——FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE——-

LD 26 Democrats Unanimously Endorse the Peninsula School Bond

Gig Harbor, Washington December 15, 2018 – At their General Meeting December 6, the 26^th Legislative District Democrats unanimously endorsed the Peninsula School Bond on the ballot in February and voted to make a significant financial contribution to the school bond campaign.  The school bond will fund the construction of two additional elementary schools, one on the Harbor Hills North site and a second on a site to be determined.  It will also cover the cost of replacing the current structures for two existing schools, Evergreen, located on the Key Peninsula, and Artondale, located in Gig Harbor.

“This bond is critical to the Peninsula School District,” stated newly elected 26^th LD Chair, Luellen Lucid.  “The schools have reached maximum capacity.  No new schools have been built for 26 years.  It is clearly time to build new schools to accommodate this area’s growth in population as well as to rebuild and modernize two of our oldest elementary schools.”

The bond requires a 60% supermajority to pass.  The last bond was on the ballot in April 2018 and fell short by only 1%, despite a strong bipartisan campaign effort organized by Stand Up for Peninsula Schools (SUP).

“Many members of the Democratic Party in this district will be actively involved in talking to district residents through a door-to-door campaign, phone calling, and postcard writing,” Lucid commented.   “I am calling on all PSD residents – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – to support this bond.  It is also my hope that all our local legislators will actively support this bond measure.  Senator-Elect Emily Randall (D) was a strong advocate for our schools throughout her campaign and is already supporting the bond.”

Press contact:
Luellen Lucid – Chair, 26th LD Democrats

26thDemocrats@gmail.com

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——–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE——-
Port Orchard, Washington November 1, 2018

JOHN KELLY REMOVED FROM CHAIR POSITION OF 26^TH LD DEMOCRATS AT SPECIAL MEETING

John Patrick Kelly was removed from the position of Chair of the 26^th LD Democrats tonight at a special meeting called for this purpose.   A vote was taken by signed ballot of Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs), elected and appointed, who reside in their precinct.  A majority of all eligible PCOs is required to remove a District Chair.  The vote tonight was unanimous, with 70% of eligible PCOs attending the meeting.

Kelly was censured at the LD 26 Democrats meeting in October, citing “behavior perceived to be harassing, abusive or disrespectful” and his “failure to avoid profane, prejudicial, exclusionary, abusive or sexualized language.”  The censure noted that Mr. Kelly had repeatedly reverted to “disruptive behavior” in the face of several months of advice, coaching and counseling by party leaders and colleagues.  Kelly was also censured for threatening to endorse a Republican opponent.

During a presentation of charges made at the beginning of tonight’s meeting, evidence was presented of Kelly’s endorsement of a Republican legislative opponent through mailers and television advertisements.  Kelly was provided an opportunity to respond to the charges.  However, he left after the presentation of charges.

“26^th District Democrats continue to support our three Democratic candidates for the Legislature,” stated District Vice Chair Luellen Lucid.   “Connie FitzPatrick, Joy Stanford, and Emily Randall will provide strong, ethical leadership for our community, our state, and our democracy.”

Acting per local bylaws and state Democratic Party rules, the District’s Executive Board has been leading the district party’s activities and will continue to do so until December, when district party organizations across the state reorganize and elect new leadership.

The Executive Board has communicated to Kelly his removal from office and revocation of membership and notified him that he cannot use the title of Chair in any future public communications, including advertisements and mailers for an opposition candidate.

Background info: 26^th Legislative district runs “bridge to bridge” – from the Narrows bridge up to the Warren Avenue bridge in Bremerton. The district includes the Gig Harbor, Fox Island, and Key Peninsula communities in Pierce County and the Olalla, South Kitsap, Port Orchard, McCormick Woods, and downtown Bremerton communities in Kitsap County.

Press contact:
Luellen Lucid – 26^th Legislative District, Vice Chair

818-259-0461

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