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News from the Skagit County Democrats

Posted on October 4th, 2020

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for September 21, 2020

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DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – On the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“It is with profound sadness we witness the passing of an icon of judicial greatness. Ruth Bader Ginsburg made our country more egalitarian, more progressive, more tolerant, fairer, and kinder in her life and on the bench. She will remain a legend in American history as a fierce advocate for civil rights and equality. Her energy and tenacity in advocating for civil rights for all will stand as a hallmark for those who follow. Her advocacy for gender equality as an attorney broadened into a judicial philosophy of equality for all on the bench. Her thoughtful opinions demonstrated her brilliance as well as her firm but patient insistence on treating everyone fairly and with respect. We will all miss her greatly. We send our love and our sympathy to Justice Ginsburg’s family, and we grieve with them as we all mourn her loss.

The greatest way we can honor Justice Ginsburg is by doubling down on all of our efforts to turn out the vote, and vote Blue up and down the ballot so that her work can be carried on in a tradition that would honor her legacy.”
Lynn Campbell, Chair, Skagit County Democrats

2. UPDATED – Skagit Democrats Fundraiser for Candidate Support, Tuesday, Sep 22, 7:00pm
All Skagit County Democrats are invited to a Zoom meeting with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Washington State Treasurer candidate Mike Pellicciotti and Washington State Secretary of State candidate Gael Tarleton, Tuesday, Sep 22, 7:00pm. Governor Jay Inslee will also join us via a recorded message. You will have an opportunity to hear their platforms and ask some questions. Click Here to register. Click Here to make a donation.

The purpose of this event is to appeal to you to help us support our local candidates. Any donations we receive are greatly appreciated and will be used to support and encourage the Democratic candidates for Skagit County Commissioners and the 10th, 39th and 40th Legislative Districts. Our intention is to help these candidates to a winning end in November. We sincerely appreciate your support. Please feel free to give us a call should you have any questions. Gala Team, Skagit Democrats – Velit Seyfettin, Chair Gala Team, 360-293-9320 or Staff, 360-336-1555.

3. NEW – Election Reform with 40th Legislative District Senator Liz Lovelett and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, Tuesday, Sep 22, 6:00pm – 6:45pm
Click Here for tickets and more information.

4. Virtual Skagit County House Party with 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff, Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki, and PUD Commissioner Germaine Kornegay in support of 2nd Congressional District U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Wednesday, Sep 23, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, via Zoom
Zoom link will be sent upon RSVP. Contributions are appreciated but not required. Suggested Contributions: Sponsor – $200, Supporter – $100, Individual – $25. You may contribute online here or mail a contribution to P.O. Box 326 Everett, WA 98206. RSVP: Todd at todd@ricklarsen.orgor 425-610-8731.

5. Help Re-Elect Climate Champions Rep. Debra Lekanoff & Rep. Sharon Shewmake, Wednesday, Sep 23, 5:00pm – 5:45pm, via Zoom
Event hosted by Carbon Washington. RSVP to Katherine@KatherineBobman.com or 206-486-5913.

6. NEW – Virtual Candidate Forum, Wednesday, Sep 23, 11:30am – 1:00pm, via Zoom
“Candidates from Skagit County PUD Commissioner Dist. 1 and County Commissioner Dist. 1 & 2 races will be in attendance.” Free event. Hosted by Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Click Here to register.

7. Build with Biden event, Friday, Oct 9, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Commercial Avenue, Anacortes
Event will take place on West side of 12th Street to 33rd Street, 6 people per block, 6 feet apart. Please bring masks, BIDEN/HARRIS signs, flags (homemade or bought). Please join. We need help. Call or text: MARILYN – 936-537-6961 for block assignment.

8. UPDATED – Phonebanking Opportunities

  • Skagit County Democrats – Skagit County Virtual Phonebank, Tuesday, Sep 22, 5:00pm – 8:00pm. Click Here to register.
  • The 10th Legislative District Democrats are gearing up for the general election campaign. We have opportunities for phonebanking from the comfort of your own home. It is super easy and there will be a brief training for first timers. The Washington State Democrats Coordinated Campaign (our own Bennett Massey-Helber) is organizing phonebanking on behalf of all our candidates. We have the option of only calling voters within the 10th LD. If you have interest in helping to elect our democratic candidates please reply to chair@10thLDDemocrats.org. If we get a good number of you to call, we can keep your calling hours fairly low, 2 hours per week. In addition to the WSDCC, each candidate will coordinate their own phonebank.The Coordinated Campaign will be calling for all candidates and only calling within the 10th LD.
    • Thursdays 5:00 – 8:00 pm – Washington State Democrats Coordinated Campaign calling into the 10th LD on behalf of all candidates – contact Bennett Massey-Helber
    • Saturdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Helen Price-Johnson Campaign Phonebank
  • 39th Legislative District Democrats – When you sign up for one of our events, you will then receive an email with the information to join the event on the day of the event. Once you join the zoom event, our staff will walk through a training to get you set up to make calls. On Sunday’s we run our dialer program which is highly efficient. Volunteers dial into this system and are connected to voters once they have answered. With the dialer, calls will be made statewide. On Tuesday’s-Thursday’s and Saturday’s we run our virtual phonebanks. We use a system called open virtual phonebank. These calls will be hand dialed and can be made at the LD level! Our staff will get you all trained once you join and stay on the zoom for the duration of the event to answer any questions. Once the training concludes and questions are answered, we will assign all 39th LD folk to a zoom breakout room so that you all can converse with one another in the chat while making calls. Please register for phonebanks below:

