"Get the Gavel" in 2012!

Republicans are fired up and ready to ramp it up in 2012!

"Elect 12 in '12!" and "Get the Gavel" were frequent refrains sounded throughout the Republican House and Senate Caucus Room on February 21 during "State Committee Goes to Olympia Day."

Kicked off by WSRP Chairman Kirby Wilbur, the three-hour event featured a "Who's Who" line-up of state representatives including Richard DeBolt, Barbara Bailey (pictured), Norma Smith, Bill Hinkle and Michael Baumgartner, who keynoted at this year's GHRP Lincoln Day Dinner. Baumgartner gave a "shout out" to Grays Harbor Republicans for "a great dinner with a great group of Republicans." Baumgartner is challenging Maria Cantwell for U.S. Senate.

Republican representatives spoke time and time again about the "sad" state of the recently released Democrat budget, which cuts "a little bit from everything" versus the Republican budget plan, which prioritizes spending on education, public safety and the most vulnerable. "The Republican budget incorporates principle and priorities" said Rep. Wilcox, "versus the Democrat budget that's full of gimmicks."

Another legislator said, "Liberty is under assault, whether it's religious liberty or economic liberty. We're in an existential battle for the future of Washington State. We need your help and support every day."

How 'bout we start with "getting the gavel" and making Republicans the majority party in Olympia this November?

Jesse Young in Grays Harbor

Harborites had plenty of opportunities to meet Jesse Young and hear about his vision for the 6th District recently, with volunteer recruitment meetings in both Montesano and Hoquiam in February. Jesse Young is challenging multi-decade incumbent Norm Dicks in the 6th District. The February 23 meeting at the Hoquiam Library drew a capacity crowd and required additional seating.

Attendees at both meetings were given plenty to think about and act upon as Young opened the evening by asking rhetorically, "Why aren't we talking about the uniqueness of this district? It is set apart and unique among any district in the nation. It can be pre-eminent in job growth, and it doesn't take a top-down government program to do it."

Young also spoke about the Pacific Rim trade economy and its relationship to the Port of Grays Harbor, how Dodd-Frank is strangling small business and why it needs to be repealed, why private business, not government, creates jobs, and natural resources unique to the Olympic Peninsula such as oil, natural gas and rare earth metals. "Our vision includes bringing union jobs back to the Harbor," he said.

On the subject of Wild Olympics, which Young firmly opposes, he asked, "How many of you are tired of the other side framing the argument to put you on the defense? I intend to change that argument, and put forth a plan showing how we can honor our land and create jobs at the same time."

Young explained his three-phase plan for winning the 6th District, which includes intensive voter research down to the precinct level. Borrowing from the business world, Young outlined his plan using the acronym NAME: Non-negotiable integrity; Accountability; Measurability and Effectiveness.

Opening the floor for questions and answers, Young said, "I want to let you drive the meeting. Ask any questions you want in order to get over the hurdle of not believing we can get it done." As an example, he noted that "this campaign has raised more money against Norm Dicks than any other campaign."

Attendees received copies of Young's statement on Wild Olympics, Jesse Young for Congress stickers, palm cards, a three-page paper on where he stands on various issues, and a bio sheet, About Jesse. Volunteer opportunities in six categories were also provided, along with response cards.

"It's not good enough to just be right on the issues" Young emphasized. "You have to be right and effective on the issues." He concluded, "If you're ready to lock arms with this campaign, your time won't be wasted."

For more information, see: Jesse Young for Congress, visit Grays Harbor for Jesse Young on Facebook, or contact Terry Moore, Grays Harbor Chair for the Jesse Young for Congress, at: 289-7978 or ghrepublican@gmail.com.

Washington's Caucuses Matter

There is no presidential primary this year. The state legislature replaced the traditional primary with the caucus system as a cost-cutting measure.

