In this episode of Evergreen Perspective, Ben Christly sits down with Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party and Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, for a candid conversation about where the Democratic Party stands today — and where it needs to go next.

The discussion covers:
 • What Democrats learned from the 2024 presidential loss and the importance of connecting with voters where they are
 • Major Democratic wins across Washington, including LD 5, LD 26, and city council flips in Longview, Newcastle, Sunnyside, and beyond
 • How the Washington State Democratic Party supports candidates behind the scenes through organizing, volunteers, data, and infrastructure
 • Why affordability has emerged as a unifying issue across urban, suburban, and rural communities
 • The challenge of being a big-tent party while still delivering clear, consistent messaging
 • The growing threat of authoritarian politics and why defending democracy still matters
 • What’s at stake in Southwest Washington heading into the 2026 election cycle — from holding WA-03 to flipping key legislative seats

Shasti also shares her “You’re Welcome to Politics” moment — how reading Dreams from My Father helped shape her path into organizing, leadership, and national politics.

Evergreen Perspective is a Washington-based political and community podcast focused on making complex issues relatable and grounded in real-world experience.

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social