9. The Washington State Democrats’ annual Warren G. Magnuson Dinner will be held virtually on Thursday, Sep 24
Click Here for more information.

10. NEW – Angie Homola, candidate for 10th Legislative District Representative, Position 1, provides the following contact information
Angie Cell/Text: 360-632-3016
E-Mail: angieforall10LD@gmail.com
Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/angieforall
Twitter URL: https://twitter.com/angieforallTwitter handle: @angieforall
Website: http://www.angieforall.com/
Mailing Address: Angie For All, P.O. Box 955, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

11. NEW – Stronger Together Skagit Card Writers – MORE HANDS ARE NEEDED! Jump “write” in
“With 5,500+ cards in hands of Stronger Together Skagit card writers, we are in the final two weeks of writing for local Skagit Dem. endorsed candidates for Dist. 10 and Skagit County contests. But there are more cards to be written! Could you jump “write” in with 20 cards for a candidate? Contact Carol Sullivan, carolosully@yahoo.com, to become an STS card writer. Any help will be appreciated – especially by the writers who have cranked out all those cards – their hands deserve a break!”

12. NEW – Volunteers needed for Skagit County Democrats Essay Contest Committee
“We need volunteers for the essay committee. If you are interested please contact Chuck Jerman at: chuckjerman@gmail.comor 360-391-8578.”

13. NEW – Be aware of possible scams
“The Chair of Skagit Democrats, Lynn Campbell, will never ask anyone to buy gift cards. Please check the email address carefully. It is what is called Spoofing, where someone who poses as the Chair sends out requests. If you receive one, please delete.”

14. Voter Registration and Schedule

  • How to register
    • Online – You can register to vote using VoteWA. To register to vote using this online program, you must have either a valid Washington State Driver’s License, or State Identification (ID) Card.
    • In Person – You can register to vote in person at the Skagit County Auditor’s Office, 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201 (corner of 2nd & Kincaid), Mount Vernon, Hours: M-F 8:30-4:30
    • By Mail – You can register to vote via mail by downloading and printing a registration form and sending it to our office. You can download your form using this link (select your language). In addition, a registration form can be requested by calling our office at 360-416-1702.
  • Last Date to Register
    • Online or Mail: Oct 26
    • In-Person: Nov 3
  • Ballots go out:
    • Military and overseas ballots are mailed out Sep 18 (very early).
    • Domestic Ballots are mailed out Oct 14

15. Any Tech Questions?
Any Tech Questions? is a weekly Zoom meeting hosted by the Skagit County Democrats to assist anyone in the community with technical questions about the use of Google Apps and Zoom. It also includes some other topics specific to the Democrats’ mission to nurture democratic values in our elected officials. The sessions are scheduled for every Wednesday at 5:00pm. The Zoom link is available by emailing Tech@SkagitDemocrats.org. To learn more about how to use our Google Drive, Click Here.

16. Skagit Democrats Fundraisers

  • Coronavirus Face Mask Fundraiser: For a donation of $20 you will receive a hand-made face mask especially designed by an engineer/industrial designer at the request of the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Mission Hospital in California. The masks provide full coverage and are comfortable. Click Here or Here to see examples of the masks. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation, please indicate “Mask” and indicate which fabric you would like: #1 first on the left, #2 the middle, #3 on the right (for example: “Mask #3”).
  • Greeting Card Fundraiser: Social distancing and staying safe makes it difficult for us to get out and look for cards to mark special occasions or just say hello. For a donation of $15.00 you will receive a box of 6 – 8 beautiful hand-made greeting cards. These are one of a kind cards so no two boxes are the same and aren’t made to order. Let us choose your lovely card set. Pictured on the web site (Click Here or Here) are samples of the kinds of cards you will receive. If you would like to donate, Click Here. Under purpose on the donation, please indicate “Cards” and the number of boxes you want.

Thank you for your continued support of the Skagit Democrats.

