Candidacy in eastern Washington–what it accomplishes and why we need it
Democracy requires participation. Democrats and progressives need to participate more. As we look ahead to the fall 2024 elections in which, I believe, democracy itself will be on the ballot, what follows is a call to action.
You’ve probably noticed that Republicans never fail to run a candidate for every position—no matter how quixotic the candidacy appears. For example, in Legislative District (LD) 3 (essentially the City of Spokane) State Senator Andy Billig and State Representatives Timm Ormsby and Marcus Riccelli always have a Republican challenger.
Contrast that to the Spokane-surrounding, Republican-dominated Legislative Districts (LDs) 4 (Spokane valley north to Mt. Spokane), 6 (north & west of LD3), 7 (north), and 9 (south). [For detailed maps click here or explore an interactive map here.] In 2022 in those four Legislative Districts (LDs 4, 6, 7, and 9), only two Democrats signed up to run for what were a total of ten legislative positions on the ballot that election—all occupied by Republican incumbents. Hats off to Michaela Kelso, who ran against State Rep. Jenny Graham in the 6th, and Ted Cummings, who ran against State Rep. Suzanne Schmidt in the 4th. Even though neither Michaela nor Ted won, they (and any Democrats who take on a Republican incumbent) deserve our thanks—for several reasons most of us fail to consider.
In 2022, the other State Rep in District 6, Mike Volz, ran unopposed, just like seven other Republican incumbents in LDs 6, 7, and 9. As a result none of those eight Republicans needed to spend much, if any, time campaigning among their constituents, knocking on doors, or dealing with challenging questions. Instead, they were free to stump for other Republican candidates or simply relax. Moreover, in the unchallenged Mike Volz example, in 2022 Mr. Volz only felt the need to spend $8,291 on his campaign—while he deposited the other $70,000 he raised in campaign funds into the MIKE VOLZ SURPLUS FUND. Those “surplus funds” (more than 50% of which came from business contributions) can be rolled over without restriction to “a political party or legislative caucus committee” (and thence to other Republican candidates), among other possible uses.
Repeat the Mike Volz story again and again with each unopposed Republican candidates and pretty soon you’re talking real money, real money that can be sloshed around to defend or support other Republican candidates.
Under-appreciated candidates like Michaela Kelso and Ted Cummingsperform another essential service by running against Republican incumbents: the fact of their campaigning in “red” districts gives Democrats in those districts a reason to cast a ballot—and serves notice to all whom they contact that Democrats are real people concerned with their communities.
This post is a plea for people to step up as candidates for 2024, even though winning might seem unlikely. Gaining office and governing in a democracy is a team project—and all members of the team deserve support. Forty-four elected positions will be on the ballot in the fall of 2024. It would be ideal if a Democrat were represented in every race. If you have the slightest curiosity about running you don’t have to learn the ropes by yourself. Sign up as a volunteer at spokanedemocrats.org. That will get you on the mailing list for candidate training, volunteer training, and other outreach planned by the Dems for 2024.
Emerge Washington specializes in training progressive Democratic women to run for public office in the State of Washington. Visit their website here and sign up for updates on their 2024 training program.
Be sure to thank and contribute to those who do step up. Recognize them for the way their candidacy helps the team.
I came to these conclusions slowly. In the wake of Lisa Brown’s loss to incumbent U.S. Rep. McMorris Rodgers in 2018 someone pointed out to me what should have been obvious: even though Lisa did not win, her strong candidacy tied up Republican campaign funds controlled by McMorris Rodgers that would otherwise have gone elsewhere. The 2018 fall general election resulted in a U.S. House Democratic majority—with a gain of 41 seats. Some part of this was due to tying up McMorris Rodgers’ war chest in defending her own seat.
I headed this post “Blue Missouri” to highlight an effort by Democrats to regain a foothold in a painfully “red” state. The presentation in which I heard about Blue Missouri offered the points I covered above, but “Blue Missouri” takes it a step further. The organization crowd sources small monthly contributions which it guarantees will be used to top up the campaign coffers of Democratic candidates for the Missouri legislature running against incumbent Republicans. The idea is to give prospective candidates a head start. “No more free passes for the GOP.” I like their logic. Visit their website’s home page where their endeavor is explained. Check out the FAQs on that page. I’m not saying this can be immediately replicated in eastern Washington, but it is certainly food for thought.
Keep to the high ground,
Jerry
P.S. Ted Cummings and Michaela Kelso were featured in this post because I was looking back at the latest Legislative District elections. Many more such candidates deserve our thanks for their efforts. Most recently they include Lindsey Shaw running against Michael Cathcart in the City of Spokane, District 1 (NE), municipal elections this fall. Many others remain active in our communities after having run for office, for example, Naghmana Sherazi who now works with the Lands Council, serves on the Board of Emerge Washington, and helped with this post.