Dear Friends,
Earlier this year, I worked with Senator Rebecca Saldaña from the 37th LD and Representative Javier Valdez from the 46th LD to advocate for additional relief funds for migrant workers and immigrants living in our communities. There are so many members of our communities that have been impacted by COVID-19, yet are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to their immigration status.
Our work paid off, and Governor Inslee announced yesterday that applications are open for the Immigrant Relief Fund! Up to $40 million of federal funds are available for immigrants who have missed work due to COVID-19.
“Immigrant workers are critical to communities throughout the state and are the backbone of our economy,” Governor Inslee said. “The pandemic continues to impact all aspects of life for Washingtonians, and we need to remain steadfast in our support of those bearing the greatest burden.”
Eligible applicants will receive up to $1000, with a $3000 limit per household. Please share widely! This is an incredible step towards supporting those around us. We will continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic together, and I’m so proud of everyone who worked to provide this support to our immigrant brothers and sisters.
For the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, applications are open at www.immigrantreliefwa.org from Oct. 21 through Dec. 6. Benefits will be disbursed by Dec. 28.
“Stay Safe, Stay Healthy”
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
Trivia!
The second and final Presidential Debate was last night, but when did the first televised debate take place?
Safe Start Reopening Update
A few days ago, Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for religious and faith based organizations as part of Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan.
The religious and faith-based guidance is updated to:
- Clarify that physical distancing between non-household members must be 6 feet in all directions; and
- Permit brief physical contact among up to five individuals, excluding religious leaders, if the brief contact is a critical component to the organization’s religious service, so long as masks are worn and hands are sanitized immediately before and after the contact.
Read the full guidance document here.
Edison, Washington!
Edison is in my backyard, and each weekend I get to spend a little time supporting the local businesses. Edison is rich with salmon, farms, art, eagles, bread, beer, pizza, risotto and shrimp, herons, lamb burgers, spirits and steaks. The love of their community is found in each smile, the commitment to the place they call home is found in so many places. Click the image below so I can share with you a bit of Edison’s devotion to “Get Out The Vote” and support for equality and diversity in our great State.
The Breadfarm supports us all – for months they have had #GOTV materials, from postcards to signs! Last weekend I visited with their team and learned that this year was the first time one of them would be voting! I am so honored to get to meet the young voters, and thank you to the Breadfarm for all of their support for the in the 2020 Election!
Get Out The Vote And Cast Your Ballot!
Ballots have been mailed out to many Washingtonians, and countless more are on their way! It’s important that you fill out and return your ballot as soon as you receive it – either by mail, or in a ballot drop box! We’ve done a tremendous job in making our voices heard so far in this election, and drop boxes are filling up fast. Over the weekend I worked with Gael Tarleton and Lisa Janicki to advocate for election officials to schedule earlier and more frequent pickups.
Mail-in ballots and ballot drop boxes are safe, they are secure, and they have never been more important. I am so proud of the Great State of Washington for making sure that all Washingtonians know they matter, and that we all have safe and reliable options for voting in November’s historic election!
Check out the links below to find your nearest drop box:
Thank you to those who have already voted! To check the status of your ballot, enter your name and birthday here, then click “ballot status” on the left side of the page to see if your ballot has been accepted. It may take up to four business days for the SOS office to record your ballot.
For information on dropboxes, and a countdown to the election, check out my website here.
It truly is so important that we all make our voices heard in the coming weeks – please make sure that you are registered, and that you cast your ballot! Check out the great video from Community to Community below for more about why this election is so important.
GOTV Events To Join!
During the next week, I am hosting and participating in a variety of State and Local GOTV events! Reaching out to voters looks really different this year due to the pandemic, so we are focusing heavily on virtual phone banking through Election Day. We’re in our final 11 days of the most historic election any of us has ever seen, and every volunteer makes a huge difference!
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Cindy Wolf for San Juan County Council
- 9:30 am – Noon
- Email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link!
- Whatcom Democrats and Rise Up Whatcom
- 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sign up here!
