Kristine Reeves for Representative in the 30th Legislative District

Magaly Smith Uncategorized

Earlier this summer, OneAmerica Votes proudly endorsed Kristine Reeves for re-election as State Representative for Washington’s 30th Legislative District, which covers much of Federal Way.

When not in the legislature, Kristine currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for the Military and Defense sector for the state of Washington, focusing on the public and private elements of economic development as it relates to infrastructure, suppliers and contractors and community advocacy and public support organizations for the US Military in our state.  As such she has been an active leader on veterans issues, and has a deep understanding of Washington’s military-related industries.

She grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, and overcome significant adversity in her early years to eventually graduate from Washington State University, and eventually earned a masters from Gonzaga University.  Kristine is the mother of two young children.

While in the legislature, Kristine has been an important voice advocating for improved educational opportunities for all of Washington’s children, comprehensive transportation systems, and a family-friendly economy.  She has perhaps been most vocal in efforts to make child care more affordable, lifting up the voices of workers in her district struggling to cover the cost of care, and the difficult choices they’ve been forced to make.

The OneAmerica Votes Justice Fund is currently organizing canvasses and phone banks in support of Kristine’s re-election to the Washington House of Representatives.  For more information, contact us here.

Statement by Rich Stolz, CEO of OneAmerica Votes on its endorsement of Kristine Reeves: 

“In her first two years in the legislature, Kristine emerged as an important leader, effectively representing her district and strategically engaging her colleagues on a range of issues important to immigrant and refugee communities across Washington State.  Kristine brings a truly compelling and powerful personal story, and an important perspective as a woman of color in the State House.  Her inspiration has encouraged others, regardless of their background or whatever obstacles they have overcome in their lives, to consider their own runs for office.”

 

(photo credit: Front and Centered)

Vote for Climate Justice This November

Eric Shew Uncategorized

by Ake Kankirawatana

Washingtonians everywhere should care about the serious threat that pollution poses to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Initiative 1631 is a broad and inclusive proposal to invest in clean air and clean energy in Washington State while reducing our reliance on polluting fossil fuels.

Making sure our communities have a safe, clean environment is crucial to the advancement and integration of immigrant and refugee communities in America. Unfortunately, immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color tend to be more adversely affected by air pollution, water contamination and climate change. Often, the communities that shoulder the worst of this burden have contributed the least to its cause.

Initiative 1631, or the Protect Washington Act, was drafted by the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, a diverse coalition of communities of color organizations, labor and environmental groups, and other stakeholders whose communities experience the negative impacts of pollution the most. OneAmerica and OneAmerica Votes serve on the Boards of the Alliance and the Yes on 1631 Campaign and played a significant role in drafting the proposal, which was the product of extensive input from communities across Washington State.

The initiative is both equitable and responsible, and it will ensure that Washington’s environment stays healthy and clean for generations to come. It will create jobs for and improve the long-term health outcomes Washington’s communities, especially those that are disproportionately impacted by climate change and the pollution that causes it.

If passed, I-1631 will discourage large polluters from emitting greenhouse gases by placing a fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon dioxide they emit, starting in 2020 and increasing by $2 each year until the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2035 are met and the 2050 goals are on track to be met. The biggest polluters in the state will pay the fee, and the revenue generated will be invested in clean air, clean energy, water quality, and forest health projects and programs in local communities in order to accelerate reductions in carbon pollution.

I-1631 is expected to raise roughly $1 billion a year in revenue, which will be allocated as follows:

  • 70% will be invested in clean energy infrastructure, like new wind and solar projects, with 15% of that going directly to low-income communities to help them make the transition to clean energy without the burden of increased utility costs
  • 25% will be used to promote clean water and healthy forests, including increased measures for pollution cleanup and prevention
  • 5% will be invested in local communities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, like rising sea levels and increased forest fires

Solutions to climate change, pollution, and other environmental issues have traditionally excluded the voices of communities of color, and have not taken into account the needs of diverse communities. By building power in immigrant and refugee communities and building a space for their voices to be heard in policy discussions, OneAmerica is working to provide environmental justice for all.

