everett at the Social Security Administration Office from 5PM-6:30PM. Sign up here.
    • Every Saturday  – Say It Saturday at B.A. Clark Park in Spokane. 3PM-5PM. Sign up here.
    • Every Monday – Mikey Mondays in Spokane outside the office of U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner. Sign up here.
    • Every Wednesday – Musk or Us Protest in Redmond from 4PM-5PM. 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
    • Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates and actions that can benefit your communities:
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      • TikTok

Storybanking–Send Us Your Stories

We are working on more storybanking videos, but we need your help! Please send your stories about the impacts of Trump’s policies on your life and community. These stories put a human face on the policy implications of the lawless president and his enablers.

The best way to persuade people about the horrible impacts of Trump’s chaos is to share real stories from real people in their communities. Please consider sharing your own story of the direct impacts of Trump 2.0 on your life, by sending an email to press@wa-democrats.org that includes your name, contact information, which Washington community you reside in, the story you would like to share, and permission to share your story with the public. 

Our Communications team will be in touch within a few business days after you have reached out to help collect your story.

Republicans Behaving Badly

House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care,
AP
House Republicans want to cut taxes for the rich on the backs of low-income families that rely on assistance to have access to health insurance. Millions of Americans, including 780,000 Washingtonians could wake up one day soon without the life-saving health insurance they have relied on.

A crucial treaty is tangled in Trump’s feud with Canada,
The New York Times
Trump’s feud with our ALLIES to the North is putting the Pacific Northwest at risk of water and power shortages, as well as increased risks of flooding. Another example of how Trump’s chaos has hurt our region.

Brian Heywood tortures us with more ballot measures,
The Stranger
Banning transgender girls from playing sports, privatizing public education, and injecting culture wars into our schools will all be on the ballot this year if mega-millionaire hedge fund manager Brian Heywood has his way. This summer, make sure all your friends know not to sign any of the Let’s Go Washington initiatives petitions. We beat Let’s Go Washington 4-0 on their last slate of initiatives– let’s do it again!

Backstory: How Trump got a free “palace in the sky,”
Axios 
The breathtaking corruption of the Trump administration was on full display as Qatar offered a Boeing 747-8 to be used as the new Air Force One. Despite the unvarnished corruption it displays and the untold national security risks of the U.S. President traveling the world in a machine that has been under foreign control, Trump is all-set to accept this gift that directly violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution. Regardless of how voters feel about corruption, a thriving democracy cannot survive a lawless leader who is willing to enrich himself at every opportunity.

(Erin Davis/Axios Visuals)

Democrats in the News

Gov. Ferguson signs bill to further incentivize ADU construction in Washington state,
Nisqually Valley News

Legislative ballot battles shaping up for WA’s fall elections,
The Seattle Times

Democratic state treasurers rip GOP over budget bill – ‘taxing Barbies and G.I. Joes if you can even find them on store shelves,’
Fortune

New WA data shows where GOP health cuts would hurt the most,
The Seattle Times

What I’m Reading

The Organizer who ran the State House like a union hall,
The Stranger
Rep. Shaun Scott’s moving tribute to the life and legacy of Speaker Frank Chopp is a must-read for anyone interested in Washington politics. Former Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives Frank Chopp’s celebration of life and legacy will be held June 1 from 2 PM-5:30 PM at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue (11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue). Doors will open at 1 PM. Please register your attendance by May 26 here. Those who are unable to attend may watch the livestream at TVW.

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
DONATE MONTHLY

We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

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

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2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
Vaccination is described as safe, effective, and the best protection available against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, according to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). ... See MoreSee Less

Washington state releases new vaccine recommendations ahead of flu season

keprtv.com

The state of Washington announced its vaccine recommendations for the 2025-26 respiratory virus season.
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Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
If we're reading this correctly, Trump has just broken the law by advising the public to buy Lilly stock, which is a violation of the STOCK Act - short for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, the STOCK Act is a 2012 law that aims to prevent insider trading among members of Congress, government officials, and their staff.🚨INVESTMENT ALERT🚨Eli Lilly is set to build a $5,000,000,000 manufacturing plant in Virginia! ... See MoreSee Less

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Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
What’s different now is the looming threat of entire research programs being eliminated, not just reduced.www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/our-view-sept-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawM3oFVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHo... ... See MoreSee Less

We can’t afford to lose this much talent. PNNL layoffs put scientific progress at risk

www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com

The real risk of PNNL layoffs is brain drain on a national scale.
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Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
For the first time since 2021, there are more unemployed job-seekers than available openings. ... See MoreSee Less

