31st LD Dems General Meeting Minutes – May 27, 2026 25 present at Marion Grange Hall 18 present online (including speakers) 43 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.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Wayne H motions to approve agenda. Judi C seconded. Agenda unanimously approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 22, 2026 Wayne motions to approve. Robin seconded. Minutes unanimously approved.
INVITED SPEAKER
- Rep. Emily Randall Update on Northwest ICE Detention Center in Tacoma and current issues in the U.S. House: Rep Randall spoke and answered Questions for 20 minutes. 17 months into her term… Most of term has been playing defense without ‘tools’ except procedural motions and “no votes” on bills that will pass (via GOP majority) Best ‘job’ has been using our platform and social media relationships to shine a light on what is really happening: on NW Detention center in Tacoma. She has visited 8 times —half were “unannounced.” Announcing we are coming means that we can coord to meet with detainees for one-on-one conversations. We have been mainly denied access. ER is member of suit against GEO/ICE with other US Reps. “When we show up things improve: food, healthcare.” We’ve had limited success getting some people released who have been illegally detained Green card holder jailed due to 20 yr old parking citation. Seeing many people detained extra judiciously. Weve all seen ICE violently attacking US citizens. ICE staff are being paid for by our tax dollars. GOP controlled congress is unwilling to agree to reasonable safeguards so that ICE must comply with the same regulations as state Police. “I’m inspired by showing up at state LD meetings to meet people who are canvassing and protesting to keep up the battle [for democracy] and GOTV. We are focusing on swing states to assist candidates in AZ, GA etc. with heavily contested races. ER was herself a recipient of similar assistance from other states. “Now is really the last chance –if we can’t take back the House we may not have a chance again.” Mary S: CD1 in AZ is very competitive. ER: in AZ recently—supporting AZ6 candidate Joanna Mendoza: she is a Navy vet & single Mom. Wayne H: What is being done to help get electrical union jobs back in WA. ER: Uphill battle to get solar & wind back on track. Understand many are unemployed –despite a lot of (electrical) jobs in Light rail expansion. ER Serves on Natural Resources Committee: Battling attacks on clean energy funding by the TRUMP admin which congress already authorized for these projects. These tactics are blocking good paying jobs. “Where we have opportunity to work on bi-partisan issues I will do that. Helps to build relationships to find common ground. Max OW: How do we protect ourselves from mass surveillance and the Flock cameras? ER: Voted no on FISA for this reason. Growing number of Representatives who understand the risk to privacy and constitution protections. Digital Info can be easily used and abused via phones and tech tools. Need to pass legislation to protect individual liberty. Amber: Farm Bill/ SNAP benefits? ER More interest finally in overturning HR1—the BIG UGLY BILL—is so dangerous. “Taking food from hungry children to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Cutting SNAP is not a solution.” Need to find the right messengers to advocate to GOP Reps. Where community members can exert constituency power. Even if we don’t take back the senate—we’ll still pass legislation to say this what we stand for—even of it doesn’t pass the senate. Our job will be to block as many bad bills as possible. We can stop some things. Unless we can gain majority in congress it will be small changes. Megan: What can WE do to help? Emails. Calls/postcards? What is most impactful? ER constituency feedback is vitally important! Multi -issue calls are great, we can track multiple topics. Email is also good. FYI: Too many calls during especially “heated” issue can prevent people who need immediate assistance from getting through to staff support. Reach out to your FaceBook friends in GOP controlled states/LD’s—ask them to call their reps and give feedback. Deb G: Democratic messaging is not working! How do we get our message out there to push back on misinformation. ER: Flipping the 26th LD is not the same message as in Seattle. Do the work and connect with voters locally. We win LD by LD. Need to adapt to changing media landscape—we need to make sure the candidates have the resources they need. Judi C: ICE seen at St Joe’s –rumors about abuse of detainees in the hospitals. ER: exploring policy solutions—went to ICE with a Portland Dr—she said ‘I have never had prison guards in the room during medical visits.’ ICE Detention is not subject to WA restraint laws. “The only way through is together”
CANDIDATES SEEKING ENDORSEMENT
- Judge Mike Diaz – State Supreme Court Position 3 Justice Diaz addressed the hybrid meeting for 5 minutes followed by a Q & A.
- Sean O’Donnell – State Supreme Court Position 4 Mr. O’Donnell was Not Present
- Steven Szczurko-Walton – State Rep Position 1 Mr. Szczurko-Walton addressed the hybrid meeting for 5 minutes (in-person at the Grange) followed by a Q & A.
- John Bielka – State Rep Position 2 Mr. Bielka addressed the hybrid meeting for 5 minutes followed by a Q & A.
