Washblog

Candidate forum moves to Eastern WA

Thanks to the Washington State Democratic Hispanic Latino Caucus and the Washington State Democratic Fourth Congressional District for hosting a state party chair candidates forum.

The event is scheduled for January 21st at 10am in Pasco, and will be moderated by Gabriel Portugal (chair of the Hispanic and Latino caucus) and Keith Gourley (chair of the 4th CD Dems).

Download forum.pdf

Chair forum afterthoughts

Got a chance to check out the Unity Caucus' State Party Chair forum, one that will be on TVW shortly.

It was a packed house and I think Luis Moscoso did an excellent job getting the event together in four weeks notice. The forum had a moderator who asked a question to each candidate then a representative from each of the individual caucus asked one question each.

So some thoughts on how the forum went, and who I would endorse on the first ballot below....

Phil Talmadge not running for chair

Word on the street is Phil Talmadge has officially bowed out for the race of Dem party chair. Let the fur fly!

On race, fairness, and leadership

Continuing the discussion Noemie began about David Postman's recent article about the State Party Chair race, I think it's time to talk about race and dispel some rumors.  To begin, I want to reprint a letter that a friend wrote.  Lawrence is one of the more brilliant people I know, who tends to disarm with humor, but when engaged is capable of cutting through deep lines of bullshit to grab onto an issue and bring it to full light.  With his permission, his letter in its entirety:

Dear Friends--

Over the weekend I read an article in the Seattle Times wherein State Senator Margarita Prentice implied that State Party Chair candidate Dwight Pelz might be "racist" because he has run against people of color in the past.

Now, we've all dealt with the press, and know how easy it is to have one's views misrepresented. I would like to think that has happened here and that Senator Prentice's statements have been turned into something they were originally not. I have spoken with Senator Prentice on the phone in the past, during the Dean campaign, and I know that she is a wise and thoughtful person.

However, because the article spun her position the way that it did, I've been thinking about what the implications are. Several things strike me:

Greg Rodriguez set to endorse Mark Hintz?

The latest in the developing saga that is the race for state party chair - Greg Rodriguez will endorse Mark Hintz, current chair of the Snohomish County Dems. This is far from a done deal as some have thought, and should prove for an eventful day at the Unity Caucus forum on the 8th in Renton.

In getting to know Mark over the past year, I believe he is a great leader for the Snohomish County Dems, and would have no doubt he could lead the state party to further success, although I am going to guess that some of you may not be very familiar with him. This is not an endorsement of Mark, but just my personal observation of him. I'll throw my two cents in on who I think should be chair after the Unity Caucus forum (FYI, $1.50 and my endorsement will get you a hotdog at Costco).

Mark has raised thousands of dollars for the Snohomish County Democrats, including hosting a $100 per plate gala that grossed over $20,000. Attendees included Senator Cantwell, Governor Gregoire, Jay Inslee, and Rick Larsen, along with many local electeds. Not bad for a county organization that was throwing its first such high-end event.

Participation by electeds in Party affairs is rising in Snohomish County because Mark has made the Party more relevant, as shown during the recent nominating conventions. He's reached out to every faction and consults the E-Board and Central Committee prior to making major organizational decisions. Mark Hintz is from the grassroots - he's chaired at the district and county levels, recruited PCO's, raised money, recruited candidates, and he knows what it takes to win up here in Freedom/Deliverance County, where there is a large urban/rural divide.

Mark also graciously allowed me to come speak to the County E-Board about blogs in the fall prior to the elections, and embraces technology instead of being scared of it. This led to much more information sharing and collaboration for the final weeks leading to November, to which I believe was an impact in Dave Somers victory over the grotesquely well-financed Republican Jeff Sax.

