Just Like The 80s--Both Parties Lead By Women

Back in the Reagan-Bush years, two great female leaders were making names for themselves.  Karen Marchioro  was the state chair of the Washington Democratic Party. She was  hardscrabble plain spoken and represented everything Democratic.  Jennifer Dunn led the Washington Republican Party, she was known for cordiality.  She was about hair in place and fashionable dress.  She represented everything Republican. 
Dunn would later serve our district in congress.  Marchioro became a well regarded political consultant.  Although, they were polar opposites, it seemed like the two had mutual respect for one another.  The real irony is that Marchioro and Dunn died within a week of each other in 2007.  Marchioro had a long bout with cancer.  Dunn was just 66 when she died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism. Both were the first women chairs of their respected parties.
While both Marchioro and Dunn served their parties during the same time frame (1981-1992), Susan Hutchison  has served as Republican chair since 2013.   Tina Podlodowski was elected last Satuday.  Just like the previous pair, their styles represent their parties.  Unlike the other two, it is doubtful that the two would ever find common ground.  Podlodowski  wants to work to get Democrats elected in every county in the state.  Hutchison is one of the country's most outspoken Trump supportors.

Sharon Mast Is Pick For DNC

Democrats from across the Washington state enjoyed the Hospitality of Picturesque Wenatchee and picked Sharon Mast to replace Karen Marchioro as DNC representative. Mast was chosen on the third ballot after a hard fought battle with Southwestern Washington populist Cathi Bailey. My choice, Di Irons , was able to go to the second ballot after a coin toss. Irons had tied for third with Lexi Smith on the first ballot.

The meeting featured a moving slide show tribute to Marchioro.

Jennifer Dunn's Death Shocks Our State

Former Washington 8th District Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn has died. Dunn headed the Washington State Republican party while the late Karen Marchioro headed the State Democratic Party. While it was well known that Marchioro was ill, Dunn did not seem to show any sign of poor health. Dunn's two decades of service to the state earned her praise from both Democrats and Republicans.

Farewell To Karen Marchioro

Washington state politics are a little duller today, as Karen Marchioro died of cancer today. Marchioro was best known as chair of the Washington State Democrats during the 1980s. The Republicans also had a woman state chair named Jennifer Dunn. The two women reflected their parties well. Dunn was demure and stylish, Marchioro was outspoken and hardscrabble.

She was active with anti-Vietnam protests when she first got involved in politics. She most recently was our representative to the Democratic National Committee. I rubbed elbow with Karen many times at Democratic meetings and I was always a little wide-eyed running into her. I mean she had such a history. She was very cordial and always had time to share her opinion. We exchanged many e-mails discussing the issues of the time.

Thank you to washblog for the picture. (Karen with Senator Warren Magnuson)