On Saturday, March 3, the Washington State Republican Party will hold caucuses statewide beginning at 10:00 a.m. Writes political strategist Anthony Welcher:

"This will be the first caucus in our state in decades that will not compete for attention with a primary. As a result, it's imperative for us to turnout our friends and family that may normally pass on spending several hours of their time on a given Saturday participating in the oldest and one of the most engaging forms of democracy in our nation. It's clear the presidential campaigns see Washington's value in the race for the nomination because by this weekend all 4 of the top contenders will have visited the state in the last 3 weeks. It's a unique year for Washington, especially since our caucuses fall only 3 days before Super Tuesday!"

Click here to keep reading.

Caucuses are conducted by precinct. If you don't know what precinct you're in, check your voter registration card or contact the county auditor's office.

For a list of GHRP County Caucuses, click here.

Wes Cormier to Challenge Willis for County Commissioner

Wes Cormier, GHRP PCO, long-time resident of Grays Harbor and "Ron Paul Republican," will challenge incumbent Terry Willis for County Commissioner. Read the article inThe Daily World here.

For more info., visit Wes' web site, Vote for Wes.

Daily World Article on LDD

In case you haven't already seen it, check out Brionna Friedrich's re-cap of our Lincoln Day Dinner here: Republicans Ramp It Up.

Norm Dicks Does It Again

Last week your (he does not represent me) Congressman Norm Dicks voted “NO” on H.R. 3408. This is the bill that would have expanded oil and gas drilling thereby nearly tripling America’s offshore energy production by 2027, build the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline, open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling and start oil-shale extraction on federal land in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

This bill would have helped us on the way to relying less on Mid-East oil, provided thousands of jobs for Americans, and provided additional revenue to the federal government directly by the sale of these resources. AND, it needs no investment (i.e. spending) by Government. All the Government had to do was to get out of the way and say go ahead. Congressman Norm Dicks voted against this bill!!!

With gasoline prices at the highest point ever at this time of year, and some predicting they will reach $4.25 per gallon or more by this summer, wouldn’t it make sense to do something to increase the supply, especially when it is an American and/or Canadian supply? Obviously not, at least according to Congressman Dicks.

Not only does Congressman Dicks want to turn our Olympic Mountains area into a wilderness park (Wild Olympics Proposal) taking away timber related jobs from Grays Harbor County and the rest of the Olympic Peninsula, he wants to drive up gas prices, reduce our access to oil and take jobs away from Americans across the country. These actions cannot be tolerated!!!

There is something we can do. There is an election coming up in November. We can elect Jesse Young to replace Congressman Dicks. Jesse Young, who is a businessman and not a career politician, opposes the Wild Olympics Proposal, is in favor of additional oil production, and the Keystone Pipeline. In other words, he wants lower gas prices, less dependence on Mid-East oil and more jobs for Americans both in Grays Harbor County and across the Country.

Jesse Young will be at the Hoquiam Library on Thursday, February 23, at 6:30 pm. Come, listen to his views, and find out how you can help defeat Norm Dicks and get Jesse Young elected in November.

You can find out more about Jesse Young here http://www.jesseyoungforcongress.com/

Lincoln Day Dinner 2012: "This Is Our Time"

The Grays Harbor Republican Party's 2012 Lincoln Day Dinner drew enthusiastic responses from a capacity crowd at the Aberdeen Museum on February 18. Playing off a pivotal scene from the movie Miracle in which Kurt Russell plays 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey Coach Herb Brooks, the evening's theme was This Is Our Time.



Special guests included Kim Wyman, candidate for Washington Secretary of State, State Senator and U.S. Senate Candidate Michael Baumgartner, Rick Winsman, candidate for State Sentate in the 19th District, Jesse Young, candidate for Congress in the 6th District, and Fredi Simpson, WSRP National Committeewoman. County Commissioner Herb Welch was also featured.

Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman emphasized her credentials as a solid Republican, noting that she is "the only elected Republican elected in Thurston County, so I feel your pain." Wyman attributed her success to running her office in a non-partisan manner.


State Senator Michael Baumgarter of Spokane keynoted, contrasting his vast experience in business, economics and foreign policy with incumbent's Maria Cantwell dearth of the same and her weak record. A room full of people on their feet resulted when Baumgartner asked those to stand who were willing to get involved in at least one campaign.