Under the measure, hundreds of millions of dollars would be invested in communities like south King County, Vancouver, Yakima, and other areas most impacted by carbon pollution. These communities will benefit from cleaner energy and transportation infrastructure, and through community workforce agreement requirements, the ballot measure would ensure that local residents will have the opportunity to find work in new, green jobs generated by these projects.

Residents of these areas will also have direct input in ensuring that the revenue generated from the fee is being invested effectively and wisely. A public oversight board comprised of experts in clean energy and pollution reduction and representatives from tribal governments, labor unions, and residents of heavily polluted areas will be responsible for the development, approval, and oversight of all projects funded by the initiative. This upholds the principles of accountability and equity by limiting the influence of the fossil fuel industry.  Real people and experts, not politicians and lobbyists that can be bought by corporations, will oversee implementation of this measure.

Join OneAmerica Votes and the Yes on 1631 Campaign to mobilize the vote for Initiative 1631 come November. I-1631 is the most comprehensive, just, and inclusive measure of its kind in the nation, and it is backed by an unprecedented coalition of people of color, environmentalists, unions and workers, businesses, health professionals.  1631 will preserve Washington’s air and water, create good jobs, and kickstart the transition to a greener and healthier future.

Taking Stock of Democratic Members of Congress Representing Washington State

Magaly Smith Uncategorized

In the 2018 mid-term elections, all US Representatives will be up for election, including Washington State’s ten Members of Congress.  This post summarizes the positions taken by the Democratic Representatives serving Washington State.

With respect to the current crisis of family separation at the southern border, all of the Democratic representatives listed below signed Rep. Jayapal’s letter to limit DHS’ ability to use appropriated fund to separate families.

Rick Larsen

Rep. Larsen is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, which is a group of moderate Democrats that released principles for comprehensive immigration reform through their Immigration Task Force. On his website, Rep. Larsen refers to the immigration system as broken, in need of reform, and endorses the New Democrat Coalition’s plan. The principles call for the reform of employment-based and family-based immigration to reduce bureaucratic backlogs, ensure resources for border enforcement, implement a mandatory employment verification system to prevent illegal employment while not being burdensome to business owners, and to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

In response to House Resolution 990, which expressed support for Immigration and Customs Immigration (ICE), Rep. Larsen said, “I do not support abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There are important reforms the Department should undertake, such as ending the policy of family separation and detention, but these changes must begin by addressing the broader concerns surrounding the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.”  Rep. Larsen’s immigration views are moderate, he does support Dreamers and establishing pathways to citizenship for immigrants but does not support “any proposal that hands out citizenship.”

During the Trump administration, Rep. Larsen voted in opposition to key immigration bills opposed by OneAmerica, including HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Suzan DelBene

On her campaign website, Rep. Suzan DelBene says that the immigration system is broken and dysfunctional to all involved, and calls for comprehensive immigration reform. According to her Congressional website, “Comprehensive immigration reform should eliminate backlogs, reunite families and meet the demands of our nation’s economy.” Rep. DelBene supports Dreamers and finding a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who are already here and contribute to our communities. In 2013, she was one of the original cosponsors on the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, which encompassed a total reform of our immigration system, that OneAmerica ultimately supported. Recently, alongside OneAmerica she spoke out against the Trump administration’s decision to no longer accept claims of domestic and gang violence as grounds for asylum and Congress’ lack of action in providing “meaningful” immigration reform.

During the Trump administration, Rep. DelBene voted in opposition to key immigration bills opposed by OneAmerica, including HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Adam Smith

According to his campaign website, Rep. Adam Smith views immigration as one of our nation’s biggest strengths, but the system needs to be reformed. He has been actively supportive of immigrant communities; since President Trump’s inauguration he has spoken out against the administration anti-immigrant agenda. In 2017, Rep. Smith sponsored the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2017, which prohibits for-profit private detention centers and mandatory detention, and the Freedom of Religion Act of 2017, which would prohibit the United States from denying entry based on religion. Rep. Smith also sponsored bills that prohibited cutting federal funding from sanctuary cities and guaranteed legal counsel for immigrants in civil immigration proceedings.

