Clallam Democrats Rising - December 2025
Vol. 1, #11 - December 2025
“There’s a new world coming…” Apologies for the ear worm, but this 1970’s Cass Elliot hit has been spinning in our heads since the night of the General Election, when Clallam County and the rest of the nation turned out strong to change the course of history. In the December issue of Clallam Democrats Rising, we explore the ways Democrats, Independents, and, yes, even Republicans, are coming together to forge a new path forward for democracy.
Check out the latest news and actions!
Chair’s Corner: Pausing for a moment of post-election gratitude
Local Impacts, Local Actions
Community Hot Lunch served weekly in Port Angeles
How you can help local low-income families
CCD partners with Indivisible Sequim
One young Democrat’s take on why class consciousness matters
Plus:
Feature Articles
Take the Calls-to-Action Challenge!
Upthegrove questioned, Chapman cheered over legacy forest issue
Fraying ‘Safety Net’ for vulnerable Clallam County residents
Elected officials reflect on the 2025 election
Book Review: The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forest
Read on, enjoy, get active!
Happy Thanksgiving to All
This year, Democrats across the country have shown what unity, hard work, and hope can accomplish. The results of the 2025 Election are truly outstanding, both nationally and here at home. From city councils to Congress, Democratic candidates and supporters have made a difference in their communities and set the stage for an even brighter future.
As we gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate all we’ve achieved together. Our victories are more than just numbers — they represent new opportunities, stronger communities, and a renewed sense of possibility. Let’s be grateful for every volunteer, voter, and neighbor who helped make this year such a success.
We know the holiday season can be tough for some, so let’s remember to show extra kindness and compassion. Reach out, offer a smile, and celebrate the spirit of gratitude. Together, we can make our communities warmer and more welcoming for everyone.
Looking ahead, the 2026 mid-term elections are already on the horizon. The return of the state legislature in January brings fresh chances to build on our momentum. Now is the time to stay focused, get involved, and forge new connections. Whether you’re volunteering, reaching out to new friends, or simply spreading hope, your energy matters.
Let’s carry this year’s spirit of achievement into the next. Together, we can make lasting progress and continue to shape a future we’re proud of. Happy Thanksgiving — and thank you for all you do!
In solidarity,
Ellen Menshew
Chair, Clallam County Democrats
chair@clallamdems.org
Local Collective provides community hot lunch
Did you know that every Saturday a small group of caring community members comes together to provide hot lunches for up to 100 of our neighbors experiencing food insecurity? Nourishing home-cooked meals, including vegan and vegetarian options, are prepared fresh by friendly neighbors with support from Tree Park Collective, a Washington state nonprofit. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., regardless of weather, lunches may be enjoyed at the park (behind Swain’s, at 3rd and South Eunice) or packaged to go — your choice. The group also distributes clothing and provides safe, clean harm-reduction materials for those who need them. Monetary donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law and may be sent to:
Tree Park Collective Attn.: e-space
403 S Lincoln Street Suite 119
Port Angeles WA 98362
For more information about the group, to donate warm clothing and other goods, or to participate in the Free Community Hot Lunch gathering, email: TreeParkCollective@gmail.com.
How you can help local low-income families
After reading Tina Tyler’s article, “Fraying ‘Safety Net’ for vulnerable Clallam County residents” on our website, we trust you are highly motivated to take action today. Below are several ways you can help low-income parents and children get the food, heat, electricity, and protection they need to survive during this critical time:
Monthly donation to the Food Bank — Setting up a monthly donation to the Food Bank provides a steady income that supports sustainability and allows the Food Bank to buy in bulk at discount prices. Go online to your local Food Bank to contribute once, or to set up a monthly donation.
Donate or promote food drives — These donations help by making a variety of food available at Food Banks that might not be offered in bulk buys. This is especially important during the holidays by supplying food banks with items like pie crusts, pumpkin or apple pie filling, and cranberry sauce, which are not usually bought in bulk.
Healthy Families of Clallam County: Go to their website or office to find out how you can help through donations of money or supplies. Adopt a family for the holidays or longer.
Clallam PUD: Pay it forward to help with utility bills. Go online at Clallam PUD to see what programs are offered to receive or give help, or contact OlyCAP.
Partnering with Indivisible Sequim
Indivisible Sequim is a local chapter of the nationwide grassroots movement Indivisible, where thousands of groups and millions of people have come together to engage in sustained, strategic, non-violent protest against authoritarianism of any kind and to elect leaders committed to establishing a real democracy “of, by, and for the People.”
Joan Cotta and Elizabeth Schilling co-founded Indivisible Sequim in February 2017, after the first election of Trump. Although the group lost some of its key leaders during the Biden years, long-time member Alex Fane explained that he and few others “kept the Facebook group going and also joined allies such as Sequim Good Governance League in reclaiming our Sequim City Council from QAnon and MAGA elements, as well as bring about a stable Sequim School District Board.”
Indivisible Sequim’s membership has more than doubled since Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, as has the entire national Indivisible movement.
Clallam County Democrats takes pride in collaborating with various organizations across our communities that are dedicated to “fighting the good fight.” Together, we strive to ensure that our residents can express themselves freely and that our most vulnerable individuals are provided with food, clothing, shelter, and protection.
