— by Margie Doyle —

Senator Kevin Ranker addresses the gathering at Orcas Center on Sunday afternoon

Senator Kevin Ranker advocated “Hope and Action” to over 235 people at the Orcas Center on Sunday afternoon. The event drew county residents from Lopez, Shaw and San Juan Islands to hear Ranker’s take on “What’s Next.” Ranker, who came to the island from Olympia where he is part of the State Legislature now in session, encouraged islanders to participate in government, to commit themselves to:

  • Educate
  • Engage
  • Organize
  • Support

Ranker was raised on Orcas Island and served as a San Juan County Commissioner before being elected to the Washington State Senate for the 40th District in 2008. He told his audience that when addressing elected representatives, constituents must provide:

  • political “cover” to justify the representatives vote as truly representing their constituency and
  • political pressure when representatives don’t represent the concerns of their constituency. “You’ve got to hold our feet to the fire,” Ranker told the audience.

Even though it may take longer for physical letters to reach government officials, because of increased security screens, Ranker advised, “There’s nothing like writing a letter, even if it takes time to get through.” He said that when he receives “form” emails, he’ll respond to the first one, and advise his staff to copy the response to other constituents using the same form.

He praised local action groups such as the Bossy Power Hour started by Bossy Feltworks businessswomen Amy Lum, Mandy Troxel and Kari Van Gelder. The group meets weekly, writing postcards to government legislators at the OPAL meeting room on Wednesdays at noon. Another group formed in response to the 2012 presidential election as the Orcas Women’s Coalition which held a meeting in the Orcas School District cafeteria later that afternoon which Ranker attended.

He noted the achievement of local activists in bringing Initiative 2017-5 to the County for a vote, provided it is approved by County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord and acquires enough signatures to get on the ballot. This measure would state that no county official will be required to comply with federal immigration round-ups.

And while the presidential election may be a disconcerting surprise to many voters, Ranker emphasized “States Matter.” Concerned citizens can write, call and visit legislator to urge the passage of “good bills” such as those promoting campaign financing, an assault weapons ban, voter protections, climate change measures, and equal pay. Likewise, people can and should work against “bad bills” such as those that would make protests illegal, de-list endangered species and disenfranchise voters.

He urged people to call, canvass for votes, and travel to campaign for political causes such as the election of Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor Manka Dhingra as the 45th Legislative District Senator. This district is east of Seattle and includes Redmond and Kirkland. Dhingra’s success in the special election to be held this year would mean a majority of Democrats in the Washington State Senate.

Learner Limbach, State Democratic committeeman for San Juan County and Manager of the Orcas Food Co-op, was visible, registering people to become involved in actions going forward. Limbach said of Ranker, “He has been working tirelessly and is putting himself out there to mobilize people not just to resist the current administration but to create the future we want for our state, the country and the world.

“Some things we have more control over than others and it takes strategy and discipline to channel our collective energy toward effective action.”

Audience members brought up anti-immigration responses and environmental protection efforts and the removal from office of state legislators. Ranker pointed out that legislators represent their local community and that liberal causes that are embraced in areas such as San Juan County may seem radical to districts that are traditionally conservative, such as Whatcom County.

After arranging seating on the stage to accommodate those who were standing, the doors were closed, with latecomers turned away. A video of the event will be released to the public soon.

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