Minutes of the 34th District Democrats Board Meeting
July 19, 2023, held virtually on Zoom.
Attendees:
Graham Murphy, Rachel Glass, Ted Barker, Roxanne Thayer, Bunny Hatcher, Preston Anderson, Julie Whitaker, Steve Butts, Carla Rogers, Ann Martin, Dorothy Gesick, Gina Topp, and Hannah Cameron.
7:05 pm – Call to Order by Chair Graham Murphy
- The agenda was reviewed. Ann Martin moved to approve; seconded by Dorothy Gesick. Approved by unanimous consent.
- Minutes from the June board meeting were presented. Ann Martin moved to approve; seconded by Bunny Hatcher. Approved by unanimous consent.
Membership and Hospitality Chair Vacancy
- Hannah Cameron has agreed to fill the role and will be put up for confirmation at the August Membership meeting.
State Party Update, Ted Barker and Roxanne Thayer
- Ted said we are awaiting a White Paper on delegate selection. Ted will post it in Slack for review.
- Ted brought up what he feels is the lack of clarity regarding the endorsement process regarding those candidates who do not identify as Democrats. Discussion followed.
- It was noted that Burien City Councilmember Cydney Moore, who chooses not to identify as a Democrat, has been endorsed by the 33rd District Democrats and by the King County Democrats.
- The 34th is unable to endorse non-Democrats due to our Bylaws. We had been instructed in 2021 by then State Chair Tina Podlodowski that we were not to extend any privilege to an endorsed non-Democrat that touches on VoteBuilder in any way.
- Carla Rogers recently received information from Drew Estep, Operations Manager at Washington State Democrats, that they will defer judgment to the chairs of the local party organization about providing resources to an endorsed non-Democrat, including VoteBuilder access, given the variant circumstances of individual races and legislative districts.
- Roxanne told us that the State Party will be meeting at the end of July and in August.
KCDCC Report, Bunny Hatcher
- A report of the June 27th meeting was published in the July newsletter.
July Fundraiser Update, Graham Murphy
- Fundraiser ticket purchases are slightly down from last year.
- Dow will donate $1000.
- A VIP event will be held from 3 to 5pm.
- Rachel Glass will coordinate volunteers; she has a full roster.
- Rep. Emily Alvarado will give the pitch for donations.
Outreach Events, Steve Butts
- The next two events are the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 22nd and the Duwamish River Festival on August 5th.
Campaign Contributions
A list of recommended donations will be presented to the membership at the August meeting. We have a limit of $5,500 approved by the membership at our April meeting. Graham presented the following:
- King County D8 – $500 total for all candidates endorsed
- Seattle D1 – $300 for Rob Saka’s campaign (The voucher program limits contributions to this amount)
- Seattle School District Director No 6 – $1,175 for Gina Topp’s campaign
- Burien City Council Position 2 – $1,175 total for candidates endorsed
- Burien City Council Position 4 – $1,175 total for candidates endorsed
- Burien City Council Position 6 – $1,175 for Krystal Marx’s campaign
Discussion about the breakdown revealed that “Moms for Liberty” have preferred candidates in 2 Highline School Board races. There is also a race for a position on the Vashon School Board. We should prioritize contributions for races which need the most help.
Following discussion, Graham moved to approve a new donation proposal; Carla Rogers seconded. It was passed by acclamation.
- King County D8 – $250 total for all candidates endorsed
- Seattle D1 – $250 total for Rob Saka’s campaign
- Seattle School District Director No 6 – $1,175 for Gina Topp’s campaign
- Burien City Council Position 2 – $750 total for candidates endorsed
- Burien City Council Position 4 – $750 total for candidates endorsed
- Burien City Council Position 6 – $750 for Krystal Marx’s campaign
- Highline School Board Position 1 – $500
- Highline School Board Position 4 – $500
A remaining amount of $575 is available for other donations.
August Meeting Candidate Endorsements
Candidates who have filled out the appropriate KC Democrats questionnaire and are therefore eligible for endorsement consideration at our August meeting are:
- Vashon Island School District Director Position No 5
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- Juniper Rogneby
- Highline School District Director, District No 1
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- Michael T. Lewis
- Stephanie Tidholm
- Highline School District Director District No 4
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- Carlos M. Ruiz
- Joey Martinez
- Burien City Council Position 2
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- Brittany Williams
- Linda Akey
- Burien City Council Position 4
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- Kevin J. Schilling
- Patricia Hudson
- Daniel Reed Martin
- King County Council District 8
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- Teresa Mosqueda
- Sofia Aragon
Seattle Housing Levy
- Nimco Bulale from the Renew the Seattle Housing Levy! – Yes for Homes campaign joined us and introduced Patience Malaba, Executive Director of the Housing Development Consortium, who gave a presentation on the Seattle Housing Levy as well as provided data from the previous levy that was passed in 2016.
- Ann Martin moved to endorse the levy; Rachel Glass seconded. The motion was passed by acclamation.
Good of the Order
- Carla Rogers urged us to canvass for the Primary.
- Ann Martin announced that the West Seattle Democratic Women are holding a Seattle Council D1 Forum on Thursday July 27th.