News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on May 4th, 2025
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for May 5, 2025
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
1. NEW – Tickets Are Now on Sale for the 2025 Skagit County Democrats Gala
Join us Saturday, June 7th at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge for our annual Gala — our biggest fundraiser of the year. Our theme this year, "Rooted in Democracy, Growing for Tomorrow", reflects our commitment to deep values and forward progress.
We know these are uncertain times, and some may wonder if a celebration is the right move. But coming together now matters more than ever. This event is about solidarity, hope, and growing local democracy for the future. Funds raised help us keep the office running, support local candidates, and build grassroots power in Skagit County. Let’s celebrate our community, our mission, and what we’re building together. Get your tickets and more information here.
2. IMPORTANT – THIS IS CANDIDATE FILING WEEK – May 5 – 9
This is the week all candidates for the 2025 General Election will officially file their declarations of candidacy. There are many local positions to be filled. They range from municipal and school board positions to fire district commissioners. Click Here to see a listing of the scheduled races. Click Here for candidate filing information including how to file, filing fees, forms, deadlines, etc.
3. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board next meets Thursday, May 8, 6:30pm
Non-board members may attend via Zoom. Click Here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the online meeting.
4. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats meet Tuesday, May 13, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
"Skagit County Commissioner, Ron Wesen, Anacortes City Council member, Ryan Walters, and Anacortes Port Commissioner, Bonnie Bower, will be discussing the impacts of federal cuts to local government and the services they provide. How will the Washington State budget issues affect local projects? How are the County, City and Port dealing with funding cuts? There will be time for questions. Cookies and coffee will be served. The meeting will be recorded and posted to the YouTube channel. Barbara Cooper – mcmooper46@gmail.com."
5. NEW – 10th Legislative District Virtual Town Hall, Tuesday, May 13, 5:30pm, via Zoom
"Get answers to your questions about the 2025 Washington State Legislative Session with your Senator and Representatives." Present will be Senator Ron Muzzall, Representative Dave Paul, and Representative Clyde Shavers. Click Here to register and to enter any questions and/or comments.
6. NEW – The 10th Legislative District Democrats General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 10:00am – 12:00pm
The venue unknown at this time.
7. Important Information for Candidates!
The Skagit County Democrats Endorsements Committee has begun meeting, and we encourage all prospective candidates to apply for endorsement in order to get access to Votebuilder, campaign contributions, and other Skagit Democrats' resources. For more information, please click the link here. If you have any questions, please contact the Endorsement Committee at endorsements@skagitdemocrats.org.
8. 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.
- 10 Surprising Facts About Papal Conclaves
- An underwater volcano in the PNW is getting ready to blow
- Dramatic Differences Exist In How Republicans And Democrats Use Science When Policymaking
- There's a big gap in crime rates between immigrants and U.S. natives
- SCOTUS hears arguments in religious charter school fight
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – The 2025 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday. May 10
"Letter Carriers nationwide will be out collecting your non-perishable food donations. Don’t miss this opportunity to support your local food banks — every donation helps. Together, we can #StampOutHunger! To donate, just place a box or can of non-perishable food next to your mailbox before your letter carrier delivers mail on the second Saturday in May. The carrier will do the rest. The food is sorted, and delivered to an area food bank or pantry, where it is available for needy families."
2. NEW – Joel Underwood: That Ribbon of Highway: Woody Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest, Saturday, May 10, 2:00pm, Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main Street, Concrete
"Folksinger and activist Woody Guthrie composed 26 songs in 30 days while riding along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project in 1941. With his unique, authentic voice, he chronicled both the grandeur and the perils of what he called “The Greatest Thing That Man Has Ever Done” as an employee of the Bonneville Power Administration . . . Historian, teacher, folksinger, and actor Joel Underwood performs an hour that is part concert, part theatrical drama, and part lecture . . . "
3. NEW – Sunday, May 11, is Mother's Day
"Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the United States because Anna Jarvis, who campaigned to establish the holiday, chose that date to honor her mother's passing on May 9th. President Woodrow Wilson formally recognized the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day in 1914, making it a national holiday."
4. NEW – Shellfish Harvesting in Skagit County
Several Skagit County beaches are closed to shellfish harvesting due to biotoxins or pollution. Click Here for more information.
5. Farmer's Markets 2025
- Anacortes, The Depot, 611 R Avenue – Saturdays – 9:00am – 2:00pm – Opened May 2
- Concrete, Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad Avenue – Saturdays – 10:00am – 2:00pm – Opens May 25
- Mount Vernon, Riverwalk, 501 Main Street – Saturdays – 9:00am – 2:00pm – Opens May 17
- Sedro-Woolley, Hammer Heritage Square, 640 Metcalf Street – Wednesdays – 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Opens May 21
6. Skagit Transit Long Range Transit Plan Open for Public Comment
"Skagit Transit has developed a Draft Long-Range Transit Plan. This plan provides Skagit Transit with a framework for enhancing and expanding transit over the next decade to better serve existing riders and attract new riders. The plan and feedback form can be found here. Public comment on this plan is open until Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, and Skagit Transit wants to hear from you! Complete the survey available on their website, email custserv@skagittransit.org, or call (360) 757-4433 to provide feedback. Paper copies of the survey are available at Skagit Station (105 E Kincaid St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274) at the customer service desk."
7. Information about Alfredo "Lelo" Juarez
"On March 25, 2025, Lelo was violently detained by ICE while driving his partner to her workplace. ICE agents broke his car window when Lelo tried to exercise his rights. He is currently detained inside an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington.
Lelo has been a farmworker and community leader in Washington since he was 12 years old, and has worked tirelessly for immigrant and farmworker rights. He was one of the initial founders of the independent union Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ), where he helped agricultural workers win paid breaks and overtime. As an organizer with Community to Community Development (C2C), he has been involved in multiple campaigns, most recently working on educating the community and legislators about the exploitative H-2A program.
?We believe that ICE may have targeted Lelo for his leadership in standing up for farmworkers and immigrants in his community." Click Here for more information. Click Here for the Cascadia Daily News article of Apr 19, "Northwest farmworker activist gets court hearing date; still detained in ICE facility".
You can help:
- Email Senator Patty Murray
- Email Senator Maria Cantwell
- Email Congressional Representative Rick Larsen
- Contribute to the Alfredo Juarez Legal Fund
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. The group 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 $.56. 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, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."