ISLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATS: July 2022 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, Joseph Busig
Voting in the August Primary Election!
Ballots are out! We hope you have a plan to vote, and you also plan on talking to your family and friends about voting too. Every election is important to participate in. If you have not yet received your ballot, please contact the Island County Elections Office (link below). Please look at the following resources to help you vote by clicking on the underlined link:
ICD 2022 Endorsements This is a list of ICDCC’s 2022 Endorsements for the Primary and General Elections.
WA Voter Portal Here you can enter your information to update your voter information, track your ballot status, read your online voting guide, and request a new ballot.
Island County Elections Office Here you can find out more information about voting, request a new ballot, request a large print ballot, schedule a time for in-person ADA compliant voting, and connect with elections officials for further assistance.
League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island Candidate Forums The League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island (LWVWI) is a nonpartisan organization which hosts annual forums for local and federal candidates. The featured videos for this election are the 10th LD House races, the Island County Commissioner race, and the Congressional race for WA-02. Here you can watch those forums to help determine your vote.
TVW Video Voters’ Guide TVW has put together short videos of candidates running for statewide office. The races featured are U.S. Senate, Washington Secretary of State, and State Supreme Court Justices.
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Help Needed, Volunteers! – Whidbey Island Fair (7/28-7/31)
It’s that time of year again! The Whidbey Island Fair is taking place from July 28th to July 31st from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. We will be at our booth, along with some current elected officials and endorsed candidates. Please come to say “hello!”, and buy a baked potato with all the fixings while you’re visiting!
We will also have campaign literature from our endorsed candidates and a Whole Washington (I-1471, universal healthcare for Washington) petition to sign!
We could really use some help. We need volunteers with Washington Food Workers Cards to help serve fairgoers. To sign up for a shift, or multiple shifts, please contact Fe Mishco at: [Ed. Note: email address omitted] to get signed up.
The cost to obtain a Washington Food Worker Card is $10 and the applicant must pass an exam after taking a small course on food safety. Please be prepared to show your Washington Food Workers Card and bring a copy to hang in our booth. For more information on a Washington Food Worker Card, click here. To begin getting your card, click here.
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Want to help endorsed candidates win?
If you go to our 2022 Endorsed Candidates Page, each endorsed candidate’s website is listed. Campaigns can’t win alone. They need mobilized, grassroots support. They need dedicated, energized people to help spread the word and engage our community. They need you!
Click here to access our website. From there, you can contact the campaign(s) and request a yard sign, donate, or sign-up to volunteer.
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Respectfully,
Joseph J. Busig
-he/him/his-
Chair
Island County Democrats
Upcoming Events
7/28 Meet and Greet for Dave Paul. In Clinton. Please RSVP to [Ed. Note: email address omitted.]
7/28 – 7/31 Whidbey Island Fair
8/2 – Primary Election – all ballots must be postmarked or in drop boxes.
8/4 ICDCC E-Board Meeting at 7:00 P.M
For information or to register, contact ICD chair [Ed. Note: email address omitted]
August 5th, 6th & 7th – Stanwood Camano Fair
8/20 Summerfest – info at whidbeyislanddemocrats.org
Message from Island County Commissioner, Janet St Clair
Ballots dropped and the fun begins. Remember this is a top two primary, not a party primary so every vote counts. Let’s get out the vote together.
Sign Waving on Camano today! We are also meeting the next couple of weeks to help GET OUT THE VOTE before the primary. Meet us at Terry’s Corner -7/29 at 4 pm. Volunteers are also organizing sign waving on North Whidbey every week. Watch the website or Facebook page for updates on times/places for both islands.
Got kids? I will be at Kid’s Fest at Camano Commons all day on July 30. This is a great family event with activities for children. Bring your kids or grandchildren and have fun in the sun. At my booth, you can find recipes on how to make polymer slime, and a sample to take home. Because you know what? Science matters!
What’s better in summertime than going to the Fair? I’ll be at the Whidbey Fair in Langley on Saturday, July 29. You can find me at the Stanwood Camano Fair August 5th, 6th & 7th. Also watch for me at the Stanwood Camano parade in Stanwood on Saturday, August 6. Get a little crabby and join our float. You can find the Democrats well represented at both events. Stop by their booths to learn more about all the candidates for this election.
Finally, I’ll be at Summerfest on Whidbey Island on Saturday, Aug 20 at 2 pm. For more info, go to Whidbey Island Democratic Club – Democrats Working for Democracy (whidbeyislanddemocrats.org)
I continue to enjoy the conversation and questions at the almost weekly house parties on both islands. If you would like to attend a Meet & Greet near you, email me at [Ed. Note: email link omitted]
Thank you for your support!
Janet
Message from Island County Commissioner, Melanie Bacon
As you may have read in the local paper, Commissioner St. Clair and I are being sued by a group of citizens unhappy over how the two of us voted on an important community issue. Obviously I cannot comment on this lawsuit.