He was an original cosponsor of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, and introduced the Accountability in Immigration Detention Act, responding to concerns over lack of transparency and accountability at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. Rep. Smith is a vocal supporter of Dreamers and supported the DREAM Act and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). Since the Trump administration, Rep. Smith voted in opposition to key immigration bills opposed by OneAmerica, including HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Dennis Heck

Rep. Denny Heck believes our immigration system needs to be fixed in a comprehensive way, not piece by piece. According to his website, he opposes the Muslim Ban and separation of families under the President’s “zero-tolerance” policy. On June 8, he joined other Washington state legislators to speak out against family separation at SeaTac Federal Detention Center, and he co-signed the Keep Families Together Act.  Rep. Heck also co-signed a letter to the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee to urge the committee to prevent government resources from being spent to separate families at the southern border.

Since the Trump administration, Rep. Heck voted in opposition to key immigration bills opposed by OneAmerica, including HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Derek Kilmer

In a floor speech arguing for bipartisan immigration reform, he said, “Improving our legal immigration system will ensure American workers receive the benefits of competing on an equal ground. It will reduce exploitation and give undocumented workers and their families a path toward achieving opportunity.” He also signed on to a letter urging the Trump administration to cease family separation along with Washington’s five other Democratic representatives. He also co-sponsored the USA Act, a bipartisan bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients following the President’s decision to end DACA.

During the Trump administration, Rep. Kilmer voted against a number of bills opposed by OneAmerica, including HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Pramila Jayapal

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the founder of OneAmerica, publicly denounced the construction of a border wall and the indiscriminate deportation of undocumented immigrants in the United States. She has stated on her campaign website that she is “working to pass just and humane immigration reform that provides legalization and a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, reunites families, protects immigrant workers on the job, and fully embraces the contributions that immigrants make to our society.” She has been a vocal opponent to the Trump administrations current immigration policies, including sponsoring legislation to terminate ICE, visiting federal detention centers to meet with detainees, and even attending a D.C. protest of Trump’s zero tolerance policy where she was arrested with other demonstrators who refused to leave.  Jayapal is an original co-sponsor of the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act and other legislative proposals to grant legal counsel to immigrants in civil legal proceedings, and protect Muslims from bias in our immigration system.

During the Trump administration, Rep. Jayapal has been one of the most vocal supporters of immigrant rights in Congress and voted against measures opposed by OneAmerica, including voting against HR 2213 (Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017), HR 3004 (Kate’s Law), HR 3003 (No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), HR 3697 (Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act), HR 6136 (Border Security, and Immigration Reform Act of 2018), and HR 4760 (Securing America’s Future Act of 2018).

Currently, OneAmerica Votes has endorsed Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Smith and Rep. DelBene for re-election to Congress, and will consider further endorsements as we near the November election.

OneAmerica Votes Endorses My-Linh Thai for State Rep., 41st Legislative District

Magaly Smith Uncategorized

OneAmerica Votes endorses My-Linh Thai for State Representative in the 41st Legislative District, Position 2.  Ms. Thai currently serves on the Bellevue School Board, where she made racial and social equity her focus.  She was inspired to the run for Representative in part to allow her to do more to advocate for her constituents, including immigrant and refugee communities.  A refugee herself, she came to the United States from Vietnam, and learned first-hand the challenges of building a home with her family in the United States, and how immigrant students especially those who do not speak English are often treated in our school systems.  Thai was recently profiled in the NW Asian Weekly, and the Seattle Times and Stranger both announced their endorsement for Thai.

My-Linh Thai is Bellevue School Board President, a health care professional, and an award-winning PTSA parent who has been committed to improving education, providing opportunities, and ensuring quality of life for Eastside families.

On the Bellevue School Board, as a Director, and now as Board President, My-Linh has put to work her ability to listen, build consensus, and achieve common goals to ensure that the district allows all children to develop to their full potential. Her focus has been on enhancing parent and community engagement, establishing high student expectations through a diverse and challenging curricula, closing the Opportunity Gap, and improving district accommodation of students with special needs.

My-Linh also serves as Vice President of the Washington State School Board Directors Association (WSSDA). As a member of the WSSDA Legislative and Equity Committees, she advocates for investments in education statewide and for important reforms so that each and every student has equitable access to educational opportunity. Prior to serving on the School Board, My-Linh and her husband, Don, built a successful pediatric neurology practice from the ground up in Casper, Wyoming. She later worked as a practicing pharmacist in Billings, Montana. In addition, she has volunteered as a medical interpreter and co-taught in Vietnam’s first nursing graduate program.

