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| 5th District Democrats Officers  Chair - Jennifer Sutton
Jennifer began her political career as a Field Organizer for Senator Tom Dashle, and later serving as Legislative Director for the South Dakota House Democratic Caucus. As a professional fundraiser, she raised more than $100 million for Democrats and Democratic causes, including such clients as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and the 2000 Democratic National Convention. She has also worked as a public relations consultant, including collaboration with diverse community groups, small business owners, public housing tenants, and related officials on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles. In the policy arena, Jennifer's experience includes work for the Mayor's office of Economic Development for the City of Los Angeles, for the South Dakota House of Representatives, domestic violence organizations and a Masters Thesis which included a comprehensive analysis of the energy crisis created in California following deregulation of the industry.
Jennifer's hope for the 5th LD is that we can to create an opportunity for community members who share our vision and our values to roll up their sleeves and work with the us to ensure that our children are well-educated, that we can raise a family on the jobs offered here, and that our elected officials are thinking of our well-being each time they vote on an issue. Supporting great candidates, doing good works in the community, and working hard today will make a difference come tomorrow's election.
Jennifer holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine University, and is currently employed by T-Mobile, USA.
 1st Vice Chair - Reuben Powell
My involvement with the 5th Dems was a direct result of the Obama Campaign. In the process of supporting his candidacy, and that of state and local candidates, I began to realized that each of us can make a difference. Now, at the threshold of my ninth decade, I am more committed than ever to making the promise of the American Constitution a reality for all. I believe this goal can be best served by championing the message of the Democratic Party and marketing that message to my friends, neighbors and my greater community. My Long term goal is to change the color of my Legislative District from Red to Blue, and, in the process, insure the election of Democratic Candidates to State and local office.  Co-2nd Vice Chair - Mary Kanter
I am a life long Democrat raised in Okanogan County. My loyalty to the Democratic Party was fostered by my Dad who came from rural Arkansas during the Depression and was a proud New Deal Democrat. The prevalence of the John Birch society never deterred him from sharing his views about the benefits of having Democrats in office.
My first experience in politics was doorbelling with Dad for John Kennedy and it is a tradition I have maintained with many different candidates. In 1968 I moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and remained in this area except for a few detours to Denver and Nashville.
I am currently a case manager with DSHS/DDD and a member of AFSME. My husband, two daughters, and I moved to Sammamish in 1993. At our first caucus we were warmly welcomed to the 5th District Democrats by Carl Schwartz and Bill Schiffer. They convinced me to put up my dollar and run for PCO. I faithfully did as requested and have since canvassed my neighborhood yearly; usually with the help of my husband and one of my daughters, Sarah or Carrie. Now it is more likely to be my dog, Murphy. This year I decided it was time to do more and ran for vice-chair.
The 5th is a great group of caring people and I enjoy being a part of it.  State Commiteewoman - Di Irons
Di comes from a long time active and very political family. Her first memories of campaign talk at the dinner table were in 1960 during the presidential race between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon; that conversation has not stopped. From local issues, national concerns, and world topics, Di remains active and passionate in promoting our Democratic principles. She has served on the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) Education Platform Committee and Finance Committee; is a Precinct Committee Officer; State Committee Woman to the WSDCC representing the 5LD; sits on the WSDCC Executive Board representing the 8CD; and remains active in her local 5LD working to promote the ideals and goals of the Democratic Party. Di and her husband, Bob Iness, live in Sammamish. Di was one of the eleven Electors from Washington State to the Electoral College in 2008 and was in Washington D.C. for the historical presidential inauguration in Jan 2009. Click to email: Di Irons  State Committeeman - Dean Willard
Dean is the Washington State Democratic Central (WSDCC) Committeeman representing the 5th Legislative District and is a member of the WSDCC Rules Committee where he’s working to create rules that decreases the administrative burden on County and Legislative District organizations and allows more Democrats to have voice and vote in local party elections and business. He also chairs the King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) Endorsements Committee and is a member of the KCDCC’s Executive Board and Leadership Council. Dean spent most of his late teens and twenties working as a legislative staffer and managing legislative and Congressional campaigns in Alaska, Florida, Oregon, and Washington. Since then he’s focused on his technology and business career with stints as a technology consulting partner at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) and as a Vice President at T-Mobile. Currently he divides his professional time as a Senior Advisor at the professional services firm Protiviti and working with technology start up companies. In 2004 he became active again in local Democratic politics by becoming a PCO in the Stevens Precinct, 39th Legislative District Executive Board, and serving on the King County Democratic Central Committee Executive Board. In August 2007, Dean and his wife Dorothy (5th Legislative District Democrats’ Treasurer) purchased a house in Sammamish and shortly thereafter began connecting with Democrats in the 5th Legislative District.  King County Delegate (F) - Robyn Scola
Robyn Scola is a lifelong democrat. She credits this to being born in NYC to a democratic family where everyone was a democrat. This world view was seriously challenged after moving to S. Florida at age 12. She regained her standing after graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in Broadcasting and became part of the liberal media. Not surprisingly Robyn has always been outspoken on Women’s issues esp. those concerning choice. The Scola’s were able to participate in this Presidential election when their daughter was hired by the Obama Campaign. Robyn was able to volunteer in Iowa, got to meet both President Obama and Michelle, and V.P. Biden. Lindsay moved on to the Inaugural Committee and the family enjoyed the Inauguration event of a lifetime. Robyn’s younger daughter is currently at University of North Carolina working on a PHD in Biomedical Engineering. The moral of the story is raise your children with Democratic ideals, teach them to fight for what they believe in, don’t take no for an answer and you never know what will happen.