Our Class Consciousness Matters
An essay by Emily Menshew (she/her)
25-year-old graduate of Gonzaga University, B.S. Biology 2022, Masters in Teaching, Secondary Education 2025
“The biggest divide in America isn’t left versus right, it’s top versus bottom … you have more in common with someone in your hometown that maybe votes differently than you than you both have with someone like Elon Musk. And that’s just the truth.”
– Pattie Gonia, drag queen, environmental and LGBTQ+ activist, and community organizer
I found these words while scrolling on social media the other day, and they perfectly summarized my frustration with our current political climate. We are focusing all of our time on fighting laterally — Democrats versus Republicans; Progressives versus Conservatives — when we could be fighting vertically — uniting as a working class against the oppression of the rich and powerful.
This is not to say we should abandon the fight against the Trump administration and its harmful policies. I’m inviting us to make a cognitive shift; to shift our focus away from a politics of division and toward the politics of mutual aid and community care. When we isolate ourselves from others based on their beliefs, we’ve created a concrete division; an “us” and a “them”. These groups only serve to fracture and isolate the working-class base, weakening us in our fight against the wealthy. It is in our best interest to act as class-conscious individuals, united against the bourgeoisie by our working-class identity.
Our government is in a real crisis. We face a future marked by economic uncertainty, untrustworthy leadership, and the absence of a social safety net. As we move toward that future, it is crucial that we build sustainable communities wherever we live; communities that will support one another despite our differences in race, religion, origin, or creed.
It’s time for us to look at the bigger picture. The Trump administration and its destructive policies are only symptoms of a much larger and more insidious problem, and the danger does not disappear when Trump leaves office. We can no longer afford to oscillate between periods of political victory and defeat. Until the working class regains our power as America’s largest and most influential voter base, our work is not over. Our future depends on more than Congressional seats and Supreme Court nominations; our future depends on our ability to survive when, not if, the wealthy class abandons us.
Have an opinion about making progress toward what we value? Contact us at newletter@clallamdems.org.
Take the Calls-to-Action Challenge!
Join your fellow Democrats by participating in the Calls-to-Action (CTA) Challenge. To see details on each CTA, select the “Make your Calls to Action” button below.
Upthegrove questioned, Chapman cheered over legacy forest issue
Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove met with Democrats in Port Angeles where he provided an update and gave answers to sharp questions about why he has been slow to protect the Doc Holliday timber parcel, the Elwha watershed, and other legacy forests in Clallam County. As attendees awaited Upthegrove’s arrival, Senator Mike Chapman took the floor — and won over the crowd.
Fraying ‘Safety Net’ for vulnerable Clallam County residents
Writer Tina Tyler explores how drastic administrative cuts and the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history are jeopardizing the survival of low-income families in Clallam County and throughout the nation. Read Tina’s important, in-depth report by selecting the button below.
Reflections on the 2025 election
Clallam Democrats Rising asked elected officials in Clallam County and the 24th Legislative District to look back on the results of the 2025 election and share their “take-away” lessons for Democrats in Clallam County. Read words of wisdom from State Senator Mike Chapman, State Representative Adam Bernbaum, County Commissioner Mark Ozias, and County Commissioner Mike French about how the November election served as a referendum on the Democratic Party and the issues that will activate voters in 2026.
The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forest by Lynda V. Mapes
A Book Review by Lisa Dekker
In her new book The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forest, author Lynda V. Mapes travels to regions in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia to learn how research has radically changed our understanding of so-called ‘legacy forests’ in the space of just 60 years. There are legacy forests scattered throughout publicly-owned lands in Washington, managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). To read the full book review, select the blue button below.
Clallam County Democrats Year-End Holiday Party! Dec. 28, 1-4 p.m.
Black Diamond Grange Hall (Directions HERE)
Join us for a combined end of the year and holiday celebration. Bring your favorite potluck dish to share and spend the afternoon with fellow Dems and friends!
Live music by The Soup Bones / Gift Exchange / Food Bank Donations
Please sign up for the potluck HERE or use the QR code above
Take-Action Thursdays continue! Dec. 4, 11, & 18, 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday afternoons, drop by Clallam County Democrats headquarters to enjoy a meal with like-minded people and discuss ways we can take positive action to preserve our democracy. Bring your preferred beverage, your appetite, and your ideas. HQ is located at 124-A West First St. in Port Angeles.
Support immigrants living in Clallam County, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.
The Immigration Action Committee meets Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. We have a lot going on, so join us to find out more. We meet the second Tuesday of the month.
For more information and to get a Zoom link to attend the meeting on December 9, contact Action Committee Chair Carole Scholl.
CHAT n CHEW No-Host Lunch, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 12 p.m.
Every third Tuesday of the month is a chance to get together for a visit over lunch. No RSVP needed. Everyone welcome! Meet at Asian Buffet (near Harbor Freight) in Port Angeles Plaza, 1940 E 1st St.
Stay tuned for all of our exciting fall and winter events!
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Thank you for reading, and for being a part of the change and resistance our country needs. Together, we will defend Democracy. Stay active, and we’ll see you next month!
