News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for July 11, 2022

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Skagit County Democrats will not be meeting in July

2. Fidalgo Democrats next meets Tuesday, Jul 12, 7:00pm, via Zoom, with special guest 40th Legislative District Representative Debra Lekanoff
“40th District Representative Debra Lekanoff will join us to talk about past legislative session. Representative Lekanoff has been in the forefront of environmental activism in the legislature. We can learn more about how these issues impact our communities and what we can do to help. Also joining us will be several local candidates for legislature and county offices. They will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the group. There will be time for questions following Representative Lekanoff’s presentation. For more information Call Barbara Cooper 360-293-4123.”

3. NEW – Come and join Senator Liz Lovelett, John and Evlyn Schmidt, and Bennett Massey-Helber for a barbecue and fundraiser for Clyde Shavers’ campaign for the 10th Legislative District State House, Thursday, Jul 14, 4:30pm, at the Shelter Bay Pavilion (located right behind the Shelter Bay Clubhouse)
Please send an email to Bridget@bobmanconsulting.com to RSVP to the event.

4. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Saturday, Jul 16, 10:00am – 12:00pm, via Zoom (pre-registration required)
Click Here to register for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

5. Meet and Support 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul and Candidate Clyde Shavers, Thursday, Jul 21, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 South Second Street, La Conner
RSVP to bridget@bobmanconsulting.com.

6. NEW – The 40th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board is scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jul 26, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

7. Candidate Signs available at Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555
“Skagit County Democrats currently has candidate yard signs in our office. Come support your candidates by putting up yard signs. We are closed Mon July 4, but otherwise our office hours are Mon through Thursday noon to 4:00 p.m.”

8. Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates
Below is the list of candidates endorsed by the Skagit County Democrats to date:

• Patty Murray, US Senate
• Rick Larsen, WA-02 US House
• Jason Call, WA-02 US House
• Barbara Madsen, Washington State Supreme Court
• Steve Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State
• Dave Paul, 10th LD House
• Clyde Shavers, 10th LD House
• Jessica Wadhams, 39th LD House
• Claus Joens, 39th LD House
• Debra Lekanoff, 40th LD House
• Alex Ramel, 40th LD House
• Sandy Perkins, Skagit County Auditor
• Melissa Beaton, Skagit County Clerk
• Jackie Brunson, Skagit County Treasurer
• Don McDermott, Skagit County Sheriff
• Lisa Janicki, Skagit County Commission
• Germaine Kornegay, Skagit County PUD Commission
• Jennifer Howson, Skagit County District Court Judge

9. Enjoy this year’s Skagit County Democrat’s Gala & Auction!
“This year’s Gala & Auction, themed “Ensuring Democracy Together,” will occur on Saturday, October 8th, at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge. Hillary Franz, State Commissioner of Public Lands, is our headliner. Festivities start at 4:00 with a Candidate Meet & Greet, to be followed by a buffet with options for all appetites. Silent and Live Auctions cap the evening of fun and camaraderie.

You may secure a seat or table online under Donate at SkagitDemocrats.org. In the Purpose box at the bottom of the Donation Page, enter “Gala” and the number of seats being purchased. In-person payments can be made at 2021 E. College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, from 12:00-4:00 Monday-Thursday. An individual seat is $75, a table for eight is $600.

We are accepting Silent and Live auction donations into the Fall. You may drop them off at Headquarters or request an item be picked up by emailing staff@skagitdemocrats.org. The more desirable auction items, the more opportunities for all to participate. Thank you in advance.”
   
10. Skagit County Democrats continues to mandate facemasks at our Headquarters Office

11. NEW – Training Opportunities – Connection Lab
These are Zoom sessions. You will get a Zoom link upon registration, again in an email confirmation, and again the day of the event via email.

• Framing in Action: Voter Contact, Monday, Jul 18, 5:00pm, via Zoom
  • Voter contact now includes new digital methods of communication, as well as phones and the old standard of face-to-face at the door. Campaigns will learn ways to effectively connect with voters. Register to attend for free HERE.
• Framing in Action: Common Framing Mistakes, Monday, Aug 17, 5:00pm, via Zoom
  • Learn the things not to say, as well as ways of pivoting, so voters hear what you really want to say. Register to attend for free HERE.