17. The Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 300A South First Street, Mount Vernon, will be staffed from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
It will not be open to the public. Staff will be able to hand out campaign signs without admitting entry. We ask that masks be worn at all times when ordering from the door and during pick up. Call ahead to the HQ phone (360-336-1555) and staff will pick them and have ready at the door. You may also email staff@skagitdemocrats.orgafter hours and the message will be relayed to the volunteers staffing the HQ. Some pick ups can be arranged outside of open hours. Just call or email to inquire. Most campaign signs are free.

The Headquarters continues to disperse campaign signs from our physical location in downtown Mount Vernon. A shipment of Biden/Harris yard signs is expected late Tuesday or Wednesday morning. They will be available on a first come, first out basis. It is suggested to check in with staff by phone to see if they have arrived – call 360-336-1555. Signs are 1/$10 or 2/$16. Biden/Harris merchandise is in with limited selection. Here is a place online to get some Biden/Harris bling: Click Here. The Inslee campaign is still directing supporters to their campaign website for signs and swag. There are no yard signs at HQ for Inslee. Our Governor has not had time to fundraise in this pandemic. Purchasing a sign directly from his store will help with fundraising. His campaign strategy is to put money into paid media. We will be receiving a clip of his paid media. When we do, we will share it with you.

18. Our candidates’ Websites & Facebook Pages

19. National 2020 Caucus/Primary and Debate Schedule

  • September 29 – First presidential debate, South Bend, IN
  • October 7 – Vice presidential debate, Salt Lake City, UT
  • October 15 – Second presidential debate, Ann Arbor, MI
  • October 22 – Third presidential debate, Nashville, TN
  • November 3 – Presidential election

20. NEW – From The Chair’s Corner: A Message from Chair Lynn Campbell
“With Loren Culp and Donald Trump,  the top of the GOP ticket in Washington state is anti-science. Monday in California, President Trump said in response to California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot pleading with him to not “ignore” science said the earth would “start getting cooler” and “I don’t think the science knows” on climate change.

Here’s their full exchange:

California Secretary for Natural Resources Crowfoot: “I think we want to work with you to really recognize the changing climate and what it means to our forests and actually work together with that science. That science is going to be key. If we ignore that science and sort of put our head in the sand and think it’s all about vegetation management, we’re not going to succeed together protecting Californians.”

Trump: “Ok, it’ll start getting cooler, you just watch.”

Crowfoot: “I wish science agreed with you.”

Trump: “I don’t think science knows, actually.”

Actually, science does know: according to a report published in August by climate scientists in California, the likelihood of extreme wildfire conditions is growing across the state and shows no sign of slowing down, due to climate change.

Not to be outdone, Trump’s mini-me Loren Culp pushed a similar “cooling” message point just last week:

CULP: “Well, in the 70s, you know I’m old enough to remember, in the 70s there was the big scare about global cooling. It was on the national news. Global cooling, we’re all going to freeze to death. And then it was global warming, we’re all going to burn up. It’s always 10-12 years down the road.”

“We cannot afford to let Republicans’ science denialism sabotage our attempts to solve the crises facing our country, whether that’s climate change leading to historically destructive wildfires or the pandemic that’s taken nearly 200,000 American lives,” said Tina Podlodowski, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party. “Washingtonians should not be surprised that someone who refuses to wear a mask also does not comprehend climate science, but each day on the campaign trail Loren Culp finds a new way to prove he’s unfit to lead our state.”

21. NEW – Links of the Week
The Link of the Week provides in-depth pieces the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Fridays for Future Climate March, Friday, Sep 25, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Skagit County Courthouse, 205 West Kincaid Street, Mount Vernon
Hosted by Sunrise Bellingham. Bring a sign (or just yourself) — masks and social distancing are required at all times!

2. Vote411
Vote411 is a website sponsored by the League of Women Voters that provides election information and combats misinformation. Click Here for the Washington State English language version. Click Here for the Washington State Spanish language version.

3. Skagit County announces funds, partners to help Skagitonians to pay rent during COVID-19 pandemic
Click Here for the Skagit County Press Release. Click Here for the Skagit Valley Herald article.

4. Referendum 90
“Referendum 90 will uphold the new Washington state law requiring all public schools to teach age-appropriate, inclusive, comprehensive sexual health education to K-12 students . . . In 2020, a coalition of parents, educators, medical professionals, and advocates passed a law in Washington state focused on keeping young people safe and healthy. This law requires all public schools to teach age appropriate, inclusive, comprehensive sexual health education to K-12 students. This law was backed by a massive statewide coalition and has strong support from a strong majority of Washington state voters. In early 2020, a group of extremists launched a misinformation campaign attacking inclusive, age appropriate, comprehensive sexual health education and gathered enough signatures – during a pandemic – to put that law up for a public vote this November.” Click Here for the Approve 90 website. You can now contribute to “Donate to Safe & Healthy Youth Washington” through ActBlue – Click Here.

