WSDCC – October 3, 2025

Posted on October 3, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

This week, Trump and his Republican enablers in Congress refused to negotiate in good faith with Democrats, who are seeking to preserve healthcare for 22 million Americans. Because of their unwillingness to come to the table, it is the Republicans who shut down the federal government. As of press time, the federal government remains shut down and up to 750,000 federal employees, including 80,000 Washingtonians, are furloughed and missing their hard earned paychecks.

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
Republicans control every branch of government. They own this federal government shutdown. Congressional Democrats, including our powerhouse U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, refused to let health care costs skyrocket for 22 million Americans while Republicans refused to negotiate in good faith. Republicans then skipped town while Democrats showed up, ready to negotiate and end the chaos.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray is asking all of us to spread the word that Republicans shut down the government because they want Americans to pay TWICE as much for their health care next year. Click the image above or go here for her full message.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell released a report showing the dire stakes for Americans who rely on affordable health care. In just weeks, the 2026 open enrollment period will begin for Americans who purchase health insurance exchange plans. “Without urgent Congressional action, millions of Americans in almost every state will pay hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars more just to keep their current health insurance plans.” For 2025, Washington’s insurance rates for our state’s top exchange insurer climbed 9.28%. In 2026, they are poised to climb 26.9%.

Governor Ferguson called on Trump to, “[…] stop playing games with services the people of Washington pay for and rely on, as well as the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of government workers.” You can read his full statement here.

U.S. Representative Adam Smith has created a Government Shutdown 101 resource to help Washingtonians understand what the impacts of this shutdown will be on their personal lives and finances. Washingtonians can also sign up for the latest updates on the shutdown as new developments arise. This is an invaluable resource as Washingtonians grapple with what this shutdown will look like day-to-day. Click the image above or go here.

U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, who also chairs the DCCC, spoke with NOTUS yesterday. Her interview covered why Democrats are remaining in D.C. to contrast with Republicans’ abdication of their duty and how she’s urging Democratic candidates to actively discuss the impacts of the shutdown in their districts.

On the public health front, U.S. Representative Dr. Kim Schrier is pushing for answers on the Trump admin’s wild Tylenol claims. Dr. Schrier is fighting for verifiable science, not RFK Jr.’s vibes to lead our public health policies. 

To protect first responders from ICE’s dangerous overreach, U.S. Representative Emily Randall introduced legislation that would ban immigration enforcement operations within active disaster zones. She is fighting for community safety while the Trump admin seeks to erode civil liberties at every turn.

Working for Washington

(Chair Conrad meets with State Committee Members in Vancouver, WA)

Last weekend, Washington Democrats hosted our quarterly State Committee Meeting, bringing together elected State Committee Members from across the state to discuss our platform priorities, processes, and procedures. It was a great weekend spent with amazing volunteers who make up the backbone of our party.

It was great to join together with my fellow members to make it easier to create caucuses so we are including every voice in our party and to share the hard work Washington Democrats have been up to all year long.

I also had the opportunity to appear on Tom Lobianco Reports, sharing the strategies that national Democrats are undertaking to win back power at the national level. I want to thank Tom for the great questions and for lifting up voices that are focused on solutions. You can watch the full interview by clicking the image above or going here.

Last week, I appeared on Endless Urgency Substack Live. This week, Mike Nellis has some terrific advice for Democrats everywhere – we need narrative dominance on the federal government shutdown. Use your social networks, create your own content, share the content that resonates with you. Actively ask your friends and family to watch it with you. We need everyone to ensure we beat Republicans and win real progress for the millions who are at risk of losing their health care.

WA Dems Director of Communications, Stephen Reed responded to the government shutdown on our social media channels. Watch the video by clicking the image above or going here.

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 Eastern 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 Proposition 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 – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan in Port Orchard at 10 AM! Sign up here and a campaign representative will follow up with more information.
    • SATURDAY – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt in Sammamish at 2 PM with Sammamish City Council candidate Lin Yang! Sign up here.
    • SATURDAY – Canvass for Pierce County Charter Review Commission candidates in Tehaleh at 9:30 AM! Sign up here.
    • SUNDAY – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt in Maple Valley at 1 PM with Tahoma School Board candidate Elizabeth Karkoski-Gardner! Sign up here.
    • EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY – Virtual Phone Bank for Sen. Victoria Hunt at 6PM. Sign up here.
    • THURSDAY – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan in Port Orchard at 5 PM! Sign up here and a campaign representative will follow up with more information.
    • NEXT WEEK – Join Senator Deb Krishnadasan’s phone bank kickoff at 1 PM on Sunday, October 12th. 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

What government shutdown means for Washington state,
King5

Government shutdown looms: What this means for Washington,
Fox13

Gov. Ferguson creates new ‘sub-cabinet’ to protect WA immigrant rights, 
The Seattle Times

Southwest Washington businesses share tariff concerns with Sen. Murray,
The Reflector

Portland troop deployment by Trump draws response from Seattle leaders,
The Seattle Times

Gender-affirming care for WA youth is dwindling amid federal pressure, 
The Seattle Times

Where tariffs are hiding, and how to tell if you’re paying one,
Axios

Taxes and spending are top priorities for candidates in Washington’s 26th Legislative District,
KUOW

WHAT I’M READING/WATCHING

‘The most epic political victory our country has ever seen’ is nothing of the kind,
The New York Times (Opinion)
Jamelle Bouie recontextualizes last year’s election results as the result of coalitional forces interacting with global trends rather than an affirmation of MAGA. I appreciate the parallels he draws between how President Lincoln’s core principles helped lead our country out of slavery by being clear and consistent in the values he held.

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