- Judge Ian Birk – State Supreme Court Position 4 Justice Birk addressed the hybrid meeting for 5 minutes followed by a Q & A. “The Truth Matters— in our elections, protecting independence and integrity of the courts.”
BREAK
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Treasurer’s Report: Mary S: budget & expenses; donations etc. review for 2026 through May 23rd. to date: reviewed both accounts (exempt and non-exempt) and PDC reports.
- Chair’s Report: Sarah E: TY for folks who canvassed Deep Listening in Buckley. TY to everyone who filed to be PCO!! In room and online. PCO meetup tomorrow night at Mary’s house. Full slate of candidates for 31st LD Dems!!: Tamara Stramel, Stephen Szczurka-Walton, John Bielka. FYI: WA Dems awarded $10K to the WA State Fair Dems Booth (Puyallup). 31st LD Fundraiser is scheduled for Sept 12, Saturday. Need folks to help with committee: Nick will join the group. We are training a new Tech assistant tonight: please welcome Max Olsen-Walker!!
- Candidates eligible for endorsement:
Mike Diaz and Steve Szcsurka-Walton both , Mary motions to endorse Steve Szczurka-Walton. Wayne seconded. Mary spoke on bis behalf. Voice vote: Unanimously endorsed Steve Szczurka-Walton. Judi motions to endorse Mike Diaz. Megan seconded. Judi spoke on his behalf—his service in the judicial branch. Laurie motions to table endorsement. Michelle seconded. Laurie: Waiting for Jaimie Hawk to address the body. Laurie We should hear from each of the candidates running for same seat. This seat is a 3-way race with top 2 progressing. [FYI: 31st LD can dual endorse Judicial candidates.] Voice vote: Motion failed. Original motion to endorse Mike Diaz now being considered: Motion to endorse Mike Diaz is approved.
Judi motions to waive requirement to complete questionnaire for candidates John Bielka and Ian Birk. Amber seconded. Judi spoke about urgency of speedy endorsements. Voice Vote: Unanimous: Motion to waive questionnaire requirement passes. Judi motions to endorse Ian Birk for WA State Supreme Court. Mary seconded. Motion passes to endorse Ian Birk. Mary motions to endorse John Bielka . Tamara seconded . Mary spoke on his behalf. Motion passes to endorse John Bielka for 31st LD State Rep, Position 2.
- Endorsements of Pierce & King Dems Candidates: Judi Motion on table to waive endorsement requirements for (4) four incumbents: US Reps Schrier, Strickland, Randall, and Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer [each of whom 31st LD Dems have previously endorsed]. Wayne seconded. Voice Vote: Motion to waive requirements for 4 incumbents on slate passes unanimously. Judi motions to endorse all 4 candidates on slate. Mary S seconded. Judi spoke in favor of candidates. They have each met with us in the past year and we have record of their votes and representation. Laurie Rep Strickland voted to support FISA bill for increased surveillance. Also Rep Schrier voted for this bill. Motion taken to vote: in room 14, online 5. Motion passes. 31st LD has endorsed the slate of 4 incumbent candidates: US Rep Kim Schrier, US Rep Marilyn Strickland, US Rep Emily Randall, and Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer.
- Other reports:
PCO Gathering Amber:.Thursday at Mary S. 17 attending.
WA Dems Advocacy Survey is online: Tamara S: needs more completion to suggest legislative priorities! Send an email update for ideas.
Summer Fairs Robin & Mary: Sign-Up Genius will go live next week. Judi C: Buckley Log Show: need help with setup and take down. Add set-up Take down to Sign up Genius.
Pierce Couty Dems: Kirby: cyber-attack online again. In form of gift card (from GOP) 28th received funding for Puyallup Fair. Need a lot of support to man the Booth. New By-Law changes. To be announced soon. Adopting using revised Robert’s Rules of Order—abbreviated version. Updating website. Revolving Chair issues. Endorsement of candidates. Piggy-banking on some of LD endorsements. Training for Election Observers: JULY 15TH at 11 am & 1pm at Pierce CTy Elections office in Tacoma location. Link TBD New Pirce C ty Rep: Nick (present) talked about Stricklands vote on FISA… Pierce County Council: Pride Proclamation to be announced next week. 273 PCO’s filed—a record! Keep Pierce Blue: Fundraiser & Auction: Oct 10th at ESP Environmental Services Bldg
GOOD AND WELFARE Tamara S First official CANVAS: meet at Sumner library: Sunday 2pm
ADJOURNMENT John W motioned to adjourn. Rudy A seconds. Meeting adjourned.
