WSDCC Wrap-up September 16, 2022

Posted on September 16, 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

It seems MAGA Republicans could only hide their extreme, anti-abortion agenda from voters for so long. This week, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, introduced a nationwide abortion ban — just months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating our constitutional freedom to decide if and when to grow our families and upending 50 years of precedent. 

The sole reason there hasn’t been a vote on the legislation is because Democrats hold both the House and Senate. If that changes, they will waste no time making this nightmare a reality. Graham’s proposal is so extreme it would effectively outlaw abortion in all 50 states and criminalize doctors who perform it. And let me be clear: if passed, it would override existing protections here in Washington state. We CANNOT allow that to happen, and our best way to fight is the ballot box.

The 8th Congressional District remains one of the most competitive in the nation, and could determine whether Democrats retain or lose control of the House. While Congresswoman Kim Schrier secured more votes than her MAGA Republican challengers in the Aug. 2 primary, the district is still a toss up, with 49.6% of the vote going to Democrats and 49.2% to the GOP. 

Did you know Dr. Schrier is the ONLY pro-choice female doctor in all of Congress? While her opponent, Matt Larkin, has been praised for being “unashamedly pro-life” by the far-right Family Policy Institute of Washington, which supports banning abortion entirely and has compared it to slavery as a “grotesque evil that took too long to extinguish.”

Larkin, who proudly described himself as the only “pro-life” candidate in the GOP primary, celebrated the fall of Roe, and has already voiced support for a nationwide abortion ban even in specific instances, saying, “I don’t believe in the exceptions … for rape or incest or things like that.” 

MAGA Republicans know Larkin shares their cruel, anti-abortion agenda, which is why Kevin McCarthy’s super PAC has promised to spend $4.5 million attacking Schrier, and those ads have already started to air on TV. The 8th is one of two districts in the ENTIRE country where the Congressional Leadership Fund went up earlier than they initially announced, starting Aug. 24 and running through election day. And now on top of this, the National Republican Congressional Committee just recently announced a $2.3 million ad buy in the district as well.

It’s clear the GOP is targeting Schrier, as the Republican National Committee has already opened an office right in Issaquah. They see this seat as one of the keys to winning back control of the House. 

But we know voters in the 8th want real results and a real leader, not an extremist like Larkin. It’s why they elected Schrier in 2018 and again in 2020, and it’s why they’ll do it in 2022 too. This is now Roe-vember, and we must ensure all voters remember that when it comes time to cast their ballot.

We have 53 days until election day, and must do everything we can in that time to get pro-choice champions like Dr. Schrier across the finish line come November, ensuring abortion access remains accessible, funded, and recognized in Washington state for anyone in need.

WORKING FOR WASHINGTON

Democrats, this time is critical. Nov. 8 is around the corner, with ballots set to start arriving in mailboxes in just 35 DAYS. We must take advantage of every opportunity in the coming days to reach as many Democratic voters as we can ahead of the general election, and need your help!

Join us Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, for a statewide Weekend of Action, with dozens of events across the state! We have canvasses planned in Mill Creek, Redmond, Oak Harbor, Lynnwood, Anacortes, Yakima, Walla Walla, Spokane, Chimacum, Seattle, Burien, Lakewood, Lake Stevens, Kirkland, Snohomish, Edmonds, Kennewick, Wenatchee, Renton, Puyallup, Lacey, Issaquah, Bellevue, Gig Harbor, Vancouver, Bellingham, Arlington, Longview, Bremerton, and Auburn. At each event, you have the chance to meet some of our incredible candidates and elected officials, and best of all, they get to meet YOU — the engine of the Democratic party. 

We also have a virtual Day of Action scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9, focused on mobilizing rural Democrats throughout Washington via phone and/or text. 

You know the stakes are higher than ever before, which is why we are working harder than ever before to ensure we not only protect but expand our Democratic majorities at all levels. Together, we can — and will — do just that. Register for one (or three) events near you today! Links are below.

DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS

GOP’s Graham unveils nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks

Upending the political debate, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced a nationwide abortion ban Tuesday, sending shockwaves through both parties and igniting fresh debate on a fraught issue weeks before the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

Wary of Trump, some Herrera Beutler supporters are aligning with a Democrat

Since the primary, the Gluesenkamp Perez campaign has hit events in Republican-leaning areas such as Ridgefield, Longview and on the coast in Pacific County. In that time, the campaign raised $600,000 in the month of August.

Rep. Jayapal details recent threats against her, ties them to rising rhetoric

Rep. Pramila Jayapal discusses the coming midterms, why Democrats should message on investing in the future and recent death threats she has received and why she is going public.

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

STAFF CORNER

We continue to grow, and recently welcomed Emily Blanchard-Saiger, Josiah Jeffers, Malachi Cabera, and Isaac Wheeler to our team! Emily, Josiah and Issac serve as field organizers, and Malachi as a deputy field organizer. All play an integral role in our GOTV operation, and will help mobilize communities statewide, as we work to expand our efforts ahead of the general and get our incredible Democratic candidates across the finish line. We’re excited to have them onboard with us!

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

Join us Oct. 1-2 for our statewide Weekend of Action, where we’ll knock doors, mobilize our communities, and get voters excited about local candidates. Register now:

SATURDAY, OCT. 1:

SUNDAY, OCT. 2

Can’t make it, or want to help our efforts further? Attend our virtual Day of Action Sunday, Oct. 9, and help text and/or call rural Democrats across Washington state. Register now:

Virtual Rural Day of Action, 5 p.m. Oct. 9 via Zoom

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 today!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Messaging for the Midterms: Messaging GOTV | 5 p.m. Oct. 3
We all know what to do to Get Out the Vote: door knocking, phone banking, texting, mailers, lit drops, etc. It's tough to get people to vote during the midterms and even tougher to get them excited about local elections. We need to tell people why they should vote, not just who to vote for, when and where. Learn messaging strategies that will compel people to want to get out and vote.
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
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Seattle, WA 98194
United States