Welcome to your monthly update from Friends of Washington!

Here are three ways to take action this month to help Democrats reach a majority in the Washington State Senate.

Action item! Join the Washington State Democrats’ Summer of Canvass. WA Democrats are building a massive grassroots network of volunteers to make sure we talk -- and listen -- to voters all year, every year, about the things that matter to them. Become a part of this large, volunteer-led, listening-based effort to connect with voters. Click here to learn more.

Action item! Manka Dhingra's campaign is moving into high gear for the special election just four months away. Let's flip majority of the State Senate to the Democrats! Get involved. Manka needs our participation door-belling (departing every weekend from her campaign office in Redmond: 8151 164th Ave NE, 98052, every Sat-Sun, starting at 10am and 1pm). The clock is ticking, sign up now to help. And her campaign runs on our contributions, so donate to Manka here. 

Action item! Join Michelle Rylands for her campaign launch rally! Sunday June 25, 2:30 PM - 5 PM, at Half Lion Brewing Co., 1723 W Valley Hwy E, Sumner, WA 98390. Let's flip another State Senate seat for the Democrats (District 31, including Auburn, Enumclaw, Sumner, and Bonney Lake.) Help Michelle build momentum and excitement with a noisy launch crowd. Let people in the 31st know the impact Michelle will bring to break GOP gridlock.

 That's the goal Washington State Democrats are aiming for with their momentum-building program, “Summer of Canvass.” This will be a listening-based campaign to connect voters throughout the state, get to know their needs, and get everyone fired up to support Democratic candidates in important elections to come. 

The mission: send volunteers across the state to let voters know that Democrats are listening to voters everywhere, not just in the metropolitan areas where Democrats usually win. The Summer of Canvass will work to identify voters who are ready to speak out and engage their communities, particularly as the 2018 elections get closer. 

The Summer of Canvass will be our chance to lay the groundwork for a real wave of change next year: to fix education, protect health care and get legislators acting on clean energy.

So get involved! Click here to learn more about how you can participate in the Summer of Canvass.

What does this mean personally? We’re all feeling anguish about the Trump Administration’s lack of leadership, and many of us have made resolutions to get more engaged. Getting out there and canvassing is, well, kind of scary. This summer’s initiative is a great chance to develop your political muscles. The Summer of Canvass isn’t based on candidates battling each other, but rather on making connections and engaging voters on issues and values. With the valuable connections established over the summer, we'll be ready to mobilize for next year’s crucial elections.

So please volunteer or donate to Summer of Canvass. Better yet, get a squad-full of friends to join with you as we prepare to go on the offense and win a big Democratic sweep in 2018!

And Stay Tuned

The action in Washington State is getting exciting. Many more critical races across the state are coming soon. The time is now to invite your friends to also sign up with us at Friends of Washington, so that they can get monthly updates too. Forward this. Spread the word! Explain why November 2017 and November 2018 are so important for our state.

Friend-to-friend word of mouth is the key to victory.

Think especially of people in Kirkland, Woodinville, Sammamish, Redmond, Duvall, Auburn, Enumclaw, and Sumner. People who live there are especially important for raising awareness, since they - and their neighbors - will be making the difference by mailing in their ballots this October.

All hands on deck! Let's raise awareness and make some noise. Together we'll win.

Sincerely yours,

Your fellow Friends of Washington

www.friendsofwashington.org