12. NEW – Primary Election Information
Click Here for the Skagit County Auditor’s website.

• Dates:
  • July 13 – Domestic ballots mailed
  • July 25 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
  • August 2 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
  • August 2 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• Ballot Box Locations (NOTE: Ballot Boxes are not yet open)
  • Anacortes
    • Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
    • Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way
  • Burlington
    • Burlington Parks and Recreation Building, 900 East Fairhaven Street
  • Concrete
    • Skagit Upriver Services/Library, 45770 A Main Street
  • La Conner
    • La Conner Regional Library, 614 East Morris Street
  • Mount Vernon
    • Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
    • Skagit County Auditor’s Office [Courthouse], 700 S. 2nd Street (in U-shaped parking lot accessed from 3rd St. near Kincaid)
  • Sauk-Suiattle
    • Last Chance Casino & Bingo, 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
  • Sedro-Woolley
    • Sedro-Woolley Post Office, 111 Woodworth Street (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf)
  • Swinomish
    • Social Services Building (in front), 17337 Reservation Road
• Click Here to access the online Voter’s Pamphlets
• Click Here for information on Registering to Vote

13. NEW – Two articles on a local 40th Legislative District race
Skagit County Democrats are committed to a transparent sharing of information on how money is being spent in campaign races, even Democrat vs Democrat. Large amounts of outside money can have an outsize influence on local races.

• Money pours into Democrat-on-Democrat fight over natural gas
• Dark money doesn’t want you to vote this year

14. NEW – Guest Editorial by Alix Foster
“Please join me and other supporters on July 21st at 5:30 p.m at the La Conner Garden Club (622 Second Street) to meet, support and help elect two great candidates running to represent us in Olympia: Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers

I’m really excited about both these candidates and think you will be too. (And spread the word please.)

Dave Paul has served the 10th Legislative District as a Representative for two terms and has done a great job on numerous issues, including education and the environment. He’s proven that he can work across the aisle to get things done, both for his constituents and folks across the state.

Clyde Shavers is an Annapolis graduate, a Navy Veteran and a Yale Law School graduate. He has worked for non-profits and is a strong environmental law advocate. Clyde has decided to run for office because current incumbent Greg Gilday is not serving the pressing needs of the people in the 10th.

In these turbulent times, good leaders in state and local politics are needed to keep our democracy working. That’s why it’s so important that Dave Paul be returned to Olympia along with Clyde Shavers. They know how to deal with real issues, in contrast to many elected officials whose positions are based on simplistic ideologies, and who seek to divide us, rather than bring us together. We need real leaders like Dave and Clyde who will do the work needed to be done in these times.

We all know the issues: a woman’s right to choose, common sense reform of gun laws, education, affordable housing, civil rights for all people, and climate change. Both Dave and Clyde understand the complexity as well as both the urgency to act on these issues and their importance to us all.

Please join us on July 21st and help elect Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers! (See above.) Please RSVP by emailing Bridget@bobmanconsulting.com

Hoping to see you there. Alix”

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

• Combating Abortion Misinformation in the Post-Roe Environment
• The Danger of License Plate Readers in Post-Roe America
• What Happened to Michael Flynn?
• Nigeria’s Second Independence – Why the Giant of Africa Needs to Start Over
• A Brief History of the Rodeo

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – Safe and Sane Skagit will meet Monday, Jul 11, 5:00pm, Edison Granary, 14136 Gilmore, Edison OR via Zoom
All are welcome. This will be a hybrid meeting so feel free to join us on Zoom if you cannot make it in person. Click Here for the Zoom link.

2. NEW – Skagit County will be hosting a Guemes Island Public Open House on Thursday, July 28 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Continental Hearing Room, Skagit County Continental Building, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees may participate in person or via Zoom. Click Here for more information.

3. UPDATED – COVID-19 Information
Current Skagit County Information – The following is taken from the Skagit County COVID-19 Update of Jul 6



Click Here for the full report and resources.
 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Democrats are again demonstrating in Anacortes each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue. “We carry signs for Dem candidates, get out and vote signs, women’s right-to-chose in healthcare and so on and so on. We need more people to show up.”


2. Coffee & Cards is BACK! Wednesdays, 10:00am, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
“Are you looking for a way to make a positive contribution to our democracy while enjoying the company of others? Coffee and Cards is starting up again on Wednesdays from 10-11 am. This is a group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan (who sadly moved away) and is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.  

We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world. This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.  

Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently $.40 (and will be going up to $.44 in the summer). Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, 360-336-1555.”

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