 

Washington’s 2018 US Senate Race – A Democratic Incumbent vs. the Party of Trump?

Magaly Smith Uncategorized

There are an extraordinarily large number of candidates vying to contest the re-election of Senator Maria Cantwell this November.  In this blog post, we review Senator Cantwell’s record on immigration, and review the positions taken by the most likely Republican Candidate, Susan Hutchison.

Senator Maria Cantwell  

Senator Maria Cantwell has been largely aligned with the positions taken by OneAmerica on immigration reform.  She has consistently supported comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship, and has been a leading voice on several legislative efforts to strengthen due process protections for immigrants dealing with immigration enforcement.  Her campaign website sums up her views on immigration by saying “I will fight for humane, rational and constructive Immigration policies. We are, after all, a nation of immigrants and I haven’t forgotten that.”

With regard to matters of Congressional oversight of federal agencies, Cantwell has been a consistent voice opposing racial and religious profiling and raising concerns over lack of accountability at Customs and Border Protection, whose Commissioner is approved by the Senate Finance Committee, on which Cantwell serves.

Recently she was among 49 other Senators who signed onto the Keep Families Together Act in response to family separation. Senator Cantwell said that family separation was  “contrary to American values and causing unnecessary trauma.” She also signed a letter asking for decreased funding for President Trump’s border wall and “deportation force.”

Earlier this year, when immigrant organizations called on Congress to reject a federal budget deal that did not include a fix to the DACA program, which President Trump shut down, Cantwell voted against the spending bill, and as a consequence the federal government temporarily shut down.  The shutdown lasted just a weekend, when Cantwell (to the disappointment of immigrant groups) accepted a deal negotiated by Senate Democratic leadership that did not include a DACA fix.

The deal did lead to four votes on immigration bills in the Senate.  Cantwell voted for S Amdt 1955 Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment, supported by OneAmerica) and S Amdt 1958 Immigration Security and Opportunity Act (Schumer Amendment, not supported by OneAmerica). She voted against two bills that OneAmerica opposed: S Amdt 2948 Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment), and S Amdt 1959 Secure and Succeed Act (Grassley Amendment).

Susan Hutchison  

Susan Hutchison, the former chair of Washington State’s Republican Party and a local television news anchor, is running against incumbent Senator Cantwell in Washington State’s 2018 senatorial race.

Hutchison sums up her immigration views on her campaign website saying, “I WILL support a humane immigration system that promotes legal entry and blocks illegal entry.  I WILL support a border wall in every effective form: physical, electronic and law enforcement. As our country generously welcomes one million new legal immigrants every year, my hope is that all will fulfill their American Dream.”

More concerning was Hutchison full-throated support for Candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential election.  She appeared to rationalize Trump’s comments in a tape recorded conversation with a television anchor that appeared to describe sexual assault.  She also opposed efforts by human and faith-based organizations to encourage the United States to accept Syrian refugees.  Based on her recent actions, in an election that in many ways will be a referendum on the President, it appears that Hutchison will be far more focused on defending Trump’s policies, authority and actions.

What to make of the rest of the named candidates in this race?

Most concerning are the Republican candidacies of known white supremacists and anti-immigrant activists in Washington’s elections this year.

  • From the Seattle Times: Another of Cantwell’s announced Republican challengers is Joey Gibson, leader of the Patriot Prayer group whose demonstrations have triggered counter protests and violence, including at the University of Washington in February.
  • In another race in the 7th Congressional District, where Representative Pramila Jayapal (endorsed by OAV) is running for re-election, her challenger is likely to be anti-immigrant advocate Craig Keller, better known for bankrolling campaigns to overturn local policies that discourage collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. Keller appears to be a one-issue candidate campaigning for restrictive immigration policies.
  • In a state legislative race in Snohomish County, Randy Hayden is running for State Representative in the 39th Legislative District. Hayden’s history of comments targeting LGBTQ, immigrant, Muslim communities prompted the Everett Herald to withdraw its endorsement of the candidate.

