It was great seeing so many of you at the ERC Picnic on July 8! Thanks to our special guest moderator Dino Rossi, to everyone who brought desserts and side dishes to share, to our chefs, to our board members and officers who shopped for food and provided the raffle prizes, and to everyone who came early and stayed late for setup and cleanup. We hope you all had a good time hearing from and mingling with the candidates!
As usual, there’s no ERC meeting in August; our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9. We’re working on confirming availability of speakers, and will have details for you soon.
Don’t forget to vote in the Primary! You should have already received your ballot — be sure to return it by August 5!
Celebrate July the old-fashioned American way! Enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, topped off with a chips, and an assortment of potluck side dishes and desserts!
Come, mingle with the candidates, and hear about their campaigns in this very important election. Visit with old and new friends.
Buy Raffle Tickets for Prizes! Bring a side, salad, or dessert to share
and get a free raffle ticket!
Seating at the park is on picnic benches.
Consider bringing camp chairs if you
would like more comfortable seating.
ERC will provide water to drink; feel free to bring other non-alcoholic beverages if you prefer.
Directions: From I-405, take exit 17 for NE 70th Place. Head east on NE 70th Place about 2 miles. When you pass 144th Ave NE on your right, take the next left turn into the parking lot for Grass Lawn Park (if you get to the signal at 148th Ave NE, you’ve gone too far). The picnic shelter is about a 100-yard walk from the parking area — look for the dome.
Preferred Parking Location at Grass Lawn ParkGrass Lawn Park Dome Shelter
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, June 10, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
Our special guest speakers for June are Tim Eyman and also John Michael Graves of StandWithUs Northwest.
Tim Eyman
Tim Eyman
A long-time friend of ERC, Tim is best known for sponsoring conservative ballot initiatives in Washington, including I-695 (“$30 Car Tabs”), I-747 (1% limit on property tax levy increases), I-18 (reducing the King County Council from 13 members to 9), I-900 (government performance audits), I-960 (2/3rd legislative vote to raise taxes), and many others. He has stood strong in the face of legal persecution (lawfare!) by the former Washington State Attorney General and now Governor, Bob Ferguson. His web sites are http://www.permanentoffense.com/. and https://timdefense.com/. Come hear what he’s working on now!
John Michael Graves of StandWithUs Northwest
We will also have the pleasure to meet and hear from John Michael Graves, who is Northwest High School Regional Manager for StandWithUs, an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism.
John Michael Graves
John Michael graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington in Seattle. A Pacific Northwest native, and active member of the Seattle-area Jewish community, John Michael witnessed antisemitism and anti-Israel bias at his university and in his professions, from politics to academia. He has had roles as a congressional house intern, political science research assistant, local political consultant, Hoover Institute SPBC participant, and much more. Within myriad fields he saw blatant misinformation about Israel, which galvanized his involvement in Israel and antisemitism education. This engagement led to his current role as Northwest High School Regional Manager with StandWithUs. Driven by his passion for truth and his admiration of the resilience of the Jewish story, John Michael seeks to educate and inform the public about antisemitism and Israel’s history through lectures, writing, and community engagement.
Come and hear what John Michael has to say about antisemitism on college campuses and recent events.
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu.
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
Our special guest speakers for May are the chairs of the King, Pierce, and Snohomish County Republican Parties: Jolie Landsdowne, Dave McMullan, and Bill Cooper. Our good friend Glen Morgan of We The Governed will moderate the discussion!
Jolie Lansdowne
Dave McMullan
Bill Cooper
Glen Morgan
Candidate filing week is coming up May 5-9, so by meeting time we will know who is running in all the races on the ballot this year. We look forward to hearing from our county chairs regarding hot issues and races, and opportunities to help our candidates win!
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu.
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, April 8, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
William Kirk of Washington Gun Law
William Kirk
Our special guest speaker this month is William Kirk, President of Washington Gun Law. He is one of the nation’s leading Second Amendment advocates and has been educating citizens nationwide about their rights and obligations related to the inalienable right of self-preservation.
