Chair’s Report – August 28, 2024

The primary is over and results are mixed. Our county commissioner race, position #2, is now a Republican seat as the top two candidate vote-getters are Republicans. This is what happens when there are a number of people running and they split the votes amongst themselves. It is why Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove wanted to get single endorsements so that the Democratic vote would not be fractured and allow for the Republicans to get through. It almost happened but so far the 51 votes that have him in the lead for second place is holding.

While our state delegation did well – all three are in the general election – it doesn’t mean we can take it for granted that they will win. They still need people to support and vote for them to return to Olympia in January. We want to keep our state delegation blue!

Perennial candidate Scott Henden has filed as a write-in candidate and got enough votes to be on the ballot in November. He will be running as an independent candidate, not a Republican, against incumbent Democratic commissioner Christine Rolfes. It would be nice if people would question why he is doing what he is doing as it seems duplicitous to run as an independent when he is a Republican and has run as a Republican for local office numerous times over the years.

We are now in the countdown to the general election. Thanks to Michael Achey for the countdown clock on the LD website! We now have (as of 8/25) 71 days to Election Day.

This is when we all need to step up and do all that we can to get people registered. Yes, Washington law allows voters to register up to and on Election Day. Then get them to vote. It is not just our presidential race that we need to pay attention to but all the down ballot races such as governor, lands commissioner, state senator and representatives. We want to keep our 23^rd legislative delegation blue and that will only happen if we do the work to get the votes in.

There are also the various “No” campaigns where we want to stop the passage of initiatives 2109, 2117 and 2124. There is a coordinated effort by Defend WA to insure these detrimental initiatives are defeated.

We are also still in the midst of an active calendar. These events are happening that are opportunities for us to be present and let folks know about our party and candidates. Please do your part and volunteer to spend a shift at a booth the Blackberry festival or at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. Those volunteering at the state fair will have their parking and entry fees covered. Please contact the 2^nd LD to volunteer for a shift – see information at the end of this report. We need to be out and present whenever possible.

This is not the time to rely on someone else stepping up, we all need to step up. Come November 6, we cannot be having a bunch of “if only…” conversations. We must do all we can now and make November 6 a day of celebration. Our DNC convention was so uplifting – let us bring that joy and energy to our work from now until November 6!

Val, Chair - 23^rd LD

Volunteers can sign up for shifts via the SignUpGenius Ap: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A5AD2DA2F9C61-48084598-wastate

Vendor passes will be mailed out to volunteers along with parking instructions and a map. Parking is free for vendors in the Red and Silver lots. I understand and will confirm that a shuttle will also take fairgoers to the fair if they park at the South Hill Park and Ride. Our booth is in the Showplex building-Booth 622. We will have a binder with general instructions and general talking points. We will also have information about why voters should vote no on the Initiatives. Signs and handouts for local candidates may be displayed when volunteers for a particular LPO are staffing the booth.

Please feel free to call Laura Crews, 253-677-6949, for further information.