Dear Democrats and Friends, 

The Primary Election was greeted with suspense last night by candidates running for mostly nonpartisan offices throughout NCW.  Our neighbors to the northeast, Susan Swanson and Karen Hardy are exceptions, running as Dems to represent northeastern WA in the 7^th LD (a vast legislative district that runs from Omak to Idaho, Canada to just outside of Spokane).  We appreciate the effort and interest of all who put themselves forward to serve our communities.  We especially thank Democrats who run in the rural areas of Eastern Washington!  In this Primary, where the top-two vote getters in each race are chosen to advance to the November 7 General Election, candidates who reflect Democratic values ran in every town on our ballots!  We applaud all of you, whether you are incumbents or newbies and whether or not you continue on to the next election!  We’ll watch for the final vote tallies over the next week – thank you and good luck to all! 

For current election results, go to the county elections websites or link to them from the Secretary of State elections website. 

General Meeting Chelan and Douglas Co Democrats and 12^th LD Democrats: TONIGHT, 6:30 social/7:00 meeting, Douglas County Fire District #2 Meeting Room, 377 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee.  On the agenda: 8/13 Summer Ice Cream Social, Summer of Canvass updates, August and September county fairs, Maria Cantwell town hall, fall Chelan-Douglas Dem Dinner, candidates, upcoming WA-Dem State Mtg and Nov elections.  Come to help us plan! 

We also hope you PLAN TO ATTEND a NCW Democrats’ Summer Ice Cream Social, Sunday 8/13, from 5-8ish pm, Walla Walla Park Shelter #1, Wenatchee.  Candidates from throughout the state are signing up to come meet you.  We’ll have a little fun and food with friends and talk politics… or not!  Relaxed gathering, bring the kids and games (the playground and beach are close by).  Bring your favorite ice cream topping and/or sweet treat to share (we’ll supply the ice cream, plates/etc, beverages).  Bring friends! 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

·         NCW District Fair Democratic Booth, Waterville Fairgrounds, Wed-Sun, 8/23-27

·         Chelan County Fair Democratic Booth, Cashmere Fairgrounds, Wed-Sun, 9/6-10 

Updates: 

Sixteen Democrats attended the Summer of Canvass training and canvass at the Rhubarb Market on 7/23.  Many walked and knocked neighborhoods nearby and are now prepared to help or host their own events.  Watch for opportunities to help. 

About 20 people attended a very informative Voter Registration Training conducted on 7/25 by Douglas County Auditor, Thad Duvall, and his excellent election staff, Marty Whitehall, Ruth Martin, and Melodie Gutzwiler.  The folks who attended learned about all aspects of voter registration and ballot processing and are now well equipped to answer questions or help voters register.  Consider signing up to help register voters at Pybus in Sept/Oct (prior to cutoff deadline for General Election) OR help organize a voter registration event in your area for National Voter Registration Day (Tues Sept 26)-- 

About 90 people crowded into the Wenatchee Community Center last Sunday to hear from WA-Dem State Party Chair, Tina Podlowdowski.  Tina spoke about the Democratic Party, where we’ve been and where we are going.  Her presentation offered insight into the most important issues that are being expressed by voters via the Summer of Canvass efforts.  She also laid out a blueprint for change at the local, state, and national levels and a plan to suggest how we can achieve the goals.

 Some recent thoughts from Bill Miller, who was in DC during the recent healthcare vote: 

Subject: The successful defense of ACA -Obama Care

The successful defeat of the Senate attempt to gut ACA was achieved because of the coordinated strategy lead by the National Democratic elected leadership, their respective campaign organizations, the combined efforts of national health care organizations and the grassroots work done by hundreds of thousands activists, working their phones and email accounts. And much of this should be credited to the organizers of the Womens Marches, locally, nationally and internationally.  

'The times, they are a changing' and with the advent of  muscular social media tools, elected members of government can't continue to vote one way and say something directly in opposition.  Accountability of our elected officials is now available at the touch of our browsers as evidenced by many of our Facebook friends reporting on the most recent 'votes' and implications of those votes sometimes only moments after it was reported. This needs to continue.  

Team work will be necessary if we're to be successful in the 2018 election and beyond. Lisa Murkowski was elected in a write-in campaign by a coalition of like-minded moderate R's, independent's and Democrats. That is the model we'll need to achieve within the 8th Congressional District and the rest of the nation if we're to change the control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate. Basic human and civil rights are at stake. Critically, without team work and tolerance within our coalition groups - locally and nationally- reversing the anti-environmental policies won't be achievable. The fight isn't over, our sustained efforts must continue.  

Bill Miller

Chair,  Democrats of Chelan County  

Hope to see you tonight or at an upcoming event or activity! 

Karen Keleman, Chair, Douglas County Democrats (509-630-3055)

Bill Miller, Chair, Democrats of Chelan County (425-444-9598)

Dan Maher, Chair, 12^th LD Democrats (509-433-7336)