Democrats picnic, proselytize at Pioneer Park

Legislative District 10 Democrats from Island, Snohomish and Skagit counties came to La Conner’s Pioneer Park Saturday, holding a salmon lunch fundraiser to buy metaphorical political bricks to elect Democrats, strengthening a blue wall they have been building since 2017.

State Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski told the 75 party activists she had a two word job description: “Elect Democrats.” The 14 elected officials and candidates for office speaking to the crowd highlighted their accomplishments.

Rick Larsen (Everett), 2nd Congressional District, started, telling them “climate change is real” and that he supported an electric ferry for Guemes Island.

He shared a long list of environment and economic laws he has supported in his 10 terms in office.

He called Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell the “Grim Reaper” for not acting on House passed bills and ended with an emphatic “I support impeachment.

I am on the fast train, not the bus moving toward an impeachment inquiry.”

First Congressional District Representative Susan DelBene (Medina), whose district includes eastern Skagit County and part of Mount Vernon, emphasized the bottleneck the Senate has been for passing legislation. “Things are not happening,” she said. “The Senate has not picked up 400 bills passed that are at the door of the Senate.”

Attorney General Bob Ferguson provided an update on the 47 lawsuits – with the 48th being filed this week – brought against the Trump administration. He stressed that when his office files suit, “It means you have sued the President. I do it on behalf of the people of the state of Washington.” The scorecard of decided cases is 21 and 0, he reported.

First term 10th District Representative Dave Paul (Oak Harbor, Position 2) listed state funding of the La Conner library first in his achievements, calling it “desperately needed.” His top priorities are strengthening behavioral health and child care programs, he said.

Skagit County Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt spoke later.

Before lunch, District 40 State Representative Debra Lekanoff (Bow, Position 1) welcomed the attendees. With Brad Clure she recognized Swinomish Tribal Indian Community member Lona Wilbur for service to the organization.

John Amell, LD 10 Dems chair, gave instructions before the line up for the salmon luncheon – corn supplied by Hedlin Farms – including stacking the compostable cups and asking how many people brought their own plates and service ware, part of walking the talk of having a green picnic.

In speaking, the out of town politicians were lavish in their praise of the beauty of the setting. They also recognized and thanked the Swinomish Tribe, who provided the salmon and had it prepared at their casino, and on whose land they stood.

Billed as the 1st annual Grilled Salmon Picnic, the La Conner location was touted as centrally located. Lekanoff expressed her hope for growing it in participation next year.

The attendees paid $25. A split the pot raffle netted $250 to the organization