FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2022

Contact: Joe Fitzgibbon, 206.949.5127 

“We were alarmed and outraged to learn of another incident yesterday of violence against a Black candidate for the state legislature. Pastor Carey Anderson was shot twice with a BB gun while campaigning outside of Auburn. 

Just last week, Julian Jackson, field director for Representative April Berg's reelection campaign, was subjected to racist verbal harassment while doorbelling in Mill Creek. And earlier this spring, one of Representative Berg's signs was defaced with a Nazi symbol. 

Black candidates and campaign staff have long been exposed to disproportionate safety risks while campaigning. However, we are profoundly troubled by the ways in which racist rhetoric and violence have been normalized in recent years, including by politicians at the highest levels of government. 

We refuse to be numbed into acceptance of racist rhetoric and violence, on the campaign trail or anywhere else. We thank Pastor Anderson, Representative Berg, Mr. Jackson, and all Black candidates and campaign staff for their dedication to public service even in the face of abuse. We thank the media outlets which have called attention to these stories. We invite all Washingtonians to recognize the particular commitment and risk that Black candidates and campaign staff take on in their work to represent their communities.  We call on Washingtonians to support Black candidates, campaign workers, and all those who are out talking to voters in an attempt to strengthen our democracy, and we commit to use all tools at our disposal to protect and support these candidates and campaign workers.” 

Speaker Laurie Jinkins
Representative Jamila Taylor, Chair, Legislative Black Caucus
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, Chair, House Democratic Campaign Committee