WSDCC – October 17, 2025

Posted on October 17, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It’s Friday, Washington Democrats. Go Mariners!

We have fully entered the spooky season and nothing is scarier than the prospect of Republicans grabbing a state senate seat. Chad Magendanz (a former State Rep.) and Michelle Caldier (a current State Rep.) are both running against our great Democrats in LD 5 and LD 26. We need your help to keep these crucial seats blue in this year’s election. No matter where in the state you live, there’s a way to help! So please join us in volunteering for Sen. Victoria Hunt and Sen. Deb Krishnadasan!

The key national elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and California are also coming down to the wire. Find ways to volunteer for any of these great campaigns here.

If you want more information beyond our weekly Message from the Chair – sign up for our Topline Talkers email here. Topline Talkers appear less regularly, but go into more depth on a single issue as they arise. Sign up here.

Washington Democrats Fight Back
Tomorrow is the second nationwide No Kings rally – Washington is hosting more than 100 different locations, so all of us have at least one within driving distance. We need everyone, and I mean everyone, going out and making their voices heard that America has no king – no matter what Donald Trump and his oligarchs think. Find an event near you here.

Polluters did everything they could from filing lawsuits to launching multi-million dollar initiative efforts to overturn Washington’s landmark climate bill establishing a carbon market to cap and invest in climate resilience and clean energy. And at every turn, we prevailed! This week, the U.S. Supreme Court turned polluters away, protecting our carbon market! Our bill now provides an easy-to-copy, constitutionally sound climate pollution reduction model that every state in the nation can follow. Gov. Bob Ferguson and AG Nick Brown beat the top lawyers and top law firms in the country to protect our climate future!

Last week, WA Democrats hosted a press conference led by U.S. Representatives Adam Smith, Pramila Jayapal, and Marilyn Strickland. Our Democratic Congressional delegation is holding the line against devastating health care cuts that will double premiums and lead to millions losing their health insurance. Their leadership is truly inspiring especially in contrast with Republicans in Congress who refuse to negotiate, despite these cuts most directly impacting their rural districts. Let’s be clear: Republicans control every branch of the federal government – this is their government shutdown. And the longer it drags on, the more they are hurting Americans in every corner of the country.

Working for Washington
Our tremendous AG Nick Brown has proposed legislation to protect Washington workers from Trump’s draconian immigration crackdown. The Immigrant Worker Protection Act would require employers to notify their workers of any planned immigration inspections within 72 hours of being notified by ICE. This is a common sense worker protection that gives Washingtonians a chance to get their paperwork in order, communicate with family, and consult legal advocates. This is real Democratic leadership protecting the rights of workers.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray knows that every state – red or blue – will feel the pain from Trump and Congressional Republicans’ healthcare cuts. That’s why she traveled to Idaho to take the healthcare fight to red states. Idaho has the earliest open enrollment for healthcare in the country and approximately 100,000 Idahoans will see their premiums go up by an average of almost $1,000. If Republicans won’t be honest with their constituents about the pain headed their way, it will be up to Democrats like our great Senator Patty Murray to make sure they know why they are about to spend $1,000 more for the same care they already have.

Last weekend, I traveled to beautiful Wenatchee, celebrating the incredible work of Chelan & Douglas Democrats in our Northern Central Counties. From protecting healthcare and food assistance to standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, we are showing the nation how real leadership fights for the people. Now, with less than a month until Election Day, it’s time to knock on doors, make calls, and turn out voters. Together, let’s win, build our Democratic bench, and keep leading the way!

Call to Action
It’s officially here! This Knocktober we need everyone, and I mean everyone, to get out and push our great Democratic candidates over the finish line. We have important legislative district races in Washington that we simply must not lose and nationally the biggest races in the country are for Virginia and New Jersey Governor as well as Prop 50 in California that will counteract Trump’s Texas Takeover.

Washington 
Join State Senator Deb Krishnadasan in LD 26 (Kitsap and Pierce) to knock doors and make phone calls. The primary was very close (she won it by just over 1,000 votes). We need to grow that margin and we only have weeks left to do it! Find an event to help our Sen. Krishnadasan here.

State Senator Victoria Hunt in LD 5 (Issaquah to Enumclaw) represents a vitally important district in East King County. We can’t let the WAGOP rebuild their bench in King County. Find a canvass or phone bank to retain our Sen. Hunt here.

National

Recent polling is showing a tightening race in New Jersey for Governor. We MUST retain this seat for Democrats to stifle anymore GOP attempts to steal seats through gerrymandering. Help make calls for Mikie Sherrill’s campaign by signing up to volunteer here.

Virginia is a key battleground state and we have a chance to flip the Governor’s Office from red to blue this November. Abigail Spanberger needs our help. Make calls for this crucial race by signing up to volunteer here.

The biggest race on the West Coast will be Prop 50 to allow Democrats there to counter Trump’s Texas Takeover that stole seats from Democrats. This one is a team effort and there are lots of opportunities to help out. Find a phonebank event here.

If you haven’t already – please sign up as a WA Dems volunteer here! 

  • Rally, Protest, and Gather
    • SATURDAY, 10/18 – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan w/ WEA, Conservation Action, and Fairvote in Gig Harbor at 10 AM. Sign up here.
    • SATURDAY, 10/18 – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt with Pro-Choice Washington in Issaquah at 10 AM. Sign up here.
    • SATURDAY, 10/18 – Join Indivisible’s nationwide No Kings Protest. Find a local event here.
    • SUNDAY, 10/19 – Join Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for a virtual Resistance Lab training on Immigration Justice from 11AM to 1 PM. Sign up to join virtually here, or sign up to attend Common Power’s Seattle watch party of the training here.
    • SUNDAY, 10/19 – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt in Maple Valley at 1 PM. Sign up here. 
    • SUNDAY, 10/19 – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan w/ the Washington State Labor Council in Bremerton at 11 AM. Sign up here. 
    • SUNDAY, 10/19 – Join the LD 5 Dems for an Enumclaw Day of Outreach at 1 PM at MacFarland Park. Sign up here.
    • THURSDAY, 10/23 – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan in Port Orchard at 5 PM at Clayton Playground. Sign up here.
  • 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

Democrats say they won’t be intimidated by Trump’s threats as the shutdown enters a third week,
The Seattle Times

Eastside council member and candidate receive hateful mail, speak out,
The Seattle Times

Candidates for WA’s 5th Legislative District discuss parental rights, taxes, bipartisanship, 
KUOW

WA sues EPA over canceled $7 billion solar program, 
The Seattle Times

Trump targets Democratic districts by halting billions during shutdown, The New York Times

Health official warns thousands across Washington could lose health care if tax credit not extended,
The Spokesman-Review

Risch, Simpson defend plan to train Qatari forces at Air Force base in Idaho after it draws backlash from both left and right,
The Spokesman-Review

Two state Congressional figures in tiff, 
The Goldendale Sentinel

WHAT I’M WATCHING

As of press time, we don’t know if the Seattle Mariners are onto their first World Series or not, but what a start to the ALCS and what a dream this season has been. First in the western division, taking down the Detroit Tigers in a marathon 15-inning do-or-die game, fighting for the American League Championship for the first time since the historic 2001 season, Cal Raleigh making a serious case for MLB MVP, the list goes on and on. Now there’s just one thing left to do: get to the World Series! October is for baseball (and elections). Go M’s!

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.

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We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

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