But I do want to remind you that both of the individuals running against Commissioner St. Clair have stated that they do not believe it is the responsibility of the government to provide affordable housing.
If you believe that it is in fact the responsibility of Island County government to both assist in the development of affordable workforce housing as well as provide safe shelter for our unhoused citizens, please do everything you can to ensure the reelection of Commissioner Janet St. Clair.
Thanks,
Melanie
Message from State Representative, Dave Paul
Friends,
Primary ballots are now in the hands of voters. Unfortunately, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RLSC) is now targeting the Washington State House—that means that national Republican organizations are now trying to flip our seat. This is on top of the state-level conservative interests that are pouring tens of thousands of dollars into our district in an attempt to defeat our good work in the Legislature.
According to CBS News, “The committee’s expansion also comes in the immediate wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and empower state legislatures to decide whether women will have access to abortions.”
Let’s show outside interests that we have a true grassroots campaign to protect women’s reproductive health, work to reduce healthcare costs, and support public education.
We need your help to do that, and we have some great opportunities to volunteer below! Email [Ed. Note: email link omitted] to sign up and get more information.
- July 20: Doorbelling in Mount Vernon (4:30-7:00 PM) – You will be paired with at least one other person when walking neighborhoods and spreading the word about Dave!
- July 21: Sign-Waving in Clinton (3:15-5:00 PM) – Join the team at Ken’s Korner. Signs will be provided.
- July 21: Sign-Waving on Camano (4:00-6:00 PM) – Join the team at Terry’s Corner. Signs will be provided.
- July 22: Oak Harbor Doorbelling Day (4:30-7:00 PM) – You will be paired with at least one other person when walking neighborhoods and spreading the word about Dave!
- July 23: Phonebank for Dave! (4:00-6:00 PM) – We really need folks to join for this! This event will take place on Zoom. All you need is access to a phone and a computer. A 20 minute training will be provided, then we will call for 90 minutes, and then we will end with a debrief. Folks are invited to stay for the entire event or join when they can! These Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) calls to Democrats who haven’t yet turned in their ballot are critical this year
- Clinton Sign Waving (3:15-4:45 PM)—Join the team at Ken’s Korner on Monday and Thursday afternoons—July 21st, 25th, 28th, and August 1st. Signs will be provided.
- July 23rd: Doorbelling in Arlington (10:00 AM-12:00 PM)- You will be paired with at least one other person when walking neighborhoods and spreading the word about Dave!
- July 26th: Doorbelling in Mount Vernon (4:30-7:00 PM)- You will be paired with at least one other person when walking neighborhoods and spreading the word about Dave!
- July 30th: Doorbelling on Camano Island (10:00 AM-12:00 PM)– You will be paired with at least one other person when walking neighborhoods and spreading the word about Dave!
- July 30: Phonebank for Dave! This will be a virtual event, more information to come.
- July 31: Phonebank for Dave! This will be a virtual event, more information to come.
- August 2nd: Election night party! More information to come.
Can’t volunteer but want to help? Donate here.
Please visit the events page on our website, www.votedavepaul.com/events for more information or email [Ed. Note: email link omitted].
As always, thank you for your support and help!
Dave
News from the State Party
News from the Washington State Democratic Party:
At the recent Washington State Democratic Party Convention, we passed the most inclusive, progressive Platform in the Nation. There are some minor clean-up pieces left to be done within the Platform before it is officially posted on the WSD webpage, however, as we all cast our Primary Election Votes and prepare for a very important Midterm Election, I thought it best to share in advance our Democratic Party Platform “Forward” and “Preamble” to both inspire and guide us in our efforts.
FORWARD
Injustice is ingrained in the personal, the public, the institutional, and the societal. It is implicit even where it is not explicit, and it is pervasive. It is not reasonable or possible to list every form of injustice here, especially as we, the writers of this platform, almost certainly have blind spots in our identification of injustices, ourselves. These failings in our society fall more heavily on certain groups, and some of these are explicitly listed within this platform, but it is certainly not an exhaustive list. We must all commit ourselves to learning about and acting against injustice wherever it is found, particularly those of us with insulating privileges, and we must do so following the lead of those most directly affected. We must tirelessly seek the elimination of the roots of hatred and bigotry so that we may work together to build an equitable, free society – in truth, not just in word.
PREAMBLE
Democrats put people and nature before corporations and profits.
