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TimSheldon.jpg
Sen. Tim Sheldon, center, is one of two Democrats who have said they'll work with the Senate's 23 Republicans to form a new caucus that currently holds a 25-24 vote (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Lawmaker's wife tells top Democrat put on big boy pants

February 11, 2013 @ 5:03 pm (Updated: 5:34 am - 2/12/13 )

Who needs Washington, D.C. for political intrigue? A spicy clash in our Washington involves the chair of the state Democratic Party, two state Senators, and now a Senator's wife.

First, the players in this drama.

State Senator Tim Sheldon has served 22 years in the Washington State Legislature as a Democrat representing the 35th District, which includes all of Mason County and parts of Thurston, Kitsap and Grays Harbor Counties. Sheldon has earned the reputation of being a maverick by consistently bucking his party's agenda and by working across the aisle to get legislation passed.

State Senator Rodney Tom is from Medina. In 2002, Tom was elected to the state House of Representatives as a Republican. He was reelected in 2004. In 2006, Tom switched to the Democratic Party and won the senate seat he still holds. In March of last year, Tom joined with fellow Democratic Sens. Jim Kastama, Tim Sheldon and 22 Senate Republicans to push through a revised budget bill. A few months ago Tom announced he would again caucus with the Republicans.

Enter stage left, Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz. The party has censured both Sheldon and Tom for "gross disloyalty" and "perfidious behavior," cutting off their future access to party funds and mailing lists. I wrote about the exchanges between Pelz and the two lawmakers last week for this story: Top Democrat state senators are 'not invited to our party.'

One more player has now stepped into the spotlight. Sheldon's wife. Linda Sheldon is standing by her man in this email she sent to Pelz. She tells him to put on his "big boy panties" and learn to compromise.

Dear Dwight,

Thank you for your kind personal letter trashing my husband. I thought it merited a reply.

First of all, his name is Tim SHELDON, not SHELTON (or was that a Freudian slip?) He has served in the Legislature for 22 years, and you would think by now you would know his name. Maybe that's what he means by the Democrats in Olympia being "Seattle-centric." If you can't remember the rural legislators' names, how could you POSSIBLY remember their constituents' issues?

Apparently you think you and your party (which also happens to be MY party) were betrayed. Well now, let's see - last year the Democrats controlled BOTH chambers, and couldn't squeeze out a budget in 2 special sessions, costing our already financially destitute state a tidy little sum of bucks -- until several Democrats (Tim included) got tired of sitting on their asses doing nothing at the taxpayers' expense, while a handful of party hacks spit at one another behind closed doors and came up empty-handed. So they WENT ROGUE (ie, reached across the aisle to get a compromise). Public sentiment, if you will recall, was behind them, and you guys wearing the big party hats looked pretty damn foolish. And the State got a budget before a third special session had to be called. Now, if that's BETRAYAL of the public (excuse me - I meant PARTY), then I'll wear a TRAITOR t-shirt anytime!

I'm sorry you feel you wasted a big $25,000 on Rodney. And we will really miss your usual donation ($0.00) to Tim's campaigns. But then, I understand that you feel you must take your ball and go home.

If you are so distressed about the legislation coming down the tracks under the Majority Coalition rule, I suggest you put on your big boy panties, admit you were politically bested and learn to WORK with the new coalition to get compromises you can live with. Otherwise, it's completely their game. Fight it, stamp your feet, call names, dig in and you will lose big-time. As a Democrat, that would not make me happy.

I'm not sure exactly how you plan to censure Tim and Rodney - maybe duct tape? And YOU have ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT to say THEY have no right to call themselves Democrats. My dog could be a Democrat - there is no application, sign-up, litmus test, educational requirement, membership fee, vetting process, inquisition. You either BELIEVE you are, according to your principles, or you don't. Waving your Magic D Wand will not banish them from the club.

