Dear Democratic Friends,

Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of listening deeply to many of you—longtime activists, new organizers, elected officials, and everyday Democrats—across our district. I’ve heard passionate support for our two-term incumbent Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and I’ve heard serious concerns. In the interest of transparency and unity, I’m writing to share what I’ve been hearing, and to offer a few personal reflections.

What I’ve Heard

Many of you recognize that we are just three seats away from regaining the House majority—a shift that would allow Democrats to halt the regressive agendas of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. In this context, it’s significant that Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has done something no Democrat has managed in recent history: win in the Third Congressional District. Even our most popular statewide Democrats lost here in 2024—Marie did not.

Still, many of Marie’s votes have sparked frustration. Some were “poison pill” bills—legislation designed to force swing-district Democrats into no-win situations. Others were substantive votes, such as her recent support of the SAVE Act, a bill that is rooted in anti-immigrant lies and designed to suppress the voting rights of women, young people, and busy working families. Her lack of vocal opposition to Republican assaults on constitutional checks and balances is also troubling to many.

Yet others emphasize her strong record on core Democratic values: her support for reproductive freedom, general support for the I-5 bridge replacement, vocal opposition to harmful budget cuts, and her steadfast support for Ukraine. Any Republican would be on the wrong side of all these issues. Many have noted her visibility across the district—holding town halls in every county, showing up to local events, and engaging voters one-on-one. She is viewed by many as genuine, hardworking, and deeply human.

Other Democrats tell me they’re simply “done with her.” The divide is real.

One of the most striking observations I’ve heard is this: the energy in our movement—so palpable and powerful—is being channeled inward, toward attacking a Democrat, while local Republican officials who are fully aligned with Trump’s agenda are completely escaping scrutiny or opposition from us. Every Republican official in our county is in lockstep with Trump, yet no protests or social media campaigns are targeting them.

My Reflections

Some have urged me to remain silent, since this is an issue that divides many good Democrats. But I believe my role is not to be popular—it’s to be useful. So here’s what I would offer, after listening to all of you:

• Keep protesting. Every time we protest this authoritarian regime we give permission and courage to more Americans to fight, fight, fight this inhumane and cruel president and every Republican who props him up.
• Keep talking with Marie. Make your voice heard. Tell her what you want! Thank her when she delivers and keep pushing when she disagrees.
• Refocus on local Republicans. They are driving the Trump agenda forward unchecked. We must hold them accountable with urgency and passion.
• Consider the different roles of safe Democrats and vulnerable Democrats. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is fighting vocally against the Trump administration and training people to fight alongside her. Go to her website and take part! It is her role to lead the progressive charge and be at the tip of the spear, because her downtown Seattle district re-elects her every time with 84%.
• Considering a primary challenge? Do your homework. How will you win? This is not a swing district, rather, it is a safe Republican district. Speak with the office of Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. If you truly want to help, ensure your efforts are aligned with regaining the House majority so we can stop Trumpism in its tracks. Talk with Hakim Jeffries’ office beforehand, so you know what they think.
• Consider the results in this district. Simply fantastic candidates have posted these results in our Congressional 3^rd District. 2024: Kamala Harris, 46.7%. 2020: Carolyn Long, 43.4%. 2018: Carolyn Long, 47.3%. These are some of the best Democratic candidates we have seen in years!
• Lead with humility. We all play different roles in this movement. Let’s support one another, even when we disagree. Our diversity of opinion is a strength—so long as we treat one another with respect.
• Learn from history. In 2016, many progressives in Michigan and other swing states chose not to vote for Hillary Clinton. That choice helped bring about a Trump presidency, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and a far-right Supreme Court. Yet it also helped push the party in a more progressive direction under Biden. Every choice has consequences, and each of us must weigh those carefully and reach our own conclusions.

Personally, my fight is with Republican officials who are enablers of authoritarianism and cruelty, and today that seems to be almost every single one of them. My mission is to unseat them and finish turning Clark County blue. Flip all four State House seats in the 17^th and 18^th Districts from red to blue. Follow the lead of our brand-new Democratic State Senator Adrian Cortes who beat the Republicans last year, and support the outstanding leadership of Senator Cleveland, Rep. Stonier, and Rep. Wylie in the 49^th District. Win, win, win.

When we win, let’s promptly deliver real change: stronger unions, a $15 nationwide minimum wage, faster permitting for affordable housing, Constitutional checks and balances, global alliances grounded in human rights, strong environmental and labor standards, locking authoritarian dictators like Putin out of international markets until they change their ways, good jobs for working families, protecting vulnerable populations currently under attack by MAGA, and building an America where every person of every kind is authentically loved, valued, and welcomed.

That’s what we’re all fighting for. As one united team, it’s ok for us to also have our separate individual opinions. United we stand! Let’s bring the heat to the Republicans and defeat them soundly and permanently this time.

I hope this compilation of what I have been hearing from local Democrats is useful for you. Please reply to this email to give your response, so we can keep thinking it through together.

With solidarity, humility, and gratitude,

 

Tim Probst, Chair

Clark County Democrats

Forward Together!