Rep. David Sawyer
PO Box 98469
Lakewood, WA 98496
Representative Sawyer,
We are writing to you today regarding the accusations against you by several women.
As individual organizations, we work in many ways to better our communities for the issues we each care about. Despite these individual priorities, there are values we all share together. Among those shared values is ensuring safe, inclusive work environments, free from coercion or the appearance that its inherent power imbalance will be used for such purposes. This means treating all people with dignity and respect inside and outside of the workplace.
The women who have come forward were reluctant to do so in part because they were concerned how people would react, wondering if they would be believed, and if they were, who would stand with them. More disturbing is the concern there might be repercussions to their careers and personal lives.
If our organizations remain silent, waiting for you to do the right thing, we would confirm the social message that women are not taken seriously when they speak up. We also have a duty to the communities and employees we serve. Your actions have significantly compromised your ability to adequately represent our shared communities.
We not only believe the women who have shared their stories, but today we are standing with them. It is therefore our obligation to tell you that we cannot support you in another run for the Legislature. We ask that you take responsibility for your actions and not seek reelection.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Hankins
Executive Director
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
Renee Hopkins
CEO
Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Brenda Wiest
Legislative Affairs Director
Teamsters 117
Treasure Mackley
Interim CEO/ Political & Organizing Director
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Aaron Ostrom
Executive Director
Fuse Washington
Adam Glickman
Secretary Treasurer
SEIU 775 NW
Sarah Cherin
Community and Political Allies Director
UFCW 21
Shannon Murphy
President
Washington Conservation Voters
