The race to replace Dwight Pelz as Washington State Democratic Party chair just got a bit more interesting with the news that former Planned Parenthood Northwest political director Dana Laurent is throwing her hat into the ring.
Laurent has a resume rich with relevant experience as a grassroots organizer, party activist, political fundraiser, campaign manager, and political strategist. She also has impeccable progressive credentials. Along with her stint at Planned Parenthood and her active role recruiting PCOs for the 36th Legislative District Democrats, Laurent is currently the executive director for the Win/Win Network, while serving on the boards of Fuse Washington, OneAmerica Votes, and Progressive Majority Washington. She’s also, obviously, a woman, which doesn’t hurt when you’re running a party that disproportionately relies on women voters to push its candidates over the top.
“This is a pivotal time for Democrats in Washington,” kvells former Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown in a press release. “The next chair must bring a combination of progressive values, political expertise and commitment to winning elections. That leader is Dana Laurent.”
Unlike some of the other candidates for the position, Laurent is well known (and well liked) in Seattle-area Democratic circles. If she’s not an instant frontrunner, she probably should be.