ELECTION 2024: Three notes, as campaign season revs back up

Your ballot for the November 5 election will arrive in less than seven weeks. After a post-primary lull, it’s time to start up the pre-general election coverage.

‘WEST SEATTLE ANSWERS THE CALL’: This past Monday night, 200 local supporters of the Democratic presidential ticket gathered for one of the biggest local political fundraisers we’ve heard of in a while – probably the biggest one since the candidate herself spent an hour in West Seattle three months ago.

Co-hosts Amy Daly-Donovan and Laurie Reinhardt sent photos from the event, titled “West Seattle Answers the Call,” held at a West Seattle home. Speakers included King County Executive Dow Constantine, 34th District State Rep. and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, and statewide Coordinated Campaign Director Christina Carvalho.

The organizers say, “There was so much good energy and camaraderie in the air.” They report the event raised more than $45,000 to support the presidential campaign as well as other Democratic races. They also noted interest in the yard signs, adding, “we purchased them from signsofjustice.com, a Portland-based, Black-owned business with great service and excellent quality!”

RECOUNT: One statewide race on the November ballot has yet to be finalized – State Commissioner of Public Lands, in which Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler finished in undisputed first place, but Democrat Dave Upthegrove was only 51 votes – a thousandth of a percent – ahead of Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson. That mandated a hand recount, and election offices around the state have been conducting theirs, with most reported to have finished but not yet certified. The biggest, King County, started last Monday and will certify results on Wednesday morning (September 4).

ENCOURAGING YOUNGER VOTERS: One week from today, 10 am-1 pm September 7th, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) will host a watch party for a YWCA-presented nonpartisan national town hall focused on Gen Z women voting, though all are welcome to attend. Our calendar listing has details; organizers of the event, which will be streamed from Philadelphia, say they’ve invited the presidential candidates too but haven’t yet received confirmations. (UPDATE: DNDA says this is canceled for lack of RSVPs.)

Show up for Upthegrove If you want to actually protect the wild lands we have August 31, 2024 (9:45 pm)

We have some of the most amazing wild lands and animals in all of the country and people all over the world come to visit these places. Jamie Herrera Beutler has already said she will loosen the rules so that we can become another Texas. With her in charge our waters are at risk of more pollution and animals won’t be protected which will directly affect the ecosystem.

Me August 31, 2024 (10:00 pm)

We are lucky to have such great leaders!

Suzanne August 31, 2024 (10:40 pm)

We were on a walk and happened to come across this fundraiser. We weren’t on their list but were welcomed to join. It was an especially beautiful evening and the host’s home provided an exquisite setting. I happily added my financial contribution to the evening. In his presentation Dow Constantine informed us that contributions made earlier in a campaign have the biggest impact (although later contributions certainly help too). That was important reminder to donate what I can now instead of waiting.

Raising a total of more the $45,000 that day is truly phenomenal. Thank you to all involved in this fundraiser. Everything was absolutely perfect, capping off the previous week’s fantastic Democratic National Convention.

Hoping Dave Upthegrove remains in the top two position for the Lands Commissioner position. I will eagerly vote for him in November!

Derek September 1, 2024 (9:46 am)

The corporate city council must go. They’ve been a train wreck since entering and Alexis Mercedes Rinck is incrementally pushing us forward. It’s no surprise Nelson and her cohorts rejected moving to a even year ballot because they know they’re frauds. Let’s get rid of Woo and get back on the right track!

Mike September 1, 2024 (5:19 pm)

Derek: It’s important to remember there are many in Seattle (the majority apparently) who completely disagree with you. I’ve met Tanya Woo for example, and find her refreshingly authentic; connected to the concerns of her fellow citizens. She will be an excellent council member moving forward, to help undo the damage done to our City by previous council policies. Here’s to a vigorous but civil campaign season!
- WS Res September 1, 2024 (6:28 pm)
  
  It’s important to remember there are many in Seattle (the majority apparently) who completely disagree with you. I’ve met Tanya Woo for example, and find her refreshingly authentic; connected to the concerns of her fellow citizens. She will be an excellent council member moving forward…. Tell me you haven’t taken a look at the primary results without telling me you haven’t taken a look at the primary results.
  - Mike September 2, 2024 (7:16 am)
    
    The primary results are just that. The election will be decided in November. It’s not unusual for primaries to over-represent a vocal minority. The general election is citywide, tending to favor more moderate candidates. May the best candidate win!
- Derek September 2, 2024 (8:25 am)
  
  Refreshingly authentic? She can’t even show up to candidate meet and greets and has never won anything. She’s completely a puppet. Tune in on the 17th for the debate. It’s going to be glorious. Woo cannot take criticism at all, and is not fit to lead a citywide position.
  - WSB September 2, 2024 (9:15 pm)
    
    Unless there’s another one on the 17th (haven’t found one so far), they’re debating on 9/18
    https://seattlecityclub.org/wsdc/
    - Derek September 2, 2024 (11:11 pm)
      
      Thank you for the correction, this is the one I’m referencing I’m sure. Not sure how I got 17 in my head but I admitted it was an over week old memory.
CarDriver September 1, 2024 (6:45 pm)

Derek. Sawant and her minions completely wore out their welcome. A “corporate” council will be much more welcome than what a few want which is a chaos clown council.
- Derek September 2, 2024 (8:13 am)
  
  Do you think you said something here? Sawant had zero “minions” everyone disliked her on the council and Harrell made up the majority of the time on the council you want to undo. Laughable made up nonsense.

Admiral-2009 September 1, 2024 (6:26 pm)

Derek the prior trajectory led to rampant open drug use, theft, gun violence with little to no deterrent. Like Mike said, it’s time to undo the damage done

Derek September 2, 2024 (8:11 am)

Yes we need to undo all the damage Nelson has done to screw over gig workers, city employees, BIPOC community resources, wage theft, etc etc, yep. I don’t want a council that serves Amazon and Starbucks, I want one serving people. Woo is a real threat to democracy. She’s never won anything either. And she’s fake as they come (met her yesterday at the market). She is clueless.

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