Time For Grange Booster Program Planning

By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President

As Granges are wrapping up their summer activities and moving into a colorful fall season, we start planning booster programs, open houses, and fall celebrations in our Grange Halls and throughout our communities. All Granges are encouraged to hold a Booster Program, with the intent that the program will give us a “boost” into the upcoming new year. The Booster Program is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our Granges and our members, while sharing the celebration with others who may be interested in our Granges but are not aware of our purpose and goals. With that in mind, I share with you this year’s Booster Program message, which can be a part of your Grange’s program this year.

GRANGE BOOSTER PROGRAM MESSAGE 2026

Welcome to the Grange Booster Night! A longtime tradition, the booster program is intended to provide a “boost” in the activities and membership of each Grange.

Washington State Grange: Uniting Communities by Strengthening Families, Enriching Lives, and Building Leaders for a Better Tomorrow.

This mission statement identifies our organization. It reflects our organization’s values, our storied past, our modern-day projects and activities of the present, and the opportunities facing us in the future.

Every community in our state is impacted by the positive contributions of our Granges. Every successful community Grange provides the opportunity for its’ members to unite their community. We strengthen families through our support of youth programs. We cultivate connections by creating partnerships with local schools. This may include our efforts to provide school supplies, dictionaries, and to present scholarships for students. We enrich lives by supporting food banks, reading programs, and other volunteer organizations. In each instance, the connection between the Grange and the community creates an impact by making each community a better place for our citizens.

The Grange is truly a “grass roots” organization. Grange legislative policy development begins at the local level. Subordinate and Pomona Granges have an opportunity to submit resolutions that will update or change our current Grange legislative policy. Each resolution is considered at our State Grange Session, held annually in June. The 2027 session is scheduled to be held in Yakima. The resolutions adopted by the delegates become policy of the State Grange, while those with a national scope are forwarded on to the National Grange for their consideration as well. Our lobbyists, both in Olympia and in Washington DC, use these policies as they lobby on behalf of all Granges.

As we are a grassroots organization, our Granges follow our traditional regular format. These face-to-face meetings allow for the traditional discussion on the important issues facing our communities, state, and nation. While we do allow electronic attendance at meetings, many items may only be voted on by those present at the meeting. The plus for electronic attendance, either via telephone, Zoom, or one of several other mediums, is it allows for increased discussion from those who cannot physically be at the meeting, but who desire to debate the issues for the betterment of their Grange and/or community.

While our storied past is well documented and well written, perhaps our greatest opportunity for success is still ahead of us. We must continue thinking outside of our traditional programs and activities as we continue to enhance our communities, strengthen families and enrich lives.

As of September 1, over 500 members have joined the Grange in our state thus far this year. We ask that all potential members consider joining our organization, and to share in our values as we cultivate the connections that will continue making an impact across the state.

Races To Watch On Election Night

By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist

Happy Autumn Grangers! The leaves are starting to turn color, the Seahawks are 1-0, I had apple pie last weekend and we’ll be starting to process apples and pears at the Taylor household in the next few weeks. In my world these are the signs of fall arriving. But in the political world, in an even year, it also means the home stretch of election season.

You should start seeing ballots arrive from your county assessor’s office right about October 16th. This is the beginning of the statutory 18-day voting window in Washington State. With several ballot measures plus a host of local elections, combined with state legislative races, there is a lot to consider this year.

In this column I will take you through some of the closest legislative races to watch on election night coming out of the primary and how they will affect the majorities and overall landscape of the Washington State Legislature.

The August Primary

1. LD 35 Senate

Drew MacEwen (R) vs. Carolina Mejia (D)

The primary was almost comically close:

• Drew MacEwen (R): 20,441 — 50.1%

• Carolina Mejia (D): 20,310 — 49.8%

• Difference: 131 votes

2. LD 12 House Position 1

Brian Burnett (R) vs. Stacy Willoughby (D)

This was another incredibly close primary.

The final numbers are approximately:

• Brian Burnett (R): 21,246 — 50.5%

• Stacy Willoughby (D): 20,786 — 49.4%

Only about 460 votes separated them.

What’s interesting is that Burnett actually trailed on election night, but on the second day of counting, Burnett moved ahead by only 108 votes, 50.1% to 49.8%. The 12th is a huge district geographically, stretching from Chelan County west along U.S. 2 toward Monroe in Snohomish County. Burnett is a Republican incumbent and former county sheriff. Willoughby is a first-time candidate with a financial-services background. The district leans Republican, so Willoughby doesn’t necessarily have the advantage just because the primary was close. But a Democrat getting essentially 49.4% against an incumbent Republican in the primary is a significant warning sign.

3. LD 37 House, Position 1

Sharon Tomiko Santos (D) vs. Kelabe Tewolde (D)

This is a Democrat-vs.-Democrat general election, not a traditional partisan swing race.

