State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz To Step Down

Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz has announced that he will be stepping down at the next Central Committee meeting in February.  Pelz has held the position since 2006.  Perhaps his most towering accomplishment was his role in the upset victory of Jay Inslee over Attorney General Rob McKenna for Governor of Washington.  Although McKenna was thought of as a main stream Republican, Pelz sought to portray him as a Tea Party crony of Karl Rove, the Republican hatchet man.  
A strong Liberal, who is a former roommate to notorious radical Jeff "The Dude" Dowd, to whom the picture "The Big Lebowski was based on, was able to bring together many divergent wings of the party as chair.  When many Eastern Washington Democrats spoke out about running on a platform on gun restrictions, Pelz made sure their voice was heard.   He was also a kind man who always had time to chat with the rank and file.  The Democratic Party did not lose a major state or national election during his tenure.

Washington Democrats Reelect Pelz

The Washington State Democratic Party held it's reorganization meeting this weekend in Olympia. Party Chair Dwight Pelz (sitting to the right of the speaker in picture) was reelected by acclamation.  Also reelected were Vice Chair Valerie Rongey, Rob Dolin (speaking in above picture) as Secretary, and Habib Habib as Treasurer. 
The luncheon at the Olympia Red Lion, featured speaker Randy Dorn, Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction, who lead a panel on the challenges of funding the state's public educations in light of limits put on the Legislature and the passage of an initiative allowing the creation of charter schools.
Pelz expressed his concern about Republican attempts to changing the way the President of The United States is elected.  House Bill 1091 which is currently debated in our legislature would have the electors alloted by totals in individual congressional district rather than state totals, if that proposal would have been in effect in 2012, Romney would have won the election by some 30 electoral votes.
Proving that the party was indeed a big tent, a couple of committee people came to the mike to show opposition to firearms legislation and defense cuts.

Seattle Times Gives Free Advertising To Republican McKenna

In  a move that has outraged everyone in this state who is not a supporter of gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna, the Seattle Times has granted unilateral free advertising to McKenna, who is currently in a neck and neck battle with former Washington Congressman Jay Inslee.  Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz (pictured above) said he had never seen anything like that in his 35 years in politics.  McKenna is currently Washington's Attorney General. The Times, the state's largest newspaper, also granted free advertising to R-74, the bill for marriage equality.  The Times has endorsed both McKenna and R-74 in it's paper.

Democrats Reorganize At State Level

Dwight Pelz (above-6th from left) was chosen to serve his third term as head of the Washington State Democrats. The State Central Committee met in Olympia as it traditionally does to start out an odd year. Pelz was challenged by Natalie McClendon of Bellingham. Dwight's victory was a landslide, but an election for 8th Congressional District E-Board position was tied and had to be decided by a coin toss.

Not to be outdone, during "good of the order" State Committeeman Azziem (The Dream)Underwood (having just turned 50) entertained the crowd with a song about personal health.

The meeting was held at Oympia's Red Lion.

Dwight Pelz Visits 5th District Democrats

Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz spoke to the 5th Democrats last night at the

King County Library Service Center. While he was warmly received, the meeting could probably not be called a "lovefest" as he was peppered with questions as from concerned fellow Democrats on topics such as Washington's "Top Two" Primary, support for 5th District Candidates, holding Democratic elected officials to the platform and support for Democratic non-partisan candidates.

Pelz also questioned each of the attendees on how they felt about the health care issue. The room seemed evenly split between the cautious "Public Option" and the bolder "Single Payer" coverage. Pelz also mentioned that Democrats encompassed the fastest growing segments of the population, while Republicans compressed shrinking demographics. After the meeting Pelz joined thirsty 5th District members at the Issaquah Brewhous.

George Fearing Top Candidate For Vacant House Post

A caucus of 16th Legislative District Democratic leaders met yesterday to pick a successor to the late Bill Grant. Kennewick attorney George Fearing was the number one choice over Pasco Councilwoman Rebecca Francik and Grant's daughter Laura Grant-Herriot. The choices will now go to the County Commissions of the 4 district to which the 16 legislative districts is comprised. Although all 4 districts tend to lean Republican, it is tradition for the Commissions to honor the wishes of the Democratic leaders. Pictured above, State Chair Dwight Pelz leading the Caucus.