Many have focused on whether there may be a “blue wave” in American politics in 2018 that can limit the President’s authority for the remainder of this term.  But with Trump the de facto leader of the Republican Party, there’s an equally important question – has the Republican Party gone past the point of no return?  Does it belong to Gibson, Keller and Hayden?  Will leaders like Hutchison push back against these campaigns, or will she enable them, as she did with the President in 2016?

Immigration Spotlight on Congress: Assessing Republican Representatives

Eric Shew Uncategorized

Immigration policy has been at the forefront of the national policy debate in Congress, and Washington’s Members of Congress have played important roles.  This article summarizes positions taken by our Republican Members of Congress facing re-election this year. 

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (Third Congressional District)

Rep. Herrera Beutler states on her official website that, “my first and most important job when it comes to fixing our broken immigration system is to curb the influx of people unlawfully entering and staying in the United States. … I will do everything in my power to strengthen our existing border control operations in order to get our borders under control. I do not support amnesty for illegal immigrants, and I do not believe we can seriously discuss what to do with the people already here illegally until we’ve stemmed the flow of people crossing into our country illegally every day.”

She supports implementing an electronic verification system to ensure that those applying for jobs are legally able to work, enhancing border security walls through a wall, fence, or new technologies, and protecting border agents from prosecution. She voted in favor of H.R. 5759 Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014, a bill that would have undone President Obama’s DACA policy.

During the Trump administration, Rep. Herrera Beutler has continued to show support for legislation opposed by OneAmerica Votes that would restrict immigration to the United States, including H.R. 2213 Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 3004 Kate’s Law, H.R. 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, H.R. 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, H.R. 4760 Securing America’s Future Act of 2018, and H.R. 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.

Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Fifth Congressional District)

Rep. McMorris Rodgers is a member of the Republican leadership in Congress.  Despite past statements expressing support for comprehensive immigration reform, she has failed to bring any such legislation up for a vote in the House of Representatives.  She has consistently voted for bills that would increase border militarization.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers helped negotiate the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, which would have expanded funding for the southern border wall and the number of officers on the border, undermined America’s existing family immigration system, slashed diversity lottery visas and allowed the government to detain families together indefinitely in exchange for preventing the deportation of individuals with DACA, a position opposed by organizations representing and led by Dreamers. Rep. McMorris Rodgers said that the bill, “will fully secure the border, stop illegal immigration, close enforcement loopholes, end the threat of amnesty, and provide long-term certainty for DACA recipients.” Rep.  McMorris Rodgers voted in favor of key bills with an anti-immigrant stance since President Trump’s inauguration.

During the Trump administration, Rep. McMorris Rodgers has continued to show support for bills opposed by OneAmerica Votes, including H.R. 2213 Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 3004 Kate’s Law, H.R. 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, H.R. 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, and H.R. 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.

Representative Dan Newhouse (Fourth Congressional District)

Rep. Dan Newhouse writes on his website that the immigration system is broken and there need to be pathways to ensure that those who contribute to our economy and do not have a criminal record can attain citizenship while protecting our national security at the border. Rep. Newhouse is particularly vocal on streamlining guest-worker programs, especially in the agricultural sector, raising concerns among farm workers and advocates about working conditions and labor protections.

Following the end of the DACA program announced by the President last fall, Newhouse was one of a small group of Republican immigration moderates in the House who called on the Republican leadership to find a reasonable compromise to enact legislation similar to the DREAM Act to protect participants in the DACA program.  However, when some of his moderate colleagues pushed for a discharge petition to force a vote on four potential immigration bills, including the DREAM Act, Newhouse refused to sign.  Instead he received a commitment from the Speaker of the House to hold a vote on an agricultural visa bill, and negotiated a separate bill that was a compromise among Republicans in the House of Representatives.

As for his voting record, Rep. Newhouse has consistently voted in favor of bills that would hurt immigrant communities under the justification of national security and increased border enforcement. On June 27, a bill that Rep. Newhouse cosponsored, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act which, in exchange for protecting DACA holders from deportation, provided $25 billion for border security funding and would allow the government to detain families indefinitely to solve family separation failed. In response, Rep. Newhouse wrote that he was “bitterly disappointed” in his fellow Members of Congress for voting against the bill which covered President Trump’s four pillars: building a wall, undercutting the visa system, and increasing the government’s capacity to detain immigrants.