The host of the popular YouTube channel Washington Gun Law, Mr. Kirk is a 20-time recipient of Washington State’s Super Lawyer award, only given to the top 1% of attorneys in the state. Mr. Kirk has tried hundreds of cases to verdict and has successfully defended many cases involving claims of self defense or the lawful use of a firearm.
Bill is a graduate of Washington State University and the Gonzaga University School of Law. He has taught attorneys in trial practice in 26 states and routinely travels the country to lecture on Second Amendment issues. A former Spokane County and King County Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Kirk has been in private practice, defending the rights of the accused, since 2000.
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. And for this meeting, if you bring a friend who is not already a member of the club they can get in for just $5! Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner.
Time to Renew Your Membership!
If you have not already done so, please go to the Join page and renew your ERC membership for 2025. Of course, if you aren’t yet a member, we invite you to join! There are three membership levels: Basic $25, Silver $50, and Gold $100. Your dues help cover the cost of meeting location rental and other expenses of operating the club. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings!
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, March 11, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
Ari Hoffman!
Ari Hoffman
Our special guest speaker this month is Ari Hoffman, host of The Ari Hoffman Show on 570 KVI, where he provides a current of common sense in a sea of insanity every afternoon from 3-6 p.m. A local businessman and civic activist, Ari ran for Seattle City Council after its failed policies affected him, his family and his community. Now he has a more powerful platform on America’s first conservative talk radio station, 570 KVI where he continues to expose corruption and hypocrisy in government. Ari is also known for his humor and pop culture savvy. He never backs down from a challenge and enthusiastically engages with anyone, no matter their political ideology. Ari has been featured on Fox News, Newsmax, The Dr. Drew Show, 60 Minutes, and the KOMO News Documentary “Seattle is Dying.” Ari also reports regularly on Northwest issues in The Post Millennial. Ari is a guest speaker at many college and high school campuses, including for organizations like Turning Point USA and Jewish on-campus groups. He lives in Seattle with his wife and 3 children.
Tim Hazelo on Fighting Lawfare!
Tim Hazelo
At the meeting, we will also hear from Tim Hazelo, former chair of the Island County Republican Party. Tim is facing a felony charge in connection with his refusal to wear a mask in the Island County Elections Office last fall, in a blatant case of lawfare and politically-motivated overreach by an out-of-control county prosecuting attorney. Come hear how Tim is fighting these ridiculous charges!
Rob Wotton for King County Council!
Rob Wotton
We’ll also hear from Rob Wotton, a Snoqualmie city council member who is running this year for District 3 on the King County Council — a seat long held by former councilmember and friend of ERC Kathy Lambert. For the past 20 years, Rob has been a trusted banker for small businesses. A passionate champion for small business, he served as Community Development Policy Committee co-chair at the White House Conference on Small Business, and as a field representative for the National Federation of Independent Business. As a Snoqualmie City Councilmember, Rob has championed public safety initiatives, including the expansion of fire and emergency response teams, and played a key role in infrastructure improvements. Come hear about his vision for King County and how you can help his campaign!
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. And for this meeting, if you bring a friend who is not already a member of the club they can get in for just $5! Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner.
Time to Renew Your Membership!
If you have not already done so, please go to the Join page and renew your ERC membership for 2025. Of course, if you aren’t yet a member, we invite you to join! There are three membership levels: Basic $25, Silver $50, and Gold $100. Your dues help cover the cost of meeting location rental and other expenses of operating the club. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings!
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, February 11, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
Lynden School Board member Khush Brar, who took a lead role in Lynden’s efforts on the amendments [that would limit participation in girls sports to biological females], said that “protecting the rights of females in female sports isn’t equivalent to restricting transgender athletes in sports because unlike the female athletes, transgender students have the option to play in whichever category they identify with, which may change at every sports meet.”
We look forward to hearing from Khush on this important effort!
WAGOP Chair Jim Walsh
WAGOP Chair State Rep. Jim Walsh
At our meeting we will also hear from our long-time friend Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, who will give us an update on what’s happening in Olympia during the 2025 session of the state legislature.
Jim has represented the 19th Legislative District in the Washington State House since 2016. He received more than 60% of the vote in 2020, 2022, and again in 2024. His legislative focus revolves around critical issues such as fostering family-wage job creation, ensuring adequate funding for schools, and safeguarding the interests of taxpayers, property rights, and gun rights.
