Pierce County Democrats are urging state party leaders to cut off two defecting state senators from access to party money and a database of voter information.
At a meeting Saturday, county party activists passed the resolution censuring Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom of Medina and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch.
They also elected a new county chairwoman, Jeannie Mitchell of Tacoma’s North End. She replaces Rose Ehart, who did not run for re-election to a second two-year term.
Mitchell, who has a business with her husband as independent contractors delivering magazines, is a former chairwoman of the 27th District Democrats. Her goals include better recruitment and training of candidates and precinct-committee officers.
The county party’s censure of Tom and Sheldon stems from their decision to join Republicans in the state Senate to form a new governing coalition and wrest control of the chamber from Democrats. The Pierce County resolution accuses Tom and Sheldon of “thwarting the will of the voters who elected a Democratic majority in the state senate.” Tom and Sheldon say they believe the coalition’s agenda matches up with what voters want.
Party activists in Seattle’s 43rd District are expected to vote today to censure Tom, according to The Seattle Times. Democrats in Tom’s own district, the 48th, have already passed a measure making him ineligible for “future endorsement and support.”
Jordan Schrader: 360-786-1826
blog.thenewstribune.com/politics
jordan.schrader@thenewstribune.com
@Jordan_Schrader
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