During the Trump administration, Rep. Newhouse has continued to support immigration bills opposed by OneAmerica Votes, including H.R. 2213 Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 3004 Kate’s Law, H.R. 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, H.R. 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, and H.R. 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.

Four Races to Watch in the August Primary

Eric Shew Uncategorized

Earlier this summer, OneAmerica Votes announced our endorsements in advance of the 2018 primary elections coming up on August 7th.  Here are profiles of four highly qualified candidates endorsed by OneAmerica Votes!

Dr. Shannon Hader, 8th Congressional District.

Hader was born and raised in Auburn, WA and was the first person in her family to graduate from a four-year university.  Most recently she worked as he Director of the Division of Global HIV & TB at the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. She led a team of nearly 2,000 people across 45 countries, responsible for an annual budget of about $2.4 billion. As part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Shannon and her team drove quality up and costs down, while directly supporting more than 7.3 million people on life-saving HIV treatment and contributing to the more than 2.2 million babies who have been born HIV-free.  She demonstrated strong government experience, the ability to work across party lines, and her ability to get big things done.

Statement from Mubarak El Amin, OneAmerica Votes Board Member: “Our goals are to support a truly representative government, where Representatives, their staff, and their actions look like America. We stand up to anti-American values of hatred, including Islamophobia, and we’re excited to work with Dr. Shannon Hader. Her world view, experience, and grit promises to deliver results for a better future for our neighbors across WA-8 and our country,” said Mubarak El Amin of the Muslim Committee. He went on to say, “We encourage voters, especially Muslim community members, to pay close attention to this election and to vote in the upcoming elections this year. We are enthusiastic about Dr. Hader’s candor, work ethic, and values, and we call on all candidates in WA-8 to demonstrate their own commitment to an inclusive and just society.”!

Statement from Shannon Hader, responding to the endorsement from the Muslim Committee and OneAmerica Votes: “We are truly at a crossroads in this country – it is imperative that all who are eligible to vote do just that and make sure their voices are heard at the ballot box. It is critical that all Americans recognize the importance of immigration to our success as a nation, and I will do my part to ensure that Muslims are welcomed and have opportunities to serve our nation and district in public life. I am committed to building new connections and promoting partnerships and inclusion across our district. The Trump era has moved us backward with hateful daily rhetoric and discriminatory travel bans, fostering increased fear and violence in our communities. This is not who we are as a nation, and certainly not who we are as a district. I will work to call out injustices like Islamophobia and maximize opportunities to build stronger and more inclusive communities for us all.”

Carolyn Long, 3rd Congressional District.

Carolyn Long grew up on Washington’s Pacific Coast, and she worked her way through college working at a grocery store becoming a member of UFCW 555 in Oregon.  Since 1995, Long has worked at Washington State University – Vancouver as a tenured faculty member and administrator.  OAV grassroots members enthusiastically recommended Carolyn for endorsement, given her experience and knowledge of immigration issues, her commitment to grassroots engagement, and her ties to the local community.

Statement from Carolyn Long on Immigration: “Our immigration system is broken and all too often draconian and dehumanizing. All immigrants deserve the same respect and dignity that we show to each other. We need an orderly, legal immigration process, not the broken system we have now. People who work hard, pay taxes and contribute to our communities should have a legal path to citizenship.

We need to put an end to the for-profit immigration detention system and put a stop to the militarization of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We must reform our immigration system to help reunify families, recruit workers to fill critical gaps in our workforce, and provide refuge for those facing persecution and certain death. ‘Dreamers’ that were brought to this country as children often know no other home, and we should expand and pass a clean DREAM Act to provide them a pathway to citizenship.

We must look for modern, cost-effective solutions that secure our borders without wasting precious taxpayer dollars on useless walls.”

Statement from Rich Stolz, CEO of OneAmerica Votes: “We’re proud to endorse Carolyn Long for Washington’s third Congressional District.  Carolyn brings a real sense of place in the community in southwestern Washington, and her values resonated strongly with our grassroots members in Vancouver, WA.  It’s time for this district to be represented by someone who puts the communities of southwestern Washington front and centered, including the increasingly diverse immigrant and refugee communities that call this region home.”

