Resolution on Candidate Endorsements
WHEREAS the Washington State Democratic Party Platform (the "Platform") expresses the aims and aspirations of the members of the Washington State Democratic Party, and
WHEREAS it has become commonplace for those elected as Democrats to disregard the Platform, and
WHEREAS it is the sense of this convention that those who are elected as Democrats in this state are elected for the purpose of carrying into effect the mandates of the Party Platform, and
WHEREAS in the past the Party Organs have freely given their endorsement at all levels whether or not a candidate has promised to adhere to the Platform,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Democratic Party (WCDCC), the 40th Legislative District, and the 42nd Legislative District (collectively referred to herein as the "Party Organs") each amend its rules and if necessary its bylaws to provide as follows:
- Any candidate seeking the endorsement of the Party Organ concerned must state in detail and in writing his or her intentions in relation to each plank in the Platform ("Candidate Platform Statement"). Incumbents will include in the Candidate Platform Statement the actions that such incumbent has taken while in office in relation to each plank, either furthering it or opposing it.
- Upon receipt of a Candidate Platform Statement, the Chair of the Party Organ concerned will so inform the members of the Central Committee. Each Candidate Platform Statement will be available for review by any member of the Central Committee of the relevant Party Organ as soon as it is received.
- Each Party Organ will establish a procedure and if necessary a specific body (Endorsements Committee) for conducting an initial review of the Candidate Platform Statements. The procedure for the initial review may include an interview with the candidate, and shall include provision for refusing the Candidate Platform Statement for lack of specificity. The results of the initial review will be sent to each member of the Central Committee of the relevant Party Organ.
- Based on the Candidate Platform Statement and the initial review, the Central Committee of the Party Organ concerned is charged with deciding whether the Party Organ will endorse the candidate. Absent a favorable decision by the Central Committee, no endorsement by the Party Organ concerned may be given or implied. The Central Committee may disavow the candidate.
- The Central Committee may order the publication of its decision in such manner as it determines, but the decision will at least be communicated forthwith to all the members of the Central Committee.
(Date Passed 04/08/2006 by Whatcom County Democrats)
