Washington Democrats hold gala as leaders urge voters to defeat three initiatives and turn out in August and November

Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, opened the 2024 convention gala by thanking labor unions and local party tables and telling a packed hall that the coming months will decide whether Democrats hold state and federal offices.

"Ballots will start arriving at people's homes and mailboxes, and this year's election is truly our last best chance," Conrad said, urging attendees to organize for the August primary and November general election.

The event brought top Democrats to the microphone. Bob Ferguson, Washington's attorney general and a candidate for governor, contrasted his record and positions with those of his Republican opponent and appealed for grassroots effort rather than large corporate donations. "I am in fact the real Bob Ferguson running for governor," Ferguson said, and later argued the coming race could be decided by a handful of votes, citing historic narrow margins in open-seat governor races.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell framed the stakes nationally as well as statewide, citing recent federal legislation and administration actions the speakers said benefited Washington residents. Cantwell highlighted legislation she said has expanded infrastructure and capped insulin costs for seniors: "We passed the Inflation Reduction Act, capping insulin for seniors at $35," she said, and urged the crowd to help defeat three ballot measures she called misleading.

Gov. Jay Inslee told the audience the three initiatives on the ballot would “zero out” key benefits, arguing they would strip billions from schools and transportation and increase pollution. "There is not a word in this initiative to guarantee people lesser gas prices," Inslee said, adding that one proposal would remove about $5,000,000,000 from transportation projects and threaten electric school bus and pollution protections.

Speakers repeatedly framed the night as a call to organize. Ferguson said his campaign rejects corporate PAC money and emphasized relational campaigning: door-knocking, calls, and small donations. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, speaking by video, urged organizers to "lead with love" and warned of a far-right movement aiming to change state and local politics.

The gala also included speeches from state legislators and local candidates. Several 14th Legislative District candidates introduced themselves and asked the crowd to volunteer and donate. State Sen. Tawanna Nobles urged mutual support among volunteers and candidates, and praised recent state policy gains in areas including child care, school counseling and disability rights.

Conrad closed by reminding attendees that the convention would continue the next day with resolution debates and a platform vote, and that the practical work of voter contact begins immediately.

The event provided no formal votes or policy actions; speakers primarily sought to motivate volunteers and to persuade attendees about the risks of the three ballot initiatives. Attendees were urged to translate the evening's remarks into door-knocking, phone-banking and small-dollar fundraising ahead of the August primary and November general election.