Devin For The People

Category: People Power!

  • what zohran mamdani’s win means for us

    zohran mandani in nyc, a bunch of us in tacoma

    Everyone’s talking about Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in New York, which reverberates for young(ish) left politicians like me throughout the country. But we should also celebrate local victories for tenants and workers. Like Mamdani’s, they’re grounded in deeply felt issues, winning messages and building people power. But, like Mamdani, we’ve still got our work cut out for us in November.

    I’ll never forget Mamdani’s victory, both from its immeasurable significance and from what I was doing when I heard. Like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, his campaign proves that transformative messages, centering the issues and mobilizing a diverse working class base can win, even in the country’s biggest, wealthiest city. His platform of free transportation, free childcare, and taxing the rich mobilized 10,000 volunteers knocking 1.5 million doors to beat the Cuomo dynasty. And like AOC, myself and more folks every day, he campaigned openly as a Democratic Socialists of America member.

    Check out Tacoma For All’s video from our victory (on Facebook)

    What’s even better was hearing the news with Tacoma For All supporters at a local bar, celebrating after we got city council to include powerful language for tenant protections and social housing in the OneTacoma Comprehensive Plan. We were already proud of our organizing and turnout, but Mamdani’s win had us cheering, hugging and clinking glasses.


    The vibe only grew the next day, when United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 367 and DSA leaders turned in 10,000 signatures to get a Workers Bill of Rights initiative on the ballot this November.

    I recently encountered a Tacoma Subreddit thread asking who was Tacoma’s Zohran Mamdani. I loved that the original poster listed my friend, endorser and Mayoral candidate Katie Wilson filling that role for Seattle, and I was elated by dozens of replies and upvotes for my friend, comrade and endorser Zev Cook filling it in Tacoma. It’s fitting, as Zev is a young Democratic Socialists of America leader, an anti-Zionist Jew, and running on a bold platform supporting social housing, worker rights and more.

    And while we’re all “young”, Zev, Katie and I are also veteran organizers, uncompromising in our values, and always down to fight for our diverse working class. That’s why I’m so honored to have their endorsements, and to just this week receive the formal endorsement of the Transit Riders Union, where Katie serves as General Secretary.

    I’m so excited to be on the ballot with Zev Cook and the Workers Bill of Rights. I wish I could vote for Katie Wilson and Zohran Mamdani, too.

    hit the doors for me… and yours

    On that note, I’ve started campaigning in earnest. I’ve been calling and texting supporters from my prior race, building a volunteer program, and raising funds from friends new and old. We’ll surpass $8,000 raised this week, just in time to help pay for these cute walk cards and mailers. YOU can donate today to help make that a reality!

    I don’t have a primary, so I’m holding off on major expenditures and doors for a bit, but I’m personally volunteering throughout July for folks I’m endorsing on City Council like Zev (district 5), Latasha Palmer (District 6), and Silong Chhun (District 4). I’ll also be hitting doors for other progressive Charter Review candidates with primaries and elevating them in newsletters.  Keep reading, and remember to vote in the August 5th Primary.

    Donate Today
    VOLUNTEER today
    Endorse today

  • Pride, prejudice, and people power

    pride or prejudice?

    Let’s talk Pride, prejudice and people power!

    One of my highlights from last year’s 27th LD race was joining dozens of other candidates on stage at Tacoma Pride, when former County Council member (now Executive) Ryan Mello invited us to speak boldly for LGBTQ+ rights. At the time, his council colleague Amy Cruver was shamefully boycotting council chambers all month because she found the presence of the Pride Flag “distracting.” She even Zoomed in for a marathon meeting where residents – including myself and many of her own constituents– shared why the council chambers hosting the flag was so appropriate.

    Tomorrow, Cruver and Council Member Morrell are showing their true colors by presenting a resolution to remove the flag from the County Building entirely. LGBTQ+ organizations and allies are turning out to let them know Pierce County is too great for hate. See the attached flier from the Pierce County Democrats.

    Sheriff Keith Swank also has terrible, theatrical takes. He recently mocked the Washington State Patrol for apologizing after a group of officers and cadets marched through a Pride Flag ceremony at the Capitol.  Swank took to X/Twitter, saying “You should be embarrassed by this post… Any WSP who wants to work for a real law enforcement organization should come work at the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.”

    All this and more is why we need YOU to step up today in solidarity with our community. Click a button below to join my campaign, and join many of us at this weekend’s “No Kings” protest.

    VOLUNTEER today

    No kings! for people power

    We must do everything we can to protect the rights and dignity of all of our most vulnerable residents and community members, particularly in this moment of renewed attacks and in the combined face of federal AND local threats. In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be discussing very specific ways we can do this in the charter, along with continuing to elevate action opportunities.

    For now, please join one of the many “No Kings” protests happening around the region this Saturday, 06/14. I’ll be at the People’s Park rally in my Hilltop neighborhood, along with family, friends and comrades. We must stand up to Trumpism, the militarized police state, and ICE invasions of our communities.

    Join us, make your voice heard, and please come say hi if you see me in the crowd or at the Tacoma For All booth.

    TACOMA CITY COUNCIL: PROTECT RENTERS & PASS SOCIAL HOUSING

    As mentioned for the last couple weeks, Tacoma For All and coalition partners need you to join us in sending your City Council Members a letter today:

    While landlord lobbyists pressure City Council to weaken renter protections, the Tacoma Planning Commission has listened to tenants. They’ve proposed bold amendments to the Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan. 

    These changes are critical to addressing Tacoma’s housing crisis–and they’re under debate right now at City Hall. The first reading of ordinance is 5:00pm tomorrow, 06/10 just after the County Council meeting.

    Add your voice today! Email City Council to demand strong tenant protections and real solutions to the affordability crisis.