Washington State Democrats want universal healthcare. We believe a good education is a necessary foundation for life, work and democracy. We fight for livable wages for working people. As Democrats we acknowledge that we are facing a climate emergency and that reducing carbon emissions and other actions that protect our Nation’s water, air and soil are essential to the preservation of the natural systems that sustain the ecosystems that make Earth habitable. We know that sustainable forests, fisheries, energy, and transportation make for sustainable jobs. We have reached out to people around the world to advance peace, knowledge, and fair trade. Democrats have fought in all the Nation’s wars in pursuit of a stable and peaceful world. We support all those who have served in the U.S. military and we support all efforts to make sure Veterans are properly cared for. Washington State Democrats respect Washington’s Native people and guard against attempts to diminish tribal sovereignty, culture, and natural resources. We believe immigrants strengthen the United States of America and are an essential part of the fabric of our nation and our economy. We believe that widespread voter participation and election integrity are key to preserving our democracy. We advocate for the principles that have made the United States a beacon around the world: freedom, justice for all, fairness, and that no one is above the law. The Covid-19 pandemic shows that all too often our country has not placed people first.
To ensure a just democracy, Washington State Democrats will hold elected Democrats accountable to actively and publicly use all available legal and parliamentary procedures to bring these principles into fruition.
Take care and stay safe!
Fe Mischo and Albert Ondo, your Island County State Committee Members
Messages from the Candidates and Ballot Measures
Jason Call: The Case for Two Democrats on the November ballot for WA-02
As you are considering your primary vote this year, consider the advantage to your other local Democratic candidates in having 2 Democratic Party candidates on the general election ballot down the stretch to November. A two Democrat general election will do three important things. First, it will push the Republican off the ballot and deplatform their voice. This is important because if you’ve read their voter guide statements or if you watched the League of Women Voters candidate forum on July 7, you know how dangerous and hateful their rhetoric is. Second, it will be advantageous to Democratic candidates running tight races across the district (think Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers in the 10th, Sharon Shewmake in the 42nd, and John Lovick and Brandy Donaghy in the 44th. All of these races will be tight, and the GOP is throwing a lot of money at them. Two Democrats on the November ballot for WA-02 will increase Democratic turnout and suppress the Republican turnout. It could be the difference. Third, the voters of this progressive district have never had an opportunity to discuss policy through debate from August to November. With everything that’s happening in the country right now, with the urgent need for systemic change, voters deserve that opportunity now more than ever. The LWV Forum can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Vln-fF0us7E
Our campaign has raised over $165,000 in 100% grassroots dollars, not a dime of corporate PAC money. Over 6800 individual contributions averaging $22. Volunteers have knocked on over 11,000 doors from Bellingham to Edmonds, and we’ve distributed almost 1000 yard signs with requests from Blaine and Lynden, to Langley and Oak Harbor, to Lynnwood and Everett. We’re proud to have received the sole endorsements of the Island County and San Juan County Democrats, as well as the endorsements from Skagit County Democrats and the 21st, 39th, 40th, and 44th LD Democrats. We have been endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America, and most recently we have been endorsed by local progressive activist Marianne Edain’s Political Blog (http://politiblongwind.blogspot.com/).
Most importantly we’re here to fight for the working class, the barely middle class, and struggling communities all over the district and country. We’re running because the climate can’t wait, our healthcare can’t wait, our housing crisis can’t wait, our student debt crisis can’t wait, and our kids and grandkids deserve better than they’re getting for their future. Read and compare voter guide statements carefully, compare websites carefully, and consider the change that we desperately need in Congress. Cascadia Daily News published an article on the WA-02 race on July 13, it’s well worth reading (https://www.cascadiadaily.com/news/2022/jul/13/9-candidates-challenge-larsens-22-year-hold-on-congressional-seat/)
You can sign up to volunteer or receive our daily emails at www.callforcongress.com. I humbly ask for your primary vote. Solidarity!
Jason Call
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
“In the months ahead, I am confident the voters of Washington will recognize the importance of retaining transformative leadership for the Secretary of State’s office. As the first Democrat to hold this office in decades, it has been the honor of my life to serve as your chief elections officer while overseeing state corporations, charities, libraries, and archives. Our campaign is focused on election security, fighting the types of election misinformation that led to the violent January 6th insurrection, and championing education and outreach efforts needed to increase civic participation in communities across our state. At this critical time when voter suppression continues to be a concern, when free and fair elections need to be safeguarded, and accountability and transparency must be at their highest levels, I would be honored to earn your support for this critical office.”
-Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
Hello fellow Democrats,
I am a registered voter in Freeland and have volunteered for signature gathering on behalf of the Universal Healthcare Ballot Measure I-1471. It is sponsored by https://wholewashington.org. Are you familiar with it? I ask that Island County Democrats consider endorsing this grass roots effort. Also, I can provide petitions for signatures to interested volunteers.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Josephine (Jo) Hansen, 1720 Scenic Ave, Freeland, WA, [Ed. Note: email link omitted]
Donate
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
For the biggest bang for your buck, mail your checks to:
[Ed. Note: donation information omitted]
[Editorial Policy: The Voter Interests Project is a non-partisan organization. Part of our mission is to keep voters informed about the activities of elected officials and candidates for public office. We do not endorse or support any particular candidates; therefore, we omit all email links and donation links from candidate communications to supporters. If you are interested in supporting a candidate, we recommend you contact the candidate or their campaign directly.]
