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.

Suzan Del Bene Speaks To 5th Democrats

Suzan Del Bene was in Issaquah this week to speak to a group of Democrat's in the 5th Legislative District. The Freshman Democratic Congresswoman sits on the Agriculture and Judiciary Committees.  She represents Washington's 1st Congressional District which encompasses a fraction of the 5th.  The 5th also runs into the 8th Congressional District which is represented by Republican Dave Reichert.

State Democrats Honor Late Former Chair

Secretary Rob Dolin (above) reads the role call as the Washington State Democratic Central Committee met in Yakima this weekend.  With representatives from every county and legislative district in the state, business was completed quickly.  The committee passed a resolution paying tribute to former state chair Charles Rolland who passed away earlier this year.  Rolland held the chair position from 1993-1995.  He was the first African-American to hold that position.
In other business, the committee formally nominated Suzan Del Bene for 1st District US House and Troy Kelley for State Auditor.
Smoke from nearby wilderfires was prevalent in the air on what otherwise would have been a perfect sunny day.
Thank you to Al Garman for the picture.

5th LD Democrats Endorse Three Candidates For 1st

The 5th District Democrats have voted to endorse Darcy Burner, Suzan Del Bene, and Laura Ruderman in a sign of unity and to send a message that either of these candidates reflect the values of the district. Democrat Steve Hobbs, who had not actively appeared at any meetings of the 5th was not considered.
Ruderman, amid controversy of a negative ad campaign financed by a PAC which was formed by her mother, was present at the meeting as was Del Bene.  Although, Burner did not attend, her partisans seemed to be in full force.  Burner's husband Mike attended, although he did not speak in her favor.
A sole endorsement for Del Bene did not receive the required votes, however the next motion which did pass included her with the two other candidates.

Democratic Hopefuls for 1st CD Debate

Five Democratic Candidates for the open seat in the newly formed 1st Congressional District met at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Wednesday night to debate policy and show why they alone should carry the Democratic Banner.  The debate was the idea of Scott Williams and was sponsored by the 5th, 45th, and 48th Democrats.  Enrique Cerna was the host and Jim Brunner of the Seattle Times and Jerry Cornfield of the Everett Herald were on the panel.  Questions were taken from the audience as well as the two journalists.  While their views on policy were similar, there was plenty of difference in style.  My analysis:

1.  Laura Ruderman  A natural politician, she seems almost destined to serve in congress some day,  She is excellent on articulating the issues.  Served in the Washington State Legislature, so she would seem to have a leg up on making policy.  She is known as a tireless doorbeller.  Her early roots are on the East Coast and many people find her somewhat abrupt.  Healthcare seems to be her favorite issue.

2.  Steve Hobbs  A pleasant surprise, he also has legislative experience, currently serving in the State Senate.  He says that he is a lifelong resident of Snohomish County.  Considered rather Conservative, Hobbs says that he has endorsements from many different sides.  Hobbs was also very comfortable discussing issues.  He received a smattering of boos for saying that he supports charter schools, a stand that may be his undoing.  Hobbs says that Democrats need to have a moderate like him to keep the seat Blue.

3. Suzan Del Bene  A former Microsoft executive and a founder of other high tech companies, she did public service as director of the state Department Of Revenue.  She ran against Dave Reichert in 2010 for the 8th Congressional District, but it was a bad year to run as a Democrat, espessially against an entrenched Republican incumbant.  She is warm and apealing in a "one on one" situation, with excellent eye contact. It should also be noted that she has the endorsement of Governor Gregoire.  Wednesday's debate however was arguably not her best performance.

4. Darcy Burner  Without a doubt, the voice of the disenfranchised.  If you want to "rage against the machine", Darcy is your vessel.  The favorite of a network of political bloggers known as Netroots, she was this year's keynote speaker at Netroots Nation. She ran twice against Reichert in the 8th District, almost beating him on both occasions.

5. Darshan Rauniyar, In a perfect world he would be a great candidate.  A naturalized U.S. citizen from Nepal, he champions himself as the "non politician" saying that the American dream is dying.
He is involved in local business, however, in Wednesday's debate, I did see him as someone who would nescessarily be an agent of change. Although it may be difficult in today's political climate.

Democratic Candidates For !st Congressional District To Debate

The five Democratic candidates vying to replace Jay Inslee in the newly redrawn 1st Congressional District will face each other this Wednesday June 27th in a debate sponsored by 5th, 45th and 48th LD Democrats.  Suzan Delbene, Darcy Burner, Darshan Rauniyar, Laura Ruderman, and Steve Hobbs will spar over the right to carry the Democratic banner into the hotly contested race.  Both Del Bene and Burner have run for Congress in the past, Burner taking on Dave Reichert in the 8th CD in 2006 and 2008 and Del Bene doing the same in 2010.  Ruderman is a fomer member of the State House Of Representatives, while Hobbs in currently in the State Senate. Rauniyar is a newcomer, positioning himself, of course, as the outsider. 
The debate will take place at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center at 16600 NE 80th in Redmond from 7:30 until 9pm.  There will be no admission charged but donations will be asked for to cover expenses.

Del Bene To Spend Warchest In The Stretch

Democratic Activists Arlene and Reuben (pictured above) Powell graciously hosted a get together for Maple Valley area voters to get to know Suzan Del Bene. Del Bene, a former Microsoft executive and founder of drugstore.com, is challenging Republican incumbent Dave Reichert to represent the 8th district in the US House of Representatives. Del Bene says she was motivated to seek the office after watching friends and neighbors struggle through hard times and by what she sees as a passive performance by Congressman Reichert. She said that Reichert has not shown up for various candidate forums, including the Tacoma News Tribune endorsement interview. She pointed out a propensity for Reichert to "flip-flop" in issues that the 8th District is passionate about.

Del Bene said that her performance in the primary was much better than expected. She says that she held her spending down so that she would could use her war chest in the stretch days of the campaign.

Del Bene Will Apear In Maple Valley

Democratic 8th District Congressional Candidate Suzan Del Bene will appear in the Maple Valley area this Tuesday September 14 at the home of Reuben and Arlene Powell. The meet and greet will start at 6:00pm 21656 284th Avenue SW. There may also be some judicial and state House of Representative candidates. Refreshments will be served and there will be a TV in an adjacent room for children.

5th District Democrats Endorse Delbene

The 5th district Democrats of Washington have endorsed Suzan Delbene to represent the 8th district in the U.S. House Of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Republican Dave Reichert, a former King County Sherrif.

Suzan Del Bene Announces Candidacy For 8th District

Local Businesswoman Suzan Del Bene has announced her intentions to oppose incumbent Dave Reichert to represent Washington's 8th District in the US House Of Representatives. The 8th, which comprises Seattle's eastern and southern suburbs was once a safe Republican seat, however, Reichert's last two victories came by slim margins over Democrat Darcy Burner. The 8th is the only congressional district in the state to have been represented by only one party since it's inception.