Stay engaged: Spokane County needs you
Dear Spokane County Democrats,
Republicans are doing everything they can to wear people down, hoping to make us feel overwhelmed and disengaged. Don’t let them succeed. Their power is not as absolute as it seems, and every move they make is subject to the judicial system. With the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the Chevron Doctrine, there are new ways for blue states to resist harmful federal policies on immigration, climate change, abortion access, and civil rights.
Understanding the Chevron Doctrine For decades, Republicans have used the Chevron Doctrine and states’ rights to weaken the administrative state, starting with Ronald Reagan’s implementation of the Heritage Foundation’s plan. The goal has been to make Congress and the executive branch powerless, concentrating authority in the judiciary. However, overturning Chevron has had unintended consequences. According to Leonardo Cuello, a research professor at Georgetown University, “Fast-forward to today, and overturning Chevron really has the opposite effect.” Blue states like Washington now have stronger tools to push back against conservative federal overreach.
Our Local Responsibility Yes, the fight ahead will bring challenges, but this is exactly why we’ve built coalitions here in Spokane County—to protect and support our neighbors. We’re also working to help Democrats in Idaho as part of our commitment to broader regional progress. Leaders like Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown are already preparing to defend our values. Here are some resources to see their plans in action:
While federal battles make headlines, the most impactful work happens here at home. In 2025, Spokane County has 122 elections. School boards, library boards, water districts, and city councils are critical battlegrounds where we can make a difference.
The Stakes We need leaders who will keep school boards focused on education, library boards promoting literacy and inclusivity, and city councils serving their communities. These positions shape the lives of our neighbors far more directly than federal politics. Now is the time to act.
- Naida Spencer, Chair, Spokane County Democrats
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