The executive board of the 23rd LD Democrats has finalized a new process and application for individuals seeking endorsement or approval. To request an application or for questions, please email the 23rd LD Chair at chair@kitsap23rd.com
23rd Legislative District Democrats Candidate Endorsement or Approval Packet
If you are interested in obtaining an endorsement or approval from the 23rd Legislative District (LD) Democrats, here is the general process. Please email the Chair for a complete packet.
You might find our endorsement/approval process more rigorous than some others. This is because the public looks upon an endorsement by the 23rd LD Democrats as a seal of approval for the candidate. People assume that before endorsing a candidate, the 23rd LD Democrats have looked carefully at the candidate and found the candidate’s personal background to be exemplary and record to be solidly Democratic. Consequently, the 23rd LD Democrats feel a responsibility to make an informed endorsement.
We also take seriously the potential damage to the reputation of the 23rd LD Democrats should someone we endorsed fail in his or her ethical duty to the public. We acknowledge and understand that there will be instances where a candidate and the 23rd LD Democrats will have differing opinions on an issue. The 23rd LD Democrats do not require candidates to march in lockstep with it on every issue, only that they conduct their affairs in an honorable fashion and be with us on the issues that are truly vital to a well-run society and the Democratic Party.
Candidates We Have Not Previously Endorsed
If you are a first time candidate or have not previously received our endorsement for the office you are seeking, you will need to complete a new Candidate Questionnaire and go through the interview process with our Executive Board. Again, contact the Chair for the questionnaire.
After completing the questionnaire, please email it to the Executive Board Chairperson at chair@kitsap23rd.com (if you’d prefer to deliver the completed questionnaire in a format other than email, contact the Chairperson and inquire with him or her about other options). Your completed questionnaire is confidential and under normal circumstances will not be viewed by anyone outside of the Executive Board.
You will also need to schedule an appointment with the Executive board for an interview. Typically the Executive Board meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. We need to receive the questionnaire at least two weeks prior to the interview in order to give us time to distribute copies of it to the Executive Committee members and to give them time to review it.
Once the interview is completed, the Executive Board will make a recommendation to the members of the 23rd LD Democrats at a regularly-scheduled 23rd LD Democrats general membership meeting. The Executive Board will recommend that the members either (a) endorse the candidate, (b) approve the candidate, or (c) take no action. A vote of the members in attendance at that general membership meeting will determine if an endorsement or approval for an office will be made and, if so, who will receive it. We will then notify all of the candidates of the membership's decision. An official endorsement (or approval) letter will then be mailed to the successful candidate allowing them to announce our endorsement (or approval) and use it in their campaign literature.
All candidates are welcome to attend the general membership meetings. Depending on time constraints and other factors, the candidate or their representative may be invited to speak at the general membership meeting at which their endorsement/approval is being considered.
Previously-Endorsed Candidates
If a candidate has been endorsed by the 23rd LD Democrats previously, the candidate does not need to complete the questionnaire or be interviewed by the Executive Board. Instead, the candidate simply needs to notify the 23rd LD Democrats Chairperson that the candidate is seeking the 23rd LD Democrats’ endorsement/approval. The Executive Board’s decision on whether to recommend endorsement/approval will be based on the Board’s previous interactions with the candidate and/or the candidate’s record while in office. The Executive Board may request more information from the candidate. Any candidate is welcome to write a letter to the chair outlining their accomplishments or giving more information.
Thank you again for your interest in our endorsement. If you have any questions, please e-mail the Chairperson at chair@kitsap23rd.com
