For Immediate Release
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Contact: Patrick Bell
425-460-0570

Bellevue, WA – In response to Democratic leadership in the State House of Representatives scheduling floor action this Saturday that will make it impossible for many Republican legislators to attend their own local precinct caucuses, WSRP Chairman Luke Esser issued the following statement:

“It is a slap in the face to grassroots participation in the political process, and to our Republican legislators, for majority Democrats to schedule floor action in the State House on the day when Republican precinct caucuses will be held. Democrats in our state have already decided to not hold precinct caucuses this year, just as they consistently choose to ignore the results from the state’s presidential primary. Throw in the decision by Senate Democrats to gut Initiative 960 and it’s become clear that listening to the people just doesn’t seem to be a real high priority for the Democrats.

“Grassroots activists from both parties deserve to have their voice heard. Republican activists will have that opportunity when they gather for precinct caucuses in every corner of the state at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Democrat activists will not enjoy the same opportunity. Adding insult to injury, the majority Democrats have now effectively disenfranchised many Republican State House members from participating in their precinct caucuses by scheduling floor action on the same day. Are the Democrats in such a rush to raise taxes that they can’t stop for a few hours and listen to the voice of the people? Is that asking too much?”