Benton County Democrats

Standing up for the people of Benton County, WA

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WSDCC – May 23, 2025

Posted on May 23, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

Chair Conrad addresses Thurston County Democrats at the Blue Gala

Washington Democrats’ Statement on President Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis
Washington Democrats wish President Biden a speedy and successful recovery as he battles prostate cancer. Our love and support go out to Joe and Jill who challenged all of us to work towards a future that dramatically reduces cancer deaths in this country. Our Party will continue to prioritize funding the life saving research and treatments required to meet that vision.

If you’re looking to help that vision, we recommend donating $25 to cancer research at Washington’s own Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Updates from the Last Week
Thank you to the Thurston County Democrats for hosting their Blue Gala last weekend. It was an honor to share the stage with Governor Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Heck, Commissioner of Public Lands Upthegrove, and Superintendent Reykdal. I want to thank Thurston County Chair Kait Toompas and her amazing team who built a sold out event. The energy in the room was stellar and demonstrated how Democrats are working in every community to improve the lives of our neighbors.

Governor Bob Ferguson addresses Thurston County Democrats

This week, Governor Ferguson signed the budget, preserving essential services and pay for our state workers. This year’s budget faced headwinds from rising inflation and Trump’s self-inflicted tariff-related economic chaos, but Governor Ferguson and legislative Democrats ensured that we upheld our values and maintained essential core services for the Washingtonians who need them most. This budget boosted education spending by $1 billion and approved the Tesla tax to ensure fairness in Washington’s EV market.

Democrats Fighting Back
The Democratic National Committee, where I serve as Associate Chair, has already had its largest-ever organizing program in a non-election year. We are not even halfway through this year and more than 16,000 grassroots supporters across the country, in all 50 states, have taken action. Whether they attended a training, directly reached out to their Republican congressmembers, or engaged their communities online or offline, we are seeing a surge of resistance to the cruel and inhumane Republican policies being pushed at the national level. 

In Wisconsin, Democrats made 2 million calls in the lead up to the spring elections, GOTV efforts in Omaha, Nebraska helped flip that Mayor’s Office to the Democrats after 12 years of Republican rule, and more than 100 town halls (including ours in Yakima and Spokane) across the country have shown what real representation looks like for red districts. 

Congresswoman Dr. Kim Schrier is fighting tooth and nail to protect Apple Health and other Medicaid programs from disastrous cuts that will cost lives and close health clinics. Valley Medical Center is closing five clinics, including an urgent care center in Renton. 

Dr. Schrier said:

“The reality is you just don’t get that kind of savings without kicking a lot of people off [Medicaid]. Those patients are still going to get sick. They’re actually going to get sicker, they’re not going to be able to go to their primary care physician, and instead they’re going to go to the emergency room. And then the wait in the emergency room gets longer. And because they can’t pay for that care, the hospital is going to have to eat it.” 

This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell helped secure the release of a Washingtonian U.S. Air Force veteran wrongfully detained in Venezuela for nearly half a year. We celebrate his return and everyone who fought to bring him home. Senator Cantwell also joined 26 of her colleagues to formally condemn Trump’s plans to accept a $400 million 747 jet from Qatar and called out the unnecessary delay of $48 million in funding to Spokane’s American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center.

State Rep. Clyde Shavers’ bill to expand veteran services was signed into law by Governor Ferguson this week. House Bill 1102 marks the most significant expansion of the state’s Veterans Services Officer Program since it was created in 2019. These officers are responsible for ensuring veterans receive improved access to critical benefits and services. This legislation will take effect on July 27.

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.

Storybanking–Send Us Your Stories

Last week, Washington Democrats went down to Olympia to film our Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove. You can follow along on the road trip through our saved Instagram Live videos. We look forward to sharing all of those videos with you soon! Today, we are proud to feature a special message from Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove explaining some of the critical programs he oversees. Click the picture above or watch his story here. If you want to learn more about protecting your home and community from wildfire using the program Commissioner Upthegrove mentions in the video, check it out here: https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/.

