2023 Elections are Coming!
Come hear about upcoming events and activities to support the Democratic Party and the candidates we endorse!
General Meeting:
Date: Thursday, May 4th, 2023
Time: 6:00 Set up, social and “Brown Bag” dinner
6:30 meeting
Location: SEHMEL HOMESTEAD PARK 10123 78th Ave NW Gig Harbor
We will NOT be doing a Potluck Dinner with this meeting. We are asking folks to “Brown Bag” (bring your own) meal and drinks or eat before attending.
NOTE: This is an In-Person meeting! Please do not attend if you feel ill or have any concerning symptoms. We encourage all to be current on their vaccinations and will have N-95 masks at the door and CoVID test kits available to take home.
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 – 6:35 PM: Opening
Call to order, pledge of allegiance, and land acknowledgement – Chair, Alex
Recognition of elected officials and first-time guests – Chair
6:35 – 7:30 Program
3. County Chairs highlights – Hannie, Judy
4. Candidate introductions
5. Recap of Bills from Olympia– Sen. Emily Randall
6. Upcoming Events
7. Discussion of Bob Ferguson Endorsement for Governor
8. Larry Seaquist – “Devising a Winning Message – moderated discussion on going forward”

7:30 – 8:00 PM: Business Meeting
8. Approval of Minutes (April)
9. Treasurer’s Report (Rosanne Rappazini)
10. Good of the Order
11. Adjournment
Next General Meeting: June 1st,6:30 p.m.
Marvin Williams Center – 725 Park Avenue Bremerton WA 98337
April Minutes
Newcomers Introduction Package
April 6, 2023 General Meeting
General Meeting:
Date: Thursday, April 6th, 2023
Time: 6:00 Set up, social and “Brown Bag” dinner
6:30 meeting
Location: Marvin Williams Center – 725 Park Avenue Bremerton WA 98337
We will NOT be doing a Potluck Dinner with this meeting. We are asking folks to “Brown Bag” (bring your own) meal and drinks or eat before attending.
NOTE: This is an In-Person meeting! Please do not attend if you feel ill or have any concerning symptoms. We encourage all to be current on their vaccinations and will have N-95 masks at the door and CoVID test kits available to take home.
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 – 6:35 PM: Opening
Call to order, pledge of allegiance, and land acknowledgement – Chair, Alex
Recognition of elected officials and first-time guests – Chair
6:35 – 7:30: Program
3. County Chairs highlights – Hannie, Judy
4. 25th LD Challenge – Patti Dailey
5. Speakers:
Judith Meng Li Che: Judge Che was appointed by Governor Inslee to a seat on the Court of Appeals late last year and now must stand for election to retain her seat. We will be discussing an official endorsement of Judge Che. Judge Che grew up in Tacoma as the product of an immigrant family and worked in the family’s restaurant during her childhood, along with her three siblings. Judge Che earned her law degree at Seattle University School of Law and served as a Public Defender in Pierce County. She has also served as Assistant Chief Industrial Insurance Appeals Judge, presiding over workers compensation and workplace safety issues.
Sheriff John Gese: Sheriff Gese will speak on current crime and justice issues facing Kitsap County and answer questions concerning pending state legislation affecting law enforcement. Sheriff Gese is a native of Seattle, starting as a Patrol Deputy with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office in 1991. He was selected to lead the Patrol Division in 2014 and appointed by Sheriff Gary Simpson to be his Undersheriff in 2015. Gese was elected as Sheriff in November 2022. Gese graduated from Western Washington University in 1983 and is also a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and from Leadership Kitsap.

7:30 – 8:00 PM: Business Meeting
7. Approval of Minutes (March)
8. Treasurer’s Report (Rosanne Rappazini)
9. Call for “Issues for Derek”
10. Good of the Order
11. Adjournment
Next General Meeting: May 4th,6:30 p.m.
SEHMEL HOMESTEAD PARK 10123 78th Ave NW Gig Harbor
March minutes
Newcomers Introduction Package
Follow the bills in Olympia
Washington State Budget and Policy Center Facebook page
League of Women Voters watch list of bills:
Education
Environment
Fair and Adequate Revenue
Transportation
March 2023 General Meeting
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
Time: 6:00 Set up, social and “Brown Bag” dinner
6:30 meeting
Location: SEHMEL HOMESTEAD PARK 10123 78th Ave NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332
We will NOT be doing a Potluck Dinner with this meeting. We are asking folks to “Brown Bag” (bring your own) meal and drinks or eat before attending.
NOTE: This is an In-Person meeting! Please do not attend if you feel ill or have any concerning symptoms. We encourage all to be current on their vaccinations and will have N-95 masks at the door and CoVID test kits available to take home.
Meeting Agenda:
6:30 – 6:35 PM: Opening
Call to order, pledge of allegiance, and land acknowledgement
Recognition of elected officials and first-time guests
6:35 – 7:30: Program
3. County Chairs highlights – Hannie, Judy
4. Highlights of WA State Democrats Mtg of 28 Jan – Ray, Madysen
5. 2023 Elections and Candidate Recruitment – Ray, Frank
6. Speakers:
Melissa Shumake – Our very own Kitsap Co Member at Large. Melissa has been an urban planner for 9 years. She introduced the core concepts of Walla Walla’s 2018 development code overhaul that eliminated zoning exclusively for single family homes that was spotlighted in the Winter 2022 issue of Planning magazine. She holds a B.S in Environmental Science and an M.S in Bioregional Planning and Community Design, both from the University of Idaho.
Gig Harbor City Council Member Roger Henderson. Roger will speak on how the issue of housing density and the bill under consideration in the state legislature are viewed in Gig Harbor. He will also address the recent City Council discussion and new ordinance related to short-term vacation rentals in downtown Gig Harbor.
7:30 – 8:00 PM: Business Meeting
7. Approval of Minutes (January)
8. Newcomer’s introduction package
9. Treasurer’s Report (Rosanne Rappazini)
10. Good of the Order
11. Adjournment
Next General Meeting: April 6, 6:30 p.m. Marvin Williams Center – 725 Park Avenue Bremerton WA 98337
February General Meeting Minutes
Newcomers Introduction Package
Derek Kilmer WaPo Article: https://26d.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68020160708b7fe3d543a62cf&id=8cdd44e3f7&e=7c93f4721b

New Endorsements!
The following candidates were endorsed by the 26th Legislative Democrats at our July meeting.
Bremerton Mayor: Greg Wheeler
Bremerton City Council Dist. 5: Michael Goodnow
Gig Harbor City Council Pos. 2: Roger Henderson
Gig Harbor City Council Pos. 3: Brenda Lykins
Peninsula School Board Director Pos. 5: Juanita Beard
These candidates join the ranks of our previous 2021 endorsed candidates:
Bremerton City Council Dist. 6: Anna Mockler
Bremerton Municipal Court Judge: Tracy Flood
Gig Harbor City Council Pos. 1: Jeni Woock
A Resolution regarding the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
The following resolution was approved by unanimous consent on Thursday June 3, 2021 by the general body of the 26th Legislative District Democrats
Take action by sending letters to our elected officials in DC!
To urge Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, click HERE.
To urge Congress to pass the For the People Act, click HERE.