We are contacting you publicly and directly because moments like this demand leadership — not silence.
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s recent vote to advance a federal budget that continued funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has rightly prompted public condemnation from Democratic leadership in the neighboring 18th Legislative District. That statement reflects a growing and justified alarm shared by Democratic voters across our region.
Indivisible Pacific County states plainly: continuing to fund ICE without fundamental reform or enforceable accountability is incompatible with Democratic values and basic human rights. ICE continues to wage one of the most well-documented campaigns of civil rights violations in modern history. Funding this agency without serious conditions for increased oversight is not a neutral act — it is an affirmative political choice that harms immigrant communities and the very fabric of our democracy.
In recent weeks, nationally reported incidents involving federal immigration enforcement have intensified fear, grief and outrage in communities like ours. The pattern is unmistakable: politically radicalized, unchecked and undertrained enforcement agents causing indiscriminate and real harm to all in their path. Democratic leaders cannot credibly claim to stand for justice while avoiding public accountability when that harm is enabled.
This is not about party infighting. It is about trust.
This is not a threat to escalate concerns about our representative’s votes. This is a wake-up call. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has done irreparable harm and cannot win back Democratic voters in our region; she must be replaced as the Democratic candidate if we are to have any chance of retaining the seat.
When Democratic officials cast votes that contradict the values they campaign on, local party leadership has a responsibility to speak clearly to constituents. Silence signals acceptance. Delay signals calculation. Neither reflects the moral clarity our communities expect from Democratic leadership.
We are therefore calling on the 19th Legislative District Democratic Party to issue a public statement addressing this vote and affirming your commitment to humane immigration policy, civil rights, and meaningful oversight of federal enforcement agencies.
The absence of such a statement will be noticed — not only by advocacy organizations, but by voters who expect Democrats to lead with courage rather than caution.
Indivisible Pacific County will continue to organize, educate, and mobilize voters to ensure that our elected officials and party institutions align their actions with the values of justice, dignity, and compassion. We believe the 19th Legislative District Democratic Party can and should be part of that leadership.
We look forward to your response and to seeing the 19th Legislative District stand on the right side of this moment.
In solidarity,
Indivisible Pacific County
Leadership Team
Tate Adams
Jesse Gordon
Stacie Gordon
Rob Hurst
Diane Ziel
