WSDCC Wrap-up August 12, 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

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Democrats, we have a big fight before us in the 3rd Congressional District.

Earlier this week, Joe Kent eclipsed incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beulter, putting him in second place behind our very own, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. As of Thursday afternoon, Marie had earned 31.02% of the total vote, while Kent received 22.78%, and Herrera Beutler 22.31%.

I’ll be blunt. There are few candidates more unfit for public office than Joe Kent, except Donald Trump, himself. Kent was actually endorsed by Trump. Why? Because he shares the same hateful beliefs as Trump — beliefs that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection, which Kent called a ‘phony riot.’ 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Kent is connected to a number of white nationalists, like Nick Fuentes, Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson, Oath Keeper and Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rodgers, and even had a Proud Boy on his payroll. And if that weren’t damning enough, he has repeatedly advocated for ‘white replacement,’ the conspiracy nonwhite immigrants are being brought into the U.S. to replace white people — part of why Kent wants to ban virtually all immigration, including refugee resettlement from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

The examples of Kent’s xenophobia and gross extremism are numerous. He is not only the antithesis of our Democratic values, but of American values. And we can’t allow him to win.

We know voters in the 3rd Congressional District won’t stand for a far-right radical, and have seen proof of that already. On Wednesday, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report shifted its rating for the 3rd toward Democrats because of Kent, moving from “Solid Republican” to “Lean Republican.”

This is our moment to flip the 3rd, which includes all of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties, plus a small part of Thurston County. 

That seat hasn’t been held by a Democratic woman since the 90s with former Rep. Jolene Unsoeld, who served from 1989 to 1995. We change that this year by electing Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

As a small business owner, Marie is intimately aware of the struggles working people face each day, because those are her same struggles. She owns an independent auto-repair shop with her husband Dean. Like so many families today, they struggle with finding quality affordable child care, so their son goes to the auto shop with them everyday. And as a mother, Marie knows the importance of being able to decide whether and when to grow one’s family.

Marie, who earned a degree in economics from Reed College, has centered her campaign around economic development, specifically championing the needs of working families, like providing accessible and sustainable options for health and child care, as well as lowering costs for everyday needs. In addition to owning the repair shop, she also serves as the executive director of the Stevenson Downtown Association, which is a part of the Main Street America coalition to bring economic vitality to all communities, and is an elected member of the Underwood Soil and Water Conservation District board. Marie even already has experience fighting for the issues we value most on the national level, serving as one of our members on the Democratic National Committee.

Marie is the voice Washingtonians need in Congress. And it’s our job to help get her across the finish line, but we need your help to do it! We learned all too well what happens when an extremist takes office with Trump, and can’t let his acolyte do so here — or any like him anywhere in Washington.

We also have the opportunity to flip further seats in southwest Washington in the state House, with the 17th and 18th legislative districts. In the 17th, Terri Niles (Position 1) and Joe Kear (Position 2) both finished in first, earning more than 43% of the vote for their respective race. While the 18th, John Zingale (Position 2) finished second with 47.13%, and Duncan Camacho first with 44.31%.

And of course, we must reelect our incredible incumbents, Reps. Sharon Wylie and Monica Jurado Stonier, in the 49th, so they can continue to pass policy that moves us forward. 

When we say every race, every place, we mean it. To build a better Washington for all, we must elect Democrats across the board statewide, and work to turn historically red areas bluer each cycle, even if by just one seat. It takes all of us to do that, and at the state party, we’re fired up and ready to go.

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

Kilmer’s RECOMPETE Act offers a lifeline for left-behind communities

The RECOMPETE Act proposed by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer helps economically strapped communities reassert themselves as great places to build livelihoods. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden 

ICYMI: Schrier to face Larkin for CD-8 House seat in November

U.S. Rep. Kim Shrier earned over 47% of the vote — securing more than any of her GOP challengers.

What do climate provisions in the U.S. Senate bill mean for Washington state?

The Senate bill, which is expected to gain approval from the House of Representatives later this week, helps define U.S. climate policy at a juncture in history when scientists say concerted global efforts are required to fend off the worst impacts of greenhouse gas pollution.

Find additional news items and more on our website and social media.

ICYMI: Some WA Rs vote against protecting contraceptive access, same-sex marriage
Late last week, Washington’s three Republican members of Congress voted against legislation intended to protect access to contraception nationwide, just two days after two of the three voted against a bill to protect same-sex marriage.
Washington congressional Republicans vote against protecting contraception access
The three Republican members of Washington’s congressional delegation joined 192 other Republicans in opposing the Right to Contraception Act, which allows individuals to obtain and use birth control, and protects a health care provider’s ability to supply contraceptives.

Find additional news and more on our website and social media!

STAFF CORNER

DIANE BEDWELL

How long have you worked for the state party, and what is your role here?

I first worked for the Coordinated Campaign as a Regional Field Director in 2014. I joined the state party as Coordinated Campaign Director in January of 2018 and have been leading our statewide campaign team ever since. 

Why are you a Democrat?

I am a Democrat and do this work because I believe that all of us should have the freedom to learn, love, vote, and decide what’s best for our own futures. I believe in looking forward, not backward, for the best ideas of what is possible for us. 

Why do you enjoy this work?

Democrats work for us and our families’ well-being and I get to work to elect Democratic leaders every single day! I also enjoy being on a team where our core value is compassion for one another and taking care of each other.

Want to join our team, or know of someone who’d make a great addition? 
Current openings:

Visit wa-democrats.org/jobs to learn more.

GET INVOLVED

For the week of Aug. 12-18:

Learn more of what’s happening in your neck of the woods and sign up for event alerts HERE. 

From now until November, we have to mobilize every Democratic voter in Washington state — and we need your help to accomplish that. Join our incredible team of volunteers!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

DNC BEST PRACTICES INSTITUTE

Youth Vote Training Series
The DNC Coalitions Team launched a youth virtual training series to prepare organizers and activists with the skills and resources to organize their community ahead of the midterm! 
Youth Vote Trainings are hosted Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m., and dive into the building blocks of organizing and youth contact strategies. It is for teens, college students, and folks 35 and younger.

Upcoming training Sessions:
Wednesday, August 17: Campus Training
Wednesday, August 24: Beyond the Campus Training
CONNECTIONS LAB
Framing in Action: Common Framing Mistakes | 5 p.m. Aug. 17
Learn the things not to say, as well as ways of pivoting, so voters hear what you really want to say. 

Register to attend for free HERE.

Keep in touch, stay engaged, and as always, thank you for all you do!

With gratitude,

Washington State Democratic Party
Donate

The work we do today wins elections this November. If you’re ready to elect Democrats in every race and every place in Washington state, invest in our efforts and make a contribution now. 


Want to support our work year round? Join Blue Washington, our monthly giving program! It is the most effective way to help candidates, volunteers, organizers, activists, and staff because it gives us the certainty we need to scale up our program with confidence. Your monthly investment ensures we can defend our strong legislative majorities, flip key congressional seats from red to blue, and fight for progressive values. Help us lead the way to victories at all levels of government today!

The work we do today wins elections in November. If you’re ready to elect Democrats in every race and every place in Washington state, invest in our efforts and make a contribution now. Consider supporting our work year round by joining our monthly giving program, Blue Washington!

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