Berendt resigns as Democratic Party chair

He's decided he'll step down at the end of January:

Paul Berendt, the veteran state Democratic Party chairman, will retire next month after 11 years at the helm.

Under Berendt's chairmanship, the party went from a low point of being nearly shut out in the "Republican Revolution" of 1994 to being the dominant player in a reliably "blue" state.

Berendt told The Associated Press late Wednesday that he will resign in midterm, serving until the party's central committee picks a successor at its Jan. 28 meeting in Ellensburg.

A few people are contemplating running to succeed Paul Berendt. One of them is Greg Rodriguez, who was a tremendous help to NPI (and Washington Defense) in the fight against Initiative 912. Greg graciously volunteered to serve as Treasurer for Washington Defense PAC and he did a tremendous job.

I have offered Greg my personal support and my endorsement for state party chair. I urge you to learn more about him and his vision for the future of the state Democratic party.