15 present at Marion Grange Hall 20 present online (including speakers) 35 Total
CALL TO ORDER/LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We acknowledge that our legislative district is on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot tribes, who have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time, and continue to do so today. We recognize that this land acknowledgement is one small step toward true allyship and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond. [Optional] Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Judi C Motionedto approve; Elizabeth P Seconded. Meeting Agenda is Unanimouslyapproved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 28, 2025 Elizabeth P Motioned to approve; Rudy A Seconded. January LD minutes are unanimously approved.
INVITED SPEAKER
Cassie Clayton – Northwest Progressive Institute/NPI Cassie serves as main group contact/advocate for NPI’s democracy & culture. NPI has Strategy Centers located in WA, ID, OR. Goal: to foster safe, more progressively prosperous region; need to keep working to increase empathy & mutual responsibility. Programs focus on revenue, election and media reform—these affect so many other issues.” NPI also creates digital content including news articles & book reviews, lobbying in state legislatures, and covering culturally newsworthy issues. NPI Also does polling, WA 3x in 2025 and King County & Tacoma. First to reveal that Mayoral candidate Katie Wilson was competitive before any other source. Polls are conducted to show/map general direction of public interest … CC: Presented slideshow. NPI was co-sponsor of the newly enacted Right to Repair bill—consumers should not be bound by corporate restrictions. Also on NO Kings Day– NPI will be at new Crosslake link opening. Livestreaming at area protests on podcasts. Sends speakers to groups around the country, focus on balancing our tax code and network with other coalitions who meet weekly to stay current. The NPI Spring Fundraising Gala: in Bellevue on April11th at the Community Center. 5:15 start; 6:30 dinner included. Funds assist Paying for all institute’s activities. Cascadia Advocate is the main digital publication. Brian: Is there polling data we/public can access?. Cassie: Will connect Brian to their team. Sarah: WA does not get polled often, so NPI is one of the few who poll. email: cassie@nwprogressive.org
Cascadia Advocate: info https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/
Civic Heart Beat: https://civicheartbeat.org/
NPI Spring Gala : https://www.nwprogressive.org/
CANDIDATES SEEKING ENDORSEMENT
- Tricia Grove Johnson King County District Court, Pos 3 Tricia addressed the assembled for 5 minutes. Endorsed by the Justice who is retiring from this position. Lives outside of Maple Valley, running a small business. 30 year legal career. Managing partner for Casey & Grove in Maple Valley, long resume of public service prior to private career: compassion, accountability, and opportunity. Focus on addiction and mental health issues, home insecurity. Auburns community court, connecting people with resources to succeed and transition out of the legal system. Served on ma y community organizations, Cancer champion fought to raise $1M for diff local orgs. District Court IS the Peoples court. Need to prioritize video access to [expedite] moving cases forward. Also for witness’ safety—esp. for victim of abuse/protection orders—video testimony must be admissible. I would love to hear your ideas on improving our courts, strengthening our communities, accessibility, and transparency: grovejohnsonforjudge@gmail.com
- Tamara Stramel WA State Senate LD 31 Tamara addressed the group for 5 minutes. Much has happened since launching my campaign—10 endorsements already: Pierce County Council chair and (3) Auburn City Council members. “Our LD spans 10 cities and 11 school districts! Funding education is my primary platform—unfunded mandates are essential. Basic Infrastructure is crumbling around our rural communities, Fairfax and Wilkeson, East Pierce is not often prioritized in state budgets. Fixing our regressive Tax code in WA state is also a major focus for TS. “…Ready to go to Olympia and fight for the fair funding of East Pierce County. We deserve better representation: This is “Town Hall” week in WA. Our elected Reps are supposed to host THs to share /update constituents on Leg bills and initiatives they are working on—but where are they?” ZERO THs in our district! Find me at www.TogetherWithTamara.com
TIME OF SHARING (ROUNDTABLES) Introduction of new folks at the meeting (optional) Several people present at tonight’s meeting for their first time gave a brief introduction of themselves. Many are running to become an elected delegate for the state Dems annual convention (In Spokane this summer). Others are interested in becoming PCO’s and/or volunteering for doorbelling for local candidates this year.
BREAK
NEW BUSINESS
- PCO appointment:. Beth Motioned to approve Jill Gilliom from Milton as a PCO. Amber seconded. Unanimously Approved Jill Gilliom as a PCO in Milton.
- Membership Chair Nomination: New LD member, Billy Duke has volunteered to serve as Membership Chair for the 31st LD Dems. Sarah spoke on his qualifications Rudy Motioned to approve Billy Duke. Michelle seconded. Billy Duke is Unanimously approved as Membership Chair and will join the Exec Board.
- Candidate Endorsements. Judi C motioned to “waive the requirement for 31st LD Candidate Questionnaire fulfillment deadline for endorsement, to consider long-standing 31st LD member, Tamara Stramel, for endorsement in her 2026 campaign for Washington State Senate.” Judi spoke about the timeliness of this endorsement. Mary: seconded. Motion to waive rules for questionnaire passed unanimously. Elizabeth: moved to endorse Tamara Stramel for WA state senate, Beth seconded. Brian: Tamara has done her ‘homework’ over the last few years to prepare for this campaign, has grown experience in the trenches. And she launched early. If we follow Tamara’s message to voters, we have a shot this year. Michelle: spoke in favor of Tamara’s endorsement. Motion passed: Tamara Stramel is unanimously endorsed by the 31st LD for WA State Senate.
