Washington 5th LD Democrats To Caucus

Democrats in Washington's 5th Legislative District will caucus Sunday March 9 2014, 1:00 pm at the Maple Valley Library, 21844SE 248th Street, Maple Valley 98038.  Delegates and alternates to go to the Democratic State Convention in Spokane this June will be chosen.   Be sure to watch your time, since daylight savings time begins tomorrow morning.

State Dems Meet In Wenatchee

Politics can be fun, Deb and I headed East last weekend so I could attend the Washington Democrats State Committee meeting in lovely Wenatchee. Wenatchee is locatated just East of the Cascade Mountains, although small, has a lot of charm and character (bottom picture is Bob's Classic, a diner across from our hotel). It is located at the Confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers with a population of about 30,00o.

We arrived Friday evening at the Coast Hotel, a little late to enjoy much of the hospitality suites, we went to Roasters at the top of Hotel, I had never heard of a small town having a night club on the top floor.

Wenatchee is in the middle of it's annual Apple Blossom Festival, while I went to the meetings on Saturday, Deb went to a parade and poked around town.

Before every State Democratic meeting, there is a luncheon, this time it was a Trivia Luncheon. Each table was a team. At my table was Jennifer Sutton, Aaron Belenky, Rob Dolin, Steve Zemke, Dan Lambert and Barbara Gellar. Every table of given sheets of questions and whoever could answer the most would win prize for each member. Our table, which included two 5th District Democrats, took first prize. Not bad! We each got a bottle of wine for our victory. Hopefully, I didn't leave anyone out.

The State Committee meeting concluded once again, with Aziem Underwood singing his "Salt Off The Fries". Amidst happy hand clappin' members, relieved that another meeting could have a little silliness.

Lunching With State Democrats

I ran across this picture of Jennifer Sutton and I representing the 5th LD at the Washington State Democratic Luncheon from last January. Also outgoing state committeewoman Di Irons on right.

Democrats Reorganize At State Level

Dwight Pelz (above-6th from left) was chosen to serve his third term as head of the Washington State Democrats. The State Central Committee met in Olympia as it traditionally does to start out an odd year. Pelz was challenged by Natalie McClendon of Bellingham. Dwight's victory was a landslide, but an election for 8th Congressional District E-Board position was tied and had to be decided by a coin toss.

Not to be outdone, during "good of the order" State Committeeman Azziem (The Dream)Underwood (having just turned 50) entertained the crowd with a song about personal health.

The meeting was held at Oympia's Red Lion.

Primary Decision This Weekend

I'm heading to Bellingham this weekend, I am part of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee, meeting each quarter to determine election strategy and party policy. It is indeed a terrific honor to help represent the 5th legislative district in such a gathering. In today's Seattle Times, the editorial page called upon our body, to use the statewide primary as a factor in determining which presidential candidate's delegates are chosen to go to the national convention.
I think this idea has merit. It's easier to vote in the Primary, you can use an absentee ballot. It plays better in the media and as such, brings more presidential candidates to the area. In the past, I have wondered why Washington does not have such a system. However, I believe and I will vote to retain the caucus system
The Times says "Other Democrats now must lean on the party decision-makers, who will convene Saturday in Bellingham. Activists within the party are trying to reverse its habit of elitist decision-making." In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. The caucus is the true grassroots form of policy. They empower neighborhoods and give voice to the many concerns around the region. Having lead the caucus in Maple Valley, I can attest that that it was very well attended, a joint effort to talk about the issues with our neighbors.
If we go to the primary, I think Seattle will drown out the rest of the state, dark horse candidates will have less of a chance and politics will be a game for only the powerful.