MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Hello Democrats and happy Friday!
First of all – I’d like to take a moment to wish everyone a happy Black History Month! This month and every month let’s take time to celebrate all the contributions, achievements, and the rich history of Washington’s Black community and the indelible impact they have made on our state.
I want to give special shoutouts to our terrific black leaders here in WA including Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland – the first African American to represent WA State in the U.S. House, Rep. David Hackney, Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Sen. T’wina Nobles, the first black woman to serve in the WA Senate in over a decade, and so many more!
In addition – I want to share gratitude and appreciation for our WSDCC Black Caucus and all the great work they do to build a stronger, more unified Party! If you’d like to get involved, please reach out to their terrific Chair, Satin-Deseree Arnett via satindeseree@gmail.com.
Please join me in thanking our black leaders in WA State and nationwide. Let’s honor the work of so many who came before us by recommitting ourselves to uplifting Black voices, promoting equality and justice for all, and combating injustice wherever it exists!
I also want to wish all who celebrate a happy Lunar New Year! We’re excited to work hard in the coming year to earn victories for terrific candidates and build an even more Democratic Washington.
A few members of our staff were lucky enough to attend last Monday’s Lunar New Year celebration at the Governor’s residence, and we wanted to share some pictures from the big day!
While we still have a long way to go, I hope you’ll join me in feeling great pride about the powerful and diverse coalition we have built as a Party here in Washington State. Democrats know that we are at our strongest and our best when we stand together and fight for everyone.
While the GOP remains content to sow division and be the Party of the few, we Democrats are proud to stand tall, strong, and together as the Party of the many, and we will work hard every single day to build a better, more inclusive, equitable future for all.
Electoral Updates
First of all – please join me in congratulating President Biden on earning commanding victories in the South Carolina and Nevada Primaries! We’re thrilled to be picking up momentum in advance of this fall’s presidential election and we are proud to know that Democrats everywhere in the US are ready, willing, and able to fight back against the looming threat of a Trump candidacy.
Closer to home, we received some very interesting news yesterday: GOP Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers will not be running for re-election in CD 5. This opens up a massive opportunity for Democrats to make a run at this newly open seat. It might be easy to forget, but Democrats once held this district and we’re going to fight with everything we’ve got to take it back this year!
This is our best opportunity in decades to flip an Eastern Washington Congressional District blue and we’re excited to work with all of you to make this vision a reality! Please stay tuned for further updates on our plans for CD 5!
Save the Date! Grassroots Happy Hour on 2/15 in Olympia!
We’re less than a week out from our grassroots happy hour in Olympia next Thursday and we hope you will be able to make it!
Please join us at Octapas Cafe in Olympia on Thursday, February 15th for a special happy hour with Democratic legislators, Democratic Party leaders, and top Party partners, to discuss the exciting legislative session and all our hard work to support Democrats in 2024!
We’re also incredibly thankful to Lt. Governor Denny Heck for sponsoring this event and making it possible for us to gather as a party. Next time you see him or his staff, please thank him for us for his commitment to civil discourse and engagement with the legislative process.
You can RSVP online here – and please direct all question and sponsorship inquiries to joebarden@wa-democrats.org.
We hope you can make it!
Democrats in the News
Democrats: Abortion rights still motivating voters two years after Dobbs
House Democrats are making the case that when voters go to the ballot box, they will continue to vote on abortion rights, even if other issues are more the flavor of the moment.
The president’s win could further help energize Democrats ahead of November, especially in battleground Western states such as Nevada.
What bills are dead, alive after WA Legislature’s first cutoff
Though future deadlines will make the policy horizon even clearer, the first cutoff is a milestone in the legislative session.
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Keep in touch, stay engaged, and as always, thank you for all you do!
With gratitude,
Chair Shasti Conrad Washington State Democratic Party
The work we do today wins elections tomorrow. 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.
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Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States