Lilian Ortiz-Self, 21st Legislative District, Position 2

Ortiz-Self is a mother, school counselor and experienced administrator and public servant.  In the last year alone, Ortiz-Self played an important role in enacting the Washington Voting Rights Act, expanding access to higher education for undocumented youth, enacting the Equal Pay Opportunity Act, advocating for police de-escalation training, net neutrality and more.  She is also a recognized leader on critical education issues facing Washington State.

Statement from Rich Stolz, CEO of OneAmerica Votes: “Lilian Ortiz-Self is a force for good in the Washington House of Representatives.  She has demonstrated the ability to both lead and listen, and her influence has only grown in the legislature.  Ortiz-Self is a champion for marginalized communities and a role model for young women of color.  Thank you, Lilian for your tireless commitment to your district and communities of color across Washington State.”

Debra Lekanoff, 40th Legislative District, Position 1

In Lekanoff’s own words: “I am committed to the strength of our communities and believe we all have a role to help this place be sustainable. We are the people of the Salish Sea, whether we call ourselves environmentalists, business and industry leaders, farmers, fishermen, grandmothers or advocates. I believe we live in the most beautiful district in Washington, from the lakes and mountains of Whatcom County to the powerful rivers of the Skagit, to the islands of the Salish Sea. We all walk the shores here. I look forward to meeting with you and hearing your ideas for how we make this District and our communities even better. My platform evolves from District 40’s shared voices and actions from past to present. I will continue to carry their call to action to strive for the protection of the natural resources, to the education of our children and to the capacity to provide financial support and stability for this District.”

Lekanoff is an experienced leader and public servant.  An American Indian woman, Lekanoff has served as the Swinomish Governmental Affairs Director for the past 16 years, and for six years she served as Chair of an Alaska Native Village Corporation.  Lekanoff inspired the support of OneAmerica Votes’ grassroots leaders with her deep progressive values, her understanding of racial equity and justice, and her commitment to an inclusive community.

Statement from Rich Stolz, CEO of OneAmerica Votes: “We’re proud to endorse Debra, and look forward to seeing her bring her experience and her lived experiences as a strong native, woman of color, to the State Legislature.  Her values and vision are inspiring a generation of young, diverse Americans to imagine a more just, compassionate and sustainable society.”

The Muslim Committee endorses Senator Manka Dhingra for the 45th Legislative District

Eric Shew Uncategorized

The Muslim Committee of the OneAmerica Votes Justice Fund proudly endorses Senator Manka Dhingra for re-election to the 45th Legislative District.

One year ago, Dhingra was running for election for the first time in the special election for Senate in the 45th Legislative District.  Her election last fall gave Democrats a majority in the State Senate, opening the door to a number of significant legislative breakthroughs, including the enactment of the Washington Voting Rights Act.  She has demonstrated that she is a skillful coalition-builder, a smart policy maker, and simply someone who cares.  She’s invested tremendous amounts of time getting to know and support constituents in her district, standing up for the most marginalized, and inspiring a generation of young people to get involved in their communities and government.

The Muslim Committee stands with Manka Dinghra. A State Senator since her election in November 2017, Manka is a respected prosecuting attorney, an award-winning parent leader, and powerful advocate for women and immigrant communities. As a member of the Sikh community in Washington State, Manka’s election immediately impacted the religious, gender and racial diversity of Washington’s legislature. On issues ranging from inclusion to the environment, Manka brings a creative, collaborative mind and a genuine grounding in the needs of the families and communities of east King County.

Vote for Manka Dhingra for Senate in the 45th Legislative District!

The story of 2018? Immigrants and refugees organize to defend our families and advance democracy at the ballot box

Eric Shew Uncategorized

Relentless attacks on immigrant and refugee communities under the Trump Administration are energizing a movement to create change at the ballot box in Washington State.  Immigrants, refugees, and people of color are stepping up to run for office at record levels, and in communities across Washington State, grassroots community members are looking ahead to this fall’s elections.

At stake are congressional races that will determine whether Congress can block the Trump anti-immigrant agenda.  At the State level, last year State Senator Manka Dhingra’s victory (LD45) in a special election shifted control of the Senate to a pro-immigrant majority that took action to finally pass the Washington Voting Rights Act and to fund a new legal defense fund to ensure access to legal counsel for immigrants at risk of deportation.  Emboldened by this renewed momentum, immigrant and refugee communities are ready to work with candidates committed to working with them and advocating on their behalf.

