Politics has always been rough and tumble in America, with the last near-decade hitting dramatic lows. It is natural to want to turn away but resist that urge. The local impact of the decisions to be made in November extend well beyond the colossally important presidential race.

There will be changes to Legislative District 24 (LD 24), and to who represents the 6th Congressional District in Washington D.C., the respective districts that include Port Townsend and Jefferson County. The state will have a new governor. The August primary is when the final determination on candidates will be made, although there are some races that are already established.

I write in praise of the democratic process, my main takeaway from spending Saturday, June 22, observing the happenings of the Washington State Democratic Convention in Bellevue. The basics: Washington state government consists of 49 legislative districts, with Jefferson County part of State District 24. This area is part of Congressional District 6, which is one of 10 seats in the U.S. Congress. (Republicans held their convention in Spokane April 18-20. I’m genuinely sorry I missed that.)

The three-day state convention, held at Meydenbauer Center, had about 1,000 registrants.  Party business was conducted, a platform approved, and national delegates elected. There were presentations and caucuses, and finally, speeches by the most promising, and prominent, of the state’s elected officials at the gala dinner.

Most of it was fairly dull, a topic that came up with reporters at the press tables. They said the Republican Convention was anything but boring to cover, as conflict emerged between the two top candidates for governor for the party. More interesting for reporters, certainly, but perhaps not ideal for the Republican party. 

On Saturday evening I was actively seeking out members of LD 24. That’s when I encountered Eric Pickens and Nate Tyler, who along with Adam Bernbaum are running for position #1 in the district. Bernbaum served as legislative assistant to State Senator Kevin Van De Wege.

Pickens, president of the Sequim School Board, and Tyler, who serves on several tribal committees, including the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) were talking amiably when I approached, and Pickens offered to show me to the table where people from this district were seated.

On the way, Pickens noted the “domino effect” in play in state politics in Washington this election cycle. The slot he, Tyler and Bernbaum are competing for was vacated by Kevin Van De Wege, who is running for commissioner of public lands. That position, held by Hillary Franz since 2017, is open because Franz is running for Congress. (Others with hats in the Congressional ring, at least until the primary in August, include Janis Clark (R), Drew MacEwen (R), Graham Ralston (I) and Emily Randall (D).)

The seat in the U.S. Congress is open because U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is not seeking reelection. Kilmer, and Gov. Jay Inslee, each decided well in advance of the election that they wouldn’t run again, creating the aforementioned domino effect.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who has the support of the party, is one of nine declared candidates for governor on the Democratic side. He is expected to face Dave Reichert, one of seven declared candidates on the Republican side. That is despite the fact that Semi Bird won the Republican nomination by 72% at the party’s convention in Spokane.

Praise seems due both Kilmer and Inslee. Incumbents have an advantage with voters, and Kilmer and Inslee both stood very good chances of being reelected. Kilmer won a sixth term in 2022 by more than 20 points, and Inslee a third term in 2020 by 13 points. Each will have served 12 years in those jobs by the end of their terms. 

I was welcomed to the table where members of LD 24 were seated. (The Leader paid for my dinner in advance.) Bruce Cowan, chair of the LD24 Democrats, introduced me around, including to national area delegates, Laura De La Portilla and Alex Morgan, who is president of the Progressive Turnout Project. Cowan and Morgan live in Port Townsend and De La Portilla in Port Hadlock. 

“Everyone has an eye toward the greater good for the people of the state of Washington,” said De La Portilla, aglow from the last moments of the Saturday night festivities. A series of speakers that ended with U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Inslee had fired everyone up, easily the most excitement of the conference.

De La Portilla and Morgan will be among the Washington state delegates at the Democratic Convention in Chicago Aug. 19-22. The election is Nov. 5.