ISLAND COUNTY: November 2024 ICD Newsletter
The Island County Democrats publish a monthly newsletter, which we are posting here. We believe that the statements made by the leadership of each party is of general public interest.
Message from ICD Chair, Jennifer Haase Morris
The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for many of us. Even with the emotions we are all feeling about the presidential election and several of our local races, there are many things to celebrate.
Data is still coming. More precinct-level analysis on our local races will be available in early December. But early indications are that Island County – like the state of Washington – became more BLUE in this election.
Thank you for all that you did to reach out to voters, talk to neighbors, and advocate for our democratic and Democratic values.
Our ICD reorganization meeting is coming up on December 12th. This is the time that we elect officers for the next two years. I hope that many of you will see the opportunities to get engaged locally – perhaps in a leadership role for ICD or participation on a committee or in campaigns for candidates who represent the needs of our communities.
Let’s keep up the momentum and invite more and more people to use their voices and their votes!
Jennifer
News from Island County Democrats
SAVE THE DATE
ICD Reorganization Meeting
Thursday, December 12, 2024
7:00 pm (Zoom)
This is a special meeting to elect officers for ICD for the next two years. Come be part of creating the future of our local Democratic Party!
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
Thank you to everyone who supported my campaign and who voted for me. I am glad to be able to continue as your County Commissioner for District 1 and look forward to completing the important work on the Comprehensive Plan update and other projects.
What I want to do in today’s ICD newsletter is account to you for the monies you contributed to my campaign.
I began the 2024 campaign with $1,458.67 left over from my 2020 campaign. During the course of the 2024 primary and general campaign we raised an additional $20,650.20. $600 of that was donated by the ICD and $1000 was donated by the 10th LD; all of the rest came from generous individual donors.
After all the bills were paid, I have a surplus of $3,119.58 in the bank. Because I will not be running for another term (or for any other office once this next term is complete), I must dispose of these surplus funds. This is how I intend to do that:
First of all, I am returning the $600 donated in 2024 by the ICD and the $1000 donated by the 10th LD, with my gratitude to them for these donations. I am returning these funds to the ICD and 10th LD because I want to support good Democratic candidates in future elections. I am donating the remaining $1,519.58 to the following charitable organizations:
- Island Senior Resources (serving Whidbey & Camano) — $759.58
- Mission Ministry Faith Center (Oak Harbor) — $380
- Friends of Ebey’s (Coupeville) — $380
I am having a thank-you party for my supporters on Sunday, December 1st from 5 – 8 pm, at the Nordic Hall in Coupeville, 63 Jacobs Rd. Food and drink is on me. There will be a donation box available if you’d like to contribute to Mission Ministry Faith Center’s land purchase for a multipurpose center: News story from the South Whidbey Record
Thank you all. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Clyde Shavers
As I sit down to write this, my heart is filled with gratitude as we celebrate our election win. I wish I could stand in front of each of you – and thank you for believing in us, thank you for showing up when it was hard, and thank you for keeping hope alive. We did this together, and I will never be able to express just how much you mean to me.
But I want to acknowledge something important. I know many of you are feeling a mixture of emotions right now – celebration for what we’ve accomplished here, but also uncertainty as we reflect on the results of the national election. Our victory is sweet, yes, but it is tempered by the recognition that our country remains deeply divided.
But this isn’t the first time we’ve faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. Two years ago, our campaign was born out of hope and a desire for change. We stood together against fierce opposition, against enormous heartbreak and pain, against doubt from those who said it couldn’t be done. And we succeeded – not because it was easy, but because we never gave up.
I want you to know that our journey does not end here. What we’ve accomplished together is proof of the power of community. We are proof that kindness and courage can make the difference – and we’ve built something special that transcends the outcome of any one election. We built our campaign with a deep belief in the goodness of people – together.
We are the future. We are the answer to every person, young and old, who feels lost and forgotten in moments of darkness and hopelessness. We are the symbol of hope and compassion, champions of change and progress, and the embodiment of unstoppable perseverance.
There is still work to be done. And together we will continue to go all the way. The future isn’t something we wait for – it’s something we create.
Thank you for your belief, your resilience, and your relentless hope in us. This victory belongs to you, and so does the future we are building together.
Always at Your Service with Deep Gratitude and Hope,
Clyde
Message from US Representative, Rick Larsen
It Is Time to Get to Work
First, I want to express my gratitude for the support my campaign received in this election. Representing my friends and neighbors in Congress is an honor I never take for granted. And whether I earned your vote or not, everyone who cast a ballot helped strengthen our democracy and has my thanks.
I also want to thank my staff and the volunteers who supported our campaign. Your hard work helped tens of thousands of people make informed decisions in this critical election. Thank you also to my spouse, Tiia, for her constant support. My work for our community would not be possible without her.
Looking ahead to the next two years, my priorities are clear: I will champion protecting reproductive freedom, combating the opioid epidemic, and reauthorizing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to keep the jobs engine going. I will also do everything in my power to stop the Project 2025 agenda in Congress.
As a community, we must come together, organize, and take action to protect the progress we have made. I have strong differences with the incoming Republican leadership in Congress and the White House, but I am committed to working together where I can, and resisting where I must.
Thank you for your continued support,
Rick
Message from State Superintendent, Chris Reykdahl
Thank you for all of your help with my re-election as State Superintendent! This was a tough race this year as we faced a MAGA opponent and the full force of the State Republican Party. This was the first time that the GOP officially backed an OSPI candidate at the state level. They have made it clear that they want to privatize our schools and they will keep going. We’re ready! We truly couldn’t have done this without your endorsement and your grassroots efforts within your community. EVERY vote in Washington counts, and we grew our win margin in Island County from 2020 thanks to you all!
Please rest assured that no matter who Trump appoints as U.S. Secretary of Education, we will stand up for the rights of our students and educators in every community of this state. My team has done this before during Trump 1.0 and we will do it again! In nearly every aspect of public K-12 education, our state laws provide greater protections than federal laws for our diverse students and our educators. My team is ready to defend Washington State’s public education values against anything that comes out of D.C.!
Ongoing communication with you will be critical over the next four years. Not only will we keep the public informed via the official OSPI communication channels, but I will also send direct communication to you and the other county parties via my campaign channels. We will also stay active on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you again for your support this election – I am honored to be the voice of public education excellence in this state. We will fight for funding, equity, and opportunity for every student in every community. Please share this message and future messages with your membership.
Always in service,
Chris
360-790-3151
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Your generous contributions will directly help ICD:
- Host local community education and information events
- Coordinate local Democratic Party volunteers activities
- Train and inspire PCOs to action
- Provide tools, materials and space for local Democratic Party planning and organizing
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[Ed. Note: donation information omitted]
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