When a Family Disappears: YIRN steps in
- Doug White
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
What Is In This Newsletter?
 For those of us who believe in democratic values and live in rural areas, the choices are rarely simple. We have fewer options, wider philosophical gaps, and we are often voting for a first time candidate. Too often, the underdog. Even for deep blue, capital D Democrats, the decision is not always straightforward. Voting in rural districts means balancing principle and strategy. But the beauty of voting is this: it is yours alone, and the only wasted vote is the one not cast. That brings me to Congressional District 3 and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Blue Dog Democrat. She has been under scrutiny for her voting record. She reportedly votes with Republicans about 48 percent of the time, which unsettles many left leaning constituents. The flashpoint has been her support for funding ICE. Her explanation was that fully funding ICE allows oversight and control. Reading it, I could not help but picture a tantrum throwing child being appeased in hopes of maintaining order. Who is controlling whom? Still, someone I respect reminded me that she has held this seat for two cycles. That matters. Incumbency carries weight. She knows her district  But there are others in the race. Brent Hennrich ran in 2022 and stepped aside to consolidate votes behind her. He is now back. After her January 22 vote on ICE funding, his campaign raised 50,000 dollars in small dollar donations in ten days. Polling commissioned by his campaign suggests that only about 24 percent of her previous voters feel confident supporting her again. Many supported her more as a vote against Joe Kent than as an endorsement of her. So what does a Democrat do? Support the incumbent because she may have the strongest path to reelection? Support a challenger whose platform aligns more closely with traditional Democratic views? Or stay home and risk handing the seat to the favored Republican, John Braun? In Congressional District 4, I have heard Democrats say they voted for Dan Newhouse to reward his impeachment vote. Others did so out of fear that Jerrod Sessler would win. Rural Democrats make complicated choices. But one truth remains. If Democrats show up and vote, we win. Especially in midterms, when turnout is low and margins are thin. So vote. |
Using early research into voting patterns, Washington State seems on-track for turnout of about 65% in the upcoming Midterm. Throughout Washington, expected turnout varies across counties. Rural and Eastern counties make up some of the highest-turnout (San Juan, Garfield, Wahkiakum) and lowest-turnout (Adams, Grant, Franklin). These results follow demographics (age, ethnicity, and education level) but also reflect longstanding local nuances. When it comes to turnout, politics are often local. |
I recently had an enlightening conversation with Danielle Surkatty of the Yakima Immigration Response Network, YIRN. She founded the organization in 2017, and it has grown into one of the most trusted community support networks in Central Washington.
Since the start of the Trump administration, the need for YIRN’s services has grown dramatically. Yakima County now has the highest number of ICE arrests in Washington State, according to the University of Washington Center for Human Rights.
An ICE arrest is not just a statistic. It is a family crisis. Imagine living paycheck to paycheck and a spouse suddenly disappears. No clear answers. No immediate information. Just fear, uncertainty, and children who still need to be fed and protected.
YIRN steps into that chaos. They accompany people to court dates. They place funds into commissary accounts. They provide gas cards and emergency support. They help secure passports for U.S. born children. They counter misinformation and ensure families understand their rights. Volunteer and ICE victim Jamie Ortiz has started a Facebook page to monitor ICE activity. It now has over twenty eight thousand followers.
Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act restricts state and local law enforcement from assisting ICE, and Yakima County Sheriff Bob Udell has stated his office will not assist ICE operations. Still, families remain vulnerable, and the need is real.
YIRN has built a strong coalition to support impacted families, and they rely on volunteers and direct financial contributions to sustain this work.
YIRN will host a fundraiser at Englewood Christian Church in Yakima on February 28 from 6 to 8 pm.
Purchase tickets here:
This is what community looks like. Showing up when someone else’s world falls apart. If you cannot attend, make a contribution. If you cannot give, share the event. Silence helps no one.
Rural Americans United will not waver in its efforts to bring racial and social justice to rural Washington State by engaging people in the political process. The words “of, for, and by the people” are not idle. Manifest within them is the power to shape and control our collective destiny. Please help us continue this important work. |
Reprinted from Indivisible of Eastern Washington, 3rd, 4th and 5th district Facebook page.
CD 1
Suzan DelBene (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) (I)
Hunter Gordon (Democratic Party)
CD 2
Rick Larsen (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) (I)
Tomas Scheel (Democratic Party)
CD 3
Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
Antony Barran (Republican Party)
John Braun (Republican Party)
Brent Hennrich (Democratic Party)
Lawrence Kellogg (Republican Party)
Suzzanna V. Tanner (Democratic Party)
Eric Vaughan (Independent)
CD 4
John Duresky (Democratic Party)
Amanda McKinney (Republican Party)
Wesley Meier (Republican Party)
Jerrod Sessler (Republican Party)
Devin Poore(Independent)
Dan Newhouse Incumbent Retired.
CD 5
Michael Baumgartner (Incumbent) (Republican Party)
Carmela Conroy (Democratic Party)
Aaron Croft (Independent)
Ann Marie Danimus (Democratic Party)
Anthony Jensen (Republican Party)
Bajun Mavalwalla (Democratic Party)
Anthony Whisenhunt (Democratic Party)
David Womack (Democratic Party)
CD 6
Emily Randall (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
CD 7
Pramila Jayapal (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
CD 8
Kim Schrier (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
Trinh Ha (Republican Party)
Bob Hagglund (Republican Party)
Andres Valleza (Republican Party)
CD 9
D. Adam Smith (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
Melissa Chaudhry (Democratic Party)
Janis Clark (Republican Party)
C. Mark Greene (Republican Party)
Kshama Sawant (Independent)
CD 10
Marilyn Strickland (Incumbent) (Democratic Party)
Adam Arafat (Democratic Party)
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