5. Census – Everyone should be counted!
If you have not yet completed the Census, Click Here to complete it on-line. It only takes a few minutes and it is important that everyone participates!

6. UPDATED – Drive-through COVID-19 testing is OPEN MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS from 8:30am – 4:00pm and TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 11:00am – 7:00pm at the east parking lot of Skagit Valley College
Online registration is not required. No appointments are needed. Spanish speaking interpreters on site to assist with registration and testing. Skagit County Public Health will test anyone who lives in or works in Skagit County, is five years of age or older and feels they should be tested, and is encouraging anyone who fits into the following guidelines to get tested:

  • Those who are essential workers
  • Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms
  • Anyone whose physician recommended they be tested
  • Anyone who lives or works in a congregate setting
  • Pregnant women
  • Anyone who is a close contact or has a known exposure to COVID-19
  • If you have had a known or probable exposure to COVID-19, you must wait 8 days before being tested. COVID-19 has a relatively long incubation period, so getting tested before 8 days has passed could result in a false negative.
  • Use of the Drive-Thru testing site will be limited to those who live in or work in Skagit County. Those who do not live in or work in Skagit County should seek testing in their own communities or through their medical provider.

Click Here for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Listen to We Do the Work, Tuesdays, 5:00pm, and Sundays, 5:30pm at KSVR, 91.7 FM or KSVU, 90.1 FM
A weekly local worker radio program that features news, interviews, music, and comments, “We Do the Work” believes American workers are at the heart of our economy and culture, deserving dignity, respect, and a decent family wage. To hear our other shows, go to We Do The Work Archives. Questions about interviews? Email – ksvrwedothework@gmail.com.

NEW – We Do The Work’s program for Tuesday, Sep 22, 5:00pm and Sunday, Sep 27, 5:30 – “Learn Yourself” with Conor Casey, Labor Archivist for the Labor Archives of Washington, Ellie Belew, author, and Megan Cornish, retiree from Seattle City Light, Part 2
Interview by Mike Dumovich:  Conor, Ellie, and Megan continue their conversation about Seattle City Light’s Electrical Trades Program and how the first tradeswomen were treated as well as the effects of affirmative action and other organizations of the 1970s. For more information or to buy the book ‘High Voltage Women’ by Ellie Belew, go to https://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/laws/ or http://www.redletterpress.org/highvoltagewomen.html.

We Do The Work Comment: Reagan was right!
#LaborRadioPod

2. Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! Radio
Listen to Speak Up! Speak Out! – a half hour weekly radio show committed to community, peace, justice, and non-violence issues. The show airs on Community Radio stations (times subject to change) – KSVR 91.7 FM (Skagit Valley College), Wednesdays 5:00pm, rebroadcast Sundays 8:00pm; KSVU 90.1 FM, Hamilton, Sundays 8:00pm and Thursdays 8:00am; KMRE 102.3 FM, Bellingham, Sundays 11:00am and Wednesdays 7:30am. Our shows are available online. Stream or download a show at http://speakupspeakoutradio.org/anytime.

NEW – SUSO Wednesday, Sep 23 – Science of Gender
Linden Jordan on the Science of Gender – Linden talks about the complex chemical and biological processes that determine one’s physical sexual characteristics and gender identity and why they do not always match.

3. Coffee ‘n Cards via Zoom: Each Monday, 10:00am, Zoom meeting ID: 728 6695 7807, password: 3G1teP
You are invited to attend. Contact Carol Sullivan at carolosully@yahoo.comfor details. 2020 card total: 4,737, Grand Total: 12,891.

  • Sep 28: Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau will be our guest for informal “Coffee with Mayor Jill”
  • Oct 5: Discussion of Ref. 90: Misinformation targets our Dist. 10 candidates. Learn the facts, and what you can do to support our candidates.  Maya Gillett, from Dave Paul’s campaign will lead the discussion.

Dave Paul joins Coffee ‘n Cards for an informal visit on Monday, Oct 5 at 7:00pm. Plan to attend, and invite someone who may not yet know what Dave has done for our District, and what he plans for the coming legislative session. There will be time for your questions and comments. Join Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692201290?pwd=WnAxZUZETm9oY0dDTjlzZTh4aklRQT09, Meeting ID: 876 9220 1290, Passcode: 328698

4. Anacortes Weekly Demonstrations
Do you have a cause or a candidate that you are passionate about? If yes, join us at the “protest corner” in Anacortes, 12th Street and  Commercial Avenue (the Safeway Corner) EVERY Sunday from 12:00pm – 1:00pm – wet or sunny, hot or cold, all year around.  Bring your own signs or use one of our extras.

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