WSDCC Wrap-up August 19, 2022

Posted on August 19, 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Democrats have delivered — and then some.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, reducing costs for working families, and marking the greatest investment to fight climate change in U.S. history.

Our Democrats in Congress were instrumental in the creation and passage of the now-law, which:

  • Lowers prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and capping out-of-pocket costs for seniors to $2,000.
  • Lowers energy costs by hundreds of dollars on average for many families, increases cleaner energy production, and reduces carbon emissions by roughly 40% in less than 10 years.
  • Locks in lower health insurance costs by $800 on average for 13 million Americans who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges.
  • Fights inflation by reducing the deficit.
  • Makes the tax code fairer by cracking down on the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, so they pay what they owe in taxes.
  • Doesn’t raise taxes on families making $400K or less, and no new taxes on small businesses.

Washington state is already a leader in the fight to combat climate change, thanks to Democrats. And now, we’ll be able to expand those efforts here and nationwide, while also investing in our working families and seniors by lowering everyday costs — from prescriptions to home energy — and creating good-paying jobs. 

In 2021, there were already 76,905 Washington workers employed in clean energy jobs. The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities, bringing an estimated $5.3 billion of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Washington between now and 2030. It also will direct billions in funding toward rural, urban, and Tribal communities, which already experience the extreme effects of climate change, like increased flooding and wildfires.

Last week, Biden also signed into law two other historic pieces of legislation — also passed thanks to support from our Democrats in Congress.

  • CHIPS and Science Act: Strengthens American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, and invests in research and development, science and technology, and the workforce of the future to keep the U.S.  the leader in the industries of tomorrow, including nanotechnology, clean energy, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. 
  • PACT Act: Delivers more timely benefits and services to more than 5 million U.S. veterans — across all generations — who may have been impacted by toxic exposures while serving.

Democrats continue to make real change, and Washingtonians know it; we saw that in the primary. While Republicans — including Reps. Jaime Herrerra Beutler, Dan Newhouse, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers — continue to put special interest groups and wealthy corporations before people. 

This is why it is so critical we not only protect our Democratic majority in Congress, but expand it, so we can keep moving our state and nation forward. With one or two more votes, we could finally codify some of our most critical freedoms into federal law, like access to abortion and marriage equality. We have the opportunity to flip additional seats this year, and 81 days to make it happen. Let’s get to it, so our Democrats can keep delivering on behalf of all of us.

WORKING FOR WASHINGTON

While many of us are hard at work knocking doors, making calls and sending texts ahead of the general election, the Washington State Democrats Advocacy Committee is starting its annual work to determine our legislative priorities for the 2023 session.

This is the exciting next step in turning your hard work to elect Democrats into meaningful action for Washington state. The Advocacy Committee wants YOUR input on what lawmakers should prioritize. Please take this short survey about what issues are important to you as an activist to help the committee craft our party’s priorities in the 2023 session.

We’re so excited to see what great, progressive policy the next session will bring!

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

A new, powerful signal that Dems’ midterm hopes aren’t lost

Primary results in Washington state track with general election results — and Democrats did much better in 2022 than 2010 or 2014, though not as well as 2018.

GOP cheered abortion ruling. Democrats responded by voting.

A swell of electoral support for Democrats pushed turnout higher in the primary. 

Secretary of State primary election results: Democratic incumbent Hobbs trounces field

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs won in overwhelming fashion over a primary field of seven challengers, grabbing 41% of the vote as he seeks voter approval to serve out the remainder of the term he was appointed to last year.

ICYMI: Gluesenkamp Perez to face Trump-endorsed Kent for 3rd Congressional Seat

New vote counts pushed Kent into second place early last week, prompting GOP incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to concede, as the gap continued to grow. Gluesenkamp Perez finished with just over 31% of the vote. Kent earned nearly 23%, and Herrera Beutler about 22%.

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

STAFF CORNER

Our field team continues to grow, as we work to expand our organizing efforts ahead of the general, turning our primary results into a reality in November. This week, we welcomed Robby Jokinen, Alexander Erickson, Eddie Verosky, and Bruce Glor. Alexander, Eddie, and Bruce, are field organizers, while Robby is a deputy field organizer. Each plays an integral role in our GOTV operation for the midterm, and will help mobilize communities throughout Washington state. We’re so excited to have them on our staff!

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. 20-26:

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.
Final training session:
Wednesday, August 24: Beyond the Campus Training

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