The August 4 top-two primary produced:

• Kelabe Tewolde (D): 19,891 — 51.8%

• Sharon Tomiko Santos (D): 18,504 — 48.2%

• Margin: 1,387 votes / 3.6 percentage points

So Tewolde didn’t just squeak into second place. He actually finished first and denied Santos the primary victory.

That is remarkable because Santos is a longtime incumbent and has represented the 37th LD for many years. The 37th is one of the safest Democratic legislative districts in Washington and Santos has served as the House Education Committee Chair since 2015.

The district gave Kamala Harris approximately 73% of the vote in 2024, according to district-level election data. Santos also ran essentially unopposed in 2024, receiving 98.3% of the general-election vote.

4. LD 18 House Position 1

Stephanie McClintock (R) vs. Randi Knott (D)

This is where the Southwest Washington story becomes particularly important. Primary:

• Randi Knott (D): ~51.6%

• Stephanie McClintock (R): ~48.2%

The other 18th District House race produced a similar result:

• Deken Letinich (D): ~53.4%

• John Ley (R): ~46.5%

So Democrats aren’t merely competitive in the 18th — they are ahead in both House races in the primary. Southwest Washington is arguably the most important geographic battleground for the state House in 2026. Democrats currently have a 59-39 House majority, and they’re trying to reach a two-thirds supermajority. That would require flipping seven Republican seats. The 17th and 18th districts are central to that effort. In fact, Washington State Standard identified four Republican House incumbents in the 17th and 18th as vulnerable after the primary.

November 3rd is election day across the nation. Do your civic duty and vote for the outcome of our desire and have your ballot mailed or dropped by 5pm that day!

Grange News Staff

The Washington State Grange Junior Camping Program experienced an increase in participation in 2026. Three summer resident camps were held in 2026, with one, Camp Morehead holding a day camp due to facility issues. All camps reported successful programs in their 2026 camping programs.

The Grange operates six weeks of summer camp around the state as a part of their programming for kids, ages 8-14. While each of the camps operates independently and under the guidance of a board of directors, the Washington State Grange retains jurisdiction and the ultimate responsibility of the camping program.

The daily program varies from camp to camp. Each of the camps does participate in the traditional Grange opening, closing, and Junior Grange degree. Craft projects range from nature craft and jewelry making to sewing and tie dye creations. The recreational activities of each camp depend upon what is available in that area….be it hiking, swimming, archery, fishing, dancing, and games. Educational features included making pickles, food dehydration, and outside speakers on a wide variety of topics.

Plans for the 2027 Junior Grange Camping Program are now underway. Camp registration information will be available in January. While we held three overnight camps this year, Camp NEWA in the northeast corner of the state is planning a weekend camp in 2027, while Camp Morehead is planning to relocate to another facility for a full week of camping on the Washington coast.

2027 Camps

• David, held on the shores of Lake Crescent, Clallam County

• Cornet Bay, located near Deception Pass, Island County

• Wooten, on the Tucannon River, Garfield County

• Morehead, a Junior Grange day camp on the Washington Coast

By Grange News Staff

At our July 28 meeting, we had the privilege of honoring Norm Manly for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Manson Grange Youth Program.

What began as a great idea and a worthwhile investment in our local youth has grown into a thriving reality because of Norm’s vision and commitment. Debbie Fisch, representing Family Living at the Washington State Grange and the Pomona Beehive Grange in Wenatchee, presented Norm with a plaque recognizing his exceptional achievements and service.

The evening also included a celebration of Norm’s birthday, making it an especially memorable occasion. In accepting the award, Norm expressed his heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has worked so hard to make the youth program a success, giving special recognition to the kids who make it all worthwhile.

By Grange News Staff

With an anticipated increase in activity to assist in securing the financial future of the Grange across our state, the Washington State Grange Foundation Board of Trustees is looking for additional members for their Board of Trustees.

Currently, the Board of Trustees consists of the six members of the State Grange Executive Committee. The current board has agreed to amend their bylaws to allow for five additional trustees to allow for increased input in the expanded role of the foundation. Final approval of a bylaws amendment allowing for the additional trustees will be at an upcoming Board of Trustees meeting.

The five appointed trustees will serve for a three year term, with terms being staggered to allow for rotation of trustees each year. One trustee will represent each of the four Grange Convention Districts (Eastern, Central, Southwest, and Northwest), with the fifth trustee appointed at-large. Trustees will serve without renumeration, however travel expense reimbursement may be available.

Grange members interested in serving on the Board of Trustees for the Washington State Grange Foundation should request an application from the State Grange Office. You may also request an application by emailing the State Grange President at tagwin@wa-grange.org Completed applications will be due back to the State Grange Office by August 25 this year. The current board will review the applications and appoint the new trustees in September.

Questions regarding the foundation board may be directed to any of the State Grange Executive Committee members.