Notes from the Chair - May

Written by Andrew Graham | 26 April 2010

County Convention

The County Convention was well-attended, with over 60 attendees electing a full slate of delegates to the state convention in June, and approving 8 of 9 proposed Resolutions. Several new candidates introduced themselves, and we heard a stirring speech by Representative Kathy Haigh describing how her love for all things good in our country has compelled her to speak out against racism and hatred when she sees it. Kathy has the courage to speak the truth. She is suffering under the attack of those who didn't hear her speak and presume to know what she said. I know what she said; I was sitting right next to her. She spoke beautifully and eloquently about why we are Democrats, why we enter politics, and why some few run for office. Keep up the good fight Kathy; you do us proud!

Bylaws Amendment

The vote on the bylaws amendment had to be put off last month due to a clerical error, so we will vote on it at the May monthly meeting. Currently, our bylaws allow us to endorse candidates in August only. This amendment will allow us to endorse candidates at any time, and sets out procedures for the endorsement process. You can find a copy of the proposed amendment in last month's newsletter, and printed copies will be at the meeting.

Nominating Convention

At the May Central Committee meeting, Mason County Democratic PCOs will hold a nominating convention to nominate candidates for all local partisan races. Only PCOs may vote, and their votes are weighted according to the number of delegates each precinct received during the Precinct Caucus in 2008. The reason for the weighting is that in this vote the PCOs are representing the Democrats in their precinct, and the weighting gives each Democrat in the county, rather than each PCO, the same representation in the Convention. Because the PCOs are acting as public officials in this vote, their ballots are public and must be signed.

As of this writing, the following candidates have announced:

• Assessor: Marcie Lohmeyer
• Assessor: Melody Peterson
• Auditor: Karen Herr
• Clerk: no formal announcement
• Commissioner position 3: Ross Gallagher
• Coroner: Wes Stockwell
• Prosecutor: Monty Cobb
• Sheriff: Casey Salisbury
• Treasurer: Lisa Frazier

Both candidates for assessor, Melody Peterson and Marcie Lohmeyer, have short statements in this newsletter and should be contacting each of the PCOs to lobby for your support.

Because of some confusion regarding why we nominate candidates and how that differs from endorsements, Dwight Pelz, chair of Washington State Democrats, has written an explanation available at our website.

ADAGE

As a supplement to Jane Roush's description of the proposed biofuel plant, I've posted two sets of questions posed to and answered by the ADAGE representatives. You'll find them in the Document Store.

The next Executive Committee meeting is 6pm May 4th; call for location. The next regular meeting, incorporating the Nominating Convention, is 7pm Wednesday, May 12, at the PUD meeting room.