22 present at Grange Hall 15 present online (including speakers)
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 motion to approve Sue R, Helen M: seconded.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 28, 2025 motion to approve Mary S, Randy W: seconded.
INVITED SPEAKER
- Lydia Zepeda – League of Women Voters Tacoma-Pierce County
100 Years and counting. Non-partisan but support specific policies. Have many volunteer opportunities, voter Reg –but not a big issue, turnout is the big issue, civics education, election observers, get out the vote, candidate forums, etc. (slide show from Lydia) . low voter turnout in younger groups under 30. Voting increases with age. Older folks believe their vote matters. Need to educate younger voters about how important one vote can be. Younger people don’t understand the history of voting rights. Observer Core –reports on City , County Councils: lets them know people are watching Inform people about local issues Candidate Forums going now. On zoom. Post recordings afterwards. 12 forums going now for 2025 primary—if contended. Take positions after careful study. Then we advocate for those positions. US League study –WA adopted study on elder care & immigration—after 2-year study on immigration. Concurrence with other states. Track the issues we advocate for www.lwvtpc.org Jeff S: LVW is huge asset for Democratic party. “Welcoming Immigrants to WA” –WA state rules after immigrants arrive. Access to health care exchange. Kids can access SNAP. Can get IDs. LZ: Locally in 170 members in Pierce Cty. Q: How are studies completed? LZ: someone has a proposal—submits to the state board, then find qualified committee members. LZ goes to ICE several times a week and has been working on immigration issues for years. Each local chapter has to approve the position. Q: How do you join LVW? LZ: To become a member of LWV join for $20 and be prepared to volunteer–need volunteers to attend these monthly meetings: Tacoma City Council. Pierce County Council, Puyallup SB & City Council, Tacoma SB. The Candidate Forum link for 2025 link:https://lwvtpc.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=843000&module_id=735241
CANDIDATES SEEKING ENDORSEMENT
- Erica Tomas – Auburn City Council, Pos 4 Worked for WA Dept of Health as an epidemiologist. Collaborated with programs to help low income women, families using WICK, SNAP, breast & cervical cancer screening programs—to improve health/lives. “This work inspired me to run for office to create better policy for longevity of health improvements.” Labor union member Local 443. Now that Larry Brown has retired, we need another strong union supporter on Auburn City Council—we have a lot of labor unions in our town, need someone who understands their needs.
- Dan Knox – Port of Tacoma, Pos 4 People are worried about so many aspects of our public life—I was raised in mill town, with factories. Works at Pierce College. “If public institutions don’t fight for all people –then we all pay the price …people are looking for opportunity in a system that won’t leave them behind…” We need leadership rooted in values; a Port that builds relationships within our community. Q: Are you a Democrat? DN: Yes: Chair of 29th LD Dems, Secretary for Pierce County Young Dems.
- Randy Wilson – Port of Tacoma, Pos 1 Recently retired teacher after 30 years in the classroom. Taught in Japan, worked in trade for several years. Business and marketing teacher. Works with youth. White River HS in Buckley. Then 10 years… His daughters attend Sumner schools. We need to grow the Port—challenges is there are 5 commissioners. Currently, East Pierce County (EPC) has no representation in the Port. All positions are “At-Large.” Yet—nearly half of port-affiliated jobs are located in East Pierce Cty. In the 31st LD. This impacts traffic, trains, etc. EPC needs a voice on the commission. Q: Are you a Democrat? RW: I am running for a non-partisan position, but I am a lifelong Democrat. I will talk to anyone and everyone. Q: What ‘port’ jobs are in EPC? RW: All of the warehouses along 167/512 in Sumner—are result of the Port of Tacoma. Accessed by truck drivers, and have well-paying jobs. Sumner School District is collaborating re: Maritime & Industrial Jobs / Vocation in a new skill center opening in 2026.
- Jude Anthony – King County Council, Dist 9 Relocated from FL to Maple Vally to be an Amazon developer. Became a Curriculum designer. Traveon Martin was shot down the street for his daughter’s school. At ATA, listened to diverse learners to help them remove obstacles and graduated students comprising wide range of diverse, formerly marginalized community of developers. “With prospect of government reducing funding /state revenue, we need to step up to ensure everyone in our community deserves to be protected and cared for.” Was not always a Democrat. Raised very religious family on a farm. Watched GOP policies fail and harm people he loved; he became a Democrat and has been proud of that decision. JD: I have one opponent—going into election—Regan Dunn—has been Commissioner for past 20 years! Voting NO on any new tax and funneling mega $$ to law enforcement. His mother is also elected official. Reagan starts with large campaign fund. Jude is First-Time, grassroots candidate.
TIME OF SHARING
BREAK
NEW BUSINESS
PCO APPOINTMENT: Mary Sullivan has applied to be a PCO. Tamara S: motioned for Mary to be appointed, Mark B seconded. Mary Sullivan, lives in BL since 1972. Boeing for 30 years. After Kamala Harris won the nomination—Mary became active at state and national level. Phonebanking every day, multiple times a day. AZ, GA. MI. NC. OH. IA. Snowbird to Scottsdale, supports LD Dems / Optimist / Indivisible in AZ. Has seen the synergy between Indivisible & 50501, etc. Her goal is to Stop The Trump Tax Scam—to help WA and swing states. Voice vote: Mary Sullivan is Unanimously appointed as a new PCO
CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
Mary S: motioned to endorse Randy Wilson, Rudy A: Seconded. Mary spoke on his behalf. Randy Wilson is unanimously endorsed by the 31st LD Dems in race for Port of Tacoma, Position 1.
Tamara S: Motioned to endorse Dan Knox, Seconded by Cora Y. Voice vote: Dan Knox is unanimously endorsed by 31st LD in race for Port of Tacoma, Pos 4.
