NEWS: ‘Proud to call ourselves Dan Evans Republicans,’ says Mainstream Republicans Chair
‘Proud to call ourselves Dan Evans Republicans,’ says Mainstream Republicans Chair
Organization inspired by Evans’ accomplishments pays tribute to former governor, senator
Deanna Martinez, chair of Mainstream Republicans of Washington, released the following statement Saturday regarding the death of former Washington senator and governor Dan Evans. Evans died Friday at age 98. Martinez is a councilwoman in the city of Moses Lake.
“Dan Evans was one of the most significant figures in the history of Washington politics, and certainly the most influential of recent times,” Martinez said. “More than 30 years after Evans left public office, we live in a state shaped by his passion for public service, his insight into public administration, his sense of justice and his love of the outdoors
“Evans took on the challenges of the sixties with his Blueprint for Progress, a reorganization of state government that in large part survives today. He fought for sensible environmental protection by creating the state Department of Ecology, and he was an early advocate for the preservation of sensitive lands, the orca and a healthy Puget Sound. When other states turned their backs on Vietnamese refugees who stood by us in wartime, Evans opened the door. And after a distinguished three terms as governor, Evans went on to serve us ably and well in the U.S. Senate.
“Evans’ career is an example to all of us of what can be accomplished under responsible Republican leadership. He put governance ahead of grievance, reform ahead of ruination. Those principles helped inspire the creation of Mainstream Republicans of Washington, and he was active in our organization right up to the end, even leading a hike at age 93, at one of our conferences, to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.
“But most important to me, as chair of an organization that advances his legacy, he was able to build a coalition and the political support to get the job done. We look for the same qualities as we recruit and support Republican candidates today. And we are proud to call ourselves ‘Dan Evans Republicans.’ “
Elections Explained
In addition to TVW’s coverage of the Cascade Conference, its Teach with TVW program conducted interviews of some of the participants to help educate students on the political process.
Teach With TVW produces Emmy Award-winning educational videos and documentaries for the classroom and television. Their short explainer modules provide Washington State middle school and high school teachers the tools to teach key aspects of Washington state civics and government and include curriculum on statewide elections. Dozens of five-minute videos cover everything from the structure of our State government to the balance of power and how to sign up and testify before a committee.
Thank you to Teach with TVW for featuring these voices and for helping break down the stereotype of Republicans seen in the news media. Learn more about Teach with TVW here.
Thank you to all who joined us for the 2024 Cascade Conference!
Mainstream Republicans of Washington held another successful Cascade Conference at the beginning of the month, in a new location and venue - beautiful Yakima! We had another jam-packed agenda, which highlighted local and state leaders, as well as candidates like gubernatorial front runner Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler and Raul Garcia.
We were delighted to see so many new faces - there is nothing we love more than connecting in person with those who support the work of MRW.
As we continue on our mission to support moderate and electable candidates who want to govern, work across the aisle, and shape policy on issues affecting everyone in the state, we have to continue the conversations had at the conference.
A big thank-you to our sponsors, panelists and attendees – everyone who joined us in Yakima. For those of you unable to make it, I hope you will make some time to watch the panel discussions from our conference – an intelligent conversation about political trends and challenges in Washington state. See us on TVW, the state’s public affairs network - and we will see you next year!
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Providing a Common-Sense Conservative Voice
We are strong advocates of “The Big Tent.” Our organization includes conservative and moderate Republicans – but not extremists. We follow the Ronald Reagan principle that: “The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally – not a 20 percent traitor.”
We believe in the time-honored principles of the Republican Party: individual freedom and responsibility, free enterprise and individual initiative, fiscal responsibility, equal opportunities and rights, the most effective and responsive government is government closest to the people and a strong national defense. Learn more about our stance on the issues affecting the state.
Over the years, we have recruited, endorsed and supported Republican and right-of-center nonpartisan candidates.
Annually, we hold the Cascade Conference. It focuses on timely public policy issues, Republican elected officials and candidates.
If a person wants to be a part of Republican organization that is informative, dynamic, fun, and avoids ideological extremes, that person should join Mainstream.
We can, once again, be known as the party of environmental progress and conservation.
In order to make progress in protecting the environment in the future, we must build upon the environmental legacy of the past and build Republican-led environmental accomplishments for the future. We must prioritize results over rhetoric and progress over politics.
To guide our state, nation, and globe to a brighter future, the next generation of Republican leadership will present innovative, economically-sound ideas to the environmental challenges we face, work with Washingtonian businesses to foster a sustainable future, and care for our beautiful public lands and wildlife along the way.
Join us, the Mainstream Republicans of Washington and the American Conservation Coalition, to be a part of this future.
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