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Dear friends,
This unusual year required our state to come together and take on unprecedented challenges. I am proud of the work that Washington Senate Democrats have done to prioritize the needs of our state, from COVID-19 relief to our many other legislative priorities. And I’m grateful for supporters like you who donated time and money to ensure that Democrats retained a strong majority in November.
Before we head into the new year, I’d like to reflect on and highlight the work of Senate Democrats this year.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit Washington State during the final days of our 2020 legislative session, we acted swiftly, authorizing $200 million in state funding in support of public health and our communities. We put people first, making sure families received the relief they needed.
In one of the most competitive elections ever, we transitioned from knocking on doors to calling and texting, from public rallies and events to online organizing — all to make sure we were connecting with voters while keeping our communities safe.
These adjustments led to a successful 2020 cycle for Washington Senate Democrats. We maintained our 28-to-21 majority and for the first time in 10 years elected a Black senator, T’wina Nobles, by flipping a Senate seat that has been held by Republicans for more than 50 years.
We are thankful for your support, which helped deliver a strong Democratic majority for what will be a session unlike any other in Washington State history. With a remote session, we’ll face logistical challenges, but we will not be deterred from addressing Washington’s top priorities of pandemic recovery, police reform and racial justice, climate, strong public schools, housing, and health care. It will take responsible and thoughtful leadership to take what we have learned from this pandemic and make the necessary reforms to protect our people.
In addition to navigating COVID-19 response and recovery, we are gearing up for an important year of redistricting and getting ready to defend our majority. Democrats should be prepared to face a challenging year in 2022. We will have 16 Democratic seats up, including five Senators running for re-election for the first time. We will be counting on your support as we work to protect and expand our majority.
The work we accomplished in 2020, despite being faced with so many barriers, would not have been possible without your continued support. You showed up for us before the election and at the ballot box in November.
So, as we end this year, we would like to say thank you.
All of us at the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign wish you a happy and healthy New Year.
Jamie Pedersen
Chair, Washington Senate Democratic Campaign
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