Our News

  • 26th Democrats: 2025 Summer Events

    Find us at these events across the 26LD in Pierce and Kitsap Counties this summer! We’ll be sharing info about the 26th LD and the candidates we endorse. We’re always looking for volunteers to help us at these events, please reach out to 26thdemocrats@gmail.com for information about how to get involved or if you now of an event you think we should be at!

    June

    Gig Harbor Maritime Fest & Parade – Saturday June 7

    • Join the LD26 Democrats and march in the paradeTime: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM WebsiteMaritime Gig Festival

    No Kings Day of Action – Saturday, June 14

    • Join our friends at Indivisible Gig Harbor and Indivisible Bremerton to show solidarity with the national No Kings Protests.
      • Gig Harbor: 12:00 PM Location: Pt. Fosdick/Olympic Drive
      • Bremerton: 12:30 PM Location: Manette Bridge

    LD 26 Annual Bridge to Bridge Fundraiser – Saturday, June 14

    • Get your tickets for the LD26 Democrats Fundraiser and Live Auction in Gig Harbor! Time: 5:30 PM Website: Tickets on Act Blue

    Bremerton Juneteenth – Saturday, June 14 and Thursday, June 19

    • Looking for volunteers to attend and represent the 26LD Dems at these events:
    • Bremerton: 23rd Annual Kitsap Juneteenth Freedom March and Festival: Saturday, June 14th 
      • Freedom March Time: 10:00 AM Location: Norm Dicks Government Center, Bremerton (speakers and march to Evergreen Park)
      • Freedom Festival Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Evergreen Park, Bremerton Music – Games – Booths – Dancing – Food – Fun – Family Friendly Fellowship
    • Bremerton: Juneteenth Block Party – Thursday June 19th
      • Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM Location: 2901 Perry Avenue, Bremerton – DJ – Music – Food – Beer Garden – Dancing – Painting –Fun!

    Additional Juneteenth events across Kitsap and Pierce Counties:

    • First Annual Juneteenth Black Film Festival: June 6th
      • Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Location: SeeFilm in Bremerton
    • Bainbridge Juneteenth: Friday, June 13th
      • Time: 5:00 – 8:00 PM Location: Bainbridge Town Square and Performing Arts Center. Music – Food – Entertainment – Art – Sign Making for Kitsap Juneteenth Freedom Festival March and Festival
    • Tacoma 2025 Juneteenth Commemoration: Thursday June 19, 2025 
      • Time: 4:00 – 7:00 PM Location: Washington State History Museum

    Kitsap Democrats – General Meeting, June 16 and 17

    • Attend the next membership meeting at the Cloverleaf Sports Bar n Grill in Bremerton on June 16th or
    • Join in a zoom meeting with State Democratic Party Chair, Shasti Conrad on June 17th, 5:00PM (Zoom Link).

    Gig Harbor Pride –  Saturday, June 21

    • Looking for volunteers to attend and represent the 26LD Dems.
      • Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location: Skansie Brothers Park | Gig Harbor Website

    Additional June Pride events across Kitsap and Pierce Counties:

    • Bainbridge Pride Fest Saturday, June 21
      • Time: 1:00 – 6:00 PM Location: Waterfront Park Website
    • Poulsbo Pride Sunday, June 22
      • Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Raab Park Website
    • Tacoma Pride Saturday, July 12

    Deb Krishnadasan’s Campaign Kickoff Tuesday, June 24

    • Let’s come together, hear about Deb’s work and vision, and learn how you can be a part of her campaign. 
      • Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Location: Sehmel Homestead Park: Volunteer Vern Pavilion
      • Donations are greatly appreciated but not required.
    • To RSVP, Click Here or email tessa@bluewavepolitics.com.

    Port Orchard Fathoms o’ Fun Festival & Parade – Saturday June 28

    July

    26th Democrats – General Meeting, Thursday, July 10

    • 6pm at Pen-Met Parks, Gig Harbor (Hybrid, stay tuned for Zoom link!)

    Kitsap Pride Saturday, July 19

    • Looking for volunteers to attend and represent the 26LD DemsLocation: Kitsap County Fairgrounds | https://kitsappride.org

    August

    26th Democrats – General Meeting, Thursday, August 7

    • 6pm in Bremerton (Hybrid, stay tuned for Zoom link!)

    Bremerton Blackberry Festival Weekend of August 30

  • June 5, 2025: Endorsement Recommendations

    The LD 26 Democrats Executive Board has completed interviews with Democratic candidates for the following positions and is recommending the listed candidates for endorsement. This will be part of the Thursday, June 5 General Meeting agenda and we will be asking the membership to vote on endorsing.

    Endorsements requiring questionnaire (view questionnaires here):

    Deb Krishnadasan, State Senator, 26th Legislative District

    Executive Summary – Endorsement Interview

    • Principled Leadership Focused on Working Families: Deb is committed to advancing progressive goals while standing firm against policies that disproportionately impact working people. She voted against state budgets she believes burdened families and continues to advocate for fair tax reform and immediate relief, including sales tax adjustments.
    • Targeted, Grassroots Outreach Strategy: Deb is actively expanding her campaign presence through consistent doorbelling and listening tours. She’s hearing concerns about taxes, education, housing, and job security, and is focused on delivering responsive, local leadership to meet those needs.
    • Strong Ground Game and Broad Appeal: With a seasoned campaign team, successful fundraising across party lines, and a growing volunteer network, Deb is running a disciplined, people-powered campaign. She plans to engage in public forums and contrasts her record with her opponent’s while highlighting bipartisan support and practical solutions.

