Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!
(From L to R: Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Pierce Co. Executive Ryan Mello, Chair Shasti Conrad, Pierce Co. Democrats Vice Chair Jared Richardson, and 25th LD Chair Jennifer Strickling-Severns)
Updates from the Last Week
Last weekend, Washington Democrats held our State Committee Meeting in Tacoma to do the nuts and bolts work of operating our party. We had an amazing turnout with committee members joining from across the state. I especially want to thank Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti who made special appearances. We are proud of our nearly 200 state committee members from across the state who came together to do the business of democracy. It was a robust meeting with lots of discussion and great work done!
I had the honor of sitting down with Desi Roots & Routes podcast host Sital Kalantry to discuss my life’s journey and how it impacts my work today. I want to thank Sital and Seattle University for having me on the show. You can listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Democrats Fighting Back
Lost amidst the renewed Signal-gate allegations, Trump’s AI photoshop of him as the Pope, and the deepening chasm in our economy driven by the Trump tariffs, was an Executive Order that seeks to destroy our national forests. Thankfully, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove is fighting back to protect the iconic natural splendor of our state.
Attorney General Nick Brown is continuing to wield the sword of justice, joining yet another lawsuit against the Trump administration. This time, he is seeking to rectify the illegal “dismantling” of the Health and Human Services Administration.
Washington’s Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are working to secure the release of a U.S. Air Force veteran being wrongfully detained in Venezuela. Facing human rights abuses, Joseph St. Clair’s family only learned he was taken by the Venezuelan government after the release of other political prisoners in January.
Tremendous news out of North Carolina – all the work we did to cure votes for Allison Riggs who won the Supreme Court race in 2024 has paid off. This week, a Trump-appointed federal judge ordered the certification of her election, rejecting a monthslong effort from Republicans to steal this Supreme Court seat. Thank you to everyone who helped us confirm what two recounts already did: Allison Riggs won this election fair and square.
Call to Action
- Fight to Save Medicaid (Apple Health)
- Sign up for the DNC’s new training: The Network Strategy – learn tactics for holding Republicans accountable throughout the year. Sign up here.
- CD4 and CD5 residents: Call your Republican Representative – Call their office and let them know you don’t want any changes to Apple Health. The DNC has set up an easy tool with a script for you. Click here for the call tool kit.
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- TODAY – Refuse Fascism Fridays in Everett at the Social Security Administration Office from 5PM-6:30PM. Sign up here.
- TOMORROW – Saturday, May 10 Washington Democrats AANHPI Solidarity Celebration at Seattle Harbor. More details below. RSVP here!
- TOMORROW – Saturday, May 10 Say It Saturday at B.A. Clark Park in Spokane. 3PM-5PM. Sign up here.
- Monday, May 12 – Mikey Mondays in Spokane outside the office of U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner. Sign up here.
- Wednesday, May 14 – Musk or Us Protest in Redmond from 4PM-5PM. Sign up here.
- Wednesday, May 14 – Time to Act! Hosted by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, join this virtual series to take practical action. Sign up here.
- Send us details on rallies and protests in your communities
- Email details to [email protected]
- Donate
- If you would like to see less Washington D.C. and more Washington state in your community, please DONATE to The Real Washington Fund – our rapid response account to counter MAGA’s chaos with real organizing, real solutions, and real results. We can’t do the work of holding Republicans accountable without your support.
- Follow us on social media
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Storybanking – Send Us Your Stories
If you haven’t watched any of our storybanking videos yet, I urge you to please make time to listen to Daniel Sherwood from Spokane. Daniel speaks to the fears he has for his family who rely on Medicaid for not just lifesaving care, but the risks to the independence he has been able to build in his own life. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Daniel. Watch Daniel tell his story in his own words by clicking the image above or here.
The best way to persuade people about the horrible impacts of Trump’s chaos is to share real stories from real people in their communities. Please consider sharing your own story of the direct impacts of Trump 2.0 on your life, by sending an email to [email protected] that includes your name, contact information, which Washington community you reside in, the story you would like to share, and permission to share your story with the public.
Our Communications team will be in touch within a few business days after you have reached out to help collect your story.
TOMORROW: AANHPI Solidarity Celebration
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Washington Democrats are celebrating! Please join us on May 10 at Seattle Harbor Restaurant (formerly China Harbor) to celebrate the power, leadership, and excellence of our state’s AANHPI Democratic family. Join special guests Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, DNC Executive Director Roger Lau, and more! RSVP here!
Frank Chopp Celebration of Life
Former Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives Frank Chopp’s celebration of life and legacy will be held June 1 from 2PM-5:30PM at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue (11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue). Doors will open at 1PM. Please register your attendance by May 26 here. Those who are unable to attend may watch the livestream at TVW.
Republicans Behaving Badly
The Congressional Republican Budget Plan will hurt Americans’ wallets, Center for American Progress
Estimated losses of $1,200 for SNAP recipients, a $600-$1,240 estimated yearly increase in the median price of a home loan, the list goes on and on of how Republicans in Congress are going to force Americans to pay more if they pass their budget plans.
Man without a country: ICE arrests Spokane resident brought to America as a toddler, The Spokesman-Review
This chilling story out of Spokane shows how ICE took a man into custody who one week earlier had received paperwork from immigration officials telling him to apply for a visa. Even though he is married to a U.S. citizen and owns a business in Spokane, he will likely be deported to Mexico, a country he has never been to since he was a toddler.
WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on, Washington State Standard
Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins expects 40% reductions in cargo due solely to Trump’s 145% tariffs on China. Senator Patty Murray says it will lead to “bare shelves for our retailers” and Senator Maria Cantwell is working to pass bipartisan legislation that would require Congress to approve new tariffs or they would expire after 60 days.
WA farmers reckon with Trump’s immigration policies, The Seattle Times
Washington’s farm owners are facing new anxiety about finding enough workers. Washington farm workers fear they will be arrested and deported without warning. All because Trump has thrown our immigration system into chaos.
Democrats in the News
Washington parties, voter advocates craft 2026 midterm strategy, CascadePBS
WA lawmakers approve $1.1B for salmon habitat restoration, The Seattle Times
Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rain Forest to reopen Thursday, The Seattle Times
Rep. Adison Richards spearheads legislation on workers’ rights and food safety in Washington state, Hoodline
What I’m Reading
As Trump targets NEA, funds for WA arts organizations vanish, The Seattle Times
Arts organizations were already reeling after the pandemic. The Trump administration’s decision to strip funding from organizations that were counting on the grant money they had already been promised is creating an existential crisis for the institutions and organizations responsible for Washington’s diverse arts sector.
