Shassy Conrad opens Washington State Democratic convention, urges organizing and restraint on time

Shassy Conrad, serving as temporary convention chair, opened the Washington State Democratic Party’s state convention in Spokane and thanked delegates and staff for their work preparing the platform and the event. "I am Shassy Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party," she said as she called the meeting to order and introduced officers and staff.

Conrad framed the day’s business as part of ongoing organizing efforts that produced Democratic wins in recent statewide and legislative races. She praised volunteers for outreach across urban, suburban and rural areas and urged delegates to keep the convention moving: "we will lose access to this room and need to end this convention at 5PM this evening no matter what." The chair also noted the platform and the convention process are intended to guide candidates and campaigns in the months ahead.

The session included ceremonial items — a land acknowledgment and a local native welcome — and a prerecorded video message from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear encouraging Democrats to communicate "why" voters should support the party. Delegates were reminded of hybrid-voting procedures and the schedule for ballots to be opened throughout the day.