Brian G motionedto endorse Tricia Grove Johnson, Elizabeth: seconded. Brian spoke in favor of her resume and personal qualities: she says there is “work to do” to make system better—more than just resume of credentials and accomplishments. Motion passes unanimously. The 31st LD endorses Patricia Grove Johnson as a candidate for King County District Court, Position 3.
- Adoption of Resolution: Upholding the Rule of Law and Rejecting the “Constitutional Sheriff” Doctrine. Judi C motioned to adopt the resolution [as written]: Judi explained the purpose of the resolution, in support of the stated legislative bill, to terminate illegitimately elected ‘Sheriffs’—many of whom are known extremists who have vocalized their intent to violate the U.S. Constitution. Short Q & A followed. Resolution unanimously approved. The 31st LD officially endorses the resolution to Uphold the Rule of Law.
- Campaign Contribution Rudy A: Motioned to provide an immediate campaign contribution for Tamara Stramel, for $500. Michelle: seconded. Rudy: 31st LD should help kickstart her fundraising campaign. Brian: Check the 2026 budget? Treasurer: “Affirmative.” Brian motioned to amend the motion to $1000. Elizabeth seconded. Brian: NOW is the most important time to get the ball rolling to give Tamara a good start. Further discussion ensued. Michelle: Motioned to increase contribution amount to $1000. Brian seconded. Motion to increase amount is unanimously approved. Motion to contribute $1000 to Tamara Stramel’s campaign is unanimously approved.
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Treasurer’s Report: Mary S summarized the content of the January Treasurer’s Report. Mary explained non-exempt and exempt accounts: specific fees and expenses, PDC balance, etc. Rudy Motioned to accept the TR. Jill G. Seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. January 2026 Treasurer’s Report is accepted.
Chair’s Report: Sarah E spoke about recent and upcoming LD activities:
WA Dems State Convention: Check your emails about the convention. We will to go through voting procedure on March 1st [Sunday] to select our delegates: You will receive an email if you are a qualified voting member of the 31stLD Dems.. The first delegation meeting is on Tuesday, March 3rd. if you have filed to be considered for election—Sarah has already sent you an email about the first meeting.
Summer Fairs Starting to plan for / contacting and paying vendor fees etc.
Pierce Cty Council, Jani Hitchins [Chair], is hosting a public comment on funding for local law enforcement. March 3rd Tuesday.
Indivisible Auburn is hosting an ICE Rapid Response watch party training in Auburn (100 people) on March 6. Check the Auburn Indivisible FaceBook page for more info. Judi C: Spoke about local hospitals seeing increase of ICE presence. please call elected Reps! Registration link for the 3-6 Rapid Response training in Auburn. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisibleauburnwa/event/909258
FYI: Rapid Response for IBEW: (new member in Union) business managers are meeting weekly with Union leads—believe ICE will coming to WA Seattle next; they will target job sites and trades! WA has many Hispanic laborers—many are citizens. Will affect ALL job contractors. Jobs will be shutdown. Construction / job deadlines will not be met. Can’t work on a site if people are afraid they’ll be detained. Big concern of Seattle contractors. WA State Labor Council meeting weekly for training in Rapid Response. Developing RR plan in case people are detained: who to call—what ph number, if ICE takes your cell phone. Getting workforce prepared. Judi C: Nurses at local hospitals are facing the same issues. Skagit County is being targeted. Community is coord’g escorts for moms to get kids to school; groups watching Home Depot and Target.
Vicki B: from Chat: “Labor friends, we are looking for labor contacts for our Auburn wide prep/coordination for ICE. please text me 253-334-8424 or email indivisibleauburnwa@gmail.com. We have a Rapid Response team developing in Auburn doing accompaniment, food delivery, ICE patrols. Thx”
GOOD AND WELFARE
Vicki Bates: Registration link for the 3-6 Rapid Response training in Auburn. https://www.mobilize.us/indivisibleauburnwa/event/909258
Michele DP: Reminded new folks about signing up for the 31st LD Dems Newsletter—to send announcements and to receive it monthly. We also have Volunteer Survey forms for new folks to fill out so we know what areas people want to engage with.
John W When you are out protesting—turn off tracking on your phone, Facial recognition—turn it off in case ICE takes your phone.
No Kings Protest March 28th in Enumclaw across from city hall, 11 to 1, then at Bonney Lake Costco on 410 from 2 to 3 our regular protest time. Meet at Costco/Chik Fillet around 10:30 for carpool to Enumclaw. More info at Champions For Democracy FB page and Enumclaw Indivisible FB page.
Kelsie Barrans: Chair, Pierce Cty Charter Review Commission: We are Halfway through our process. We’ll be completed by June 30th. Join us for weekly meetings at Pierce County Annex Weekly on Mondays at 6pm. Can also join virtually. Public comments are also open. If there is something in the charter you want to change—please submit a proposal. Review meetings will be held in each district for feedback. https://www.piercecountywa.gov/4498/Charter-Review-Commission email me: Kelsey.barrans.volunteer@piercecountywa.gov
ADJOURNMENT
Elizabeth Motioned to adjourn. Judi Seconded. Motion passed meeting adjourned.
