MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It’s Friday, Washington Democrats!
Last week, I joined organizers from around the country (including our own Field Organizers from WA Dems) in Arizona for a multi-day organizing training with the DNC Organizing team. As the only DNC officer who lives in the American West, I was so proud to see the next generation of community organizers who will staff campaigns and help us win elections up and down the ballot. Not just this year, but every year. Some of these trainings were based on the playbook we helped spearhead here in Washington state in 2025 to great success!
Happy Jewish Heritage Month
This Jewish American Heritage Month, we’re celebrating generations of Jewish Americans who have shaped our communities, strengthened our democracy, and enriched our culture through advocacy, innovation, and resilience. From fighting for civil rights to building stronger communities here in WA and across the country, Jewish voices and traditions continue to make a lasting impact.
I joined North Dakota Democratic Party Chair Adam Goldwyn for a joint Jewish/AANHPI Heritage Month Video. You can watch it by clicking the image above or going here. Thank you, Chair Goldwyn, for being a stalwart leader in our Party!
This week, I was also in the other Washington to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month events. It was great catching up with the Washington state leaders who are also leaders of our AANHPI community at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Awards Gala. Washington’s own U.S. Representative from the 10th Congressional District, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, was recognized for her leadership, showing how our state punches above its weight.
Scheduling Note
Message from the Chair will be back on Friday, May 29. I hope you all have a restful and respectful Memorial Day Weekend!
Working for Washington
Filing Week is over and now the campaigns truly begin! I want to thank everyone who signed up to run for Precinct Committee Officer to empower our neighbors and turn out the vote in the August Primary and November General Election. Out of all the legislative elections, Democrats are fielding candidates in more than 90%! These candidates are running up and down the ballot to protect the progressive victories we’ve made and continue fighting for progress on making Washington more affordable and an even better place to live and raise a family. I hope you will join one of our canvasses, phone banks, or new volunteer trainings to help our candidates, identify new voters, and turn those voters into volunteers!
This year, the Washington State Supreme Court will have five(!!) seats on the ballot. The State Supreme Court will be tasked with determining the constitutionality of the Millionaire’s Tax and which corporations are allowed to merge, as well as take up other vital cases on land use, rights to privacy, and a host of impactful, vital issues. Here’s a good rundown of all the candidates. You can also reach out to your Local Party Organization leaders if you have specific questions for the campaigns!
I still have to pinch myself that the Millionaire’s Tax is Washington state law! Unfortunately, mega-millionaire hedge fund owner Brian Heywood and his political organization Let’s Go Washington are working overtime to put their repeal effort on this year’s ballot. Let’s be clear, the Millionaire’s Tax is overwhelmingly popular. It will ensure universal school breakfast and lunch, cut taxes for consumers and small businesses, and help plug the hole that Congressional Republicans blew in the state budget. Even our old foe Tim Eyman is telling conservatives this isn’t the year to launch a repeal effort. I urge everyone to decline to sign this new Let’s Go Washington effort – as well as to oppose ALL of the Let’s Go Washington initiatives that will be on the ballot this year, which seek to out LGBTQIA+ students in unsafe situations and to keep student athletes off the field.
In news that won’t shock any Washington Democrat, Trump said the quiet part out loud when he responded to a reporter’s question about Americans struggling as he wages a war of choice in Iran with, “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation, I don’t think about anybody.” Every methodologically sound poll has found that a majority of Americans oppose the Iran War. Too bad that Trump doesn’t and never has cared about the American people.
Democrats Fight Back
U.S. Representative Emily Randall is fighting for Washington’s transportation future. She’s introduced the bipartisan FERRIES Act (Federal Enhancement and Revitalization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways Act) to expand federal investment in ferries by modernizing aging maritime infrastructure, increasing ferry grant funding, supporting American shipyard jobs, and transitioning pilot programs targeting ferries to become permanent federal transportation law. Thank you, Congresswoman Randall, for fighting for reliable transportation throughout our entire state!
Attorney General Nick Brown is making the case that Washington needs more resources to combat monopolies and illegal mergers. While the federal government allows oligarchs to consolidate their power over the media, big pollution, and gut consumer protections, the states need to fill the gap to prevent consumers from getting ripped off. AG Brown’s steadfast defense of consumers is vital as our federal government allows any CEO who throws cash at Trump to do what they want.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Anytime – Sign up to receive ICE Mobilization Alerts for communities in Washington state. Sign up here.
- TOMORROW – Statewide Virtual Phonebank, 4PM-7PM. Register here.
- Tuesday, May 19 – How to Host a Canvass Training, Virtual, 6PM-7:30PM, Register here.
- Wednesday, May 20 – New Volunteer Info Session, Virtual, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Register here.
- Thursday, May 21 – Deep Canvass Training, Virtual, 6PM-7:30PM, Register here.
- Wednesday, May 27 – Democratic Municipal Officials’ Communications: On the Record Press Training, Virtual, 1PM-2PM. Register here.
- Saturday, July 11 – 2026 Democratic Municipal Official’s Candidate Camp, 8AM-1:30PM. Register 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
DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS
WA filing closes, U.S. House battleground and GOP test emerge,
The Seattle Times
Many states are making redistricting moves. Not so much in WA, yet,
KUOW
U.S. Forest Service needs reform but Trump is looking to burn it down,
The Seattle Times (editorial)
FBI Director spars with Senator who questions his conduct,
The New York Times
Here’s what you need to know about the new investments coming to the CID,
International Examiner
ICE’s new Northwest Detention Center contract lowers standards, accountability,
The Urbanist
WHAT I’M WATCHING
Senator Murray grills Kash Patel on tenure at FBI,
U.S. Senate
Senator Murray lit up Kash Patel, focusing on his vindictiveness and how his sycophantic actions at the FBI are impeding real justice. You can watch the whole exchange here.
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