24 present at Marion Grange Hall 13 present online (including speakers) 37 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 Christine Hammond Motioned to approve; Shellie Turner Seconded. Unanimouslyapproved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APPROVAL OF MINUTES –November 2025 General Meeting Minutes Rudy A Motioned to approve; Christine H Seconded. Unanimously approved.
CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENT
Sarah E: “Local elections matter—cannot ignore our local races that have disproportionately large impact on our lives. I’m excited to bring forth a candidate to unseat Sen. Phil Fortunato in 2026. Our very own, long–time 31st LD Dems Ex Board member– Tamara Stramel: For past five years, I’ve worked on local campaigns, coord door-knocking, managed GOTV for school bond initiatives, managed a candidate’s campaign for city council (elected in 2025) and became candidate myself for Pierce County Charter review. I’ve been elected to represent the 31st LD Dems in our state and county central committees. In the process, “I’ve had so many conversations throughout our [sprawling] LD and I’ve learned that most people want better representation—they want their voice to be heard.” Tamara answered questions for the next 10 minutes. Find her online at TogetherwithTamara.com and on Facebook.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Focus for 2026: Volunteer Projects
NEW BUSINESS
Membership Chair has resigned—Looking for new Chair: duties include maintaining / updating membership list and Master List of contacts. Eligible to become member of the Exec Board if desired.
Fundraising Chair election (members to vote) Nominations for Fundraising Chair: Tamara S nominated Megan Sheridan for FR Chair. Randy W seconded. MS shared her ideas for R events and experience. Any & all ideas for FR. Do it. Love It. No other nominations. Motion passed unanimously!! Megan Sheridan is elected FR Chair for 31st LD Dems and member of Ex. Board.
2026 Endorsement Questionnaires: Judi & Mary have revised the Candidate/Judicial Questionnaires. Judi C The 31st Dems follow Endorsement process for local issues and candidates using our online questionnaires. We have a uniquely Complicated District. Multiple counties. School Boards and Municipalities; so we have revised, added, and streamlined the existing questionnaires.
- Legislative Candidates Questionnaire (statewide): Mary reviewed the edits / new content. Amber OW: ICE has previously worked with law enforcement in the past—what is different now is about their process. Modeled after “Keep WA Working” language—add that piece from Ferguson—what most cities are passing to support legally protected ‘Due Process.’ Randy W: Can we collaborate with all WA Dem LDs –cooperate to create one template?. Also, possibly reconsider online public access? Tamara S motions to accept the Legis. Cand. questionnaire. Mark B seconded. Tamara motions to amend question #10 to “Do you support the Keep WA Working ACT.” Amber seconded the motion to amend the question. [Vote: 8 Yay in-room/ 6 yay online]. Motion passed. Tamara S motioned to change Question #9 by creating (2) separate questions. Megan seconded. Vote: Motion to accept changes passed Unanimously. Chair Called theVote: to accept the newly revised Legislative Candidate Questionnaire update for sharing on the 31st LD Dems website. Motion passed unanimously.
- Municipal Candidates Questionnaire: Mary S Motion to approve the Questionnaire revisions (to match revisions to the Legislative Candidate Quest no 9 & 10)for sharing on the 31st LD Dems website.Judi C seconds. Motion for sharing the Municipal Questionnaire on the 31st LD Dems website passed unanimously.
- Judicial Candidates Questionnaire: Mary S motions to accept the revisions to the Judicial Questionnaire. Rudy A seconded. Motion for sharing the Judicial Questionnaire on the 31st LD Dems website passed unanimously.
- Initiatives Candidates Questionnaire: Mary S motions to accept the revisions to the InitiativeQuestionnaire. Christi H seconded. Motion for sharing the Initiatives Questionnaire on the 31st LD Dems website passed unanimously.
2026 Budget Approval: Mary S: reviewed our 2026 budget targets and projected revenue: fundraising events, recurring donations, grants. Mary S Motions to approve the 2026 Budget for 31st Dems. Randy W. seconded. Budget approved Unanimously.
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Treasurer’s Report: Mary S Reviews Nonexempt / Exempt expenses for Dec 2025. Explained the balancing process (bank statement and PDC reports) to reconcile. Contact Mary if you have LD qualifying purchases. Robin M: State Dems grant spent on new tech for zoom hybrid meetings. Mary S motions to accept the Dec 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Rudy A seconds. Treasurers Report accepted unanimously.
- Chair’s Report: Sarah E Pierce County Dems LD Chairs’ meeting (with other LDs) and Coord Campaign Field Rep is now Kendall Oehler. Several people are already asking for Candidate Questionnaire links. FYI: White River HS student requested a Civics presentation for their walkout on Tuesday Jan 20. Over 50 students participated.
- WA Dem’s State Convention 2026: amendments to state platform. In Spokane. People can attend online for the 21st –or in person 19th ` 21st . Filing for a rep of the 31st LD(we have 17 spots can attend ) Deadline is Feb 20 at 5pm. Voting is on March 1, 10am to 7pm Only 4 people have filed to be there as a delegate. (State Dems website has link, or in the 31st Newsletter).
- WA Dems State Central Committee: Tamara & Rudy: Report– no candidate on top of the ticket statewide this year—so less funding available for local candidates. Hispanic Caucus elected Javier Valdez as Chair; focus on veterans and military outreach. Passed our 31st LD “Ranked Choice Resolution,” Subcommittee reports from Elections, Rural Engagement Summit in Wenatchee, Tech Comm created a portable ‘kit.’ Additional $50K in 2026 LDL support grants.
- Pierce Dems – Leslie Larson: 2026-27 Biennial budget plan. Ryan Mello passed bis first budget. Volunteers for the Point in Time Count to understand needs of unhoused population in Pierfce County. More info on Pierce CTy.gov Charter review process underway. WA Dems putting out an Equity Toolkit for inclusion of various communities for LD recruitment.
- Other reports: Kate Baldwin Indivisible Auburn will have a Repaid Response Training session on Feb 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. RSVP for location.
GOOD AND WELFARE.
Kirby: Please write a letter to our US Reps & Senators. Absence about what’s going on ICE use of military power? Ask our Reps what they are doing.
Amber: Rep Schrier has bilingual posts letting people to know to contact her office with requests for assistance.
Nick: went to Olympia but was unable to meet with any of our reps. Learned about current bills before the leg, ranked choice voting. Montan Project. WA Voters Justice Coalition Fair Vote WA.
Kelsey Barrans is now the Chair of the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. People can attend online to watch meetings. Or drive to Olympia to watch in-person.
ADJOURNMENT Rudy A motioned to adjourn, Tamara S Seconded. Meeting adjourned.
