The 34th District Democratic Organization held an exciting meeting at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Jan. 14, electing new officers to serve for 2009-2010. In separate action the same evening the Democrats overwhelmingly endorsed Sherril Huff for election to the position of King County Elections Director. About 115 precinct committee officers (PCOs) and 38 other members attended the meeting.

The PCOs elected Tim Nuse as District Chair. Nuse served in vice chair positions from 2005 through 2008, and has considerable experience managing the District's 2008 caucuses as well as participating in a variety of community organizations.

"I'm pleased and honored to lead this great organization through the next two, pivotal years", Nuse stated. "We worked extraordinarily hard in 2008 to elect Barack Obama as President and other fine Democrats in various levels of government. Yet our work is just beginning and we will be lock step with our new President building stronger communities, honoring service, and creating the change we seek."

Other officers elected are Kim Becklund (First Vice Chair), David Ginsberg (Second Vice Chair), Stu Yarfitz (Treasurer) and Miki Meahan (Secretary). Marcee Stone and Chris Porter are our state committeewoman and man respectively. Lisa Plymate and Ivan Weiss are the King County committeewoman and man, and Asha Mohamed and Robin Hess are the alternates.

Two candidates were nominated for many of these offices, which resulted in a contested race and lively debate during the meeting.

After his election as Chair, Tim Nuse appointed the following standing committee chairs: Jackie Dupras (Newsletter Editor) Beth Grieser (Program), Greg Doss (Legislative Action Committee), Brian Earl (By-Laws), Les Treall (Outreach), Jeff Upthegrove (Membership), Walter Sive (Finance).

In separate action, the District voted overwhelmingly to endorse Sherril Huff for election as King County Elections Director. Huff is a candidate for this position in the special election of February 3, 2009. She has successfully run 22 King County elections during her time as appointed Elections Director for the County. More information about Huff's candidacy can be found on her website at http://electsherrilhuff.com/

The 34th District Democrats are the most active and one of the oldest political organizations in SouthWest King County. The District spans West Seattle, Vashon and Maury Islands, White Center and parts of Burien. The organization had 1158 members in 2008. More information is on the website at www.34dems.org .