WSDCC – September 26, 2025

Posted on September 26, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

Working for Washington

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell was interviewed on MSNBC’s Morning Joe this week, defending the freedom of the press and demanding that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr testify before the Commerce Committee about his threats to ABC, which seemingly led to Jimmy Kimmel’s show being pulled from the network. Senator Cantwell strongly defended Mr. Kimmel and has been shining a spotlight on the Trump administration’s corruption and mob-like tactics to silence critics. You can watch the whole interview by clicking here or the image above.

State Senator Deb Krishnadasan is running to retain her seat in LD 26 in this year’s November election. She was interviewed by KUOW recently, which described her race as a “barnburner.” Her interview covers her 4 bipartisan bills that were passed in her first six months in office and how she is defending our state from DOGE-style cuts to core services. The whole interview is worth a listen. Check it out here.

Democrats in the other Washington are holding firm on conditions to restore healthcare for millions of Americans ahead of a possible Trump-Republican government shutdown next month. Democrats are demanding that ACA subsidies get extensions and the cuts to Medicaid in the Republican Budget be restored – reforms that would stop massive increases in health insurance premiums and help 17 million Americans retain lifesaving care. Make no mistake, Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. They will own any shutdown. Click the image below or go here to listen to WA Dems’ Director of Communications, Stephen Reed, break it down. 

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs protected Washingtonians’ right to privacy this week, denying the Trump administration’s request for personal information contained in our voter rolls. Not only is SOS Hobbs upholding federal and state law, he took a strong stance to protect our right to privacy. Thank you, Secretary Hobbs!

This week, I was interviewed on Endless Urgency Substack Live by Mike Nellis. We had a great conversation and I really appreciate the analysis and strategy that Mike brings to the table. We discussed Kamala Harris’ new book, why the DNC should stay out of primaries, and what working in politics is like given the recent acts of public violence. Check out the whole interview here.

State Senator Mike Chapman (LD24) spoke with the WA Dems and laid out how the federal cuts to healthcare are going to have dire consequences for people in his district and around our state. Like Mike says, healthcare is not only a financial decision. It’s also a moral one. Stay tuned for more videos featuring Senator Chapman! To watch the video, click the image above or check it out here.

Call to Action

The 2025 General Election is less than two months away, and now is a great time to get involved!

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

  • Rally, Protest, and Gather
    • TODAY – Weekly Resistance Event in Wenatchee, 4:30PM-5:30PM at Memorial Park. Sign up here.
    • SATURDAY – Buckley Canvass for Pierce County Chair Review Board candidates at 9:30AM. Sign up here.
    • SATURDAY – Canvass for Senator Deb Krishnadasan in Gig Harbor at 10 AM! Sign up here and a campaign representative will follow up with more information.
    • SATURDAY – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt in Issaquah at 10AM. Sign up here.
    • SUNDAY – Maple Valley Canvass for Sen. Victoria Hunt at 1PM. Sign up here.
    • SUNDAY – Democracy Rally in Poulsbo. 11AM-1:30PM at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park. Sign up here.
    • EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY – Virtual Phone Bank for Sen. Victoria Hunt at 6PM. Sign up here.
    • MONDAY – Mikey Mondays in Spokane. 4:30PM-5:30PM outside Rep. Baumgartner’s office. Sign up here.
    • TUESDAY – Canvass for Senator Victoria Hunt w/ Natalie Anderson for School Board 4:30 PM. Sign up here.
    • WEDNESDAY – Bremerton Rally from 4PM-5:30PM. 15th Street and Warren. 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

There’s a word for all this: Authoritarianism,
The Seattle Times (Editorial)

Cantwell, advertisers pressure Seattle’s KOMO to air Jimmy Kimmel show,
The Seattle Times

Firefighter arrested at Bear Gulch blaze released from ICE detention,
The Seattle Times

Medicaid overhaul shifts tough choices to states,
Axios

Senator Murray remarks urging Senate to pass Democratic bill to prevent a Republican shutdown, protect Americans’ health care,
Press Release

Government shutdown looms as Senate Democrats reject House GOP bill, Republicans reject Patty Murray’s alternative, The Spokesman-Review

US lawmaker backs renegotiating global economic rules to reflect China’s rise,
AP

ICE threatens lawsuits if Democratic states don’t hold migrants,
CBS News

When it comes to voting, your signature matters,
Cascadia Daily News

Democrat Adelita Grijalva wins special election for southern Arizona congressional seat,
The Seattle Times 

WHAT I’M READING/WATCHING

Jimmy Kimmel is Back!,
Jimmy Kimmel Live 
If you live in Western Washington like I do, you have to go to YouTube to watch Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night. This is all because Trump’s FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, used his government power to threaten free speech, and Sinclair, which owns KOMO and other ABC affiliates (and has a significant conservative lean), refused to put his show back on the air. Thankfully, Senator Maria Cantwell and a surge of public support are holding Sinclair’s feet to the fire to return Jimmy to Western Washington airwaves. If YOU want to call Sinclair to urge them to restore Jimmy Kimmel Live, please call 410-568-1500. Please be polite, but firm, that Washington won’t stand for the suppression of free speech.

‘Politics of the End’ is a Seattle U class. It could be a study of last week’s news,
The Seattle Times
As a proud Seattle U alum, I felt chilled to read about the parallels between what’s occurring in our own country and ripe examples from history of the “swirling forces that can tip societies and governments over the edge into collapse.” There’s no denying that it’s a scary time for our country. But I am taking hope in the deep resolve of every Democrat I work with who is working to stop authoritarianism and protect our democracy.

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.

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