Trump’s Economy Is Finally Here—and It’s Even Worse Than You Imagined

slate.trib.al

Layoffs are spreading and unemployment is rising—and one kind of worker is being hit the hardest.
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Benton County WA Democrats

2 weeks ago

Benton County WA Democrats
Some good news to report this morning, but we wish Rep. Dan Newhouse would step up and work with his WA state Dem colleagues to challenge the potential shut down of Hanford's VIT plant. ... See MoreSee Less

Representatives Newhouse and Schrier push for Washington conservation bill to aid farmers

www.nbcrightnow.com

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced a bipartisan bill to enhance conservation efforts in Washington state.
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Party Calendar

October 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 2, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
3
  • Indivisible Tricities - First Fridays Happy Hour

    Indivisible Tricities - First Fridays Happy Hour

    October 3, 2025  4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    Moonshot Brewing 8804 W. Victoria Ave Kennewick, WA

    We are going to start a social every first Friday of the month and BIG thanks to Moonshot Brewing who has agreed to let us meet there. Join us on Friday, Sept 5th, 4-6pm. Let’s come together and have some fun! Hope to see you there!

    See more details

•
4
5
6
7
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 7, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    October 7, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
8
9
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 9, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • MiniVan Training: Democrats University

    MiniVan Training: Democrats University

    October 9, 2025  5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JAmvKeUER7yEYZtEgU2dBQ#/registration

    Information you provide when registering will be shared with the account owner and host and can be used and shared by them in accordance with their Terms and Privacy Policy.

    See more details

• •
10
  • Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    October 10, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    For current location please visit https://www.facebook.com/TriCityDems/

    See more details

•
11
12
13
  • Benton County Executive Board

    Benton County Executive Board

    October 13, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

•
14
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 14, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Kennewick City Council Workshop

    Kennewick City Council Workshop

    October 14, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

    See more details

• •
15
16
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 16, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
17
18
  • NO KINGS Zillah Washington

    NO KINGS Zillah Washington

    October 18, 2025  10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    1st Avenue & Vintage Valley Parkway Zillah, WA 98953

    **In Zillah, we don’t put up with would-be kings. Come out and let your neighbors know they aren’t alone.

    Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

    The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.

    A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

    See more details

  • NO KINGS Tri-Cities WA

    NO KINGS Tri-Cities WA

    October 18, 2025  11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Columbia Center Blvd 1321 N Columbia Center Blvd Kennewick, WA 99336

    Keep your eye out for the perfect costume because this year’s HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser will take place on Saturday, October 25, at 6pm at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center. Costumes are encouraged at this Halloween Bash celebrating the amazing work that B5 does.

    Guests will hear an update from Executive Director Theresa Roosendaal, and hear two stories of B5 students who are thriving here in the Tri-Cities. There will be auctions, games, a costume contest, and an opportunity to win a two-year lease for a 2025 Cadillac CT4 generously donated by McCurley Cadillac! 

    You can purchase tickets at here or contact Larissa at 509-551-1643 or at larissa.knopp@thriveatb5.org.

    See more details

  • NO KINGS Walla Walla

    NO KINGS Walla Walla

    October 18, 2025  12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    Walla Walla County Superior 315 W Main St Walla Walla, WA 99362

    In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.

    Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

    The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.

    A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

    See more details

• • •
19
20
21
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 21, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    October 21, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
22
23
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 23, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • BCDCC General Public Meeting

    BCDCC General Public Meeting

    October 23, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

• •
24
25
  • HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser

    HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser

    October 25, 2025  6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Red Lion Hotel Pasco Airport & Conference Center 2525 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301

    Keep your eye out for the perfect costume because this year’s HAIRraisin’ FUNraiser will take place on Saturday, October 25, at 6pm at the Pasco Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center. Costumes are encouraged at this Halloween Bash celebrating the amazing work that B5 does.

    Guests will hear an update from Executive Director Theresa Roosendaal, and hear two stories of B5 students who are thriving here in the Tri-Cities. There will be auctions, games, a costume contest, and an opportunity to win a two-year lease for a 2025 Cadillac CT4 generously donated by McCurley Cadillac! 

    You can purchase tickets at here or contact Larissa at 509-551-1643 or at larissa.knopp@thriveatb5.org.

    See more details

•
26
27
28
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    October 28, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council Workshop

    Richland City Council Workshop

    October 28, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
29
30
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    October 30, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
31
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