Most county Democrats take pledge for Sanders
Thurston County Democrats made it clear Sunday that only one presidential candidate will do: Bernie Sanders.
The Black Hills High School gymnasium was awash in Sanders stickers, signs and T-shirts at the county’s Democratic convention. More than once, the mere mention of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s name drew boos from the audience.
Despite temperatures in the low-80s, about 2,000 people crowded into the gymnasium, filling the bleachers and chairs set up on the basketball court.
“We’ve got a lot of active people. We don’t even have enough parking. We’re having people park in other places and we’re shuttling them over,” said Christine Garst, event organizer and state committee woman for the local party.
The group selected 48 delegates to represent the county at the state Democratic convention, with roughly 75 percent of those delegates backing Sanders.
Joanna Gibson, a teacher from Olympia, said she supports Sanders because of the opportunities he represents for her students — and for children in general.
“We need someone who will ensure that my students will succeed no matter the color of their skin or the income of their parents,” Gibson said.
Gibson said she also respects Sanders’s view on war, and that it should be used only as a last resort.
Paul Berendt, former chair of the state’s Democratic party, took the podium to speak in favor of Clinton.
He began, saying, “The central idea of Hillary Clinton’s campaign …”
He was interrupted by audience members shouting, “war” and “money.”
Once the noise died down, he continued.
“We need to live in a country where people receive rewards for the work they’ve done,” Berendt said.
“We need a candidate who will fight the Republicans and knows how to do it,” he said.
Convention goers heard from candidates for several state and county posts — including county auditor, county commissioner, state representative and lieutenant governor.
Some candidates, like incumbent Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, played into the mood of the crowd. She talked about health care reform and a living minimum wage.
“Let’s not stop there,” Hall said. “I know that many of you are Bernie delegates.”
Her comments were met with applause and cheers from the audience. But as the convention went on, the group tired of candidate speeches.
The announcement that Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, would be speaking about his candidacy for lieutenant governor was met with boos.
In the end, the convention was extended by an hour, giving the group time to approve a platform and select delegates.
This story was originally published May 1, 2016 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Most county Democrats take pledge for Sanders."