 King County Delegate (M) - Gary Fancher
In 2007, Gary was appointed as the 5th Legislative District Grouse Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) and was elected for the 2009-2011 term in the 2008 Primary. He serves on our Board as the 5th District King County Democratic Central Committeeman. Gary is self-employed as a Project Manager, currently with Microsoft. He spends most of his free time hiking, taking pictures, dining out, traveling, and working around the home. Gary and Jennifer, his wife of 12 years, have resided in the close community of North Bend since 2003. Gary has served as a Big Brother since 2006, spent 5 years as a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit, and spent 4 years as a Community Emergency Response Team member in Los Angeles. Gary works in the community volunteering and contacting elected officials with the voice and best interest of our community King County Delegate Alternate (F) - Sadie Maloney
I am a lifetime resident of Washington state, and was born in West Seattle in 1926 and graduated from Highline High School in 1944. My folks always voted Democrat. They sold rock plants at the Public Market. My dad also grew and sold cut flowers to florists. I learned corsage making from a young Japanese daughter of a flowershop who had sold the flowers my Dad grew. My dad took over his shop at the owners request. I married my husband in 1947 and we had eight children together, four boys and four girls.
I became a PCO in 1960 for the 30th District, and went to the State Convention five times. I've met many candidates, and have been the King County Delegate and Alternate at various times through the years. My husband passed away in 1981, and he had encouraged me to keep up my work. King County Delegate Alternate (M) - Mike Barer Politics is in my lifeblood as my parents have been very active in Democratic politics. I became a PCO in Kirkland in the mid 90s after working as a volunteer in Maria Cantwell's Congressional campaign. In '96, I was elected by the widest margin of any PCO in the 45th district. I was asked to serve on the King County Central Committee. In 1998, my wife and I moved to Maple Valley. I imediately became involved with the 5th district, being taken under the wing of Carl Schwartz and Bill Schiffer. I provided lunches on several occasions to the district and congressional caucuses. I also have lead the Maple Valley Precinct Caucus serveral times. I have been your representive to the Washington State Central Committee. Today, I am proud to serve as King County Alternate, making sure that our district is well represented at every meeting.  Secretary - August (Barbara) Luniuck-Rakita
The values of Democrats allow each person to be part of their community and country. Each small success we have adds to the larger picture, and creates more participation in government and life. In what ways? Every vote counts and each person who casts a vote has faith in the system. The news we hear and read needs to have many view points, we need to be a well educated public. Laws were passed previously to prevent monopolies in the communication industry, these laws have changed, we need to have an awareness of what has happened and work to change it. Everyone needs access to good health care; schools need to work with and for all students. I have worked for these values for most of my life, and as a member of the 5th District, I am better informed about how to do so.
 Treasurer - Dorothy Willard
Dorothy is the treasurer for the 5th District Democrats and is a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for SAM 05-0909. Dorothy became involved with local politics and issues shortly upon her relocation from Oregon mid 2007. Dorothy now resides in Sammamish with her husband Dean (WSDCC Committeeman for the 5th District Democrats) and their two very loved and spoiled pugs, Winston and Rosie. Dorothy is an active supporter of pet rescue organizations including Seattle Pug Rescue and Green Mountain Pug Rescue in Vermont, organizer of the Portland Pug Meetup and is an avid supporter of the arts (Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, 5th Avenue Theatre and Village Theatre in Issaquah).  Technology Officer - John Bunn
Professionally trained as a broadcaster, John worked as a videographer, lighting designer, audio technician, and on-air radio personality for 7 years. Changing professions to technology, John worked as a Software Engineer, Test Manager, and Release Manager for over 20 years. John currently contracts for high technology companies as a Project Manager.
The son of a single mother, educator, and political activist, his exposure to politics began with the UFW movement in the late 60’s, volunteerism in political campaigns for Jimmy Carter and John Anderson in the 80’s, and for Illinois House Candidate Grace Bunn-Lievens in the 90’s
John lives in Maple Valley with his lovely wife and their small family of two pampered cats and a spoiled dog. John has an adult son - Eric, of which he is very proud. His odd claims to fame include an FCC Commercial 3rd Class Radio Telephone License, and an AHA Registered Beer Judge Certification. John’s wife claims that he has every power and hand tool known to man, a fact that John does not dispute… Click to email: John Bunn | |
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