Washington State Democratic Party chair Dwight Pelz—whose party lost control of the state senate this year after two members defected and another party leader allegedly embezzled about $250,000 from campaign coffers—announced today that he would step down.

Known for his fiery rhetoric and leading a party that failed in the legislature to accomplish its most basic economic agendas, such as repairing our worst-in-the-country regressive taxation scheme (which leans more on the poor and least on the rich of any another state), while funding for colleges plummeted, tuition at universities spiked, money for basic education funding atrophied to unconstitutionally low levels, and right-wing initiative promoter Tim Eyman successfully recast the entire frame around state spending, Pelz took a chance to slap himself on the back today.

“The State of the Party is strong,” Pelz wrote in a resignation letter to vice-chair Valerie Brady Rongey. Pelz cited Democrats winning most major statewide seats during his eight-year-tenure, especially the governor’s office last year (which hasn’t been in Republican hands since 1985). “I am most proud of the election of Jay Inslee as Governor, an election that many thought we would lose,” he said. He also trumpeted winning majorities, which, to be fair, have held back a wall of racist, sexist, homophobic bills from the GOP. Then, unbelievably, Pelz praised Michael King, who is facing the aforementioned embezzlement charges, as having “led the most potent Coordinated Campaigns of any comparable sized state in the nation.”

Pelz will serve in the position until a party meeting in February.

Pelz was also known for creatively insulting those he dislikes. He recently compared Mayor Mike McGinn to Sarah Palin and famously called Eyman “a self-aggrandizing punk.” In that spirit, I’m sure Pelz will appreciate this post. Pelz’s resignation letter is after the jump.

September 30, 2013
Valerie Brady Rongey
Vice Chair, Washington State Democratic Party

Dear Valerie,

I am writing today to state my intention to resign as Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party on February 1, 2014. That is the date for our next Central Committee Meeting, to be held in Vancouver.

At that time I would expect the State Party Central Committee to elect a new Chair.

It has been my honor to serve the Democratic Party for the past eight years. The leaders and the activists and the foot soldiers and the members of our Party do a great job electing Democrats and upholding Democratic values.

It has also been my great honor to serve our elected Democratic leaders, including Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Chris Gregoire, Jay Inlsee, our Democratic members of the US House of Representatives, Speaker Frank Chopp, our statewide elected officials, our Democratic members of the State House and the State Senate, and Democrats elected at every level of local office.

The mission of the Washington Democratic Party is to elect Democrats, and I am proud to say that we have never lost a major race in my four election cycles – 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. We have built or maintained impressive margins through these years, essentially turning Washington from Purple to Blue. I am most proud of the election of Jay Inslee as Governor, an election that many thought we would lose. Jay Inslee is a profoundly progressive governor, in stark contrast to his opponent in this race.

To the extent I have been successful I largely owe that success to the talented staff that have worked for the State Party these past eight years. Jaxon Ravens, Shawna Ousse, Misty Shock Rule, Patrick Mead, Kim Cobuzzi, and Heather Hess comprised the most experienced staff of any state party in America. Marygrace Galston, Michael King, Rory Steele, and Timothy Anderson led the most potent Coordinated Campaigns of any comparable sized state in the nation.

The State of the Party is strong. You will elect a new chair to work with our grassroots leaders, our elected Democrats, our candidates, and our allied partners to continue to elect Democrats in Washington in 2014 and 2016.

Thanks to the Washington State Democratic Party for this, the greatest honor in my 40 year political career.

Sincerely,

Dwight Pelz