    Emily Stone, Gig Harbor City Council Position 3

    Executive Summary – Endorsement Interview

    • Policy Expertise & Community Connection: Emily Stone, appointed to the council less than six months ago, brings a strong background in public policy, social work, and housing advocacy. She has served six legislative sessions in Olympia and currently works at the Washington State Department of Commerce focusing on housing and homelessness. Stone’s deep family ties to Gig Harbor and lived experience with housing instability shape her commitment to affordability and community support.
    • Fresh Perspective & Inclusive Representation: As one of the youngest and few renters on a historically affluent and homeowner-dominated council, Stone offers a critical and underrepresented voice. Nearly 45% of Gig Harbor residents are renters, yet their interests are largely overlooked. Stone emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and proactive civic engagement, aiming to better connect the public with city governance and decisions.

    Julie Martin, Gig Harbor City Council Position 4

    Executive Summary – Endorsement Interview

    • Experienced and Service-Oriented Leader: Julie brings a strong background in public administration and executive management, along with local governance experience as a Planning Commission member and City Council appointee. She emphasizes transparency, research-driven decision-making, and long-term planning for the city’s 13,000 residents.

    Jonathan Appleton, Peninsula School District Board of Directors (District 5)

    Executive Summary – Endorsement Interview

    • Committed Parent with Professional Expertise: A Washington native and father of adopted twins in the district, Jonathan brings 25 years of leadership and financial management experience. As a hands-on parent and local church leader, he offers both personal and professional investment in improving Gig Harbor schools.
    • Champion for Transparency, Inclusion, and Accountability: Motivated by concerns over inconsistent policies on discrimination and harassment, Jonathan is committed to updating school practices, improving board communication, and fostering an inclusive environment for all students—especially underrepresented groups.
    • Fresh Leadership Focused on Collaboration and Civility: Jonathan aims to strengthen board-superintendent relations, promote proactive planning, and model respectful leadership. He offers a positive, student-centered alternative to the status quo and believes parents should have a seat at the table.

    Candidates previously endorsed by LD26 Dems (do not require questionnaires):

    • Mary Barber, Mayor, Gig Harbor
    • Michael Goodnow, Bremerton City Council
    • Brian Pickard, South Kitsap School Board
    • John McCarthy, Port of Tacoma
    • Linda Perry, Key Peninsula Parks Department
    • Mark Michel, Key Peninsula Parks Department

  • Thursday, June 5th General Meeting

    Legislative District 26 Democrats: Fighting for the Future

    A new look for a renewed fight

    With filing week behind us, campaigns and activations are getting ready for the busy Summer ahead. In the 26th Legislative District, we’ve been holding endorsement interviews, kicking off PCO engagement to knock on doors for Deb Krishnadasan’s State Senate race, and planning our upcoming fundraiser (get your tickets for the Bridge to Bridge Dinner June 14!).

    We’ve also been preparing materials with our new branding! At our last meeting, you all voted and Fighting for the Future was the clear winner as our organization’s updated slogan. Thank you to our board member Nora Sekowski and designer Florence Anunsen for helping us with the fresh new designs.

    We also agreed it’s time to focus our fight where we can have the most impact, and we aligned as a membership on these three main goals for 2025:

    1. Elect Deb Krishnadasan to State Senate this November
    2. Build the bench of Democratic candidates
    3. Keep the 26th Legislative District connected

    Come to our general meetings the first Thursday of each month to learn more about what we’re doing and how you can help us achieve these goals.

    General Membership Meeting

    Thursday, June 5, 2025
    Location: Long Lake County Park, 5100 Long Lake Rd. SE, Port Orchard
    Time: 6:00 PM – Dinner and 6:30 PM – meeting start

    Agenda

    6:30 – 6:50PM: Opening

    1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and Land acknowledgement – Chair
    2. Introduction of elected officials – Chair 
    3. Self introduction of new guests 

    6:50PM to close: Business Meeting

    4. Adoption of the minutes (May 2025 Minutes)
    5. Treasurer‘s Report and Presentation of Budget
    6. Chair‘s Report 
    7. Vice Chair‘s Report
    8. Endorsement Committee Recommendations – Frank Dacca
         – See June 5, 2025: Endorsement Recommendations

    9. PCO Chair‘s Report
    10. Old Business
         – 26th LD Democrats: Summer Events Calendar
    11. New Business
    12. Good of the Order
    13. Announcements
    14. Good of the Order(90 seconds)
    15. Announcements
    16. Indivisible and other partner organization events

    Next General Meeting (Hybrid): 
    Thursday, July 10, 2025
    (Note: Meeting moved to second Thursday due to Fourth of July!) 
    Time: 6:00 PM – Dinner and 6:30 PM – meeting start
    Location: PenMet Parks Headquarters:  2416 14th Ave NW, Gig Harbor