Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!
Working for Washington
This week we swore in our new legislative members including the NEW Democrats in the State House and Senate, heard from Governor Inslee in his final State of the State address, and inaugurated Governor Bob Ferguson!
I especially want to congratulate our new state legislators who were elected or appointed to the 2025 session (some of the Senators were previously in the legislature as House members): LD 3 Representative Natasha Hill, LD 5 Representative Victoria Hunt, LD 22 Representative Lisa Parshley, LD 24 Representative Adam Bernbaum, LD 26 Representative Adison Richards, LD 33 Representative Edwin Obras, LD 43 Representative Shaun Scott, LD 48 Representative Osman Salahuddin, LD 3 Senator Marcus Riccelli, LD 5 Senator Bill Ramos, LD 18 Senator Adrian Cortes, LD 22 Senator Jessica Bateman, LD 24 Senator Mike Chapman, LD 48 Senator Vandana Slatter, and LD 33 Senator Tina Orwall. Whew!
On Tuesday the 21st, there will be appointments for a new House member from LD 41 and a new Senator and Representative from LD 34. I’ll be sure to update you next week when the final results are in for those appointments.
This year’s legislative session will see important debates on topics like the budget shortfall, Rep. Sharlett Mena’s bill to mitigate the environmental harms of fast fashion, Rep. Emily Alvarado’s rest restrictions legislation, Sen. Claire Wilson’s bills to eliminate licensing fees for child care operators and waive the $25 fee to obtain a copy of a birth certificate for families receiving federal food benefits. There’s also Sen. Manka Dhingra’s bill to allow school districts in good financial standing to take on debt to pay for building schools without voter approval and Sen. June Robinson’s bill to require health insurance carriers to report spending on primary care each year to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
For the environment, our legislators will be working to pass a Sewage Spill Right-to-Know law, the Recycling Reform Act (formerly known as the WRAP Act), protecting the Advanced Clean Truck Rule, and making sure funds raised from the Climate Commitment Act are reducing pollution and investing in making our communities climate resilient.
(Top: Governor Ferguson and family enter the Governor’s Ball on Wednesday. Bottom: Retiring Senator Sam Hunt and Former Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller smile for the camera and bond over their Eastern Washington roots.)
(Top: Attorney General Nick Brown and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins compare “who wore it best.” Bottom: Senator Jesse Solomon and Freshman Senator Adrian Cortes put heads together to fully fund education.)
On Wednesday, State Party staff were on hand at the Governor’s Ball to celebrate our victories in November with our tremendous legislative and executive leaders. I had to miss the festivities for the DNC Vice Chair forum, but I loved seeing the photos of the event and am reminded of all we accomplished together in 2024.
This week, we are also gearing up for the Washington State Central Committee Re-Organization meeting on January 24-26. This is the meeting where State Committee Members gather to elect our Executive Board (including my position of Chair), pass resolutions, and chart our path through the next election cycle. I look forward to seeing our State Committee Members in Tacoma next week!
Unify & Organize
Washington High School Democrats and the Washington Democrats are coming together to Unify & Organize!
This upcoming Monday, Jan. 20th, join us as we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and prepare for the resistance against the Trump administration.
📅 Monday, January 20th
🕒 12 PM – 2 PM
📍 Machinist Hall – 9125 15th Pl S, Seattle, WA 98108
🔗 https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wa-dems-hs-dems
Join your fellow Democrats for this FREE opportunity to connect with fellow Democrats and hear from our keynote speaker U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal and our newest Democratic Member of Congress, Emily Randall!
I hope to see you there!
DNC Vice Chair
As part of the process to decide our next Democratic National Committee Executive Board, I participated in a candidate’s forum in Detroit, Michigan with my fellow Vice Chair candidates. You can watch that forum on the DNC YouTube channel here.
Next week, there is a virtual candidate forum for all of the DNC leadership positions geared towards us here in the Western region. I hope you will tune in! You can watch on the DNC YouTube Channel. As a DNC member, I can submit questions for our candidates for Chair and Vice Chair. I would like to know what questions YOU have – let me know what you’d like me to ask by emailing me at [email protected].
Last week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell endorsed my candidacy for DNC Vice Chair AND for State Party Chair. I am filled with gratitude to have the support of this progressive and environmental champion who is fighting for us every day in the other Washington. You can read her endorsement here.
I am running for this national position at the same time that I run to be re-elected as your Washington State Democratic Party Chair so that I can bring our winning messaging and tactics to the national level. It would mean the world to me to have your support and endorsements as I seek re-election as your State Party Chair and the office of Vice Chair at the DNC.
You can support my re-election campaign for State Party Chair here and run for DNC Vice Chair here or by clicking the images above.
California Wildfire Relief
Washington state knows all too well the devastation and loss that accompany catastrophic wildfires. As our neighbors in Southern California grapple with this most recent natural disaster, we are keeping them in our thoughts. Please consider contributing to impacted community relief efforts here.
Democrats in the News
WA members announce $30 million in Federal Funding for Vancouver I-5 Highway Lid, $2 million for Spokane Bus Rapid Transit, other awards from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Senator Murray Press Release
WA lawmakers to consider rent hike caps, housing density, The Seattle Times
Six lawmakers to watch in Washington’s 2025 session, Spokane Public Radio
Rent stabilization tops Washington Democrats’ housing agenda for 2025 session, The Urbanist
What I’m Reading
WA legislative staffers approve union contracts ahead of session, CascadePBS I am thrilled that our Democratic legislative staffers have approved their union contract ahead of this year’s session. WA Dems was the first State Party in the country to form a union. Taking our cue, Democratic champions in the State Legislature passed laws allowing their staff to form unions and collectively bargain. Congratulations to the Democratic legislative staff on their new contract!
