Local Politics--"Who Is Jason Ritchie"

Jason Ritchie tells why he wants to represent us in Olympia.

Jason Ritchie To Run For State House Rather Than Congress

In a surprising move, 5th LD Democratic sources have reported that Jason Ritchie will run for the state house of representatives.  Ritchie, who challenged Dave Reichert for Congress, had been preparing for another race for that position upon the idea that Republican Reichert would challenge Governor Jay Inslee.  However, Reichert at this time, has indicated his desire to stay in congress. 
Ritchie plans to run for the seat to be vacated by Republican Chad Magendanz, who is expected to challenge incumbent Senator Mark Mullet for that position.

Erin Jones Meets The 5th District Democrats

When most candidates and office holders address the district meeting of the 5th Democrats, they usually speak and head to other meetings, Erin Jones, candidate for the position of  Washington State Superintendent Of Public Instruction, waited to be the last to speak.  After her speech, outlining her vision of  the future of public education in the state, Jones stayed for the entire meeting, which ran towards 10 in the evening.
Jones, a tall woman, tried out for two WNBA teams and played basketball in Mexico City at one point but decided that she really didn't want to make a living as a professional athlete, but as an educator.  She has previously worked for both present Superintendent Randy  Dorn and previous top Educator Terry Bergeson.  She was born in the U.S. but was raised in Europe. She speaks four languages.
 According to Jones, Dorn will not be seeking reelection.  The charismatic Jones was endorsed by the 5th Democrats.  The election for Washington Superintendent Of Public Instruction, a non-partisan race, will be held in 2016.

Martin Chaney Chosen Chair At 5th Dem Reorganization Meeting.

Martin Chaney (above) is the new chair of the 5th Democrats.  The body, which helped elect it's first Democratic legislator in almost 20 years in 2012 when Mark Mullet won a state senate seat, chose Chaney over sitting chair Jim Baum.  Chaney was chair of  the 45th until  he was redistricted. Former 8th district congressional candidate, Darcy Burner, also a member of the 5th by redistricting was voted secretary.  I kept my position of  state committeeman , although by a one vote margin. Jennifer Sutton, who had stepped down from her position as state committeewoman a couple years ago, was elected to return to that positon.
Konrad Roeder was reelected as treasurer. In addition, Essie Hicks was chosen as first vice chair, Barb Olson as 2nd vice chair. Colin Alexander and Ava Frisinger were chosen to represent the 5th at King County. Thank you to 8th CD candidate Jason Ritchie placing my name in nomination.

Kurt DelBene Addresses Eastside Democrats

Eastside Democrats got to meet Kurt DelBene, a former Microsoft executive who is credited to saving Healthcare.gov.  Delbene, who is the husband of Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, was called to the White House when the web site for Affordable Care Act failed, putting the President's hard earned program in jeopardy.  DelBene put in understandable terms, his program to fix the ailing site. DelBene is now with Madronna Ventures, a Seattle based venture capital group.
DelBene was speaking at a joint meeting of the 5th and and 41st LDs at Tyee Middle School in South Bellevue.

They're Coming! 5th LD Democrats To Host Discussion On Coal Trains

The 5th District Democrats will devote it's May Meeting to present a forum on  plans to ship coal by rail through the Northwest. King County Executive Dow Constantine will headline the discussion, along with representatives from 2 groups opposing the plan--Washington Conservation Voters and Power Past Coal. 
The plan is to ship coal mined in Montana and Wyoming to Northwest ports for shipment to Asia.  The ports will be rebuilt to handle the exports.  Environmental impact statements for the proposal are currently being prepared.
The meeting will convene at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 15th at Issaquah City Hall's Eagle Room, 130
Sunset Way.

5th District Democrats Censure Tom And Tim

 

The Democrats from Washington's 5th Legislative District met Wednesday, January 16 to reorganize after a 2012 election cycle that saw Barak Obama elected President, Jay Inslee elected Governor and Mark Mullet elected to be the first Democrat elected to represent the district in 20 years.  Mullet is our State Senator.
The body voted to censure Senators Rodney Tom (above) of Medina and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch for a moving to cross party lines and sabotage the Democrats hard earned majority.  Because of the move, Tom is Majority Leader and Sheldon is President Pro Tem.   Tim Shelden has long been a headache for Senate Democrats, but Rodney Tom, who switched from the Republican Party in '08, was a surprise as he had been known to support Democratic causes in the past.
The 5th also retained Jim Baum, who was challenged by former 45th District Chair Martin Cheney.  Cheney will represent the 5th on the King County Central Committee along with Barbara Rakita.  I was able to retain my position as State Committeeman along with Judith Shattuck who will be 5th District State Committeewoman for the first time.

Issaquah Celebrates Salmon Days

Issaquah Salmon Days is the year's last outdoor festival, at least in the Greater Seattle Area.  I volunteered to work in the 5th District Democrats booth where state representative Marcie Maxwell (D-Renton) posed with me (bottom picture).  There where also the usual food (top picture), commercial, information boothes as well as entertainment. (middle picture). 
Weather was good, sunny and warm for most of the day until the later hours when rain started to fall.

5th District Democrats Endorse In Races

The Democrats of Washington's 5th Legislative District endorsed in four local races. The lack of partisan contests as well as lack of opposition made the process quicker. In the race for Port Commissioner Position 2, incumbent Gael Tarleton (above) was endorsed. The 5th also endorsed Sammamish resident, Dean Willard for Position 5 on the Commission. Josh Schaer, the only Issaquah City Councilmen drawing an opponent, also received endorsement as well as Lloyd Hara, who is running unopposed to retain his job as County Assessor. The 5th district also endorsed "no" votes on Initiatives 1119, 1122, and 1125.