Despite Scant Turnout, Democrats Rally For Election

Maybe it was the sunny weather outside. Maybe it was the fact that it was a Sunday. Maybe it was because they already know whom the Democrats will send to the November election.

Whatever the case, Sunday's Democratic precinct caucuses drew scant crowds in University Place and across the state. Still, those who attended the local caucus appeared adamant about the party scoring a victory in November.

"It's important to get the young voters involved," said Lori Abreau of University Place, who attended the caucus at Curtis Junior High.

It was a different vibe than the caucuses many Democrats attended in 2008, when they were trying to put their candidate in the Oval Office. Four years later, they want to keep Barack Obama in office, so there really wasn't talk about the presidential office Sunday.

Instead, much of the focus at Curtis Junior High involved local, state and Congressional races, as well as whom the Democrats would send to the Pierce County Convention on April 29.

Speaking of Pierce County, the race for the newly formed District 4 drew two campaigns to University Place. Abreau was representing her sister--Connie Ladenburg--who is running to represent the district that stretches from UP and Fircrest all the way to Downtown Tacoma and Old Town.

The fact that the district covers lots of municipalities won't be a problem for Ladenburg, Abreau said.

"She understands the dynamics of University Place," Abreau said of her sister. "She understands the dynamics of Downtown. She understands the dynamics of Old Town."

The other Democratic hopeful--Sharon Benson--appeared at Sunday's caucus, flashing a smile and campaigning on her platform's main issue: jobs.

Benson said she understands Ladenburg has held a public office longer, but she has also been involved with local politics and isn't intimidated.

"I'm not a career politician," she said. "This is not a launching pad for my career."

Aside from Pierce County races, a University Place candidate for the state Legislature----also made an appearance.

And despite the sparse crowd, Choiniere's speech actually drew applause and was the closest thing to a rally.

"This is a crossroads," he said. "If we fight hard, we can't be beaten. As a matter of fact, we're going to take stuff back."

"We can't sit on our hands anymore."