Tenth District Democrats at the State Fair 2012

 Tenth  District Democrats Stan Mason (left)  and Phillis DeSoto
greeted visitors to the Snohomish County Democrats booth at the
 WA State Fair in Monroe.

It was Senior's day at the Fair.  We had a stack of literature about the national, state and local candidates but we were really kept busy selling a variety of OBAMA buttons.  People also bought bumper stickers and signs.  It was my first experience at retail sales but my advanced degrees in Math got me through.    The sales were encouraging.  It was also fun to met so many friendly people who shared our political passion.

 Gay couples stopping by the booth were happy to see signs endorsing R74 in support of marriage equality.

 Some of the men asked in jest what "legitimate rape" was.   Told them I didn't know.  One man  was really hung up on the concept.   So I expressed hope no-one in our families learns first hand.

Later in the afternoon young adults came by to register to vote - a good sign for the future.

Stanwood Democrats Endorse Candidates for the Fall Elections

               The Stanwood Democrats met this morning to endorse the following candidates for the Fall election.  We are providing links to each Candidate's Web site to help voters to become better informed.  Just click on the name of the Candidate.

FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Barack Obama, President of the United States

Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator

Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, 2^nd Congressional District

FOR OUR STATE GOVERNMENT

Jay Inslee, Governor

Brad Owen, Lieutenant Governor

Kathleen Drew, Secretary of State

Jim McIntire, Treasurer

Troy Kelley, Auditor

Bob Ferguson, Attorney General

Peter J. Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands

Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction

Mike Kreidler, Insurance Commissioner

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, 10^th District

Aaron Simpson, Representative, Position 1, 10^th District

Tom Riggs, Representative, Position 2, 10^th District

Sheryl Gordon McCloud, State Supreme Court, Position 9

Millie Judg, Superior Court Judge Position 11

Eric Teegarden, PUD Commissioner, District 2

State Treasure Jim McIntire claims he is running for reelection to the most important job few are aware of - State Treasurer.  Nonetheless he reminds us of what the State Government accomplished  under the his leadership along with that of the Democrats and moderate Republicans in the legislature during these tough times. 

"When I took office in 2009, banks were failing fast, the stock market was in free-fall, and the bond market was nearly frozen.  Now, three and a half years later:

• Despite the failure of 19 community banks in Washington, no public deposits were lost, public banking laws were reformed, and $5 billion of local public funds in community banks are now safer.

• We have financed $7 billion of job-creating new construction in public infrastructure.  We also refinanced $3.6 billion of existing state debt with the lowest interest rates in 50 years.
•  We saved taxpayers $1.3 billion in interest costs on state debt by squeezing lower interest rates from Wall Street using market competition and creating opportunities for Main Street Washington investors.
• The State Investment Board is now the nation’s top performing pension fund.  We have recovered all of the value lost in the 2008-09 financial crisis, making Washington’s pension system the 3^rd best-funded pension system in the country.
• And finally, we are doing more with less – financing more infrastructure investments and investing more short-term cash for local governments with 7 percent fewer funds and personnel."

Candidate Aaron Simpson Addresses Stanwood Democrats

  Tenth Legislative District Candidate Aaron Simpson (standing)  addressed the Stanwood Democrats at their monthly meeting July 14th in their beautiful new headquarters just west of the Stanwood Country Store.

  Tenth Legislative District Candidate  Aaron Simpson  outlined several issues motivating his candidacy.   He believes that current taxes and regulations favor large agribusinesses at the expense of our local family farms.  Likewise we need to evaluate tax incentives and State regulations as they affect local businesses.  He would support State funding of education  through the entire legislative process often neglected by Republicans. There ensued a lively discussion among the Stanwood Democrats about the proposal to introduce Charter Schools to the State of WA.   Most members believed that charter schools would be a drain on the public schools with no proven benefit.  It did not make sense that Tax money would go to corporate profits instead of teachers and students.   

