When Derek Kilmer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Norm Dicks, he had to resign his seat in the Washington State Senate. The precinct committee officers of the 26th LD chose a bright young doctor, Nathan Schlicher, to replace him. Nathan is an emergency room physician; he has a degree in law as well as degrees in medicine. He and his wife Jessica (also a doctor) have three young children.
Nathan understands the importance of fully funding our public schools and improving our transportation system; I've talked with him at length about the challenges facing our state. He did a great job in his first legislative session taking over for Derek Kilmer. In fact, he impressed even conservative-leaning editorial boards. He has been endorsed by The Seattle Times, The News Tribune, and the Peninsula Gateway over Republican (and ALEC's Washington co-chair) Jan Angel.
Jan has already run district-wide three times for House... and won. She's known in the 26th. She is a very tough opponent for Nathan. Republicans are going all-out to capture this seat. They have spent enormous sums of money sending out attack mailers and putting up ads on TV demeaning Nathan and distorting his record. We've seen these kind of tactics before.
If they win, it will be much harder for us to take back the Washington State Senate next year. We would need to pick up two seats instead of just one, just to get a bare majority.
So it's very important that we win, and we retain Nathan. Think of Nathan Schlicher as *your* own state senator. He represents *you* and the priorities you care about.
The outcome is going to be close, just as it was last year between Tim Probst and Don Benton. I was out in the 26th yesterday, canvassing for Nathan in Point Fosdick. I visited with Nathan and his campaign team afterward. They are doing well and in good spirits, but they need your help to cross the finish line first.
We are now less than forty-eight hours away from Election Night, and it's GOTV (get-out-the-vote) time. Will you join me in helping Nathan's campaign?
You don't have to go over to the Kitsap Peninsula like I did. All you have to do is reply to me (andrew@effectivedemocrats.org) and pledge to make phone calls for Nathan. I will connect you with Lisa at the Schlicher campaign, and she will get you set up so you can phonebank from the comfort of home. Even if you can only call for an hour or two, it will make a difference. Please consider volunteering to help Nathan win. Make phone calls to ensure that we get every Democratic voter we can reach in the 26th to turn out.
Remember, last year, Tim Probst lost by only seventy-six votes. He could have won with seventy-seven more votes. Imagine how differently that race would have turned out if Probst had had a few more volunteers helping him nudge voters to get their ballots in. He might have won. Every vote matters. Especially in a close race.
I gave up most of my Sunday to knock on doors for Nathan. I was glad to do so. But there is more work to do. We have seen what happens when we concede elections to the other side. We cannot afford to do that again. Please join me in helping Nathan win. It's easy: All you have to do is reply to this email and let me know for how long you can phonebank from home tonight (Monday) or tomorrow, Election Day (Tuesday). Let's send Nathan Schlicher back to the Washington State Senate and set the stage for a successful 2014.
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