Mark B motioned to waive the rules to endorse Erica Tomas tonight, Tamara S seconded. Mark B spoke on behalf of Erica’s qualifications. Voice vote: unanimous approval to waive LD rules for endorsement eligibility. Mark B motioned to endorse Erica Tomas as candidate for Auburn City Council. Mary S seconded. Tamara S: Erica was part of the Open Seat process and is an Emerge WA grad—she has the skill set to get things done in her campaign. Jeff S: spoke on her behalf. Voice vote: 31st LD Dems unanimously endorse Erica Tomas in race for Auburn City Council.
Cora Y motioned to endorse Jude Anthony, Randy W seconded. Randy: Spoke on Jude’s behalf –taking on a known and well-funded incumbent. Voice Vote: Jude Anthony is unanimously endorsed by 31st LD in race for King County Council.
Chellie DP: motions to waive the rules to endorse Tamara Stramel for Pierce Cty Charter Review, District 1 (Auburn Buckley, Graham,). Helen M seconded. She has been working hard on her own campaign as well as for Katie Brown, and newly accepted Emerge WA cohort which will strengthen her candidacy. Unanimously waived rules to endorse. Rudy A motioned to endorse, Michelle seconded endorsement of Tamara Stramel for Pierce County Council Charter Review. Rudy A and Helen M: spoke on her behalf. “We know Tamara and her values and need to support her stepping up to run.” Jeff S: Charter Commission is very important opportunity to have a spokesperson represent our values. Voice vote: Tamara Stramel is unanimously endorsed as a candidate for Pierce County Council, Charter Review, District 1. FYI: Next year is open seat for Dave Morrell District 1! Thanks to 2-term limit.
RESOLUTION ENDORSEMENT WA State Chair, Shasti Conrad, has been elected as Vice Chair of the DNC!!! Submitting a Resolution of Congratulations: Sarah E read the proclamation/resolution: Jeff S motioned to pass the resolution. Mary S seconded. Jeff S: spoke on behalf of the resolution. WA is the 2nd most important Dem state after CA! SHAsti will also serve on DNC Executive Committee as a Vice Chair. Mark B: motioned to amend the resolution to remove half of the last sentence, “and we congratulate the DNC for having made this selection.” Robin M Seconded. …. Vote to amend the resolution: 6 in favor, 8 opposed. Motion to amend resolution fails. Chair returns to original resolution vote: 14 in favor. None opposed. The motion passes to send the resolution of Congratulations to WA State Democrats.
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Chair’s Report: Sarah Edwards: WA State Dems Chair, Shasti Conrad, has been elected to Vice Chair of the DNC!! (Democratic National Committee). Shasti will remain WA Democrats State Chair. DNC officials travel on their own dime—these are Volunteer, unpaid positions. Shasti will push for state chairs to be paid. Only 9 chairs are paid. WA state Dem Chair is paid. We believe it is a good use of funds to pay all state Chairs. No Kings Day saw 800 people turnout–in Enumclaw!
Democracy Summer: every Saturday in June & July 31st LD Dems have something going on: check our website for calendar of events; Post & Pour for coffee last weekend. Electric Coffee in Sumner on the 5th of July. Come one out and have a chat! We can talk about anything. June 12th canvas for Milton Mayoral candidate Megan. Also—sign up for Summer Fairs: Booth sitting shifts are easy and fun: Buckley Log Show is this weekend.
WA Dems State Central Committee Tamara S: We have a new QR code: the LD Advocacy Committee has created a survey-have it completed by the end of the summer for guidance on the next legislative session in 2026: scan the code and take the survey. Any Dem can answer the survey—done need to attend the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report Helen M: reviewed the report for June: All balances add to the PDC total (except the $6.00 MIA). No discussion on the report. Voice Vote to accept the report–Treasurers Report unanimously approved.
Pierce Cty Dems CC Leslie L: last week: US Rep Marilyn Strickland attended in person—says it is dire situation with current admin, and in-fighting with the DNC; She says we need to clarify our ‘party messaging.’ Pierce County Questionnaire is still in process. Developing a code of conduct; PCO training beginning in July. New resolution re: Keith Swank –Dem response to GOP resolution trying to undermine established Pierce County Sanctuary policies. Pierce Cty Dems will continue to protect immigrant communities. the Resolution will be posted on our website.
Summer Fairs Fair Dates: Helen M: Buckley Log Show: openings 11-1 Sat / 2-4 Sunday Auburn 4th of July slots still open, please choose a time slot on upcoming fairs. Its fun way to be engaged with community.
Communications: Michelle DP: Newsletter—needs updating, more colorful but can use some help. Send me examples of email newsletters that you like: send them to Chellie: newsletter@31stdistrictdemocrats.org To date, there are 1700 [31st LD newsletters] actively delivered to email addresses. With an ‘Opening’ rate of 13.7 %. ‘Click thru’ percents are also stable. ‘Call to Meeting’ ranked at 5.5 % for specific event. Abit low in summer. Winter open rates were higher at 17-18%. The Volunteer email list only has 40 addresses. But folks Have to sign up for that specifically—via the website. Also, ‘sign up’ sheets at the booth as well. And QR codes to scan at the time.
GOOD AND WELFARE
Mark B: Brian G is having some health challenges with 20 treatments in Seattle coming up. Can folks take a spot to drive him up for treatment. Mark will send info to eboard.
Jeff S: He & wife are residents at Wesley at Tehaleh: GOP residents say “no politics” in their onsite orgs—however, By-laws do not stipulate that. Seniors vote—and on our issues. His wife is working on opposing that at Tehaleh.
ADJOURNMENT Rudy A: moved to adjourn, Jeff S: seconded. Meeting adjourned.
