Resolution condemning the actions of Senators Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon

[There are several similar resolution in the works.]

At the December 12, 2012 membership meeting, the 32nd Legislative District Democrats unanimously passed a resolution condemning the actions of Senators Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon. In choosing to caucus with the Senate Republicans, Senators Tom and Sheldon have chosen to ignore the will of the voters, betray the good Democrats that helped them get elected, and cede control of the State Senate to the minority party.

Resolution Condemning the Actions of Senators Tom and Sheldon

Whereas Senator Rodney Tom ran as a Democrat in 2010 in the 48th Legislative District; and

Whereas Senator Tom received over $25,000 from the State Democratic Party and $44,000 in inkind donations from the Senate Democratic Caucus in 2010, and additional support and resources from the 48th District Democrats; and

Whereas Senator Tim Sheldon ran as a Democrat in 2010 in the 35th Legislative District; and

Whereas Senators Tom and Sheldon empowered Republicans during the 2012 Session of the Legislature by using a rarely used procedural move known as the “Ninth Order;” and

Whereas Senators Tom and Sheldon announced they would serve as Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore during the 2013-14 Session of the Legislature with votes from 23 Republican Senators; and

Whereas Senators Tom and Sheldon stated that they would form a “philosophical majority” with the Republicans Senators; and

Whereas the proposed chair of the Health Care committee, Senator Randi Becker, expressed skepticism on creating heath insurance exchanges as required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the proposed chair of the Justice committee, Mike Padden, is an outspoken opponent of abortion; and

Whereas the 32nd Legislative District Democrats do not share the governing values of Senator Becker, Senator Padden, and other Senate Republicans who do not agree with and actively work to oppose the Democratic Party Platform; and

Whereas the actions of Senators Tom and Sheldon betray the fundamental philosophy of the Democratic Party;

Therefore be it resolved that the 32nd Legislative District Democrats shall direct its delegates to the King County Central Committee and the State Central Committee to oppose the nomination, endorsement, or expenditure of any campaign resource to Senators Tom and Sheldon; and

Therefore be it further resolved that the 32nd Legislative District Democrats shall work with the Democrats in the 48th Legislative District and the 35th Legislative District to make it publically known that neither Senator Tom or Sheldon “prefers” the Democratic Party; and

Therefore be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to Senator Ed Murray, Senator Maralyn Chase, the Kitsap, King, Mason, Snohomish, and Thurston Democratic Party chairs, the chairs of the 35th and 48th Legislative District Democrats and the Washington State Democratic Party.

Submitted by Carin Chase, Chair