The Washington State Democratic Party today selected a new Chair to serve as the party’s chief executive for the 2023–2024 presidential cycle.
Shasti Conrad, the former Chair of the King County Democrats, was chosen unanimously by the Washington State Democratic Committee (of which I am a member) to be the successor to Tina Podlodowski at its biennial reorganization meeting in Olympia, after running unopposed for the position. Podlodowski declared earlier this month that she would be stepping down.
Conrad, who has contributed several guests posts here on the Cascadia Advocate over the years, is the first woman of color to be elected chair of the state party.
“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of our state party and build on the outstanding success Washington Democrats have earned at the ballot box for the last six years,” said Conrad in a statement released by the party. “I’m excited to work with Democratic leaders from every community to build an unprecedented field operation that will carry the message of how Washington Democrats are delivering for working families to each and every voter.”
“After six years serving as the Chair of the Washington Democrats, I’m thrilled to pass on the torch to my friend Shasti Conrad,” said Podlodowski.
“Shasti has been a force in Washington Democratic politics for over a decade as a staffer on three presidential campaigns and a successful chair of the largest county party organization in the state. Shasti has been a crucial part of our organizing efforts over the past six years helping to build a top-notch state party which has seen unprecedented electoral success in both state and federal elections. There is no one more qualified to take on the difficult task of building on this success, and I have every confidence in Shasti’s success.”
Conrad campaigned on the following specific priorities:
- Our Democratic party must do more than respond to the needs of this moment; we must also build a lasting and resilient community that can stand against all the challenges that await us. We can’t win by just fighting what we hate—we must protect what we love, and demonstrate our strength by spreading our joy.
- This past election, the Washington State Democrats proved that we can show voters a vision that prioritizes and balances the needs of both rural and urban Democrats. Our party models a big tent that includes the leaders of the DCCC, the Progressive Caucus, and an independent working class Democrat who flipped a seat by just a few thousand votes.
- As a former two-term Chair of the largest county party in our state, I have a track record of success helping progressive candidates win at every level of government. In the four years I led the King County Democrats, our organizers flipped a County Council seat, six city councils, and raised the funds to make our County party formidable in winning elections.
- Additionally, I built a team of committed, skilled volunteers who created a culture of transparency and accountability that allowed for safer spaces to welcome in folks who historically had not seen themselves reflected in the Democratic Party: more women, more people of color, younger people, LGBT people, and immigrants.
- I have the experience, the relationships and the deep dedication this job requires. I am eager to serve our state and our party—and couldn’t be more ready and excited!
Also elected to serve as officers of the state party this morning were:
- David Green, Vice Chair (reelected)
- Rob Dolin, Secretary (reelected)
- David Kim, Treasurer
All will serve two-year terms ending in January of 2025.
The Washington State Republican Party reorganized last weekend; the Washington State Republican Central Committee retained Caleb Heimlich in his position as Chair for another two years and will be Conrad’s counterpart.
Saturday, January 28th, 2023
Shasti Conrad unanimously elected the new Chair of the Washington State Democrats
The Washington State Democratic Party today selected a new Chair to serve as the party’s chief executive for the 2023–2024 presidential cycle.
Shasti Conrad, the former Chair of the King County Democrats, was chosen unanimously by the Washington State Democratic Committee (of which I am a member) to be the successor to Tina Podlodowski at its biennial reorganization meeting in Olympia, after running unopposed for the position. Podlodowski declared earlier this month that she would be stepping down.
Conrad, who has contributed several guests posts here on the Cascadia Advocate over the years, is the first woman of color to be elected chair of the state party.
“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of our state party and build on the outstanding success Washington Democrats have earned at the ballot box for the last six years,” said Conrad in a statement released by the party. “I’m excited to work with Democratic leaders from every community to build an unprecedented field operation that will carry the message of how Washington Democrats are delivering for working families to each and every voter.”
“After six years serving as the Chair of the Washington Democrats, I’m thrilled to pass on the torch to my friend Shasti Conrad,” said Podlodowski.
“Shasti has been a force in Washington Democratic politics for over a decade as a staffer on three presidential campaigns and a successful chair of the largest county party organization in the state. Shasti has been a crucial part of our organizing efforts over the past six years helping to build a top-notch state party which has seen unprecedented electoral success in both state and federal elections. There is no one more qualified to take on the difficult task of building on this success, and I have every confidence in Shasti’s success.”
Conrad campaigned on the following specific priorities:
Also elected to serve as officers of the state party this morning were:
All will serve two-year terms ending in January of 2025.
The Washington State Republican Party reorganized last weekend; the Washington State Republican Central Committee retained Caleb Heimlich in his position as Chair for another two years and will be Conrad’s counterpart.
# Written by Andrew Villeneuve :: 12:02 PM
Categories: Party Politics
Tags: Reorganizations
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