PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Democratic Party’s inaugural Legislators Dinner on Saturday has a new guest of honor: U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks.
Tickets are sold out for the private dinner, a $50-a-plate invitation-only fundraiser for the local party held in the community center of the Orchards on 14th Street development at 2602 Plum Court in Port Angeles, said Matthew Randazzo, chairman of the Clallam County Democratic Party.
The dinner is not open to the public.
“We are very honored to host Congressman Dicks, one of the most influential and newsworthy Democrats in America, at our first annual Legislators Dinner,” Randazzo said.
Representative since ’77
Dicks — a Belfair Democrat who since 1977 has represented the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula — will speak along with Sen. Jim Hargrove, Rep. Steve Tharinger — a Sequim Democrat who also is a Clallam County commissioner — Rep. Kevin Van De Wege — also a Sequim Democrat — County Commissioner Mike Doherty, County Commission candidate Linda Barnfather and Randazzo.
Tharinger, who is not running for re-election for the commissioner’s seat, and Van De Wege are both state representatives for the 24th District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Barnfather, a Sequim Democrat who works as an aide to Van De Wege, is running against Republican Jim McEntire for Tharinger’s seat on the Board of County Commissioners.
“This dinner was my idea to promote increased dialogue, transparency and accountability in Clallam Democratic politics,” Randazzo said.
“Local progressives have been so enthusiastic about this opportunity to interact with their elected officials in a relaxed, intimate setting that I hope to make it a tradition,” he said.
The venue was donated by Paul and Sarah Cronauer. The three-course dinner will be catered by Chef Michael McQuay of Kokopelli Grill.