BELLEVUE—The Washington State Democrat party held its 2024 Convention at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Convention Center from Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23, where it established its platform, nominated candidates, held workshops and training for delegates, and featured several prominent speakers within the party.

The convention kicked off Friday with a welcome reception featuring Chair Shasti Conrad, several U.S. Representative including Rick Larsen, Vandana Slatter, My-Linh Thai, and Tana Senn, State Senator Lisa Wellman, Chris Reykdal with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner candidate Sen. Patty Kuderer, former Obama Social Secretary Deesha Dyer, and State Treasurer Mike Pelliciotti.

The next day began a series of workshops including an early morning Parallel Caucus Meetings Workshop, a Black Caucus, a Hispanic Latino Caucus, a Disabilities Caucus, Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, Environmental Caucus, LGBTQA+ Caucus, Veteran and Military Caucus, and a Small Business Caucus.

After that a Vera Institute Grassroots Training was held before a Connections Lab revolving around how to make more Democrats.

Before the evening Gala dinner, the main event of sorts, several other workshops commenced after a lunchtime panel including a Labor Caucus, Native American Caucus, and Jewish Caucus.

During the Gala Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson took the stage before handing it over to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and Governor Jay Inslee. Several other Senators and State Representatives also shared a few words.

“I think it’s fair to say that because of the work you have done, we have had the most active, progressive, fair, justice-minded progress in the last 12 years in the history of the state of Washington and I want to thank you for those 12 years,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell.

Ferguson began his speech by joking that he is, indeed, the “real Bob Ferguson” then criticized Republican Gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert for supporting a nationwide abortion ban while serving in Congress.

“I do not accept and I’m the only candidate in this race which is not accepting money from large corporations or corporate packs,” said Ferguson Saturday. “This is a grassroots power campaign. I’m proud to have nearly 70,000 donations to our campaign that dwarfs all other campaigns combined…we need to win this election. We cannot be complacent.”

Sunday wrapped up the convention with a General Session beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the evening where the party solidified its 2024 priorities and platform.

Nominees

The Washington State Democrat Party backed Attorney General Bob Ferguson for its pick for Washington State Governor.

Other nominees include Senator Maria Cantwell for U.S. State Senate, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck for Lt. Governor, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs for Secretary of State, Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti for Treasurer, Auditor Pat (Patrice) McCarthy for Auditor, Senator Manka Dhingra for Attorney General, Senator Patty Kuderer for Insurance Commissioner, King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove for Public Lands Commissioner, and Patrick DePoe for Public Lands Commissioner.

Platform

The Democrat party highlighted agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry pillars, emphasizing a need to invest in clean energy, and agricultural irrigation while preserving public lands and exercising sustainable farming practices.

Next the party covered corporate power believing in the power of co-ops and local/rural initiatives to keep ownership and profits close to communities. The party sided with the power of the state rather than corporations also supporting reinstating Glass-Steagall, enforcing Dodd-Frank, restoring the enforcement power of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) , continuing to fund the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, and strengthening and enforcing antitrust laws.

State Democrats back the Climate Commitment Act as indispensable for reducing state greenhouse emissions. It further pledged its mission to creating a greener, more sustainable, Washington.

The party also supported the Growth Management Act adding climate change and salmon recovery as its goal.

As far as health care the party considers it a basic human right. The party further took the stance that women’s reproductive rights must be protected under federal legislation.

Housing, the party also believes, is also a basic human right and tools such as rent stabilization is “essential” to ensure Washingtonians have predictable and affordable housing.

Social Justice remains a priority of the Democratic party stating that all humans have rights regardless of immigration status. The party supported the Black Lives Matter movement and called upon all governments to enforce the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

In the wake of the pandemic the Democrat party took a stance on disaster preparedness and expanding human services.

The party also pledged to support the arts, protecting free, high quality, universal Pre-K through 12 grade public school systems, working toward student loan forgiveness, supporting worker unions, investing in a more robust transportation network, and cracking down on gun violence by banning assault weapons and requiring extensive background checks and training in order to purchase a firearm.

Lastly the State Democrat Party solidified its stance on tribal relations, governance, protecting the media, and protecting everyone’s rights to the political process.

Resolutions

The Washington State Democratic Party wrapped up its three day convention by adopting resolutions and a platform rooted in human rights and dignity.

“Democrats stand united and ready to fight to defend our rights and freedoms this election. As a big tent party, we’ve proven we can debate vigorously, while honoring our democratic principles,” said Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democrats. “I want to thank every single delegate who made this possible. It’s because of your passion and dedication that Democrats won’t concede even an inch to Republicans this November! I encourage voters across the state to join us in building a better state and country that works for everyone.”

The Washington State Democrat Environment and Climate Caucus also adopted a resolution recognizing the inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas.

The passing of the resolution also comes with a request from the caucus to the Washington State Legislature that the legislature adopt and enforce legislation in 2025 and beyond that recognizes and enforces the inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas.

The Legal Rights of the Salish Sea (LRSS) and the Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN) are working to secure a legal recognition of the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas in Washington state. Thus far, in addition to the recent ECC decision, five cities and three counties in Washington have adopted proclamations recognizing the inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas. Depoe Bay, Oregon, and Arcata, CA, have also adopted similar proclamations.