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.

Call to Action

  • Help Our Neighbors in Kentucky and Missouri – Washington Democrats mourn the lives lost in Kentucky and Missouri from the recent deadly tornadoes. We urge everyone in a position to help our neighbors in these states to consider supporting the following organizations which are helping survivors on the ground.
    • Team Kentucky
    • Red Cross
    • City of St. Louis Tornado Response Fund
    • Gateway180 – Missouri’s largest emergency family shelter set up this Amazon Wishlist to provide essentials for families.
    • Center for Animal Rescue & Enrichment of St. Louis 
  • Support Rep. Jayapal’s College for All Act – Rep. Jayapal and Sen. Sanders are introducing their College for All Act this week and are asking for help to build support.
    • Download this letter for your U.S. Representative, sign it and send it via email to their staff. Follow up with a phone call to their Capitol Hill office through the switchboard at 202-224-3121.
    • Download this letter for your U.S. Senators, sign it and send it via email to their staff. Follow up with a phone call to their Capitol Hill office (phone numbers available here).
  • 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.
    • Have a conversation with your network about the impacts of the GOP’s budget bill – House Republicans have taken to holding votes in the middle of the night to avoid scrutiny of the disastrous impacts of their budget bill. Make sure people know what’s at stake!
      • According the CBO, Republicans’ reconciliation package will cut health case spending by $715 billion over ten years.
      • The GOP bill will result in nearly 14 million Americans going uninsured.
      • Hospitals will close, seniors will not be able to get the care they need, and premiums will skyrocket for middle-income families. 
    • 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
    • TONIGHT – Friday, May 23 SAVING MEDICAID Zoom with Washington Disability Advocates. 4PM-5:15PM. Register here.
    • Saturday, June 14 – NO KINGS Seattle Mass Protect from NOON-3PM. Location TBA. Sign up 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 Tuesday – Tesla Tuesday in Liberty Lake from 4:30PM-5:30PM. 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:
      • Facebook
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      • Threads
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      • TikTok

Republicans Behaving Badly

The argument’s over: Americans pay for tariffs,
Axios
Even the Trump administration has finally conceded what everyone else already knew, tariffs are nothing more than a sales tax on every overseas item sold in American stores. According to the Yale Budget Lab, Trump’s global tariffs are expected to cost the average American household more than $2,300 a year. It’s a tax increase that all of us are paying and which could have been totally avoided.

Low prices and Trump’s trade war are pushing these Northwest farmers to the brink,
KUOW
Northwest states yield more wheat than the U.S. could ever consume, which is why farmers here need access to overseas markets for their crops. Trump’s trade wars are having an instant impact as farmers delay purchases of new equipment which is increasing in costs while the price of wheat remains stubbornly low. According to one farmer, stopping or slowing exports “would equate to a generation of pain.” 

Staff cuts forced this forecast office to shut overnight. Then a tornado hit.,
The Seattle Times
The deadly storms that killed people in Kentucky and Missouri were the only reason the National Weather Service office in Jackson, Kentucky did not go dark. Trump and DOGE have unleashed devastating personnel cuts across the country, making our communities less safe in the face of deadly weather events.

Democrats in the News

How Washington state won parking reform,
Sightline Institute

Governor signs Washington’s first-in-the-nation shared streets law,
The Urbanist

Washington will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers,
Washington State Standard

Washington’s AG calls 10-year ban on US states regulating AI ‘dangerous,’ 
KIRO7

Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law,
Washington State Standard

What I’m Reading

Democrats say Republicans’ reconciliation negotiations are a messaging goldmine,
NOTUS
This is a great article explaining how House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is using the Republican’s cruel budget plans to make the case for electing more Democrats nationwide. As the GOP debates just how many millions of Americans to strip healthcare from in order to pay for tax deductions of mega-millionaires, we are going to make sure every American knows that we will fight for them and not millionaires and billionaires.

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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2 weeks ago

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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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2 weeks ago

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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

•
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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

•
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12
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  • 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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