Manka Dhingra!
You’ve probably heard about Manka Dhingra, the Democrat running in the 45th legislative district. This race is essential to retaking our state senate, and her campaign put together a short video about Manka’s story and why she’s running. Watch it here:
You can learn more about Manka and get involved in the race at her website – www.electmanka.com
Republicans’ Failing Grade on Education
The Washington Post got ahold of Trump’s proposed education budget, and it’s bad news for public schools:
And while public schools are under attack from Washington D.C., here in our Washington the Senate Republicans are STILL refusing to fully fund education. The legislature has been in special session for weeks and the Republicans are still standing in the way of the Democratic plan to fund education, freeze college tuition, and invest in critical services for children and families.
Republicans’ all-out assault on public education shows how important it is that we win our special legislative elections this year and retake the State Senate. The Republican candidate in the 45th LD, Jinyoung Englund, even came out as a public supporter of Trump’s agenda this week – we can’t let a rubber stamp for Trump into this critical legislative seat. That’s why it’s so essential that we support Manka!
Trump and Russia
This has been a crazy week in news on Trump’s deep and dangerous ties to Russia. So much is happening, we can barely keep track of it all. So here are the headlines from this week:
Monday – Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador
Tuesday – Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation
Wednesday – Justice Department appoints a special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference in election AND House majority leader told colleagues last year he thinks Putin “pays” Trump
Thursday – President Trump publicly denies telling Comey to back off Flynn investigation
Friday – A White House official close to President Trump is now a person of interest in Russia probe AND Trump told Russian officials that James Comey was “crazy, a real nut job” shortly after firing him AND Sources: White House lawyers research impeachment
What. A. Week.
What comes next? We have no idea. But we’re going to keep fighting to hold Trump accountable and get honesty and transparency out of this White House.
Lawsuit to Defend Health Care
We know that Republican attacks on health care coverage and the Affordable Care Act are one of the most serious threats to families and communities across our state and our country. But while Republicans are pushing their TrumpCare bill to repeal the ACA, they’re also taking bureaucratic action to undermine health care.
Democrats are fighting back and our Attorney General Bob Ferguson is taking legal action to ensure that people get the health care they need. Washington is part of a coalition of states suing to require the Trump Administration to continue to fund subsidies that help people afford their insurance premiums. Without these cost-sharing reduction subsidies, premiums for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians would increase by as much as 20% – a massive price hike that we’re suing to block. We’re not going to give up fighting to protect affordable health care!
Chess Master Ferguson also wrote an article for Time Magazine about how Democrats are fighting back against Trump’s agenda:
The most aggressive opening in chess is called the King’s Gambit. On the second move, White sacrifices a pawn that typically protects his king for a blitzkrieg assault on Black. It’s audacious. With no preparation, no careful groundwork, White signals his intent to wipe his opponent off the board. In the early 20th century, the King’s Gambit led to many brilliant victories. But through careful preparation, grand masters discovered that they could place White on the defensive by capitalizing on weaknesses created by the aggressive opening.
President Trump is playing the political version of the King’s Gambit–and his was certainly an example of early success. But his approach leaves vulnerabilities that undermine his attacks.
Click here to read the full article!
Tom Perez In WA
DNC Chair Tom Perez came to Washington state this week, and we had a great event with him and members of The Resistance. If you weren’t able to attend, you can check out some of the highlights in this video (click to watch):
You can also see more pictures from the event here on our Facebook page – and “like” us on Facebook if you haven’t already!
Sign Up For Our Summer of Canvass
We’ve heard feedback from Democrats across the state – to paint this state blue, Democrats need to talk to more people, not just likely Democrats or people who vote consistently. We need to get back in touch with voters whether they consider themselves Democrats or not, whether they voted last year or not, and understand their top priorities and concerns. And we need to do it at a scale that will help us win competitive races in 2017 and lay the groundwork for 2018.
We heard you and now we’re doing just that. To accomplish this, we will launch a massive, volunteer-led summer canvass to knock on doors across the state, listen to voters’ top concerns, and understand what it would take to engage them in our party.
By now we’re sure you’ve heard about our new program to fund grassroots field organizing across the state – The Resistance! By investing in field organizing, voter registration, and party building, your sustained monthly support will help our party advance progressive values and resist the Trump agenda across the state!
Click here to find out more and help fund our grassroots efforts at $27, $14 or $7 dollars a month – even $3 makes a difference! Thanks for considering and again, here is the link.
Town Hall In Vancouver
This Monday, May 22nd, our Chair Tina Podlodowski will be joining the Clark County Democrats for a roundtable discussion about politics, our party, and the work we need to do to resist Trump and advance our Democratic agenda. We’ll be talking messaging, elections, candidates, communications, organizing and more.
A Facebook event is here and the details are:
Monday May 22
6 – 8:30 PM
Aero Club Banquet Room
9901 NE 7th Avenue, Suite C-200 (Upstairs) Vancouver, WA 98685
Suggested donation to pay for the venue and coffee: $5.00 each
If you’re in the Vancouver area, it would be great to see you there!
Thank you for your support!