When you denigrate Tim and Rodney, you denigrate the beliefs of all those who voted for them, support them and consider themselves Democrats. Do you really want to tell all those D voters they can take a hike? That's going to piss off a lot of people… including ME, a lifelong liberal who just happens to be able to see the BIG PICTURE when you can't.

Where can I get a TRAITOR t-shirt?

Linda Honan Sheldon

I talked with Linda, who describes herself as a liberal Democrat. She's hoping Pelz understands her sense of humor, but also gets her point.

Pelz, chair of the state Democrats, responded to Mrs. Sheldon this way:

Linda, I am sure you are a wonderful person, and I have enjoyed our brief meetings, but you really should not waste your time by writing me long e-mail messages.

I have zero respect for your husband. He will hold no place of importance in the history of our state other than being admired as one of our most successful self-promoters, and double dippers.

His prime value will be as an object lesson for political science professors in our state, who when asked whether party labels mean anything, will be able to answer "No", and point to the obscure State Senator who called himself a Democrat but endorsed George Bush for President, Dino Rossi and Rob McKenna for Governor, and opposed his centrist colleague Derek Kilmer for Congress.

When Tim retires he will be able to gather around himself the people who respect him. That meeting will take place in your kitchen.

Dwight

To that, Mrs. Sheldon says, "Our kitchen table is bigger than he might realize."

I have a feeling this drama is to be continued...

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (54)


  • Add A Comment

  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Well said Mrs.Sheldon
    February 11, 2013 6:43 pm
    Does anyone still wonder-- WHY?

    Term Limits would be a Great idea

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HikerACE wrote...
    Pelz
    February 11, 2013 7:37 pm
    Hey dwight, your place in state history will be that of a whiny baby. Much less important than no importance. Oh, and your respect for anyone has no meaning. Get lost whiner!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    Dwight PUTZ
    February 11, 2013 7:42 pm
    Oh my lord can you believe how much of a Puzzy Dwight is??? Oh my lord what a jerk...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    A political party is like a religious faith.
    February 11, 2013 10:21 pm
    One self announces a political affiliation, much like a religious affiliation.

    I can think of thousands of situations in which a sincere and devout person who declares Jesus as savior has been dismissed as either "not Christian," or even more commonly, "not properly or sufficiently Christian" by fellow believers. Over the centuries, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people who declare they are Christian have been killed by fellow Christians. The same holds true in Islam. (I'm not entirely sure about Judaism).

    Why should we be surprised when political affiliation, which is self declared exactly like religion, is also subject to self-appointed, self-important guardians of the gate? There will always be those who feel it's their obligation to renounce who fail to adhere to a narrow orthodoxy as "un-Christian", "un-American", or (in this case) "un-Democrat".

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Chuck
    February 12, 2013 5:24 am
    Great post. I did, however, like Linda Sheldon's letter.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • pinbalwyz wrote...
    Spousal bias
    February 16, 2013 2:44 am
    Linda needs to let her husband speak for himself. He does a more effective job of it. I've watched him over the years, and whether you love/hate him, it's always interesting to watch a master practice his craft. Tim could convince people the way to clean up the environment is through a smokestack...and has!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 0623 wrote...
    "not entirely sure about Judaism"
    February 12, 2013 6:58 am
    What about the Orthodox Israelis who today claim The Wall is theirs and no women are to pray at it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    O624: Are the Jews killing one another over differences of religious interpretation?
    February 12, 2013 7:13 am
    That was behind my remark about the millions of Christians and Muslims, throughout history, killed for religious reasons by people claiming they weren't properly practicing the faith.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    What!?
    February 12, 2013 9:22 am
    0623 Please explain to me how this bit of news is relvant to Chuck's post or even this discourse.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Both sound like a couple of 10 year olds
    February 12, 2013 3:55 am
    Actually, she 7ish.

