Bringing the Blue Wave to Washington State
Dylan DiPaolo, a Progressive Turnout Project Field Representative in Washington’s 8th Congressional District (WA-08), spent seven years working as a social media coordinator and content writer before finding his calling in political organizing. His career change was motivated in large part by the 2016 Presidential election and its fallout.
“I was sick and tired of feeling like there was nothing I could do to counteract the awful things coming out of the White House,” says Dylan. “Working with Progressive Turnout Project to help flip key House seats sounded like the perfect way to fight back!”
Washington’s 8th Congressional District has been represented by Republican David Reichert since 2005, and over the last twelve-plus years he’s established an unenviable reputation among his constituents.
“What I have learned from speaking with voters in the District is that he was difficult to reach, avoided public forums, and most importantly, did not represent the best interests of the people living in his District,” says Dylan. 
Dylan speaks in the past tense because Reichert announced in September 2017 that he would not be seeking reelection. It didn’t take long for twice-failed Washington state gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi, a Republican, to announce that he would run for the seat. Surprise, surprise. Rossi also ran an unsuccessful campaign for Senate in 2010. While Rossi does have the benefit of name-recognition, if there’s anything he’s become known for, it’s losing.
The Democratic candidate for WA-08 is Dr. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician and political newcomer whose candidacy was prompted by sitting Representative Reichert’s vote in favor of President Trump’s plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Sixteen years of practice have endowed Schrier with exceptional understanding of how patients’ healthcare needs are consistently being failed. Unlike so many candidates, she has a long, detailed, and informed list of action items: roll out a Medicare for All system, lower prescription drug costs, invest in medical research, fight the opioid epidemic, “empower women through healthcare,” and expand access to healthcare in rural areas.
In late July, The Cook Political Report updated its rating of the race from Likely Republican to Toss Up, and a September New York TImes / Siena College Poll found Schrier leading Rossi 48% to 45% with 8% of voters undecided. Schrier has won endorsements from former President Barack Obama, former Vice-President Joe Biden, EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and NARAL Pro-Choice America, among other individuals and organizations.
“The most frequently talked about issue at the doors here in WA-08 is Washington Initiative 1634,” says Dylan. While the initiative would prohibit local taxes on groceries and beverages, it has come under criticism after it was revealed that soda companies are the initiative’s primary financiers. However, for folks worried about feeding their families, sponsorship is truly irrelevant.
“In working-class areas this is an extremely important issue,” says Dylan. “I have convinced many voters who were previously not planning on voting to get involved in this election over this single issue alone.”
Kudos to Dylan and his winning formula for getting voters in WA-08 to the polls!
