SEATTLE — Terri Nomura, Jefferson County Democratic Party chairwoman for the past two years and a Port Hadlock resident, received the Warren G. Magnuson Award as the state’s county party chairperson of the year Monday night.
Nomura was given the “Maggie” award during the 15th annual Magnuson dinner and awards ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Seattle, where Craig Robinson, an Oregon basketball coach and brother of Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, was to be keynote speaker.
The awards are named for Democrat Warren Grant “Maggie” Magnuson, the U.S. senator from Washington state from 1944 until 1981, when he was the upper chamber’s senior member.
Magnuson also represented Washington’s 1st Congressional District from 1937 to 1944.
Steering county Dems
Nomura was recognized for steering Jefferson County’s Democrats in contemporary times.
“She took over the party after some tumultuous times,” said Phyllis Schultz, Jefferson County Democrats recording secretary.
“She always said, ‘We’re all Democrats. She’s inspired us to come together. She’s been very enthusiastic.”
Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval, another prominent county Democrat, called Nomura “amazing.”
“She is such a powerhouse in terms of her energy and organization,” said Sandoval, who co-owns the Port Townsend Windermere Real Estate company for which Nomura is a real estate agent.
“It’s been difficult. We had an incredible caucus, and it has been a very exciting but stressful time for Democrats,” Sandoval said.
Lively presidential caucus
Nomura led the organization of the Democratic presidential primary caucus last April which drew 2,600 to the Blue Heron Middle School multipurpose room.
The lively caucus was partitioned according to presidential candidates.
Schultz said Nomura’s goal has been to achieve 100 percent voter turnout among county Democrats. More than 90 percent of them voted in the presidential primary.
“She’s had her plate very full,” Sandoval said. “I don’t know anyone more organized than Terri.”
Schultz said the Jefferson County Democrats’ executive board nominated Nomura to the state party, with party chairs in 39 counties.
Four-year cycle
“She did a terrific job of shepherding the county party,” Dwight Pelz, state party chairman, said of Nomura.
“This is the hardest year for our counties, the four-year cycle.”
He said Nomura was credited for making the Jefferson County Party stronger in each of her two years as chair.
“She helped spur growth and developed new leaders,” Pelz said.
Other prominent Democrats who were scheduled to speak at Monday’s awards dinner and ceremony were Gov. Chris Gregoire and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Pelz said.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com