More about the Unity Coalition

Yet another fantastic article by Lynn Allen of Evergreen Politics, this time regarding the Unity Coalition and the opportunity for the grassroots of the party to be heard:

A Unity Coalition of several different Party caucuses, including the African American, Agriculture Rural, Asian Pacific, Disability, Federation of Democratic Women, Hispanic/Latino, Jewish, Labor, Progressive, Stonewall, Veterans and Young Democratic caucuses, is planning to hold a Candidate’s forum and try to get the people running for Chair to come and talk with the Coalition and answer some questions.

Luis Moscoso, Secretary of the WA State Dems, has this setup to be an open and engaging event. No endorsements, ask questions and make up your own mind. Your chance to help mold the future of the state party, regardless of stature.

His idea is that the caucuses that participate in the forum will not endorse any particular candidate.  They will talk about what they want the new Chair to do and they will ask a series of questions to each of the candidates.  The questions will have to do with internal Party protocols as well as specific issues.

More rumor and innuendo

Will Mark Hintz throw his hat in? Rumor abound that the current chair of the Snohomish County Dems may announce his candidacy soon. As the husband of Senator Cantwell's regional representative and as a current County Chair with a good reputation for fundraising, not to mention a good dose of popularity, Hintz is a viable candidate.

And what about Phil Talmadge? Word from one insider: "People are mad that he (Talmadge) hasn't sent out anything and I have it firsthand from him that he will not be making any phone calls or going anywhere."

Oh well. I wonder what that means for the 'draft Phil' campaign?

Reserving judgement

As you may know by now, Greg Rodriguez has decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the Democrats State Party Chair, in part due to comments made about him on this blog and elsewhere. It is unfortunate, but this change in events allows for a hopefully strong vetting process, one that will begin on January 8th with the Unity Caucus's candidate forum.

What are we really looking for in a chair? Some folks mention that all that matters is for the individual to be able to make rain and keep the PDC books in order. Is that really all? Its true that the state party has had trouble with in recent years is keeping the books straight. From a PR prospective, having to pay fines to Olympia - with money that was donated to the party - is a black eye that needs to be remedied. I don't know very many people that are willing to give money to a political party just to see the party squander it.

From what I have heard the candidates are now Dwight Pelz, Laura Ruderman, Bill Harrington, Jean Brooks. No official word that Phil Talmadge is actually running, but there are rumors of a 'draft Phil' campaign. Given that field, a nomination from the floor is possible and could even be viable, so this could get quite interesting. If I was running for state chair, I would make contact with each and every LD's committee-persons right away to gage their support and ask questions. It doesn't appear that the any of the current candidates have done so, yet.

Interview with Jean Books, candidate for State Party Chair

Here is another in a series of interviews of various Washington State Candidates. Last time, I spoke with Bill Harrington, who is one of several candidates for the State Party Chair to be left open by retiring long-time Chair Paul Berendt.

Keeping with the theme, never an easy thing for me, I am continuing today with Jean Brooks, chairwoman of the Pierce County Democratic Party, who is also a candidate for the chairmanship.

Jean has been on the

University Place

city council since 1995. She serves as an alternate member to the Pierce County Health Department Board, member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Community Action Board, and member of the Aging and Long-Term Care Board. She was honored this year at the the 12th Annual WSDCC Magnuson Awards with the lifetime achievement award.

Unity Caucus to vet candidates for State Dem Party Chair

The State Democratic Party is getting a new Chair. At this time, the known candidates are:

Jean Brooks

Bill Harrington

Dwight Pelz

Greg Rodriguez

Laura Ruderman

Phil Talmadge

Under the leadership of Luis Moscoso, State Party Secretary, a Unity Caucus has formed and will sponsor a January 8 forum for the candidates.  The following Caucuses are involved.

African American

Asian Pacific American

Disability Caucus

Fed. of Democratic Women

Hispanic/Latino Caucus

Jewish Caucus

Labor Caucus

Progressive Caucus

Stonewall Democrats

It's an inspired move -- for a more accountable and relevant State Democratic Party. Thank you Luis!