Regional PEOPLE Conferences this Saturday in Kelso and Everett

This coming Saturday, July 19th, we'll be holding Regional PEOPLE Conferences in Kelso and Everett. The conferences are responsible for making final endorsement decisions on selected legislative races, but we're also including some fun political action training activities, too. Of course, lunch will be provided and members traveling outside of their home county can get their mileage reimbursed. So what are you waiting for?

July 19, Kelso Red Lion, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
This region covers southwest Washington, including most of Thurston County. The following races will be considered:

17th LD House Pos. 1
Candidates are Rep. Jim Dunn (R), Joseph James (R), and Tim Probst (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team made no recommendation. In the absence of a recommendation from the interview team, staff will present a recommendation in support of Probst.

18th LD House Pos. 1
Candidates are Rep. Jaime Herrera (R) and Vanessa Duplessie (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Herrera.

18th LD House Pos. 2
Candidates are Rep. Ed Orcutt (R) and Jonathan Fant (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Orcutt.

49th LD House Pos. 1
Candidates are Jim Jacks (D), John Nyberg (R) and Debbie Peterson (R). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Jacks.

July 19, Everett Holiday Inn, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
This region covers northwest Washington, from Snohomish County on up to the border. The following races will be considered:

10th LD House Pos. 1
Candidates are Rep. Norma Smith (R) and Tim Knue (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Knue.

10th LD House Pos. 2
Candidates are Rep. Barbara Bailey (R), Ann McDonald (D) and Patricia Terry (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Terry.

21st LD House Pos. 2
Candidates are Rep. Marko Liias (D) and Andrew Funk (R). Interviews will be conducted July 18 in Everett. Any member from the region may participate.

39th LD House Pos. 2
Candidates are Rep. Kirk Pearson (R), Samantha Hicks (no party) and David Personius (D). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends Pearson.

40th LD Senate
Candidates are Hue Beattie (D), Paul Gonzales (D), Ken Henderson (D), Stephanie Kountouros (D), Kevin Ranker (D), Timothy Stoddard (SY) and Steve Van Luven (R). Local interviews were conducted and the interview team recommends a dual endorsement of Henderson and Van Luven.

44th LD House Pos. 2
Candidates are Rep. Liz Loomis (D) and Mike Hope (R). Interviews will be conducted July 18 in Everett. Any member from the region may participate.

While the business portion of the Regional PEOPLE Conferences are important, we are stubbornly insisting on making sure these events are fun. I know, I know. It's heresy! Anyway, as part of the program, members will get an opportunity play The State Employee Game, a board game about gaining political power that was designed and produced by the LPA Department.

There is still space available at both events. To sign up contact Diana Whitmore at 1-800-562-6002 or at diana@wfse.org. Let Diana know if you want to attend a candidate interview session, too.

The final round of Regional PEOPLE Conferences will be Saturday, Aug. 9, in Spokane and Seattle. Details to be announced.

PS: Among the 40th LD Senate candidates is a fellow who filed as "Timothy (Cleaver) Stoddard" who prefers the "Salmon Yoga Party." I am not making this up! -- Dennis