District Officers
Chair Jim Baum
Jim Baum is a lifelong Democrat and has lived in the 5th District for the past 24 years. Raised near Tucson, he grew up in the district represented by the late great democrat Mo Udall. He is an alumni of California State University at Long Beach. It was on a CSULB trip that Jim first saw and immediately fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.
A business owner, hobby farmer and avid hiker, Jim loves local and national politics and is not shy about expressing his thoughts. In 2010 he organized The Rally to Restore Sanity in Seattle's Westlake Park which drew 6000 people [early on a Saturday morning in late October no less] and raised $25,000.00. He became chair of the 5th district in January of 2011. Contact Jim @
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1st Vice Chair Gloria Hatcher-Mays This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2nd Vice Chair Martin Chaney
State Commiteewoman - Jennifer Sutton
Jennifer began her political career as a Field Organizer for Senator Tom Daschle, 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 serves on the Board of the Center for Women and Democracy, whose mission is to promote women's leadership and participation worldwide, and serves on the board of the King County Conservation Voters. She also served as Chair of the 5th District Democrats, as the Co-Chair of the WSDCC Platform Committee (for the State Convention) and was Secretary of the Washington State Democratic Chairs Association. Jennifer holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine University, and is currently employed by T-Mobile, USA.
State Committeeman 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.
King County Delegate (F) August 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.
King County Delegate (M) - David Spring
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) - Konrad Roeder
Konrad is the King County Delegate Alternate (M) for the 5th Legislative District Democrats and is the elected PCO for precinct N-B 05-3406 in North Bend, WA. Konrad is a first generation German-American immigrant and a father of two children. He’s been interested in politics ever since taking the civics test to become a naturalized citizen. After moving to Washington, he’s become active by working with the Safe Kids Task Force and petitioning the City of North Bend to build roundabouts. He’s a MoveOn member and campaigned for President Obama in 2008. He was asked to volunteer to be the PCO for his precinct in 2008 and was elected in 2010. Konrad is Sr. Systems Design/Strategy Engineer at T-Mobile and has 30 years experience in telecom. He has an MS Computer engineering from Florida Atlantic University and BS Computer Science from University of New Mexico. He holds numerous patents in telecom
Secretary - Becky Chaney