Sunday, Oct. 25
- Christine Grant for Whatcom PUD
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm
- Register here!
Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Skagit Democrats with the WA State Coordinated Campaign
- 5:00 – 8:00 pm
- Join here!
Thursday, Oct. 29
- Sharon Shewmake and WA State Coordinated Campaign!
- 5:00 – 8:00 pm
- Sign up here!
Washington College Grant
In a new report that was recently published, A Promise Worth Keeping: An Updated Equity-Driven Framework for Free College Programs, The Education Trust revisited a 2018 rating of statewide college promise programs against an equity-focused framework that addresses whether promise programs are open to undocumented students and students who are incarcerated.
According to The Education Trust, the Washington College Grant program is “the most equity-focused free college program in the country” and they call it “a model for other states.” Our program is the only one that meets all of Ed Trust’s equity criteria for free college programs.
To learn more about the Washington College Grant, click here.
Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, quality education is something very close to my heart. This is a surefire way to help raise up communities and provide the opportunity to grow and learn that everyone deserves. I’m excited to continue working alongside Representative Drew Hanson on this front, and will always strive to ensure that all Washingtonians have access to the quality education that they deserve.
The Education Trust is a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families. Through research and advocacy, Ed Trust supports efforts that expand excellence and equity in education from preschool through college, increase college access and more.
Debra’s Events!
It was an honor to speak at the Bellingham Women’s March last Saturday to honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and women everywhere. It was such a wonderful event, and we were masked up and socially distanced at Bellingham City Hall!
Rep. Lekanoff with Liz Darrow, her daughter, and Marisol Chapina from Raid Relief to Reunite Families
Thank you to everyone who joined us – it was so inspiring to see generations of women come out to support one another. I will always work to raise up women in Washington State, and across the country!
Helen Price Johnson for 10th LD State Senate
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of 10th District State Senate candidate Helen Price Johnson for a wonderful fundraising event, with our good friend Attorney General Bob Ferguson! As an Island County Commissioner and member of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council, Helen has always prioritized protecting our environment and natural resources.
To learn more about Helen’s campaign, click here.
Endorsement Shoutouts!
There are so many tremendous candidates running to represent Washington in the 10th and 42nd LDs this year, and I’m excited to work alongside so many great people in Olympia! For a full list of endorsements from Senator Lovelett, Representative Ramel, and myself, click here!
In addition to the candidates highlighted below, I also want to shout out Representative Dave Paul and State Senate Candidate Helen Price Johnson running in the 10th LD, Senator Liz Lovelett and Representative Alex Ramel running alongside me in the 40th LD, and Representative Sharon Shewmake and Alicia Rule running in the 42nd LD!
Joy Stanford for the 26th LD
Earlier this week it was my pleasure to support Joy Stanford’s campaign to represent the 26th LD alongside me in Olympia. Joy will bring a much-needed perspective to the Legislature, and I can’t wait to work with her on education, housing, and building back a strong economy post-COVID-19.
I’m proud to endorse her campaign, and I look forward to working with Joy soon! Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday – if you want to learn more about Joy’s campaign, click here.
Cindy Wolf for San Juan County Council
Cindy Wolf is a long-time leader, civic engagement colleague, an outreach and community partner, and advocate for the San Juan Islands. I am thrilled to endorse her as a candidate for San Juan County Council, and I’m excited to phone bank with her this weekend!
For more information on her campaign, click here.
Claus Joens for the 39th LD
It is so important that we elect representatives that we can trust, and I’m proud to say that Claus Joens – candidate to represent the 39th LD – is someone we can absolutely trust. He will bring a tremendous amount of experience with him to Olympia, and I’m excited to work with him on creating a better Washington.
I am happy to endorse Claus Joens’ campaign! If you want to learn more about him, click here.
Individual endorsements are an incredibly important part of my campaign. You can put your name next to mine and support my re-election by heading over to my website and filling out this form.
These endorsements mean so much to me – they show that this is a campaign focused on people, and I would be honored to have your name added along with mine.
Trivia Answer!
The first televised Presidential Debate was held in 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon!