Note: Agenda and Minutes of the September District meeting, photos, and
the Chair's message are found on the September Meeting Minutes page.
Updated September 15, 2007 PCO's and Endorsements!
At the September 12th District meeting we made a whole set of endorsements for the general election (see news article below). We also had the largest number of new PCO appointments in recent history, since only elected and appointed PCO's will be able to vote to replace our State Senator and potentially State Representative when those posts become vacant. See the current list of PCO's and vacant precincts on the PCO page. Minutes, photos, and more information from the meeting will be posted in the next few days on the minutes page.
Updated September 16, 2007 Replacing Sen. Poulsen and Rep. McDermott
Erik Poulsen plans to resign in early October and Rep. Joe McDermott will seek appointment to his seat. A number of Democrats in the 34th District are lining up to seek appointment to Joe's seat. On September 12th, the 34th District Democrats voted to authorize a forum for these candidates. See the 2007 appointments pages for more information about what's happening, a description of the appointment process, background on Sen. Poulsen, and links to what newspapers and blogs are saying.
Updated September 26, 2007 State Representative Candidates' Forum
The 34th District Democrats are sponsoring a Candidates' Forum on October 24th for those members who are seeking appointment to the position of State Representative, Position 2, now held by Joe McDermott. If you want to submit a question to ask the candidates or learn more about the Forum, click here. If you want to see who the candidates are, and read material they've submitted for posting, click here. If you are a candidate for the position and want to submit your statement, resume, photo or other material for posting on this website, click here.
For more information on the appointment process, click here, and watch this website for late-breaking news.
Updated September 20, 2007 State Representative Candidates' Forum Committee
The Executive Board of the 34th District Democrats has created a special committee to sponsor a Candidates' forum for those members who are seeking appointment to the position of State Representative, Position 1, now held by Joe McDermott. This position may very well become vacant if Joe is appointed State Senator. Beth Geiser and Les Treall will co-chair this Committee. The Forum Committee wants a very open and transparent process to design the forum. It's next meeting is Tuesday, September 25th at 7:30 PM at the Uptown Coffee Espresso, 4301 SW Edmunds St (southern edge of the Junction). All members are welcome to attend. Minutes of the September 18th meeting of the Committee are on the website. For more information on the appointment process, click here, and watch this website for late-breaking news.
Updated September 4, 2007 Senator Erik Poulsen to Resign
Erik announced today that he will be leaving the Senate. In a message to the Executive
Board, he said:
"Dear Friends:
"I'm writing to let you know I'm stepping down from the Senate in early
October to become government affairs director for the Washington Public Utilities
Districts Association. While I'm glad that I have the opportunity to continue
working on energy and environmental issues that are so close to my heart, ending my
12-year career in the Legislature is also incredibly difficult because I love what
I do, and I love all the great people I've had the privilege to know and serve.
"Thirteen years ago, I stood before our 34th district organization - quite nervously,
as I recall - asking for the chance to represent you in Olympia. You are the reason
I got to have this experience, which next to raising my kids has been the most
rewarding experience of my life. Thank you for that.
"Thank you too for all the things you do to better our community and to advance the
cause of the Democrats. Your compassion for people, your sense of social justice, and
your unwavering idealism has been an inspiration to me.
"I'm really proud of everything I've been able to accomplish for the district and
for the state - of course with lots of help from you and the wonderful people from the
district I've had the honor of working alongside in Olympia: Eileen Cody, Dow Constantine,
Mike Heavey, Toni Lysen, Joe McDermott, and Georgette Valle. I learned a lot from all
of you which helped me to be a more effective legislator.
Seattle Times political reporter David Postman wrote about all this today. (See link.)
"Many thanks for everything. I will miss being your senator but plan to remain active
in the district and will continue to help you any way I can.
"Keep fighting the good fight!"
Respectfully,
Erik Poulsen
Updated September 11, 2007 Replacing Erik
The elected and appointed PCO's of the 34th District will recommend three candidates to fill Erik's seat on an
interim basis. The King County Council makes the final decision to fill the position.
Watch this website for more details.
Updated September 3, 2007
September Message from Ivan Weiss
Chair, 34th District Democrats
Tax-and-Spend Liberals
We never before had such a successful Garden Party and Auction. Our 12th Annual was the best one yet, pulling in a net profit of $10,245. This brings the balance in our account to $17,708. Now let's spend it on a good cause - the 2008 elections.
We're not forgetting Election Day, 2007, but after that, our most important calendar date is February 9, 2008, the date of our precinct caucuses. Much of the money that we raised at the Garden Party will go toward site rental, caucus materials, and training for PCOs and other caucus site conveners. More on that below.
Updated September 3, 2007 September District Meeting
The September 12th District Meeting is at the usual place - the Hall at Fauntleroy. We will
consider endorsements for candidates and ballot measures which have not yet been considered,
a resolution to save the Charlestown Cafe, and a by-laws amendment about mailing lists. See
more on the meeting agenda page, the Chair's message (above), the September newsletter and the list of our present endorsements (below).
Calendar Events in September, 2007
Sat, September 15, 2007 White Center Community Development Organization 3rd Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner and Auction
• from 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm, www.wccda.org. Join us for an evening of fine dinning with cuisine from around the world-our not so white, not so centered world. Enjoy culturally diversified music and dances performed by local talents. Come, eat, drink and be merry and watch our local auctioneer in action at the Log Cabin in White Center "A Place to Call Home."
• Contact Name Soona Vili, info@wccda.org or phone 206-694-1082
Saturday, September 15, 2007 Vashon Island Democrats
• Program: Come to the Vashon Democratic Club meeting on Saturday, September 15, to participate in the discussion of candidates for races both local and national. Joe McDermott, one of our State Representatives, will be joining us. All are welcome!
• In the race for U.S. President, Islander Boo Dinan-Slack will speak on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and Islander Gayle Sommers will tell us why she believes Rep. Dennis Kucinich is the right person for the job. We will also be joined, via telephone, by a representative of the Seattle-area campaign headquarters for Sen. Barack Obama.
• If you or your group would like to make a presentation at one of
our meetings, or for general information, please contact Roger Fulton at 669-9459.
• We meet in the Land Trust building: potluck social at 6:00, meeting
6:30-8:30. Please help us accomplish our goal of a no-trash potluck by bringing your own,
non-disposable dinnerware.
Wed, September 19, 2007 Reception for Dow Constantine
• A RECEPTION FOR DOW CONSTANTINE - our King County Councilmember
• Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 5:30 - 7:30 PM
• at the Normandy Park home of Representative Shay Schual-Berke 604 SW 206th Street, Normandy Park
• RSVP to dowconstantine2007@gmail.com or call 206.618.4934
Sat, September 22, 2007 West Seattle Climate Action Now!
• 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM - various events; The Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW
• Part of Mayor Nickels' efforts to combat Global warming
• Click here for a complete description (PDF).
Fri - Sat, September 28-29, 2007 State Democrats' Fall Conference
• Washington State Democratic Central Committee meets in Wenatchee
• See state party website at www.wa-democrats.org or contact Bruce Stotler or Leslie Harris
Website Copyright 2008 34th District Democratic Organization
Send comments or questions to the Webmaster.
Replacing Sen. Poulsen and Rep. McDermott
If you want to submit a question to ask the candidates or learn more about the Forum, 
Updated September 3, 2007
