Strong Bipartisan Support for Peninsula School Bond Undermined by Pierce County Republican Party
——–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE——-
Strong Bipartisan Support for Peninsula School District Bond Undermined by Pierce County Republican Party
Gig Harbor, Washington April 25, 2018 – The Peninsula School District bond election result – 58.8% voted for the bond – shows strong bipartisan support for this crucial measure, reflecting support from Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. The bond measure is badly needed to restore our school facilities to an acceptable level and address crowded conditions resulting from state mandates for smaller class sizes. So how did the measure fall short of the super-majority vote (over 60%) to pass?
The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the Pierce County Republican Party, which funded and mailed a flyer just before the election opposing the bond measure and providing erroneous and misleading information. The 26th Legislative District Democrats (Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton) went on record early supporting the bond measure and provided many volunteer hours as well as dollars to support the bond. All the Democratic candidates running for office in November from this district – Derek Young for County Council, Emily Randall for State Senate, and Connie FitzPatrick and Joy Stanford for the two State Representative seats – endorsed and actively supported the bond measure. In contrast, Gig Harbor Republican Randy Boss organized the “No” campaign and actively opposed the bond. None of the legislative representatives from this district, all Republicans – Jan Angel, Jesse Young, and Michelle Caldier – endorsed or supported the bond. This is a disgrace and does not reflect the views of the electorate here, regardless of party affiliation.
The bond campaign epitomized democracy at its best – with people from all parties and backgrounds working together on behalf of our schools. Those who voted for this bond should consider their vote carefully in November and support candidates who are aligned with the interests of this district. The Republican incumbents need to be turned out so that the state legislators reflect the will of the district.
The bond measure was a result of a year-long effort by the School Board and parents collaborating to look at all the options and develop a bond measure with bipartisan appeal. The campaign to pass the bond reflected a strong grass roots effort led and organized by Stand Up for Peninsula Schools (SUP), a parent volunteer organization. Many volunteers worked countless hours every weekend for the past several months going door to door to talk to citizens and explain the bond measure. In addition, the Peninsula Schools Superintendent gave many presentations throughout the district to present the facts of why this bond measure was so crucial and answer questions. It was a well-executed campaign.
The 26th Legislative District Democrats will continue to support efforts to pass a bond measure in the Peninsula School District as well as in the South Kitsap School District.
Press contact:
Luellen Lucid – 26th Legislative District, Vice Chair – Pierce County
26thDemocrats@gmail.com
General Meeting
Featured this month:
TINA PODLODOWSKI
July 5th
Day: Monthly on First Thursdays
Meeting Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Social & Light Potluck Time: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Place: Givens Community Center – Kitsap Room
Address: 1026 Sidney Road Port Orchard 98366
Special Events
Announcements
Action
26th Dems – Reclaiming Our Future
TOGETHER
We Can Build An America That Works For All Of Us
Our ideals of freedom and justice are crumbling under the weight of powerful interests with their own self-serving objectives and a “you’re on your own” mentality for the rest of us. These interests threaten our families, our communities and our values.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We can work together in the 26th Legislative District to:
- BUILD a strong economy from the middle class out (not “trickle-down”), where middle class families with money in their pockets create a stronger America.
- STAND UP for strong communities. Every family has a right to clean air and drinking water, good food, health, and a safe place to call home.
- RESPECT the inherent dignity and equality of every human being regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, income, or sexual orientation.
- INVEST in strong public schools to open the doors to decent jobs, a secure retirement, and ladders of opportunity for all our children to succeed.
- PROTECT our children, seniors, and veterans. Make sure they are defended and supported, not left to fend for themselves.
STAY UP TO DATE
Get Email Updates
Stay Connected
A great way to stay connected and get updates about the 26th LD Democrats is to join our mailing list or find us on these social platforms.