This spring, panels of community members from immigrant and refugee communities across Washington State interviewed dozens of candidates seeking office, evaluated their responses and voted their preferences.

“Often community members don’t get this opportunity where everything was intentional. I really appreciate that we were able to put candidates under pressure and ask them questions we deserve answers to,” said youth leader Salma Silva-Licon. “I like and appreciate the [endorsement] process to feel and appreciate our voice. We are large and represent many people that aren’t here with us. I like that I am here to represent them and how our voices and thoughts were centered.”

Their recommendations were reviewed and affirmed by the OAV Board of Directors.

“We only need to look at the 2016 presidential election and the 2017 special election in Washington State to understand that elections matter,” said Rich Stolz, Chief Executive Office of OneAmerica Votes. “Our communities and those who care about our nation’s commitment to being a just and welcoming society cannot afford to stand idly by and allow others to determine the fate of our families and communities at the ballot box.  Our path is to build the political power of immigrant and refugee communities to defend our children and families and to fight for a society where we all belong.  There is no better response to the outrages of the Trump Administration than voting and holding our elected officials accountable.  OneAmerica Votes proudly announces our 2018 primary candidate endorsements.”

You can see the full list of endorsements below:

Election Candidate
CD 1, US Representative Suzan DelBene
CD 3, US Representative Carolyn Long
CD 7, US Representative Pramila Jayapal
CD 8, US Representative Shannon Hader
CD 9, US Representative Adam Smith
LD 5, Representative, Position 1 Bill Ramos
LD 5, Representative, Position 2 Lisa Callan
LD 17, Representative, Position 1 Tanisha Harris
LD 26, Senator Emily Randall
LD 30, Senator Claire Wilson AND Tirzah Idahosa
LD 30, Representative, Position 2 Kristine Reeves
LD 30, Representative, Position 1 Mike Pellicciotti
LD 31, Representative, Position 1 Victoria Mena
LD 33, Representative, Position 2 Mia Gregerson
LD 37, Senator Rebecca Saldana
LD 40, Representative, Position 1 Debra Lekanoff
LD 45, Senator Manka Dhingra
LD 47, Representative, Position 1 Debra Entenman
State Supreme Court, Position 8 Steve Gonzalez
State Supreme Court, Position 9 Sheryl McCloud
LD21, Representative, Position 2 Lilian Ortiz-Self
LD32, Representative, Position 1 Cindy Ryu
LD49, Representative, Position 2 Monica Stonier

Women of Color & Allies for Women of Color Candidates

Eric Shew Uncategorized

In just a few weeks, we’re hosting a Women of Color and Allies of Women of Color fundraiser headlined by OneAmerica’s founder Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
  • What: Women of Color and Allies for Women of Color candidates fundraiser
  • Where: The Riveter, 1517 12t Ave, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98122
  • When: Saturday, June 23, 7pm
  • Who: You!

RSVP by ordering your tickets, or make a contribution in lieu of attending. Our goal is to raise $6,000 and your early support means a lot to our candidates.

Join the OneAmerica family at an event hosted by our sister organization, the OneAmerica Votes Justice Fund. This is an event for women of color and their allies to support women of color’s political leadership and their runs for elected office (WOC4WOC). We will be joined by OneAmerica’s founder and resistance leader U.S. Congressional Representative Pramila Jayapal and her campaign. This event supports women of color running for office, a key part of OneAmerica Votes’ Summer of Unity.

Our Summer of Unity is about leveraging our movement to build immigrant and refugee power. Just like a summer BBQ, it’s better with friends! This is the Summer of Unity where we do the work to fill the halls of our city councils, Olympia and Washington DC with legislators who come from our communities and share our values.

Summertime at OneAmerica means gearing up to hit the doors and hit the streets, keeping our issues at the forefront of the conversation. With your help supporting our Summer of Unity and our sister organizations OneAmerica Votes and the OneAmerica Votes Justice Fund, we can elect a Congress and State Legislature that believes everyone has value in America, no matter where they came from, their gender, the language they speak, or what their status is. A government that truly believes in family, and an immigration system that fights to keep families safe and together. With your help, we will look back on this as the Summer of Unity that changed everything, setting us on a new course.