Welcome to those considering candidacy in the 2024 election cycle!
The 32nd Legislative District is comprised of six municipalities— Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Woodway, Shoreline and Seattle as well as certain unincorporated areas of Snohomish County. Our 32nd Endorsement Committee has representation from each municipality and unincorporated area.
Currently, all of our meetings are on Zoom.
The committee interviews candidates and then candidates are voted on by the membership. Our endorsement process is governed by our Endorsement Rules. See a quick summary of our endorsement meeting rules below.
To schedule an interview with the Endorsement Committee, follow these steps:
1. File with the Washington State Secretary of State.
2. Only candidates and ballot issues, which will appear on a ballot in the 32nd Legislative District, can be endorsed.
3. Those candidates who are on the ballot in King County, fill out the King County Democrats Questionnaire and send us a copy of your King County Questionnaire to: endorsements@32democrats.org
4. Candidates who are on the ballot in Snohomish County, contact the Snohomish County Democrats who will send you their questionnaire. (Scroll to bottom of page and click on “Email Us Now” for email contact). Send us a copy of your Snohomish County Questionnaire to: endorsements@32democrats.org
5. If the county questionnaires are not yet available, candidates may use the 32nd LD Democrats ‘backup General Questionnaire’ and ‘backup Judicial Questionnaire’ which are both accepted by the 32nd LD Endorsement Committee. Send questionnaires to: endorsements@32democrats.org
6. Complete and submit the 32nd LD Democrats Civility Pledge.
If you have any questions, contact Stephanie Harris, Chair, Endorsement Committee at: stephanie.harris@32democrats.org or (425) 672-1676.
Interview Timeline, Executive Board Recommendations and Membership Voting
The Endorsement Committee interviews candidates February through September, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
The Committee then makes recommendations to the Executive Board. The Executive Board makes recommendations to the membership.
Our Endorsement Rules specify that only incumbents who were previously endorsed by the 32nd District, and who are running for the same position, are eligible for “early endorsement”. The Executive Board will recommend candidates for “early endorsement” at our March 6 membership meeting.
For candidates not eligible for “early” endorsement, the 32nd District will hold a Special Endorsement Meeting on May 15, immediately following Candidate Filing Week, May 6-10.
We will also vote on endorsements at our August 7 meeting.
Here is a quick summary of our endorsement meeting rules:
1. Candidates will need a member to nominate them from the floor if not recommended for endorsement.
2. Multiple endorsements for the same office are allowed. Motions to endorse a candidate are voted on individually.
3. The candidate (or substitute spokesperson authorized in writing) will be given two (2) minutes to present reasons for endorsement.
4. Then there will be a question-and-answer (Q&A) period (of up to three minutes per candidate) for a panel composed of all potential endorsees in the race.
5. Each question may last up to fifteen (15) seconds, and each answer may last up to thirty (30) seconds.
6. Up to four speakers, alternating pro and con are allowed on the motion to endorse a candidate. Those speeches may last up to 30 seconds. If there is no speaker against the motion to endorse, there will be no additional pro speeches.
7. For endorsement, a candidate must receive a 60% threshold vote.
8. With the exception of a slate, all nominated candidates will receive individual votes.
9. Only candidates who publicly identify as a Democrat, or have openly participated as a Democrat, as a matter of public record, may be endorsed.
10. All members and PCOs are eligible to vote on candidate endorsements.
Full endorsement rules are at 32democrats.org.
2023-2024 Endorsement Committee
Chair: Stephanie Harris, Esperance
Members: Colin Berg, Lynnwood; Maralyn Chase, Esperance; Marguerite Dekker, Mountlake Terrace; Rosamaria Graziani, Lynnwood; Lillian Hawkins, Shoreline; Ted Hikel, Lynnwood; Brent McFarlane, Seattle; William Paige Jr., Mountlake Terrace; Sally Soriano, Seattle; Pat Weber, Shoreline