    Embarrassing.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    Pelz likes power
    February 12, 2013 5:05 am
    And shuns responsiblity for the lack of actually results he and his party achieve. Sure, it's easy to get elected in Washington when you have a "D" after your name, but that doesn't make you effective. I tell you what DeeeWhite, when you and your self-selected Democrats get around to presenting a balanced sustainable budget, drop a couple of points on the unemployment rate, fully fund education without raising taxes....you know like your Governor Special Sauce said he could do, maybe we can talk about taking you seriously.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DJFavorite wrote...
    Great Response
    February 12, 2013 5:16 am
    Mrs Sheldon letter is priceless. Mr Pelz sounds like a nutcase. Personally, I think the state would benefit greatly if we had a strong 3rd party. This whole issue shows clearly that the two parties and their positions don't clearly define most people's positions in this state.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Largent803 wrote...
    3rd Party Selection
    February 12, 2013 9:02 am
    Personally I agree with you DJF. I totally get why we need a third party. Right now there is no give and take between the Democrats and Republicans. Right now the way I see both parties unfortunetely is the Democrats are very far Left and lashes out against any argument against their agenda. As for the Republicans they seem very much to the right. And in some instances they to will lash out at members who go to the middle. Personally I would like to see a new party emerge that works as moderate party.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Carol Valentine wrote...
    3rd Party?
    February 12, 2013 7:01 pm
    Libertarian?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • pinbalwyz wrote...
    political identity
    February 16, 2013 2:53 am
    Tim plays the Democratic leadership like a violin. I can't believe how successfully he baits them. He's like Obi Won Knobe in Star Wars. The more he twists their tail, the more they rail against him and the more his voting constituents love it. The voters in his district have made it abundantly clear on multiple occasions they don't care if he wears 2 hats or isn't 'loyal' to the party faithful. Move on! Tim is vulnerable on much more substantial issues. He's also more responsible, fiscally, than most of his critics. He also believes in the 2nd Amendment. I can tell you, that plays well with his constituents. Spend more time listening to the voters and less time navel gazing or dancing to your own tune. Whether Tim actually spends time listening to his constituents is, IMO, dubious, but he give the IMPRESSION that he does so...largely due to ill informed media coverage and voter laziness in investigating the same. On some issues, like the ones I mentioned, he really does represent the views of his constituents. The problem with too many Democrats is they can't grasp why others don't think exactly like them. The answer is simple: because they're not like them. They're different--and they're proud of it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    As if Pelz
    February 12, 2013 6:24 am

    Has the authority to to determine someones place in history,lol. So basically what he is saying is that because I am a democrat, I should only vote for a democrat only? If someone else that I feel is better for my community and/or country is better equipped to govern than what the democrats are offering, I am a turncoat for voting for what's best?

    Listening at this man talk is making me think that we should get rid of party affiliation altogether, I didn't vote for Bush or Rossi but I did vote for Rob Mckenna because I know Jay Inslee to be a pathological liar, if his lips are moving he is lying.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    Nicely put Sports
    February 12, 2013 7:46 am
    I fully agree with exactly what you just posted here. I vote for who I think would do the best job period. I have voted on both sides over the years but here in Washington it is getting so bad with guys like Putz to even think about voting for anyone he supports. Look at that we have more in common than you would have thought:)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Touché Guru
    February 12, 2013 10:39 am
    Agreed. A Moderate Party would be a good thing. The only reason I've turned fiscally conservative is due to the unaccountable, incompetent reckless spending by the Democrats ( especially in WA. State). I have kids and they and their children will be the ones who will eventually get totally screwed by the financial mess these idiots have made.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    I give Ms. Sheldon......
    February 12, 2013 6:40 am
    Two thumbs up!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    Where can one purchase a 'Magic D Wand'?
    February 12, 2013 6:44 am
    tt.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Magic D wands are for sale in Anaheim, CA.
    February 12, 2013 7:14 am
    Check out the trinket booth in Fantasyland. :-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    Hey, thanks Chuck!
    February 12, 2013 12:35 pm
    tt.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }