A Stark Contrast – Baumgardner’s Town Hall vs. Democratic Leadership

Monday’s town hall with Michael Baumgardner was a clear reminder of the stark differences between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. What we saw on that stage was self-serving arrogance, a smug attitude, and an utter disregard for the people of Washington.

Baumgardner wasted no time boasting about his Harvard education while blaming Ukrainian refugees for fentanyl overdoses and showing complete indifference when a local citizen was illegally apprehended by ICE. This is the so-called ‘party of the working class’? Really?

The biggest applause of the night came when Baumgardner mentioned our now-Governor Bob Ferguson and his relentless obstruction of the Trump administration. That moment said it all: Washingtonians value leadership that stands up for them, not for special interests or partisan extremism.

Democrats like Bob Ferguson, Lisa Brown, Timm Hattenburg, and so many others don’t just serve Democrats once elected – they serve everyone. I may not always agree with their every decision, but that is the job of a public servant: to represent the entire community, not just their party’s base. Baumgardner made it clear that this is not a value shared by  Republicans.

-Naida Spencer, Chair, Spokane County Democrats