The Democratic candidates for office in November have left information about their candidacy at the Stanwood Headquarter.   The public in encouraged to drop by to ask questions and get the information they need.  The location is: 27116 90TH AVE NW, 

Whatcom Democrats Endorse Darcy Burner

It was a drizzly evening on Thursday June 21 when the Whatcom County Democrats assembled for their monthly meeting at the Sons of Norway Hall off State & Champion Street in Bellingham.  Walking into the room the mood was frenzied as candidates swarmed around voters to garner support for their campaigns.  Many of the volunteers phone-banked for weeks prior to the meeting to remind Democrats to come and vote for a candidate to endorse.  Phone and Email blasts reached over 7,000 voters, I personally received at least 3 phone calls to request my support. 

In the front of the hall were tables of literature, buttons and enthusiastic greeters.  BBQ dinner was served and the atmosphere in the Norway Hall was one of a rock concert -  loud and stiffling hot making the audience feel a bit restless and uncomfortable.  Discomfort aside, the impassioned speeches of the candidates seeking endorsement enveloped the room. 

Darcy Burner won the nomination by a 75% vote.

Whatcom Women Democrats host Judicial Candidate

On a warm and sunny Monday afternoon May 14th   the Whatcom Women Democrats met for their monthly lunch meeting  at the Super Buffet off the Guide Meridian in Bellingham .  Sunny weather meant a lighter than average turnout of 12 members. Judicial candidate Debora Garrett was the honored guest.

Ms. Garrett gave an update on her campaign progress.  She reported that over 40 people turned out at the Whatcom County Courthouse in support of her filing for candidacy.  Reaching out to the community, Garrett is attending at least 2 events per week around the county.  Yard signs are ready and doorbelling will commence shortly. 

Skagit County Democrats Annual Gala Attracts a Crowd

        Over 200 hundred Democrats from Skagit and Snohomish Counties attended their Annual Gala in Mt. Vernon last Saturday.  Eight major labor unions and about a dozen office holders were among those attending.  The keynote speaker, WA State  Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz, reminded us of all the gruesome things the Republicans would do if and when they took office.  So we know the battle lines.  But the good news is that we have some great, younger candidates with good ideas running for office.  I enjoyed the chance to talk to two of them - Darcy Burner (running for the  1st Congressional District) and Tom Riggs ( running for 10th District State Rep.)

Several Luminaries graced the table reserved for the 10th State Legislative District (LD).  Seated from the left are: Phil Lewis,  Snohomish County Democratic Chair & Vice Chair -  Laura Lewis,  DNC Representative to the National Committee - Lona Wilbur,  Jennifer Antione, and  Democratic 10th LD Chair - Ray Miller.  We are all disappointed that the State Redistricting will place Ray outside of the 10th LD, but we are sure that Ray will provide great leadership wherever he is placed. 

Whatcom County 2012 Democrat's Caucus

On Saturday April 28, Syre Auditorium at Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA was filled with over 200 voter delegates from Whatcom County Democratic Party.  One notable exception was a Green Party Officer who attended and needed a special vote to serve as a Democratic delegate.   Representative Kristine Lytton served as temporary Chair of the Caucus until a permanent Chair was elected during the Caucus. 

The key purpose of the Caucus was to bring together all delegates from districts in Whatcom County for a consenses and approval of our contribution to the 2012 Democratic Platform.   The Platform which will be ratified at the State Caucus in Seattle in June.

Candidates for office were allowed to give a quick 5 minute pitch for their campaign.   Saturday was Caucus day statewide, so two of the candidates (Darcy Burner and Laura Ruderman) were unable to appear personally and sent representatives in their staid.  Please see my article from the February post about Whatcom Democrats Monthly Meeting for details of the candidates' respective platforms.

Planks (statements of policy position) to be considered for the 2012 Platform  were on Coal Transportation/Environmental Impacts and a Fourteenth Amendment movement to redefine the relationship between "Corporations" and "Natural Persons".