Rep. Walsh is the ranking Republican on the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee. Additionally, Jim is a member of the Capital Budget Committee and serves as the assistant ranking member on the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
A cum laude graduate of Amherst College in 1986, Jim founded a small publishing company in 1998 that he manages to this day. Beyond his legislative duties, he has contributed columns to the Aberdeen Daily World newspaper, coached both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, and assumed leadership roles within local and state Republican groups.
During his service in the legislature, Jim has received Legislator of the Year awards from numerous groups—including Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR), Citizens’ Voice, Gunowners of America, Permanent Offense and Hunters’ Heritage Foundation. In 2022, he received the Washington State Republican Party’s Kemper Freeman Courage Award for his work articulating common-sense, conservative values.
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. And for this meeting, if you bring a friend who is not already a member of the club you will both get in for just $20! Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu.
Time to Renew Your Membership!
If you have not already done so, please go to the Join page and renew your ERC membership for 2025. Of course, if you aren’t yet a member, we invite you to join! There are three membership levels: Basic $25, Silver $50, and Gold $100. Your dues help cover the cost of meeting location rental and other expenses of operating the club. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings!
We had a great January 2025 meeting of Eastside Republican Club, including our annual business meeting and Glen Morgan of We The Governed as our special guest speaker.
Doug Basler
The Club elected Doug Basler to once again serve as our president for 2025; he previously served as ERC President for 2020-2022 and 2024. Toby Nixon, former state representative and Kirkland city council member (and long-time ERC webmaster), was elected as Vice President. Kathleen Strong and Michael Scheele were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
Doug Basler, Derek Chartrand, Kerry French, Ruphina Nord, Michael Scheele, and Kathleen Strong were re-elected to additional two-year terms on the Board. Rick Jacobs, who we thanked for his service as a board member and vice president for 2024, stepped down from the board. Donna Barr, a long-time previous board member, was elected to a new two-year term. We thank them all for their willingness to serve (again)!
Also at the annual business meeting, Michael provided a Treasurer’s Report, informing us that the club is in healthy financial shape, pretty much breaking even with our dues and meeting fees covering the cost of venue rentals and other expenses. And Doug provided a President’s Report, focusing on his vision for growing the club membership in 2025. We look forward to all the great things ahead for the club this year!
Mark Your Calendar!
The February 2025 meeting of Eastside Republican Club will be on our usual second Tuesday, February 11. We’ll have another great guest speaker who will be announced shortly.
Time to Renew Your Membership!
If you have not already done so, please go to the Join page and renew your ERC membership for 2025. Of course, if you aren’t yet a member, we invite you to join! There are three membership levels: Basic $25, Silver $50, and Gold $100. Your dues help cover the cost of meeting location rental and other expenses of operating the club. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings!
Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:30 PM. We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn, 16630 Redmond Way in Redmond. See the Location page for driving directions, a map, and parking information. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu. PleaseRSVP if you plan to attend!
Annual Business Meeting
We’ll start with the Annual Business Meeting to elect the ERC president and board members for 2025. If you’re interested in serving, please email us at info@eastsiderepublicanclub.org and let us know!
To be eligible to vote for our officers and board members during the business meeting, you will need to be a dues-paying member of the club either by registering and paying by January 9 or having been a paid member for 2024. It’s time for everyone to renew your membership for 2025 as well. Membership prices are still only $25 Basic, $50 Silver, and $100 Gold. Please renew today so you don’t forget! You can join or renew your membership on the Join page.
Glen Morgan of We The Governed
Glen Morgan
We’re very pleased to announce that our special guest speaker will be Glen Morgan of We The Governed to update us on his many activities to protect our rights and expose government corruption, and look ahead to the 2025 legislative session.
Glen is a frequent writer and speaker on property rights, the environmental movement, Big Government, and the importance of citizen activism. In 2014, Bill Whittle called Glen, “The ascended high master of political messaging.” Glen doesn’t consider himself a high master of anything, but he enjoys exploring policy issues in local government and exposing government corruption and incompetence which impacts everyone.