Elma resident and Republican PCO Wes Cormier announced his plans to challenge incumbent Terry Willis for County Commissioner. A longtime resident of Grays Harbor, Cormier, 33, is a senior residential assessor in the Assessor's Office. He is also the county coordinator for the Ron Paul campaign.

Five Eagle Volunteer Awardees were also recognized at the dinner: Christine Yeager, Mark Paulsen, Dennis Brumbaugh, Jonathan Gerber and Ken Estes. Honoring "the very best Republican Party volunteers," the Eagle Volunteer Recognition Program was launched by WSRP National Committeeeman Jeff Kent and National Committeewoman Fredi Simpson and is backed by RNC Chair Reince Preibus.

Outstanding service for a PCO who has gone "above and beyond the call of duty over and over again" went to Terry Moore, who was voted PCO of the Year by his fellow PCOs. A resident of Copalis Beach, Moore chairs the GHRP Candidates and Issues Committee and the Grays Harbor for Jesse Young Campaign.

The evening included a rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Maggie Vincent and a performance by the Lighthouse Ballet Academy.

For those who missed the Herb Brooks "This Is (Y)Our Time" pre-game pep talk just before his team takes to the ice against the Soviets, here's a link to the clip: This is Your Time.


To paraphrase Herb: "We're sick and tired of hearing about what a great political machine Democrats have and how Washington is the 'ever-blue' state. Their time is done. It's over. This election season, Republicans are the greatest party in the world. This is our time. Now go out there and take it!"

Winsman Featured at GHRP CCM

Rick Winsman was the featured speaker at the GHRP's February 7 Central Committee Meeting. He is running for State Senate against Brian Hatfield in the 19th District. Noting the need to make government "lean, mean, and clean," Winsman spoke about identifying and eliminating redundancies within government and cited examples from the Department of Ecology. He also stressed the need for returning education to local control, his background, family, and growing up in New York and Iowa.

Precinct Caucus Locator

Not sure what precinct you're in or where your precinct caucus is located? You can find out HERE.

Romney Wins at Roanoke

Mitt Romney was the runaway winner in a presidential straw poll taken on January 29 at the Roanoke Conference in Ocean Shores. Newt Gingrich came in a distant second, trailed by Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. Marrco Rubio led from a list of twenty-three potential nominees in the vice presidential straw poll. (Photo: GH Young Republican Kyla mans the Jesse Young for Congress booth at the Roanoke Conference.) More than 400 Republican and conservative leaders and activists attended this year's conference which featured breakout sessions on technology, utilizing grassroots, and redistricting. Discussions on a wide variety of current topics and events were included during the three-day event. For more, see: Roanoke Conference 2012.

Grays Harbor Republicans Pass Resolution on Wild Olympics

The Grays Harbor Republican Party passed the following resolution at its February 7 Central Committee Meeting:

"Resolved, that the Central Committee of the Grays Harbor County Republican Party hereby opposes the draft proposals to establish new Wilderness, Wild and Scenic River and willing seller National Preserves on the Olympic Peninsula as put forth by Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Patty Murray on November 15, 2011."

The resolution was presented by Terry Moore, who chairs the Grays Harbor for Jesse Young Campaign. A staunch opponent of Wild Olympics, Young is challenging Norm Dicks in the Sixth District.

The party unanimously endorsed the efforts of Working Wild Olympics, a coalition of private property proponents, timber interests and outdoor enthusiasts, at its April 5, 2011 Central Committee Meeting.

Jesse Young Volunteer Meeting THIS Week!

Jesse will be in Grays Harbor County for a Volunteer Recruitment Meeting on Thursday, February 9. In this meeting, we'll be discussing strategy for taking Grays Harbor County for Jesse in November and looking at how we can get involved.

6:30 pm
Thursday, February 9

Montesano Timberland Library, Meeting Room (back entrance of the library), 125 Main Street South.

To make a serious impact and grow Jesse's base of support and volunteers, let's do more than bring ourselves. Bring a friend; a neighbor; bring two friends and two neighbors. The more, the merrier! We need all of the people we can find to spread the word about a candidate who can win against Norm Dicks in 2012.