43rd LD Democrats Endorsements for 2024 Races; also Condemn Representative Adam Smith’s characterization of protestors as “fascist” and “totalitarian”

Written By Chair 43rd Democrats

The 43rd LD called on Rep Smith to retract and apologize for his harmful remarks
43rd LD overwhelmingly endorsed Melissa Chaudhry for WA Congressional District 9

The 43rd LD Democrats on June 18 voted resoundingly to endorse Melissa Chaudhry for Washington Congressional District 9 over rival candidate Adam Smith. The membership also passed a resolution condemning Representative Smith’s remarks calling for the arrest of peaceful protestors, and labeling those engaging in free speech activities as “fascist” and “totalitarian”. The membership reprimanded him, and asked that he retract his harmful statements and apologize.

Together the endorsement of Ms. Chaudhry and the censure of Rep. Smith sends a strong message to Democrats in Congressional District 9 that Rep. Smith’s policies embracing genocide are no longer supported by mainstream Democrats.

In a report from the 43rd LD Executive Board read at the meeting, the board both categorically rejected anti-Semitism and condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza. They found that Rep. Smith “supports only polite protests that do not make those in power uncomfortable with their unjust positions.” They reminded Rep. Smith that “Protests for social justice are – by definition – disruptive to the status quo,” and noted the irony that Representative Smith complained on a national podcast that protestors drowned out his speech while calling protestors “totalitarian” and demanding their imprisonment.

The board  report closed with:

However, the fundamental question and the measure by which we must judge a protest is never “does the protest disrupt and dismay”. It is always and ever “is the cause just.”

Those with power who disagree with the cause of justice will attempt a political sleight of hand, such as ascribing the political power of totalitarianism to those who have no power, all to distract us away from the horrifying injustice that our tax dollars and their power create.

At the meeting the 43rd LD membership also endorsed the following candidates:

  • Congressional District 7 - Pramila Jayapal

  • Congressional District 9 - Melissa Chaudhry

  • Governor - Bob Ferguson

  • Lt. Governor - Denny Heck

  • Secretary of State - Steve Hobbs

  • Attorney General - Manka Dhingra

  • State Treasurer - Mike Pellicciotti

  • Insurance Commissioner - Patricia Kuderer

  • Commissioner of Public Lands - Dave Upthegrove

  • Superintendent of Public Instruction - Chris Reykdal

  • State Auditor - Pat McCarthy

  • WA State Rep 43rd LD Position 1 - Nicole Macri

  • WA State Rep 43rd LD Position 2 - Shaun Scott

  • Seattle City Council D8 - Alexis Rinck

  • King County Superior Court - Paul Crisalli


Chair 43rd Democrats
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