In October, 2023, Glen was awarded the Washington State GOP “Volunteer of the Year.” In June, 2019, Glen was awarded the “Citizen Activist of the Year 2019” award by the Olympic Conference. In 2015, Glen was also honored with the annual Rodney & Laurel McFarland Award presented by the Citizens Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR) “for exemplary performance in preserving and protecting property rights for the year 2014.”
Glen’s articles have been reproduced in publications ranging from the Heritage Insider to local blog sites. He has also appeared on King5 News, KOMO News, Fox News (Q13), KUOW (NPR), Ari Hoffman (KVI 570AM), Jason Rantz (KTTH 770AM), Todd Herman (Seattle -KTTH AM 770), KBKW – Aberdeen, and a variety of other television and radio programs. Glen is often attacked by the Left for daring to expose corruption in government. He frequently testifies on property rights issues at local government hearings and at the Washington State Legislature. Glen is also known for writing opposition statements in the official voter’s guide for voter-approved tax increases, challenging inaccurate and misleading ballot titles created by Washington State’s Attorney General for initiatives and tax increase propositions, among other civic activity.
Glen has also been involved in attempting to address campaign finance reforms to make the process easier and simpler for political beginners. As part of his effort to study Washington State’s campaign finance laws, he has filed over 850 Public Disclosure Campaign Finance and Ethics complaints (2016-2024). These complaints have resulted in over 113 lawsuits, fines, settlements, or forfeiture of contributions (Currently totaling $645,986) against state legislators, state senators, Democratic Party committees, labor unions, judges, and other politicians who violated the Washington State’s campaign finance laws. This includes 19 lawsuits filed by the Washington State Attorney General resulting in 21 judgements based on Glen’s reporting. An additional 208 politicians, PACs, and others have been formally sanctioned for their lawbreaking based on Glen’s efforts. To see the complete list of violators exposed by Glen’s work in this area – go to this page.
Glen is also an investigative citizen journalist who frequently meets with anonymous whistleblowers from various state agencies, local governments, and political parties who want to expose wrongdoing where they work. Glen was repeatedly sued by Yelm, Washington based cult leader JZ Knight after he helped expose her racist speeches from 2011 which caused the Washington State Democratic Party to divest themselves from her donations at the time. Glen has also exposed tax fraud committed by State Senators, homeless camps causing environmental pollution – ignored by environmentalists, and even created alternative logos for Evergreen College. Glen also published Governor Inslee’s “snitch list” – a public record of citizens encouraged to spy on and report their neighbors for their failure to comply with Inslee’s Civilian Covid Compliance Program.
Glen helped launch the Washington Voter Research Project, a Washington State non-profit organization that helps concerned volunteer activists canvass Washington State’s voter rolls and help local auditors clean up problematic and sloppy voter rolls. He has repeatedly been attacked by the corporate media, angry politicians, and the Democratic Party for daring to look at elections, a project he has been involved in long before Trump decided to run for public office.
As a fifth generation Washingtonian, Glen’s roots run deep in Washington State. His great-great grandmother helped start the Pike Place Market, where multiple generations sold flowers in Seattle for many years. His great-Uncle Ed Dalby installed the first power-generating waterwheel in Union, WA in the early 1920s. Glen’s father helped found the City of Newcastle, and his father served as a City Councilman in that city in the 1990s. Glen graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way. After graduating from college with a BA in political science from Columbia College in New York City, Glen returned home and worked for small start-up companies and local manufacturing businesses. He currently lives on a small tree farm in Thurston County with his wife and their flock of free-range children. They also have a large flock of free-range Icelandic chickens, peafowl and other helpful farm animals.
Please RSVP!
If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space. Food is available from the Fork and Spoke restaurant in the hotel, which is open from 5-9PM for dinner; you can preview the menu on ZMenu.
Just a reminder that there will be no ERC meeting in November. Please take the time to remember our Veterans on November 11. Registration for the Annual Holiday Dinner will be available soon!
2025 Eastside Republican Club
Ari is also known for his humor and pop culture savvy. He never backs down from a challenge and enthusiastically engages with anyone, no matter their political ideology. Ari has been featured on 
