Two Weeks From Tomorrow!
Tom Foley ably represented eastern Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives for thirty years (1965-1995), serving as the Speaker of the House for the last five and a half of those years. By a tiny margin Foley lost his seat in the House in the November election of 1994 during what has come to be known as the “Gingrich Revolution.” For the last thirty years what was Foley’s seat has been occupied by George Nethercutt and then by his chosen successor, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, . McMorris Rodgers just announced her retirement—and the seat will be hotly contested. It is time for the Democrats to take it back.
Two weeks and one day from today the Spokane County Democrats will hold their annual Tom Foley Legacy Dinner (all the details below). The Dinner is a major fundraiser for the Party. Click here to purchase tickets.
Personal Note: When I decided, thanks to the Trump election in 2016, that I had better learn how local politics works, I imagined our local political parties as well-oiled, monied machines operating mostly in secret out of “smoke-filled rooms.” That was totally wrong, a twisted holdover from legends that used to swirl around Chicago politics. (I grew up in Wisconsin.) In the Spokane Democrats I’ve found a gathering of unpaid volunteers working toward realizing values I share and a community in which I feel comfortable.
Keep to the high ground,
Jerry
Tom Foley Legacy Dinner, “Rising to the Challenge of 2024.”
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Time: Doors open at 5:00 PM, Dinner starts at 6:00 PM
Venue: Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N Sullivan Rd, Spokane Valley, WA
Tickets: Individual $125, Table Sponsorship $1250
Doors will open at 5:00 pm for the ballroom. The first 50 People will get a free drink ticket. Dinner and the program will start at 6:00pm. We wanted to open early so people can visit and enjoy the company of fellow Democrats.
Our Speakers are:
Senator Maria Cantwell: Senator Cantwell’s insights on federal policies and their impact on local communities and Democrats would be highly relevant and important for the audience.
Ken Martin: As the Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party and President of the Association of State Democratic Committees, Ken Martin’s leadership roles within the Democratic Party at both state and national levels make his contributions significant.
Shasti Conrad: Shasti Conrad, as the Chair of the Washington State Democrats, will share insights on driving progressive change and advancing shared values within the party and the state.
April Sims: April Sims, as the President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, can offer valuable perspectives on labor movement wins and future progress we can help be a part of.
Mike Pellicciotti: Finally, Mike Pellicciotti, running for reelection as Washington State Treasurer, can round out the speaker lineup with his insights on fiscal responsibility and the importance of his role in state governance.
Kenton Bird: As Tom Foley’s biographer and a professor, Kenton Bird brings a unique perspective and deep insight into the life and legacy of Tom Foley. His presence can serve as an excellent introduction to the event, providing context and setting the tone for the discussions that follow.
We will also be doing the,” Donkey Dessert Dash” again this year. Some Flambés will be involved.
We are going bigger with room for 500 people.
After the Donkey Dessert Dash the ballroom will be opened for people to mingle till 9pm. It should be quite the energizing night.
Here is the link to purchase tickets. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tom-foley-legacy-dinner
There is a VIP Cocktail hour (tickets are separate from the dinner) from 4:00 pm – 5:30 with all our speakers except Maria Cantwell. April Sims and Shasti Conrad will speak to the group. Only 40 tickets are available. $250 each.
P.S. The SpokaneGOP holds a fundraising dinner dubbed the “Lincoln Day Dinner.” Abraham Lincoln would roll over in his grave if he could see what the Republican Party has become. Lincoln would weep at welcoming into his party white supremacists like those at Charlottesville and folks like those waving Confederate battle flags inside the Capitol on January 6, 2021. In contrast, the local Democrats honor the memory of Tom Foley, a man who would be proud of the local party.